CPAC ARE NOT CHEERLEADERS, RUBBER STAMPS OR SCAPEGOATS FOR CHEMTURA

From time to time it becomes quite obvious that the only reason the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee was formed was to allow the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to regain face and status after the double whammy of Varnicolor Chemical and Uniroyal in the late 80's and early 90's. The M.O.E.'s credibility was absolutely in the dumpster as citizens recalled all the promises and assurances made to them during the 70's and 80's that their drinking water was safe. Added to that was M.O.E. incompetence and outright covering up of the Varnicolor Chemical pollution. Hindsight being 20/20 we now know that they kept Nutrite ammonia pollution under wraps as well.

Despite this every now and again either the M.O.E. or Chemtura will make a request of CPAC to either endorse a report or a change in monitoring etc. Similarily a M.O.E. employee is currently asking CPAC to pass a Resolution urging his superiors to give priority consideration to a recent Chemtura proposal. At the same time Chemtura are trying to sweet talk CPAC into attending so called private technical meetings. Chemtura are not interested in CPAC's input. They simply want to be able to say down the road that CPAC participated. They also want their cake with this one as they don't want the full CPAC & SWAT to be able to publicly comment on their proposed off-site plans. The public either in person or via the media also have a right to here these plans first hand.

Tonight at the public CPAC meeting these two requests will be discussed including CPAC's formal response. Also on the Agenda are DNAPLS, recent Canagagiue downstream monitoring and how Chemtura's history is not supportive of their new proposals.