PERUSING THE MAY 12/16 TAG MINUTES

My general impression of these Minutes is positive. They have captured most of the comments criticizing Chemtura and the M.O.E.C.C. quite accurately. It is quite pleasing to myself and CPAC members watching and hearing the undercurrent of disappointment and disillusionment with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment already. Imagine if you can if you'd had to deal with those professional liars for over twenty-five years.

Saloni Clerk of the M.O.E. admitted that the effects of mixtures of toxic chemicals in fish is unclear hence advisories do not reflect combined mixture analysis. This is the same fatal weakness in drinking water and air analyses.

TAG (Technical Advisory Group) believe that if the fat in fish is not tested then it is not possible to accurately know what the dioxin load in the fish really is. Similarily Hatfield Consultants (B.C.?) have advised TAG (Dr. Jackson) that
the entire fish should be examined not just the leaner fillet. Saloni's colleague (Dr. Bhavsar) acknowledged that contaminants tend to be higher in the internal organs such as the liver.

In Vietnam sediment concentrations greater than 150 parts per trillion (Dioxin TEQ) result in removal of the sediments. Even this number far exceeds various criteria and effect levels in Ontario and Canada yet to date has not resulted in removal of highly contaminated sediments in the Canagagigue Creek.

Terri Buhlman of the M.O.E. is hung up on proving adverse effects or at least hung up on talking about it. Dioxins and DDT (and so much more) are in the natural environment. Life both human and other exists in and around the creek and are exposed to these highly toxic contaminants. Stuff the neverending debates and verbal B.S. and start cleaning up. Ms. Buhlman's suggestions for assessing the adverse effects are utter rubbish and a waste of time which is exactly what she, the M.O.E.
and Chemtura want.

The M.O.E. are allegedly more concerned about "consistency" across Ontario than about safety here in the Canagagigue Creek. Ms. Buhlman hence opposes the warning signs now along the creek. Indeed it would look bad on the M.O.E. if all polluted creeks and rivers in Ontario were properly signed as such.

The debate on whether it is new versus historic contamination is ridiculous. Both old and new Dioxins or DDT are hazardous. Get rid of them!

TAG still insist upon suspended sediment sampling and the M.O.E. are resisting. The M.O.E.'s arguments seem defensive.

Dr. Jackson has requested that falsehoods (my term) in the bulletin sent to Woolwich Township be removed. These include statements that the sediment contamination concentrations are being reduced as well that this contamination is not moving downstream.

There were other items discussed such as Hawkridge Homes proposed subdivision on Union St. as well as the Chemtura spill at the former south wellfield (E7). Also TAG has recommended to RAC that shallow wells and soil samples be taken along the south-east border of Chemtura with the neighbouring Stroh farm. These wells and soil samples should be no more than 40 metres apart and thus cover the intentional 175 metre gap left by the CRA(GHD) sampling done to date in the low lying area that drains off-site into the Stroh Drain area.