DRAFT RAC MINUTES FOR A SECOND TIME

Back in early October I posted here in regards to the Draft Minutes of the September 15/16 RAC (Remediation Advisory Committee) meeting. I've just recently reread them after having some difficulty finding them on the Township's new website. Lisa Schaefer (Woolwich Twp.) assisted me in finding them.

The second page of the Draft Minutes indicates that a pipe diverts part of the Stroh Drain and puts it directly into the downstream Martin swimming pond. This is beyond horrific and the only thing worse is that our authorities and public health care experts are not investigating.

Contrary to Mr. Almeida's (GHD) claim, soil conditions do not improve as you move east towards Mr. Stroh's property. That is wishful thinking combined with hopeless, self-serving optimism. GHD claim that they want to carefully inspect the Stroh Drain and determine where sediments and silts are accumulating. This is a good thing if they do follow through.

GHD's claims of a more comprehensive, holistic approach to the program of remediating the creek has a strong odour, taste and appearance of heavy duty bullshit. Based upon Chemtura's history this surprises no one.

The only suspended sediment transport study to date for the Canagagigue Creek was done by Stone and Haight in 1988. That would be Murray Haight of Elmira whom I wished a Merry Christmas to yesterday. The M.O.E. continue to fudge on doing another one.

Regarding the proposed HHRA (Human Health Risk Assessment) a member (possibly Susan?) stated that the community has zero to no faith in an HHRA. They also stated that "the community still has enormous cynicism about the HHRA process.". Furthermore "Part of it lies in the fact that for many years the community drank NDMA contaminated water and no epidemiological assessment was conducted. There is a disconnect between the standards that are set, such the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards, and human health effects.".

In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) was briefly mentioned as an alternative and additional remediation method. Yours truly presented a Delegation to the old CPAC back about 2008 pointing out the good results that occurred with ISCO in Cambridge as part of the Northstar Aerospace cleanup. My Delegation was ignored by Chemtura, M.O.E. and the old CPAC. No surprise and yet now they admit its' validity. Assholes!

RAC passed a couple of excellent Motions at this meeting including looking at a madia strategy once all the creek data is in. TAG and RAC both seem to be agreeing that the problem is not technical ones but a public policy one as in politics and politicians. Finally!

The M.O.E. claims that there are three downstream cow crossing structures. Further details are required as the one I've examined to date (New Jerusalem Rd.) is inadequate and indeed the cattle stir up the creek as well as drink directly from it after they've stirred it up. Unacceptable. Why would I believe on faith that the other two are any better?

See you at RAC at 4 pm. today in Council Chambers.