TAG NOVEMBER 17/16 DRAFT MINUTES

Yours truly posted here about this meeting on November 18, the day after the TAG meeting. Today's post is about the formal, albeit Draft Minutes of the meeting that have just been released.

TAG endorses both test pits along the south-east property line of Chemtura beside or on the Stroh farm as well as monitoring wells in this same area known as the "Gap". It is known as the "Gap" due to Chemtura's and GHD's willingness so far to conveniently avoid testing the area. It is the gap between the further north test pits and the ones right down at the extreme south end of their eastern property line.

Terri Buhlman of the M.O.E sent a letter on October 31/16 which TAG was unimpressed with. This included suddenly advising that their final report due October 31/16 would not be completed until February 28, 2017. Also the self-serving analysis of fish tissues will likely not include fatty areas or internal organs such as the liver which accumulate lipophilic and persistent toxins.

TAG also advised at their meeting that the claim by the M.O.E. that they had 20 different sites was "misleading" as in fact it was actually a number of samples taken at only four sites. TAG as well as myself and CPAC have both stated that the M.O.E. have failed to sample the same locations over the years and they have failed to conduct periodic suspended sediment sampling. Failing to do that makes it more difficult to prove that the contamination is indeed moving down the creek (moi-and probably being refreshed at the upstream end regularily). Finally TAG dispute the M.O.E.'s claim that Dioxin levels in the creek have been decreased substantially since the 1990s.

TAG strongly and formally advised the MOECC to revise their bulletin sent to downstream residents this past May due to its' claims of improving conditions in the creek.

TAG will be advising RAC that the creek exceeds the standards in a number of MOE Tables and hence that is a primary cause for concern. Also by their own definition of causing adverse effects in the Environmental Protection Act; remediation needs to be done in the creek.

Again in the Draft Minutes, Dr. Jackson has indicated that two new members of TAG will need to be determined to represent TAG at RAC meetings. My opinion is that Pat and Susan will scheme behind the scenes to try and keep themselves in that position, contrary to the Chair's (Dr. Jackson) plans.

A reminder that RAC will meet this Thursday at 4 pm. in Woolwich Council Chambers.