M.O.E. REVERSE THEMSELVES, CHEMTURA CONTINUE THE LONG STALL

Well the last nonsense we heard from Teri Buhlman of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment was that the Canagagigue Creek did not represent any threat to human or wildlife. If you will recall this includes her refusal to have the M.O.E. involved in warning signage at three areas along the creek regarding toxic contaminants in the fish. You may also recall her presentation in which we were advised that while yes the fish are contaminated the actual concentrations are less if you assiduously avoid the organs (especially liver), fatty areas and the skin. I recall at the time wondering here in the Advocate as to what language the warning signs should be in in order to ensure that foxes, raccoons, coyotes, hawks and blue herons etc. avoid eating specific parts of the fish that they catch.

Yesterday we received the TAG package including Agenda for next Wednesday in Woolwich Council Chambers. This package included communications back and forth between the M.O.E. and Chemtura regarding more testing in the creek as well as a "screeing level" Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA). While this somewhat indicates a turnaround on the part of the M.O.E. only Pollyanna could believe that this indicates a sincere about face by the M.O.E.. It would seem clear to me that Dr. Dick Jackson's firm stance has set the Ministry back on their heels.

Speaking of Dr. Jackson is he still with us? Chemtura and the M.O.E. whined for help from the Township due to huge breakthroughs by CPAC regarding the 2028 deadline failure (May 2012 Resolution) as well as with the off-site east side contamination of the Stroh farm. Furthermore CPAC and SWAT in conjunction with MTE Inc. determined that the Stroh Drain was collecting both ground and surface water and discharging it further east and south back into the Canagagigue Creek. This is likely but one more source over the decades of ongoing contamination to the downstream creek. Sandy and Mark B. hired Dr. Jackson to head up the new "cringeworthy" public consultation bodies namely RAC and TAG. To our pleasant surprise and to Chemtura's horror, Dr. Jackson is the real deal. He's given Terri Buhlman of the M.O.E. fits and made CPAC look like the ladies and gentlemen they always have been. Dr. Jackson's continued presence will be a huge test for Sandy & Mark. If for any reason he departs then Chemtura and the M.O.E. will once again be publicly seen to be pulling the Township's strings.

The M.O.E. want Chemtura to complete further sediment and floodplain sampling this fall with an analytical report due by October 28/16. Chemtura and their consultants (GHD-formerly CRA) don't want to do the sampling till spring with a "screening level" HHRA completed a year from now. Chemtura argue that they need to do parts of the HHRA first, setting criteria, determining various receptor pathways and other risk factors BEFORE doing their sampling. In my mind besides their usual stalling they are merely trying to set up their targets ahead of time in order to sample in a fashion to avoid exceeding criterias or in order to minimize the likelihood of boxing themselves in and being ordered to do expensive remediation. Risk Assessments are a game and both the M.O.E. and Chemtura know it.

Even if Chemtura follow the M.O.E.'s requests the whole thing is rigged. The M.O.E. have already publicly made it clear that they don't want to order Chemtura to do remediation. This whole thing is a setup to once again make the public think that Chemtura & the M.O.E. are open to public input and comment. They are not. It is and always has been a closed shop with the public (most) being the only honest party.