"VOLUNTARY" CLEANUP OF GRAVEL PIT-1 - INDEED IT WAS, IN HINDSIGHT

The March 7, 2013 edition of the Elmira Independent carries the following story titled "Committee opposes partial excavation of waste pits." CPAC (Chemtura Public Advisory Committee) wanted both gravel pits, GP-1 and GP-2 excavated and contaminated soils (dioxin/furans, DDT, & more) removed. In order to save a buck, Chemtura only wanted to excavate parts of GP-1 and cap then GP-2 in order to reduce water infiltration into the pit. All in all it was an excellent scam by both the company and the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

To date Chemtura or their successor Lanxess have not so much as acknowledged or commented on the probable relocation of GP-1 despite as always the evidence is from sources intimately associated with the company and its site in Elmira, Ontario. Both text from reports in the 1980s and early 90s as well as a 1983 and 1992 maps indicate the earlier accepted location of GP-1. Conestoga Rovers has even admitted that they have over time made adjustments to the size and shape of Gp-1 in particular. They have not admitted to outright relocation however.

If as I believe that GP-1 was arbitrarily and bilaterally moved by Uniroyal Chemical and CRA then indeed the cleanup of the likely much less contaminated pretend GP-1 should have been voluntary. What is indescribable and heinous however is the potential Ontario Ministry of Environment's (MOE/MECP) collusion with Uniroyal on the matter. I'm sure that they would prefer the word "negotiated" but that would be a misnomer. I very much doubt that they have the right to "negotiate" away the legal responsibilities of a coporate polluter who has contaminated their neighbour's property. If the MOE did collude with Uniroyal and CRA on this matter, then it is trilateral not bilateral relocation of a contaminated area. The original (via the 1983 map) GP-1 was on Uniroyal's property but was located in the lower lying area on the north-east side of the diagonal ridge of high ground in their south-east corner. This diagonal ridge (north-west to south-east orientation) of higher ground is what deflected the overland flow of waste waters from the east side pits south-east onto the neighbouring Stroh property. Therefore overland flow into the real GP-1 would have more obviously continued south-eastwards through the "Gap" area and onto the Stroh property and farm.