THE SECOND ELMIRA WATER CRISIS LOOMING: PCB's, DIOXINS & DDT

Yesterday's Elmira Independent carrys the following story "Ministry censured by CPAC". This is a writeup of the CPAC meeting last week. It not only includes information about the censure (for non attendance) but also about the M.O.E.'s latest sediment sampling this past June in the downstream Canagagiue Creek. Finally it describes in some detail the presentation made by Graham Chevreau at last week's public CPAC meeting.

I believe that we are at a critical point in our understanding of the negligent or worse behaviour of our local chemical company in regards to their using the natural environment for their toxic waste disposal . Furthermore the major reason it's taken this long to get to where we are is due to Chemtura's ongoing client driven consultants' misinformation and misinterpretations of data. This of course has been aided and abetted by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Both the Director and Assistant Director of the West Central Region of the M.O.E. have left recently. This is no loss to the public nor to the environment in my opinion. Bill Bardswick retired in June and George Karlos has just left under pressure from CPAC and under strange circumstances including false statements issued by the M.O.E.. These statements stated he was on temporary assignment followed up a couple of days later by his statement that he had a new position outside the M.O.E.. George has made at least two incredibly bad moves for the M.O.E.. He actively lobbied to have a citizen removed from a sub-committee of CPAC (SWAT) namely myself and he promoted a study of the downstream Canagagigue Creek in 2012 in order "to reassure" the public. What a bone headed move that was at least regarding reassuring the public. The newer data is anything but reassuring as it clearly shows over the last two summers (2012 & 2013) ongoing sources of Dioxins and DDT in the Canagagigue. DDT is at especially dangerous levels.

This will be the second Elmira crisis. DDT and Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They adversely affect life in and around the creek as well as any human contact such as in the Martin swimming pond. Furthermore PCB's were also found in the creek in 1987, 1994, 1995 and 1996. P.C.B.'s are also POP's and not surprisingly appear not to have been tested for during 2012, 2013 and the latest round this past summer. George has opened a can of worms and CPAC have done their duty and discovered major contaminant pathways off the Chemtura property's east side. The evidence is becoming overwhelming and Chemtura and the M.O.E. are reeling. Do they continue their coverup and lying or do they downplay the seriousness? George and Bill Bardswick are now on the record in a recent self published book with their fatuous and stupid statements regarding both myself and more importantly the current Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC).

It's time for the new Environment Minister to show his chops. Step up and meet with CPAC and SWAT and do your duty to the public and the environment.