AN UNEASY TRUCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CREEK?

Once trust and confidence is lost due to a major betrayal, deception or dishonesty it is rarely restored. This is true in almost all aspects of human endeavour. It absolutely does not refer to an honest disagreement, misinterpretation of facts or even believing a lie told to you by a third party.

Last Thursday's TAG meeting was very worthwhile. All of them are regardless of whether or not anything major was accomplished. It is the sharing of information that is always helpful in the long run.

Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach asked whether any testing for DDT compounds and Dioxins had been done in the Grand River sediments or creekbank soils. The answer by the GHD rep was to his knowledge, no. Obviously all the years of excessive results the length of the Canagagigue Creek makes it obvious that these toxic compounds have been entering the Grand River for many decades. Likely that will continue. Thankyou Uniroyal, Crompton, Chemtura and now Lanxess.

Susan mentioned that the presence of DDT itself above and beyond the presence of its' breakdown products, DDD and DDE, would indicate that there is a fresh source of DDT still entering the Canagagigue Creek. Pat as well stated that she believes that there are ongoing sources of DDT still entering the creek.

Joe Kelly of TAG expressed similar thoughts. He stated that with all these flood events the contaminants should have all been rinsed out of the creek long ago. Tiffany Svensson, TAG Chair, also flatly stated that there has to be an ongoing source of Dioxins & DDT still getting into the creek.

Lastly Sebastian asked the question of timelines that we've all been asking on every issue for the last thirty years. This was in regards to other ongoing remediation such as the off-site pump & treat system for the Elmira Aquifers. It has been a disaster to date with much ado about nothing. For each new well up and pumping more hot air than water there's been an older well either cut back or temporarily shut down for maintenance, repairs etc.. What a scam!