Sudbury Soils Study
Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #19
March 10, 2005 – 7:00 p.m.
Whitefish Lake First Nations Community Centre
Attendees: Ersin
Abdullah Joe Cimino John Hogenbirk Aino Laamanen
Rubina Nebenionquit Bob Somek
Carol
Zippel
Independent Process Observer: Franco Mariotti
TC Members: Marc Butler Glen Watson Brian McMahon Stephen Monet
Ido Vettoretti Mary Ellen Starodub
Dale
Henry
SARA Group: Chris
Wren Shawna
Peddle
Chair: John Hogenbirk
Recorder: Julie Sabourin
Public (13)
Regrets: Darrell Alston Gary Hrytsak
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1.0 CALL
TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
following dinner. The Chair thanked the
Whitefish Lake First Nations for inviting us to hold our meeting in their
community.
2.0 INTRODUCTIONS
Members of the PAC and TC 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
Delete: 9.1 Presentation on Ministry Soil Guidelines
(To be discussed under the
SARA Report.)
6-2005 Moved
by Zippel - Somek: That this agenda be approved. CARRIED
6.0 REPORT
ON QUESTIONS/ISSUES RAISED AT THE LAST PAC MEETING
There were no issues
arising.
7.0 PRESENTATIONS
7.1 SARA Group Report
Community Information Session/Open House: Shawna confirmed that this was held on
February 9, 2005. Presentations were made by Chris Wren, Brian McMahon and John
Hogenbirk. Shawna requested that those
who attended complete the questionnaire as it will be used to form the
presentations for upcoming events and the final report to the public.
Shawna
also provided the PAC with an overview of the 390 calls/e-mails received from
the public regarding the SSS.
She
informed the PAC that she is working on the preparation of the next edition of
the Update
newsletter. As well, she is working on
updating the communications plan and preparing a legacy document/consultation
report. She has requested that members of the PAC be involved in creating this
document, and providing comment once a draft is complete.
Study Completion Schedule: A slide indicating the timeline to date was
provided. Chris went on to inform the
PAC that in 2005 the draft HHRA and ERA reports will be submitted for TC and
IERP review and it is expected the complete study results and recommendations
will be released to the community in early 2006.
Chris shared the Table of
Contents of the Sudbury Soils Study report with the PAC. He indicated that there may be some changes
as they go along, but this was the proposed format at this time. He also indicated that all reports will be
filed on the website and they will also be developing a “reader friendly”
summary.
7.2 What is a Risk Assessment/Health Study
Further to a request from the PAC, Chris tabled a
presentation that discussed Risk Assessments and Health Studies and the
differences between them. As well, he discussed a Biological Marker Study which
measures the levels of chemicals in the body. He went on to indicate a Risk
Assessment would estimate the potential risks from exposure to chemicals in the
soils and determines if further action is necessary (in the form of additional
studies or recommendations to reduce exposure) whereas the Health Study would
provide more specific measurements of health conditions in the community.
Chris went on to provide the Study Objectives/End Product
which is to identify if humans or terrestrial ecological receptors are at risk
from metals in soil due to the smelters.
He said that if risk is determined, then at what soil levels, where and
which receptors. It was also emphasized
that both INCO and Falconbridge Ltd. have committed to taking necessary actions
to mitigate unacceptable risk.
The PAC requested to see what the model looks like
possibly for the next meeting.
8.0 APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
8.1 Minutes of Meeting #18 – January 19, 2005
7-2005 Moved
by Somek - Cimino: That the minutes of meeting #18 dated January 19, 2005 be
approved. CARRIED
9.0 BUSINESS
ARISING FROM MINUTES
9.1 Deleted
9.2 TC Minutes Forming Part of Disclosure
Documents
The
PAC was informed that the TC discussed this item at great length. The TC felt that there were several layers
of observers sitting at their table (Independent Process Observer, PAC Chair,
Union representatives) to ensure an open and comprehensive study is taking
place and that the TC is responsible for looking after the science and
procedural aspect of the study. For
this reason, the TC feels the release of minutes would be of no additional
benefit. What the TC is considering is
a summary document of key decisions which would be prepared and shared with the
PAC and posted on the website which would enable the public to monitor major activities/decisions
made by the TC. This summary would go
back to day one.
9.3 Report
on Public Information Session at Science North
See
previous comments.
10.0 NEW
BUSINESS
10.1 PAC Request to Sit as an Observer at CSC
(Communications Sub-Committee) Meetings
This
request was forwarded to the WG. It was
suggested that the CSC should submit the request to the TC in the form of a
recommendation. Initial comments
indicate that the CSC is favourable to this suggestion.
CSC Chair: The PAC was also informed that Cory McPhee
from INCO has accepted the position of Chair for the next three months as per
their Terms of Reference (Chair duties rotate amongst the five member
organizations on a quarterly basis).
10.2 Legacy
Document
The
PAC was informed that the final SSS report will contain approximately 3,000
pages of text and data. The scientific community would likely be able to
understand the document, but there is concern that the public would probably
not know where to begin. For this
reason, it was requested that the PAC consider how to develop an easily
accessible/understandable document for public consumption. The PAC agreed with
this observation and responded by indicating they would take this request under
advisement and provide feedback at a future meeting.
11.0 TC
MEETINGS
11.1 Minutes of TC Meetings #38 January 13, 2005
These
minutes were tabled for information. It
was noted that an additional correction was requested at today’s TC
meeting. These revised minutes will be
re-issued.
12.0 ADDENDUM
12.1 Applications
for Vacant PAC Positions
The
PAC was informed that the deadline for applications is Friday, March 18th. The PAC is looking to fill three vacant positions. Advertisements have gone out to the Northern
Life, Sudbury Star and on Channel 10.
It was also suggested that a pop-up be placed on the website as well.
13.0 NEXT
MEETING
13.1 Schedules for Next Meeting
The
following timeline was tabled for discussion:
April
12th TERA arrives late
afternoon
April
13th Full day tour with
WG
Evening:
TC/PAC/TERA dinner/social
April 14th TC
meeting dedicated to the discussions regarding the schedule and panels
Evening:
PAC meeting with TERA and public
Sites
for these meetings have yet to be determined.
It
was felt that if, after the evening social on the 13th the PAC/TC
still need to meet, this will then be arranged.
14.0 FOLLOW
UP TO PUBLIC SESSION
None.
15.0 ADJOURNMENT
8-2005 Moved
by Zippel – Laamanen: That this meeting be adjourned. Time: 9:00 p.m. CARRIED
_______________________________ _____________________________
Chair,
John Hogenbirk Recorder,
Julie Sabourin