"UNFORGIVEABLE", "EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING", "UNDER DESIGNED", "M.O.E. BOUGHT OFF..."

Good morning Vietnam! Of course I'm referring to our Agent Orange homestead up the street from me, namely Chemtura Canada. First admission: I'm guilty in the headline of sensationalizing the TAG Chair's quote regarding the Ministry of the Environment. My bad! His actual quote was "The M.O.E. bought off on them far too easily" and Dick Jackson is referring to the "underdesigned" and poorly engineered ISCO pilot test done over a year ago in the Elmira Aquifer. According to Chemtura/CRA their pilot test proved that In Situ Chemical Oxidation wasn't feasible and the M.O.E. didn't say a peep.

We learned nothing new in that the Grand River Conservation Authority is all about floodplain management, water control etc. and simply not involved or interested in industrial contaminants in the water. They leave that to the M.O.E. and we all know how that is working out.

We were advised that David Hofbauer of TAG is the community rep on the upcoming *Responsible Care verification. Could have been worse and has been with Pat McLean far too many times.

The M.O.E. advised us that the soil samples for the East/South side Investigation were between 0-15 cm. (6 inches) in depth. This is a farce and was criticized by both CPAC as well as MTE (Peter Gray) last January 2015. First off surface samples are far more likely to have been diluted, weathered and flushed than deeper samples. Secondly there is evidence of extensive landscaping and soil replacement in several areas on the east side. This includes after excavations of RPE 4 & 5 as well as at BAE 1, RB-1 & 2 right on the eastern border. Hence clean fill was put on top of the contaminated areas. This is a typical Chemtura/M.O.E. scam/investigation. A comment from the M.O.E. "not his area of expertise" speaker that this depth corresponded with the surface topography on the neighbouring farm is ridiculous. Peter Gray (MTE) in his October 2014 Report included a topographical map showing the high ground in the north-east corner slowly losing elevation as it moves south and eastwards. Also I've walked the area and the Stroh farm in areas is still a metre lower than the Chemtura property along Chemtura's eastern border.

Then the question was asked of Jeff Merriman (Chemtura) as to why there was a large gap south of test site 9 on their eastern border. At first blush Jeff lied like a dog however as Mayor Shantz has conveniently denied public access or questions, Jeff's lying could not be immediately confirmed. I did state out loud "That is untrue" but could not followup. Jeff appeared to falsely claim that there were no soil samples taken in the large gap between test site 9 and 10 because the ground on the Chemtura side is elevated making off-site drainage impossible. What utter crap! I have Conestoga Rover's topographical map of the area (elevation contour lines), I have photographs showing that there is a former swamp on Chemtura's side which is flat and the same elevation as the Stroh property and finally Dr. Dan Holt, Vivienne and I have all walked the property line with permission and seen it with our own eyes and photographed it.

It is likely that the M.O.E. and Chemtura are getting their excuses/stories straight. I smell an attempt to blame floodplain ponds immediately north of Station 21 for the very high results found repeatedly in the creek sediments around Station 21 (New Jerusalem Rd.). Anything rather than admit they have a sink of Dioxins/Furans and DDT requiring massive soil removal costing hundereds of millions of dollars.

Meanwhile Teri Bulman (M.O.E.) is also repeatedly stating that all the exceedances of criteria we know about are merely "generic" standards. How cute! She claims that there will be years of testing and determination to figure out site specific standards, risk assessments etc.. Dick Jackson made it clear that "bureaucratic procedures to formally study and analyse " the creek should not take precedence over the Precautionary Principle. In other words Teri don't waste our time with years more of process and procedure when we need action now. This comment was echoed by a citizen rep on TAG as well as she indicated that we've had studies forever and zero action downstream in the creek.

Tomorrow I will followup on last night's amazing meeting. WOOLWICH OBSERVER: The Region of Waterloo, GRCA, Mayor, Councillor, M.O.E.C.C., Chemtura, RAC and some TAG members were present. Also three members of CPAC/SWAT and a few more in the gallery. What exactly is it going to take for you to cover this huge public interest story?????