BITS & BITES FROM THURSDAY'S CPAC MEETING

Jeff of Chemtura once again claimed that on-site inspections done in the last couple of years indicate that ground surface contours from Chemtura's former east pits (RPE 1-5) are not heading off site in an easterly direction. As I have done countless times over the past two decades plus I corrected Jeff (& Uniroyal/Chemtura). His inspection fifteen years after approximately 28,000 tonnes (or cubic metres?) of grossly contaminated material was removed from RPE 4 & 5 is irrelevant. A huge hole was left in the ground which would have at best been backfilled level with the surrounding terrain. There are detailed drawings and diagrams of the pits produced by their consultants when they were in use clearly showing that they were elevated by a few metres above the surrounding topography.

Mark Bauman indicated that he did not advise the Martin family this last summer that they have been diverting water into their swimming pond that comes from both ground and surface water from Chemtura's property as well as Stroh's. Mark also privately before and after the meeting is lobbying myself and others to be responsive to Woolwich Council no longer having CPAC as a committee of Council. Perhaps Mark is honestly echoing a suggestion of mine going back many years or perhaps he is dishonestly making like a politician and setting the stage to rid Chemtura and the Ministry of the Environment of their worst nightmare. That worst nightmare is an honest, informed and dedicated CPAC who are not beholden to the company for expense paid trips around North America like former members.

Dr. Dan appeared to shock Jeff Merriman when he advised him that a professional geophysicist was preparing a technical report on CPAC's behalf dealing with off-site (east side) contamination with Dioxins and DDT. This is so patently unfair to Chemtura as they have had a monopoly on using client driven consultants to promote their self serving agenda.

Dr. Dan also took a round out of the absent M.O.E. by reading exerpts stating that contrary to George Karlos repeated claims; the M.O.E. need neither warrants nor permission to go on private property in their mandate to protect the environment. Jeff Merriman of Chemtura advised that the M.O.E. always ask for permission first although he did admit that they have shown up announced at their front gate. This is a small improvement over the bad old days.

Ken Jantzen a local resident spoke at the Public Forum part of CPAC's Agenda. He is extremely well informed technically and shared some excellent information with CPAC. He bluntly stated that the M.O.E. are in a conflict of interest position regarding dealing with polluters while their duty is to protect the Crown and public's interests. He also suggested that the Elmira cleanup has taken far too long to date and is absurd.

As indicated yesterday Graham Chevreau's Motion carried unanimously regarding M.O.E. failures to investigate and clean up off-site contamination onto the Stroh and martin properties. Further their failures to end the decades long contamination of the Canagagigue Creek with DDT and Dioxins is incomprehensible.

Both Chemtura and the M.O.E. are becoming desperate as this CPAC exert pressure both for the cleanup of the Elmira Aquifers by 2028 as well as for more source removal to clean up the creek downstream.