CHEMTURA & M.O.E. CREDIBILITY TAKE MORE HITS LAST NIGHT

My ten minute Delegation to CPAC last evening focused on the DNAPL excavations at tar pit west 2 (TPW2) in 1993. Chemtura's Jeff Merriman had baldly stated at the May 2/13 CPAC meeting that free phase DNAPL was neither seen nor removed in 1993. Not only was this rewriting history but fortunately I found numerous written references to the 1993 excavations in reports produced by Chemtura's consultants (CRA) but also by others. These clearly indicated that liquid flowing Dense Non Aqueous Phase liquids were seen and only partially removed. The ramifications of this may very well be the very high dissolved concentrations of contaminants in the groundwater, next door at Yara (Nutrite). In fact both the M.O.E. and hydrogeologist Wilf Ruland did suggest in writing the possibility of DNAPL gravity flowing off the Chemtura site over to Yara.

I also was able to take CPAC and the public through the Minutes of the May 2/13 CPAC meeting in which Mike Spencer of the M.O.E. had inaccurately described the conclusions of the downstream monitoring program last fall. Pages 2,3 and 4 of the Minutes were absolutely riddled with errors and inaccuracies. These included miscounting the number of locations tested last fall as well as broad statements regarding numerical changes from the 1996 testing that far overeached what they had done. There were also just plain inaccurate statements regarding results being lower than they were in 1996 when in fact they weren't. I was also able to introduce the strong possibility of a seasonal component to the downstream Dioxin and DDT data. In fact Mr. spencer did aid in that as he made reference to this springs flows in the creek washing out sediments that were there last fall (pg.3).

There was lively debate around both the DNAPL and Dioxin/DDT issues by all CPAC members. Chemtura were forced to backtrack on issues such as only creekbank erosion is a source of Dioxins/DDT downstream as well as admitting to free phase DNAPL on their site. They also admitted that free phase DNAPL flow is NOT controlled by hydraulic containment ie. well pumping. Their claim that Dioxins & DDT are hydrophobic and can't be mobilized by groundwater was disputed by myself. I made it very clear that they could be mobilized by oils and solvents, both of which are prevalent on the Chemtura site.

Two positions were clearly enunciated by CPAC Chair Dr. Dan Holt. Firstly CPAC would not be passing a Resolution urging the M.O.E. prioritize Chemtura's new off-site cleanup plans until CPAC had received funding for a peer review of those documents and issues. Secondly with respect, in future, CPAC would not be sending representatives to any further private Chemtura/CRA technical meetings.

Mark Bauman, Ron Campbell, Rich Clausi and more all suggested to Chemtura that they reposition their 2013 biomonitoring program further downstream. Jeff Merriman had again been bragging about decreases in Dioxins/DDT found in clams and leeches in this program. I pointed out that all the cages holding these critters were upstream of both GP1/GP2 and the recent downstream testing which may have found increased DDT in the sediments. It seems apparent to me that GP1/GP2 is one of the ongoing sources of Dioxins/DDT to the creek and the proposed scraping and capping of them this summer will not solve the problem.

Vivienne and Dr. Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach contributed to overall discussion on numerous issues and most importantly are keeping their eye on the big picture namely source removal.