WEDNESDAY EVENING'S TAG MEETING

Following are a few comments made Wednesday evening mostly by Dr. Richard Jackson, Chair of TAG. Some of these were said at the private, "technical experts" meeting. Ramin Ansari of Chemtura in regards to the 2028 deadline stated "We aren't going to get there", according to Dr. Jackson. Professor Neil Thompson of the University of Waterloo stated "Pump and treat won't make Ontario Drinking Water Standards by 2028". "2028 will be extremely difficult to do" was said by Dr. Jackson at last evening's TAG meeting. Dr. Jackson also suggested that various off-site hot spots needed to be hit with ISCO (In Situ Chemical Oxidation). Finally Dr. Jackson on this subject advised us that these previous statements were "an eye opener for the M.O.E.".

Dr. Neil Thompson of the University of Waterloo has been retained as a consultant by Chemtura, Canada. Considering the level of groundwater experience so close to Elmira it's been shocking how little that resource has been tapped over the last three or four decades. Further regarding ISCO Dr. Jackson stated that "back diffusion (from aquitards into aquifers) probably will defeat whatever new steps are taken.".

TAG passed a Motion recommending that Chemtura produce a robust Conceptual Site Model and it's contaminants by the end of September. Susan had suggested that the January 2007 meeting with Professors Cherry and Parker dealt with this issue. Hardly; it was about DNAPLS on the Chemtura site and how they needed to be removed.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment continue to disrespectfully and dishonestly withold data from both TAG and the public. These are floodplain samples downstream in the "Gig" from nearly a year ago. This witholding makes both myself and Dr. Jackson suspicious of their results.

Environment Canada have responded to information sent them by M.P. Harold Albrecht requesting their assistance here in Elmira. Environment Canada have declined assistance or as Dr. Jackson stated it is "a buck passing". Dr. Jackson took several shots at the M.O.E. including "the M.O.E. is negligent regarding monitoring and considering the implications of the GLWQA (Great Lakes Water Quality Agreemnet). Another shot was in regards to Terri Buhlman of the M.O.E.. He stated that "if she was concerned she wouldn't have put up a fuss about the signs (fish) going up.". This is in regards to Woolwich Township appropriately putting fish consumption warning signs along the Canagagigue Creek.

All in all it was an interesting meeting. I believe that TAG members overall are quickly learning and understanding the political forces waged against them. Dr. Jackson has given no public hints as to his longterm future with TAG but it is obvious they are a force with him involved.