Sudbury Soils Study

Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #18

January 19, 2005 – 7:00 p.m.

Koski Centre, Cambrian College

 

 

Attendees:               Ersin Abdullah                       Irma Chiesa               Kim Edgington

                                    John Hogenbirk                     Gary Hrytsak              Aino Laamanen                                            
Rubina Nebenionquit            Bob Somek               Carol Zippel

                                                                                                                       

Independent Process Observer: Franco Mariotti

           

WG Members:          Marc Butler                            Glen Watson              Brian McMahon                                            
Stephen Monet                      Ido Vettoretti 

 

Chair:                        John Hogenbirk

Recorder:                 Julie Sabourin

 

Public

                                                                                               

Regrets:                    Darrell Alston                         Joe Cimino                Shawna Peddle

 

 

1.0       CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. following dinner. 

 

2.0       INTRODUCTIONS

 

Members of the PAC and WG introduced themselves to the public in attendance.

 

3.0       DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

4.0       OPEN FORUM

 

There were no questions or presentations arising from the audience.

 

5.0       ADDITIONS TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

            Add:    6.1       TC Minutes on Website

            6.2       Invitation to Public to Attend TC Meetings

                        12.1    Presentation on Ministry Soil Guidelines - MOE

 

            Ido Vettoretti will provide the SARA Group report as they were unable to attend due to the inclement weather.

            Suzanne Arsenault, chair of CSC, will provide the Report on Results of Telephone Survey.

 

1-2005            Moved by Somek - Zippel: That this agenda be approved.    CARRIED

 

6.0       REPORT ON QUESTIONS/ISSUES RAISED AT THE LAST PAC MEETING

 

            6.1       TC Minutes on Website

 

Brian McMahon reported on behalf of the WG that they had discussed this issue at length and decided that the wide distribution of TC minutes on the website could lead to misunderstandings and/or misinterpretations of the decisions made on some issues since the minutes cannot always fully reflect the complexity of issues and differing views that are expressed at the meetings.

 

The PAC asked if these minutes would then become part of the disclosure documents following the report to the public.  Brian responded by indicating the WG would take this request under advisement.

 

6.2       Invitation to Public to Attend TC Meetings

 

It was noted that in the last IPO Report, it was requested the TC consider moving one of every two or three meetings to the evening to allow more of the public to attend.  Brian responded by indicating that the TC would do their utmost to accommodate requests, but none have been received to date.  As well, the WG would encourage the public to attend the PAC meetings where the WG attends as representatives of the TC and are willing and able to respond to any queries raised.  Should a further meeting with the TC be required, this would then be arranged.

 

The IPO requested that the public be made aware of this opportunity.

 

7.0       PRESENTATIONS

 

            7.1       SARA Group Report

 

            Community Information Session/Open House:  This is scheduled for February 9, 2005. Copies of the display panels were distributed to members of the PAC for review.  It was requested that comments be forwarded to Shawna Peddle ASAP.  Ido also noted that Chris Wren will be making a 15 minute presentation to the public at both 5 and 7:30 p.m. followed by a Q and A session. The PAC asked for an opportunity to review his presentation as there may be items the PAC would like to have covered. 

 

            The PAC also requested that both the Scientific Reviewers attend.  The WG responded by stating that they did not want to imply to the public that the Reviewers were part of the Study.  He went on to explain that in their role, they needed to be kept at arm’s length as much as possible.

            Telephone Survey:  This is complete and will be reported on later in the meeting.

 

            Report on Issues/Concerns Raised via E-mails, Calls to Hotline:  Ido reported that since June of 2004, 106 telephone calls have been made by the public, 13 new e-mails received and that there have been no new calls or e-mails about the PAC or Study progress.  He also provided a chart with the breakdown of the 375 public calls and e-mails received to date.

 

            Background Information and Public Consultation Progress:  This slide indicated those activities initiated and completed in 2003 and 2004 as well as those that are required for 2005.  The PAC asked for an opportunity to review the History of Sudbury Smelters Report.  The PAC also suggested that the SARA Group look at, if they have not already done so, the Lands and Forest/MNR Historical Air Emissions document.

 

            ERA and HHRA Study Progress:  These slides also indicated those activities initiated and completed in 2003 and 2004 and those that are required for 2005.

 

            HHRA Update

 

            Air Monitoring: This project was completed in October 2004.  Results indicate metal levels are well below MOE standards for all nine sites.

 

            Drinking Water: 80 residences have been sampled and to date 55 results have been received. Letters with the results are to be sent to the homeowners following analysis and QA/QC.

 

            Indoor Dust Sampling: This project was completed in December 2004.  Results are just now coming back from the lab for the 89 homes and eight schools tested.

 

            Food Consumption Survey: A detailed telephone interview aimed at 400 homes will be conducted.  Data from the studies from Falconbridge and Whitefish Lake First Nation will also be used.

 

            ERA Update:

 

            Preliminary Soil Toxicity Testing:  A slide with the results of the Black Spruce root development that indicated the growth with both low metals and high metal levels in the soil was provided.

 

Upcoming Deliverables/Activities:  This slide indicated items that were scheduled for completion such as:

·        Toxicological Profiles (continuing) for each CoC

·        Food Consumption Survey

·        Draft Results of Air Monitoring to WG

·        HHRA Model Presentation to TC (Feb) and PAC (March)

·        Public Information Session (Feb 9)

8.0       APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            8.1       Minutes of Meeting #17 – November 9, 2004

 

            The Chair requested a revision to item 7.1.

 

2-2005            Moved by Somek - Zipple: That the minutes of meeting #17 dated November 9, 2004 be approved as revised.                                                         CARRIED

 

9.0       BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

            9.1       Report on Results of Telephone Survey

 

            Suzanne Arsenault provided the PAC with the background and accomplishments of the Communications Sub-Committee (CSC).  She went on to indicate that this telephone survey provided a snapshot of the Sudbury community regarding the SSS.  The surveyors contacted 606 residences using a stratified random sample. Suzanne noted the results were very positive and that this establishes a baseline measure of knowledge and interest in the community.  It was noted that one-third of the budget for the Study was allocated to public communications and that a 32% response rate was very good.  It was suggested another survey be done further into the Study.  Suzanne requested feedback as to when the PAC felt this might be most appropriate to do.

 

            As well, she requested feedback from the PAC as to how to improve outreach and several suggestions were provided for her to take back to the CSC.

 

            9.2       Independent Expert Review Panel (IERP)

 

            Glen reported that the WG reviewed three proposals received. These were from the Royal Society of Canada, ILSI (Washington) and TERA (Cincinnati).  The TC endorsed the contracting of the TERA Group to find the experts required (a panel of eight to ten people) to review the completed Study report. 

 

            Further to a question regarding process, it was explained that the draft report would be provided by SARA and submitted to the TC for review.  These comments would then go back to SARA for inclusion if found to be appropriate by the TC.  SARA would then submit the report to the IERP wherein they would make recommendations and/or endorse the report.

 

            Glen informed the PAC that the WG has invited three or four from the TERA Group to come to Sudbury.  The WG is in the process of attempting to arrange a meeting around the April TC meeting and a special PAC meeting.  More information will follow once it becomes available.

 

            The PAC requested the WG provide them with some background information on the group in an effort to be prepared to meeting these representatives.  The PAC was also informed that they could go to their website at www.tera.org.

 

10.0    NEW BUSINESS

 

            The IPO conducted this portion of the meeting:

 

            10.1    Election of Chair

 

3-2005            Moved by Laamanen - Somek: That John Hogenbirk be appointed as Chair of the PAC for the year 2005.                                                                CARRIED

 

            10.2    Election of Vice-Chair

 

4-2005            Moved by Nebenionquit – Zipple:  That Gary Hrytsak be appointed as Vice- Chair of the PAC for the year 2005.                                                      CARRIED

 

            10.3    Schedule of Meetings for 2005

 

            This document was distributed for the information of the PAC and identified all meetings scheduled for both the TC and PAC.  It was requested the March PAC meeting be moved to accommodate the Spring Break. It was also noted that the Health Unit finds a conflict with the dates scheduled for the TC meetings.  These will be re-adjusted and the document re-sent to all members of both committees.

 

            10.4    Proposed Date for Completion of Study

 

The PAC was informed that the draft report will likely be available this summer.  It will take approximately two months for the TC to respond with their comments/revisions.  Following that the SARA Group will require an opportunity to incorporate the revisions.  It was thought that the earliest the report could be submitted to the IERP would be December 2005.  At that time, it may take several months for them to complete their review and any revisions will then need to be incorporated as well.  The PAC suggested that the CSC start to communicate this timeline to the public now and inform them that the final report may not come out until 2006.

 

The WG indicated to the PAC that any adverse results that appear will be responded to immediately and will not wait for the final report.

 

11.0    TC MEETINGS

 

            11.1    Minutes of TC Meetings #36 October 14 and #37 December 9, 2004                              

            These minutes were tabled for information. 

 

 

 

12.0    ADDENDUM

 

            12.1    Presentation on Ministry Soil Guidelines

 

            Due to the hour, this presentation was deferred to the next meeting.

 

13.0    NEXT MEETING

 

            13.1    Date of Meeting

 

            This will be re-scheduled to accommodate Spring Break.  The meeting will be held at Whitefish Lake First Nations.

 

14.0    FOLLOW UP TO PUBLIC SESSION

 

            14.1    Moving of TC Open Session to Noon Hour

 

            This was discussed previously in the agenda.

 

            14.2    PAC Minutes on Website

 

            It was noted that these were not available when this individual accessed the site for background information prior to attending this meeting.  It was indicated that this will be followed up on.

 

15.0    ADJOURNMENT

 

5-2005            Moved by Zipple – Edgington: That this meeting be adjourned.  Time: 9:30 p.m.                                                                                              CARRIED

 

 

 

 

            _______________________________              _____________________________

                        Chair, John Hogenbirk                                             Recorder, Julie Sabourin