IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, NO IT'S SUPERDITCH !

There are a number of options around the line, the scar or the trench obvious in Google Earth satellite photos of the Elmira, Chemtura property. One option is that it is essentially of little or no significance. Hey it's an option. Maybe it is a fence left over from literally 75 to 100 years ago although it's shape, purpose and location seem to make that unlikely. Jeff Merriman of Chemtura has been talking about the deceased and strongly pro Uniroyal former Industrial Relations Manager Harry Soehner; who allegedly advised him that "furrows" were ploughed to divert overflowing liquid wastes from the east pits due south into the former gravel pits GP1 & 2. Bad news Jeff. That really doesn't help your case. What an incredibly ridiculous and environmentally damaging action that was. These were toxic wastes of the NDMA, Dioxin, DDT and solvents category all mixed together. They would have contaminated the air, the soil and the groundwater every step of the several hundred metres south from RPE1 down to GP1.

If it was an attempt to either block contaminated groundwater from entering the downgradient Canagagigue Creek or to even partially treat this contaminated groundwater; then why the secrecy and frankly lying about it? If it is a barrier wall then is the contaminated groundwater being collected for treatment? Is it being treated on site or is it being treated at taxpayers' expense at the Elmira wastewater plant? Or is it simply being diverted into the joint wetlands on the east side of the site to be "remediated" by the cattails and bulrushes? Is it even possible that it is a collector trench which is diverting groundwater from Chemtura's property directly (or indirectly) into the Drain on the Stroh property?

Conestoga Rovers, Chemtura's very long time consultants, like to brag about their expertise on line. This includes articles, surprise, surprise about sites where they have installed collector trenches, Permeable Reactive Barriers, barrier walls with funnel and gate PRBs and various other technologies to either divert, collect, or treat contaminated groundwater. CRA are also very big on the advantages of Natural Attenuation of leachate escaping from landfills. This essentially is the do nothing, spend nothing alternative. In other words this is similar to Uniroyal's behaviour of burying toxic wastes in the ground and praying that the ground itself would "nuetralize" the toxins. We have all seen how well that worked for them and not so well for us.

Ontario Ministry of the Environment you have to step up whether you want to or not. These above questions need answering and soon they will be coming from all quarters. Both you and Chemtura have many reasons to hang your heads in shame. Get out in front of this issue and tell the truth whether it's a minor indiscretion, no indiscretion or the biggest one of a series of whoppers.