CPAC BATTERS M.O.E. & CHEMTURA

Last evening every single citizen volunteer present took turns criticizing Chemtura and the M.O.E.. Ron Campbell, Vivienne and Sebastian did at times focus on the M.O.E. but with they and Chemtura so apparently aligned on issues it was difficult not to hit both fish in the barrel. There was a presentation by RWDI (Rowan, Williams, Davies and Irwin) which was their peer review of CRA's (Conestoga Rovers) work on a site wide Air Certificate of Approval. Yours truly at one point politely suggested to Greg of RWDI that he had more confidence in the Ministry of Environment's competence than I did. At that point Steve Martindale (M.O.E.) interjected that they couldn't possibly have less confidence in the M.O.E. than I had. After the general amusement died down I conceded that Steve was correct.

The proposed remediation of the Dioxins and DDT in the south-east corner of Chemtura brought major heat to Chemtura/M.O.E.. The M.O.E. (Steve) insist that it is a voluntary cleanup because they the M.O.E. can't prove there are off-site impacts. Both Ron and Sebastian made their displeasure and disappointment in the M.O.E.'s position clear as did Pat Mclean representing the APTE Chemtura Committee. This is Pat McLean's first appearance at CPAC since she lost the Chair's positon. I commented that I was in agreement with her and CPAC's position and added that the off-site impacts have been known for over a decade as DDT and Dioxins are several miles down the Canagagigue Creek in the floodplains. Studies and reports have been done confirming this and Chemtura/M.O.E. know that full well. Councillor and newest CPAC member Mark Bauman continues to impress as he is doing his due diligence and homework and getting up to speed quickly. Jeff Merriman of Chemtura did his credibility no good when he insisted that more recent testing showed vastly reduced DDT/Dioxin reductions on-site and downstream in the Canagagigue. Turned out that while we were discussing miles downstream he was referring to a few metres "downstream". Sebastian and Ron reiterated that the M.O.E. should be funding consultants to do peer reviews on behalf of CPAC. Steve Martindale and Vivienne got into it a little bit when Steve misinterpreted Viv's comments to be a personal attack upon himself. Viv clarified and the Chair Dan Holt also assisted in sorting things out. The Chair (Dr. Dan) stickhandled nicely in keeping things progressing without unduly cutting off debate and discussion. That being said I whispered a few times to Rich Clausi sitting on my left that both Jeff (Chemtura) and Steve (M.O.E.) appeared to be gabbing just to run out the clock.

Ron Campbell introduced some comments on the SWAT team which will be dealing with technical issues on behalf of CPAC. He is also pressing the M.O.E. for details on the computer model that CRA are using as well as the rationale behind the 2028 cleanup date. Mark Bauman pressed Steve (M.O.E.) on the position they would take if Chemtura were to go belly up and or fold their tents and leave. Steve promised responsible and appropriate action from the M.O.E. . Mark also very diplomatically I thought, raised the sensitive issue of trust concerning company paid consultants.

Jeff Merriman and myself got into it a bit over the issue of off-site chemicals above and beyond NDMA, Chlorobenzene and Ammonia. Jeff did qualify his comments by suggesting that the bulk of off-site contamination was Chlorobenzene, NDMA and Ammonia. That's a little weird as NDMA while at very low concentrations is highly toxic to humans. It is measured in parts per trillion. Ammonia on the other hand is more toxic to fish and aquatic organisms and is measured in parts per million. Chlorobenzene is the heaviest of the three compounds. There are many other off-site chemicals by number which is my point. How they stack up by weight and or toxicity is not the issue. The issue may well be unknown synergistic effects between the myriad of chemicals present in the groundwater.

Christine Broughton (Woolwich Township) commented that CPAC did not need to make a decision regarding the peer review done by RWDI immediately. This was in agreement with the opinions of Sebastian, Ron and myself. Vivienne vigorously pursued financial issues around the 1991 Control Order. Her questions elicited interesting information from Steve as to the money they (M.O.E.) pay to Chemtura each year for "cleanup" costs. Finally Vivienne reminded the Chair (Dan) that we needed an update on the Varnicolor Chemical excavations we were promised last fall. Steve Martindale advised that he would bring the local abatement M.O.E. folks to the next CPAC meeting (June 28/12) for this update.

As is appropriate the Chair (Dan Holt) had only occasional comments to make although he did ask some very good questions of Jeff Merriman in regards to Source Removal versus only pump and treat He also indicated at one point a queue of upcoming questioners which I appreciated. Clearly Jeff (Chemtura) and Steve (M.O.E.) were not happy campers long before the meeting was over. Dwight Este (Chemtura) as usual kept his cool and his head down and let Jeff take the heat. The CPAC Chair in particular as well as the rest of CPAC are making exceptional efforts to criticize actions, decisions, companies and political bodies rather than individuals. As Ron emphasized they wish to make decisons and take positions based on facts and science. From the standpoint of those representatives of groups who are long complicit in the inadequate and frankly deceptive "cleanup" of the Elmira aquifers; it is a very difficult time.