The Komatsu loader that was sitting on the bottom of the Nisutlin River in Teslin was removed last Friday.

Steve Arrell of Environment Canada said he has no other plans to pursue any further investigation into the matter as there is no evidence of any infraction under the federal Fisheries Act.

A slight sheen was detected around the submerged loader. However, the water sample taken produced such a little amount that the laboratory analysis couldn't be conclusive about what type of hydrocarbon it was, Arrell explained in an interview this morning.

He also mentioned a second water sample taken from an auger hole downstream that tested positive, but again with such a little trace the lab could not identify the type of hydrocarbon, whether it be lubricating oil, diesel fuel or gasoline.

Without that information, he explained, it's not possible to zero in on the source.

It's not possible to even rule out the auger as the source of hydrocarbons detected in the hole downstream, Arrell said.

In both cases, however, the amount of hydrocarbon material was so little that there was no threat to the Nisutlin River, he said. Hence, there was no violation of the Fisheries Act and no need for any further investigation.

The loader is owned by Bob Hassard and his construction company, Deadman Creek Enterprises. It was in the river for a month, after falling through the ice while attempting to retrieve another piece of equipment that fell through three days earlier.

Several efforts by Hassard and crew to use a gantry they fabricated from heavy steel to help raise the loader failed over the last month.

Arrell said though he was not there last Friday, he understands the loader was moved slowly toward shore one step at a time. Crews were raising it beneath the gantry, moving it some distance, lowering it, and then repositioning themselves.

Once in shallower water, however, the Komatsu was lifted to the ice surface and dragged the rest of the way, said the senior environmental inspector.

The saga began Feb. 24 when a Snowcat belonging to Northwestel Inc. fell through the ice while plowing a winter road beneath the Nisutlin Bridge. The purpose was to allow for movement of a scissor-lift required to relocate cable running alongside the bridge.

Northwestel and Environment Canada had agreed to leave the matter until after the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous weekend, when they could seek permission from Yukon highway staff to use a crane on the bridge to lift out the Snowcat.

However, on that Sunday, Hassard, whose company does work for Northwestel from time to time, attempted the salvage but fell through.

Northwestel worked initially with Hassard on a plan to use the A-frame-like gantry for the salvage of both pieces of equipment.

The phone company, however, eventually went with its original plan to use a crane from the bridge deck, and was successful in its attempt March 19.