Sudbury Soils Study
Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #22
June 19, 2005 – 7:00 p.m.
Gold Room, Science North
Attendees: Ersin
Abdullah Dick Cowan John Hogenbirk
Gary
Hrytsak Aino
Laamanen Bob Somek
Carol
Zippel
Regrets: Darrell Alston Nicole Breau Rubina Nebenionquit
Independent Process Observer: Franco Mariotti
TC Members: Marc Butler Brian McMahon Stephen
Monet
Ido
Vettoretti Glen Watson
Chair: John Hogenbirk
Recorder: Julie Sabourin
Public (4)
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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 TC introduced themselves to
the public in attendance.
3.0 DECLARATION
OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
4.0 OPEN
FORUM
Homer Seguin
Mr. Seguin apologized to
the PAC regarding previous comments he made in reference to in camera
sessions. He stated that his comments
were not aimed at the integrity of the PAC, but that he was opposed to in camera
meetings and asked the PAC to re-consider this policy.
Mr. Seguin also requested
the TC to re-consider the model used for the HHRA risk assessment since it
focuses on present day and future exposures and does not consider past
exposures which would have been much higher than today. He felt that the current population, those
that have had previous exposure, should be taken into consideration.
Members of the WG responded
by indicating to Mr. Seguin he would be getting a more formal response from the
SARA Group, but that the model the TC is using looks at the most sensitive
community (toddlers) and provide a whole life expectation. Mr. Seguin was also informed that the
proposals/models submitted by the SARA Group for TC approval are reviewed in
great detail and have been approved by all members of the TC. He was also informed that the IERP will
indicate if the model is appropriate or not.
Mr. McMahon also stated
that there is a lot of uncertainty in the quality of the data that was
collected historically, if collected at all, which would provide very little
credibility in the final results. Mr.
Seguin was also informed that this was not a study of mining effects on the
population, nor a retrospective study.
He was told that the results of this study may indicate that further
studies could be required, but that the data must show that before any other
studies can be initiated.
5.0 ADDITIONAL
TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as
tabled.
6.0 REPORT
ON QUESTIONS/ISSUES RAISED AT THE LAST PAC MEETING
There were no items to be
brought forward.
7.0 PRESENTATIONS
7.1 Overview of the Sudbury Soils Study
Glen Watson of the TC provided a presentation on a
Community Based Risk Assessment. He
reviewed what the Sudbury Soils Study is and the objectives; the schedule of
activities to date and into 2006; listed the Chemicals of Concern; touched on
what is an ecological risk assessment and discussed where do we go from here.
A
question from the audience was raised regarding the VEC’s and why amphibians
were not included. Glen responded by
informing the individual that amphibians are addressed to a certain point in
the Sudbury Soils Study with respect to an aquatic problem formulation. Glen also stated that this area may be
looked at following this study.
7.2 Discussion
of the Study Report Schedule
Brian
McMahon of the TC provided a presentation on the Draft Process for Review and
Release of Reports as it relates to the PAC and the public. He indicated that this schedule is
identified as a draft as discussions are still ongoing and the PAC will have
several opportunities to provide input.
Brian
went on to explain the three volumes which are:
Volume I – Background Report which
is due July 2005,
Volume II – HHRA which is due
September 2005; and
Volume III – ERA which is due
October 2005.
The
first version of these volumes will be identified as Draft #1 and will be
reviewed by the TC, Scientific Advisors, Observers and TERA. The SARA Group will then incorporate the
comments received and issue a Draft #2.
Draft #2 of each volume will be sent to TERA then the Expert Review
Panel likely in February 2006. There
will be a panel meeting held in Sudbury in Spring of 2006 for two or three days
to which TC, TC observers, the IPO and the PAC can attend as observers. It is
expected that there will be an opportunity for the media and public to attend
the first hour or so to meet and greet, but that the remainder of the meetings
will be closed to the public.
Following
this meeting, TERA will prepare a draft report with the panel issues/concerns
which will be shared with the TC and SARA.
SARA Group will then need to consider all comments and develop Draft #3
of all three volumes. Draft #3 is
accepted by the panel. Final reports will be provided to the public for an
approximate 30 day review. An Open
House will be organized for the release of the final study report. The TERA Group will return to Sudbury to
attend this Open House. Brian explained that this presentation material still needed
to go to the CSC to flesh out the communications strategy wherein he will then
be able to come back with more details.
It was requested that this schedule be placed on the website for public
consumption but it was indicated that at this time, we are unable to firm up
any of the dates and that as soon as that is done, it can then go on the
website.
The
PAC requested a copy of this presentation which will be forwarded to Julie who
will then forward to the PAC. As well,
they requested an opportunity to become involved earlier in the process to know
how it is working and to be able to review the comments and revisions to the
documents. The PAC were informed that they are always invited to sit as
observers during the TC meetings and they would have an opportunity for this
review at that time if they so desired.
8.0 APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
8.1 Minutes of Meeting #19 – March 10, 2005
9-2005 Moved
by Zipple – Somek: That the minutes of meeting #19 dated March 10, 2005 be
approved. CARRIED
8.2 Minutes of Meeting #20 – April 14, 2005
10-2005 Moved
by Hrytsak – Cowan: That the minutes
of meeting #20 dated April 14, 2005 be approved. CARRIED
8.3 Minutes
of Meeting #21 – May 17, 2005
11-2005 Moved
by Hrytsak – Cowan: That the minutes
of meeting #20 dated May 17,
2005 be approved as amended. CARRIED
9.0 BUSINESS
ARISING FROM MINUTES
9.1 TC Recommendation: PAC Member to Sit on CSC
The PAC was informed that the CSC has invited
Aino Laamanen to sit as a PAC observer at their meetings. The CSC chair will be in touch with her
regarding the time and place of their next meeting.
9.2 2004 PAC Annual Report
The chair indicated that a revised draft was circulated
June 7th.
12-2005 Moved
by Somek - Hrytsak: That the 2004 PAC
Annual Report be approved and tabled with the TC for their information and be
posted on the website. CARRIED
9.3 PAC Remuneration
The PAC was informed
that they will now be reimbursed for administrative expenses as well as mileage
to and from PAC meetings and Open Houses retroactive to June 1, 2004. Julie will prepare a reimbursement form for
PAC use. It was requested that
retroactive requests be submitted no later than August to clear the backlog. Forms should then be submitted on a monthly
basis thereafter.
The PAC expressed their appreciation for this
consideration.
10.0 NEW
BUSINESS
There was no new business
at this time.
11.0 TC
MEETINGS
12.0 ADDENDUM
There were no addendum
items.
13.0 NEXT
MEETING
The next meeting will be
held September 20, 2005. All meetings in the future will now be held in the
Gold Room at this location.
14.0 FOLLOW UP TO PUBLIC SESSION
14.1 Will the
scientific community be able to review the draft documents prior to
distributing to the public?
The response indicated that it would
be best if they waited until there was a complete document to review and their
comments would be welcomed at that time.
14.2 H. Seguin
Mr. Seguin reiterated his earlier request and
felt that the TC was doing a disservice by not doing existing personnel.
15.0 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 9:00 p.m.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Chair,
John Hogenbirk Recorder,
Julie Sabourin