WIRE:02/13/2000 12:16:00 ET Canada races to clean oil spill near Vancouver

TORONTO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Canadian environmental emergency teams scrambled on Sunday to avert environmental damage at the Burrand Inlet north of Vancouver after 50 tonnes of canola oil spilled into the harbour at the weekend. Environment Canada said in a statement late on Saturday night that the spill had happened on Friday at the Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd in north Vancouver.

Environment Canada said it did not yet know the full extent of the damage caused by the spill.

"Canola oil is vegetable-based and presents a low risk to humans and the marine environment. However, it does present a significant threat to waterfowl because of its effect on the insulating properties of bird feathers," it said.

"Neptune has accepted responsibility for cleanup activities and retained the services of Burrard Clean Operations Ltd. to carry out on-water oil recovery and is assisting the SPCA in the recovery of oiled waterfowl," Environment Canada said.

It said emergency response teams would fly over the area later on Sunday to conduct surveys to coordinate cleanup efforts and determine environmental damage.

A bird rehabilitation centre to treat birds covered by oil had been established at the Pacific National Exhibition, and Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service will conduct an aerial fly-over of Burrard Inlet to examine the areas where affected waterfowl were reported.

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-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), February 13, 2000