The Slocan River from Lemon Creek to Kootenay River is now off limits to boats, canoes and water-going vessels of all kinds, according to a press release issued Friday, Aug. 2.
The Do Not Use order issued by the Interior Health Authority on July 27 includes the use of the stretch of river for recreational use, including tubing and other water sports.
Sergeant Darryl Little from the RCMP Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment said the restriction would be in place until the fuel clean up is done, with no estimate as to how long that will be.
Little told the Arrow Lakes News that the RCMP are asking for the public's cooperation, as they do not have the manpower to have officers on site to enforce the restriction.
"It's more for the safety of the public," he said "They've got the booms out there we don't want people getting entangled in the booms or the ropes being used to trap the fuel."
The order has also been issued to protect the workers cleaning up the spill and their equipment.
Little said the RCMP hope to issue a notice that the restriction is lifted once the clean up is complete.