MOE/MECP ARE "SATISFIED" WITH MILL CREEK CLEANUP

Today's Waterloo Region Record carry the following story titled "Province is "satisfied" with Mill Creek cleanup". Their satisfaction is based upon the "restoration efforts" made by the consultant on behalf of either the MOE or the trucking company responsible for the spill of jet fuel last January. These efforts included importing fill, site grading and removing all equipment. Further planting and minor grading are scheduled for the fall as are monitoring of ground and surface water in the future as well as monitoring of sediment quality and "marine life" in the creek two creeks impacted (Mill & Aberfoyle Creeks).

Somewhat of concern for me is the reliance as well by the MOE on "natural attenuation" in the creek. Sometimes this means actual biological or chemical breakdown of toxic components and other times, depending on the chemicals involved and the soil conditions, is mostly wishful thinking. In those cases it may be as much about dilution is the solution to pollution as it is about actual breakdown of toxins into their non-toxic components. I also wish that this article had advised as to the actual quantities of contaminated soil that was removed and replaced with imported clean fill. That is a crucial piece of evidence regarding the seriousness of the cleanup. Afterall 50,000 litres of spilled jet fuel can go a long way both horizontally and vertically.