"BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE GRAND RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES 1966"

For those of us old pharts who have been involved since 1989 with the Uniroyal Chemical destruction of the environment and associated health damages of the residents, both human and wildlife, once again Dr. Henry Regier has provided clarity and insight. Last evening (read this morning) Henry provided a copy of the above named report in the title to select local environmentalists, CPAC members, one TAG member currently out of country plus one politician and one local bureaucrat. Henry has reminded us that while the 1995-96 M.O.E. report by Jaagumagi & Bedard has been recently quoted and reviewed again; in fact the first comprehensive report on the environmental damage throughout the Grand River watershed was done in 1966, nearly one half century ago. The pace of remediation has truly been glacial.

This report was published the year after the Elmira Sewage treatment Plant came on line. It was desperately needed for both human sewage as well as treatment of Uniroyal Chemical toxic wastes. Then in 1973 the Woolwich Dam was built in order to have sufficient clean water to dilute those still noxious wastes and to assist in some restoration of the creek itself. Of course after the drinking wells were shut down in November 1989 and we all learned the obvious fact that Uniroyal had destroyed the Elmira Aquifers; we also learned that NDMA was being discharged via groundwater into the Canagagigue Creek. Of course no mention was made in 1989 of the ongoing discharge of Dioxins/Furans and DDT as well. We didn't learn about those until the 1995-96 M.O.E. report.

The 1966 report does not focus solely on Uniroyal Chemical. It mentions less well known toxic polluters such as Hart Chemical, Biltmore Hats, Standard Brands, Tend-R-Flesh. Somehow it missed Breslube in Breslau and Candian General Tower in Cambridge. Regardless it spells out numerous areas that have sufferred extreme industrial and agricultural pollution. The agricultural pollution is the result of excess fertilizers finding their way into the river; promoting weed and algal growth, hence robbing the river of oxygen. It would also include the practice of grazing cattle both on river floodplains as well as having unfetterred access to the rivers.

The battle for the Grand River, Canagagigue Creek and the health of the residents will continue. I've said it before and I will repeat it again. We have the science, we have the knowledge, we know what needs to be done. What is lacking is the political will and that only occurs after major crises. Until the citizens again rise up and say enough; our politicians will continue to do the bidding of monied interests while mollifying us with cosmetic improvements only.