LAST EVENINGS PUBLIC CPAC MEETING

Well it didn't have the earthshaking revelations of the November 1/12 meeting but nevertheless was quite interesting and informative. I started the ball rolling with my Delegation which focused on the difference between private citizens presenting research and data versus bought and paid for professionals representing the polluter or proponent in the case for example of a quarry. I also emphasized that private citizens do not hide behind wimpy, deceptive Limitations clauses as does the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Chemtura advised us that they will be removing more buried drums from their south-west corner (M2). Jeff Merriman also suggested that they were mainly "carcasses" as the contents (liquid) were long gone into the natural environment. Allegedly Chemtura remove contamination as they stumble across it but refuse to do more on their site. The M.O.E. are fine with that while the citizens are not.

CPAC member Ron Campbell appropriately took umbrage with a claim in Chemtura's "Plant Activities Summary" which stated that Conestoga Rovers 5 year computer model "...confirmed that the 2028 target is attainable, with the addition of new extraction wells and increased system flowrates." Odd, no mention of their suggested In -Situ Chemical Oxidation. Also odd in that this same model predicted that the old vastly lesser pump and treat system would also achieve drinking water standards by 2028. Who knows what their next "update" is going to claim.

Steve Quigley of CRA gave an interesting demonstration regarding their computerized 3-D hydrogeologic model. Although certainly not a physical , literally 3-Dimensional model; it was very interesting and probably will be of assistance in understanding the big picture hydrogeologically. There was a somewhat bizarre interchange at the end of Steve's presentation with Susan Bryant who has started attending occasional CPAC meetings. Ron Campbell politely asked Steve how long CRA had had this capability ie. 3-D model. Steve turned right around towards the back of the room and asked Susan Bryant to respond. She immediately and unhesitatingly stated "a long time". Steve then elaborated and I believe he told Ron Campbell, twelve to fourteen years. He also advised the room that Susan Bryant had "assisted" with its development. Now Susan's area of expertise is English literature and probably editing etc.. Technically I can not imagine her having anything whatsoever with which to "assist" Conestoga Rovers. Then when Steve was taking "orders" for copies of the flash drives (USB's?) to be distributed, Chair Dr. Dan Holt asked Susan if she would like one, to which she replied no she already had it. There are a multitude of possible interpretations for this information but I do know that years ago I was discussing with Susan the necessity of getting rid of the extremely client driven CRA, possibly at the same time that she unknown to me and others was "assisting" them.

Dr. Dan Holt advised CPAC that *Responsible Care were meeting this Tuesday to begin discussions around Chemtura becoming "verified" again. They failed a year ago and were supposed to have this process going months ago. In the Public Forum part of the CPAC meeting I advised CPAC that promises were wind and that Chemtura's history was filled with broken promises and therefore they should not receive "verification" based upon them. I also reminded CPAC of Chemtura's refusal to take CPAC's advice for a better cleanup of the Dioxins and DDT in their south-east corner, namely GP1 and GP2.

The Soil Water Air Technolgy (SWAT) Chair, Ron Campbell advised CPAC, the M.O.E. and Chemtura of problems, questions and issues they forsee with tripling the volumes of off-site pumping as suggested by CRA. Dr. Dan also made a formal CPAC request for additional funds for peer review purposes from Chemtura. Not surprisingly this was refused as the last thing they or the M.O.E. want is any kind of a level playing field whereby citizens can professionally refute the junk science provided by Chemtura's consultants.

Finally Chair Dan advised CPAC and all parties that he and CPAC would be presenting an update to Woolwich Council on Tuesday December 11, 2012. This is an excellent opportunity for the public to get up to speed as to the ongoing challenges and battles that CPAC are facing.