The blockade at the access to the intake site at Arrow Creek for the Erickson irrigation district began on April 29th at 7:30 AM. This after information was received indicating that chlorine was to be delivered that day.

Protesters blocked the access road as the crew arrived at 9:00 AM to complete installation of chlorine injection equipment, which was slated to begin operation on May 1.

Elvin Masuch, chairman of the Erickson Improvement District, and other trustees have been under extreme pressure from Ministry of Health's medical health officer Dr. Andrew Larder. They have been threatened with legal action against them personally and seizure of the irrigation system if they don't comply with the order to chlorinate the water by May 1st.

There was a large rally on Sunday, May 2nd, attended by over 80 frustrated Erickson residents who are determined not to allow this poison into their water. Elvin Masuch and work crew were again denied access, with the chlorine, while BCTV cameraman Robert Irving recorded the event.

Erickson is a rural community of about 2000 residents. Over 90% of the EID water is used to irrigate orchards and farm land. In the peak season during the summer months the volume of water going on the land is 6 million gallons or 27 million liters per day.

Much of this chlorinated water would end up as runoff and into drainages ending up in the rivers and lakes. There is concern about a trout-spawning creek called Deadhorse that has served as an overflow from the EID system. Chlorinated water kills fish.

There is a judicial review scheduled to take place on June 22 &23 regarding the chlorination order. Erickson Water Users Society is being represented by Sierra Legal Defense Fund lawyer David Thompson. Andy Shadrack will be acting on behalf of East Kootenay Environmental Society in the capacity of intervener.

The blockade has been extended to 24 hours as of Friday, May 7th and the over 100 protesters are working in shifts to maintain it around the clock.

For more information contact the Water Action Group in Erickson.

Lonnie Lecerf: 250 428-7832