M.O.E. IMPOTENCE ON DISPLAY AT RAC MEETING

The smile be happy folks were out and about at yesterday's Remediation Advisory Committee. We the public were repeatedly told that the Conceptual Site Model being produced by Dr. Neil Thomson will be an agreed upon set of facts describing the geology and hydrogeology of both the Chemtura (Lanxess) site and the Elmira aquifers. Ramin Ansari for Chemtura U.S. stated that the comments received from the Region, the M.O.E.C.C. and from TAG were not challenging for him and Chemtura at all. He claimed that there were no disagreements. News flash everybody. Chemtura and their consultants will only agree to "facts" that help them. In other words "facts" that reduce their environmental liabilities and expenses.

It was nice to see the partners in pollution, the M.O.E. and Chemtura snapping at each other yesterday. Perhaps a lovers quarrel? Each blamed the other for slow responses and last minute delivery of memos and reports. Mark Bauman in his inimitable way presented a Canada Day challenge to Chemtura and the M.O.E.. He would like them both to get back to TAG by Canada Day (ie. end of June) with a finalized Work Plan for the creek as well as having received access to the Stroh property. Dream on folks.

The M.O.E. are unhappy with Chemtura/GHD's plans to do only surficial soil sampling in and along the creek. This includes near the new Jerusalem Rd. and as well the three cattle crossing areas in the creek. This first part of their comments they would like a response from Chemtura within two weeks. Ramin essentially said that if that's it for part one then he could absolutely respond within two weeks.

Part two of the M.O.E.'s comments had to do with sampling methodologies as well as the number of Contaminants of Concern (C of C). To date it is only Dioxins/Furans and DDT. The M.O.E. would like to see this list expanded. TAG Chair Tiffany Svensson summarized and said that it looks like there is no hindrance to part one and that sampling in the Canagagigue Creek will be completed this summer afterall. Let's see if it really happens.

Jason Rice of the M.O.E. responded to a question as to why Bluntnose Minnows and Creek Chubb were not sampled downstream in the creek. His response was not questioned but it should have been. He incredibly stated that the field technicians were unable to find any of these minnows or chubb downstream. This is either a bald faced lie and the Ministry didn't want to publicly release really high toxin concentrations in these fish or in the alternative they simply can't survive in the contaminated creek below the Chemtura site. Either scenario is bad news for the creek.

Terri Buhlman continued her past assaults on reason and common sense with claims that the Ministry can't decide on criteria for the sucessful remediation of the Elmira aquifers until they've talked further with Chemtura about it. She did however indicate that after 2028 it would take them at least five years of monitoring to be certain that the criteria had been met. Interestingly this is the first time we've seen Terri B. since she and Dr. Richard Jackson got into it big time last year at a couple of TAG meetings. I wonder if she advised Sandy (alleged mayor) that she wouldn't return if he was still present. This is exactly how the M.O.E.C.C. and Chemtura play the "public consultation" game.

Sebastian questioned Ramin about the expanded off-site pump and treat system which as of now we still have no confirmation that it has even been started. It is long overdue even Chemtura's belated time projections. Ramin did admit that even with the enhanced system they (Chemtura/Lanxess) can not possibly achieve drinking water standards for NDMA by 2028. There will be locations in the Elmira aquifers where NDMA concentrations will remain orders of magnitude above the Ontario Drinking Water Standards. Oh what a non surprise. Thank you CPAC for having gone public with that fact five years ago despite the loud screams to the contrary by Chemtura and the Ministry of Environment.

The M.O.E. have started the process to lay a Director's Order upon Mr. Ron Stroh in order to gain access to his property. The posting will be on the Environmental Registry for 45 days and will give parties the opportunity to appeal it. Ramin stated that Chemtura have hit the wall with Mr. Stroh and that he simply doesn't want Chemtura on his property doing any sampling.

The hypocrisy of Sandy and Mark Bauman was on full display at the end of the meeting when Susan Bryant in the gallery had her hand in the air. Mark as co-chair recognized his friend and allowed her to lob a softball question to Ramin. After the response Mark then asked if the rest of the public (ie. CPAC members) had any questions because this was an open and public forum . I bluntly responded out loud "Since when?".