ROCKY BAY FIRST NATION — Some people living around Orient Bay on the southeastern shore of Lake Nipigon are worried about contamination from a tractor-trailer that entered the water more than two weeks ago.
It was still there on Thursday morning, surrounded by a fence erected on the ice.
The rig went out of control on Highway 11 on Jan. 12 and landed on the lake, but the driver was able to exit unscathed before the ice gave way.
Local resident Pegs Lynch said Wednesday the location is less than two kilometres from Rocky Bay, and she's concerned over the potential impact on the water supply.
Her own home is located near the community water plant that's fed from Lake Nipigon.
"That's our water reservoir. Reflection Lake gets water from there to survive, as well as Rocky Bay, Pijitawabik Bay, Jumbo's Cove, and Sand Point, and then it goes out to the other five or six First Nations around Lake Nipigon."
Lynch added "Everything travels. Whatever comes from this tractor-trailer [threatens] the fish, the otters, the beavers, everything that drinks from that water. With all the grease and the gum and the grime that's coming from this tractor-trailer, it might affect the water system here in my community."
She said she's heard from other residents who share her concerns.
Newswatch reached out to Rocky Bay Chief Gladys Thompson for comment but has not yet received a response.
Lynch drove by the accident site Thursday and observed service vehicles in the vicinity, but said the nature of the operation was unclear.
Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has not yet replied to an inquiry from Newswatch on Wednesday morning about plans for the removal of the vehicle and about environmental mitigation that may be required.
