LAST NIGHT'S TAG MEETING WAS ILLUMINATING

Last evening's TAG meeting was a little more rounded with input from more TAG members as well as a Delegation (by the Chair's invitation) from Graham Chevreau of the Citizens Public Advisory Committee (CPAC) as well as yours truly being asked to give a brief presentation with my two foot by four foot map showing the eastern side of Chemtura along with part of their eastern neighbour's farm. I am quite enjoying being a formal CPAC member again without the bloody interference of any idiot Woolwich Councillors. CPAC tried to get me back on as a formal member a couple of years back only to be stymied by Council. This is why citizens' independent committees can not be independent as long as dishonest, incompetent or co-opted politicians are pulling the strings.

During the discussion of the East Side Surficial Soil & Groundwater Investigation, Chairman (Dr.) Dick Jackson expressed concern regarding the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (M.O.E.) doing their jobs when he said that "presumably exceedances on the eastern border will cause remediation to be ordered.". While the word DNAPL was not said relative to the east side it is fairly apparent that the now higher concentrations of chlorinated solvents/pesticides by OW36-5(R) on the eastern border are due to free phase DNAPL (dense non aqueous phase liquids) in the subsurface discharged from either RPE-5 or the other reburial areas of drums (RB-1, RB-2, BAE-1).

Dr. Jackson also mentioned that DNAPLS figured prominently in the November 4, 1991 Control Order. While that is correct, both parties namely the M.O.E. and Uniroyal/Chemtura stickhandled around them to the best of their combined abilities. They are still a huge issue despite numerous CRA (Conestoga Rovers) attempts to pretend otherwise.

Dr. Jackson (Dick) made suggestions to TAG (Technical Advisory Group) as to formal Recommendations that they should make to RAC at RAC's next formal meeting in Council Chambers on March 10, 2016. These included removing on-site soils that exceeded their calculated criteria of 36 parts per trillion (ppt). Surficial soils on Chemtura's neighbour's property to the east need to be tested as well as sediments deposited along the Stroh Drain which runs parallel to Chemtura's south-eastern property line. The water inn this Drain should also be tested for compounds found in OW36-5(R) including 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D and more. These compounds are the components of Uniroyal's infamous Agent Orange.

Further Recommendations to RAC (Remediation Advisory Committee) include Signage being placed near the New Jerusalem Rd. bridge over the Canagagigue Creek warning fishermen that the fish are contaminated. This should be done prior to April 23/16 which TAG member Joe Kelly advised was the opening of fishing season. CPAC member Richard Clausi was able to be recognized by the Chair at this point and advised that Ron Campbell (CPAC) had a picture of the international sign for contaminated fish on his cell phone. Dr. Jackson requested that Ron send it to him and Ron readily agreed.

Dr. Jackson suggested that TAG's Recommendations to RAC include better communications between the GRCA and Chemtura/CRA/GHD regarding opening and closing the Woolwich Dam to avoid further and future damage to cages of clams and leeches in the creek. Also another prod to the M.O.E. in regards to suspended sediment testing is in order.

Both Joe Kelley and Linda Dickson of TAG asked Dr. Jackson a couple of good questions regarding possibly lowering the 36 ppt. criteria for excavating soil on Chemtura's property. Dr. Jackson advised that while yes the off-site criteria was 13 ppt. for Dioxins/Furans he felt that demanding removal while using Chemtura/CRA's own calculated on-site criteria was a stronger way to go.

Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach (TAG) again pointed out the 160 metre distance along the eastern border that was not tested either via groundwater, surficial soils or sub-surface soils. Sebastian feels that the Stroh Drain could pick up contaminants from both the west side (Chemtura) and the east side . Dick Jackson had also indicated that "The Stroh Drain may be pulling groundwater eastwards and directing it southwards.". This is in line with comments and concerns that Peter Gray of MTE Consulting has also expressed in writing and verbally. Finally ignoring modesty, yours truly very early on realized that as the Stroh Drain is into and below the water table it most likely has an influence on local groundwater flow direction.

Dick Jackson made a number of other interesting comments such as he hoped that the formal criteria for DDT, Dioxins/Furans both in soils and sediments actually means something to the regulatory bodies. He also suggested that he is not comfortable with situations whereby the polluter is paying money directly to the regulator. This has occurred here in Elmira as per the 1991 Control Order. Dick suggested that he has seen situations in the U.S. where it appears that the relationship between the polluter and the regulatory body are far too cosy and close.

We had a clarification last evening regarding mayor Shantz's recent in Council claim that Woolwich Council have gone to the Federal government looking for assistance regarding the Chemtura situation. Sebastian raised the point and Dr. Jackson advised that Sandy, Mark Bauman and himself had approached federal M.P. Harold Albrecht for assistance on this matter. While Harold is now an opposition M.P. it is likly that his assistance now will be equally as helpful as it would have been when he was on the government benches. Dr. Dick Jackson suggested that going to the federal government was probably a "hail Mary" type play but nevertheless worth trying. There had been a little interest from the feds back in the 1980s.

Overall I'm seeing good questions from a number of TAG members including Bill Barr, Linda Dickson, Joe Kelley and Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach. Sebastian from that group is the only one with five years experience combined with honesty and good intentions. It is still shameful that Sandy Shantz and Councillor Mark Bauman spearheaded Woolwich Council's removal of CPAC members. The new TAG members are trying hard but respectfully at this point in time probably have no idea as to how much they don't know. Richard Clausi expressed it gently but pointedly at the end of the meeting after advising Chairman Dr. Jackson regarding Ron Campbell's international fish advisory/warning symbol. Richard pointed out how frustrating and wasteful of expertise it was having CPAC members sitting in the gallery, knowing the answers to questions that TAG members were asking, but being muzzled by the procedure refusing them the right to offer the answers TAG wanted. This procedure was done intentionally and maliciously by Sandy and Mark in order to mollify Chemtura and the M.O.E.. And of course guess who were nowhere to be found last evening? CPAC were blamed for their non attendance by Mark and Sandy yet even with a brand new TAG, no sign of the polluter and their partner, the Ontario M.O.E..