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May 31, 1989 Pal -- © -- 2 =J 2 Le eee Dore oa oO Se a a es = VPOOS 9OMOo 4 O° & Peas 0 oO FOr a Ministry of Environment report released Mineral levels above guidelines By Dave Chmara Mineral concentrations have been found to be up to 56 times higher than Ministry of the Environment guidelines at the Mineral Transfer Facility located in Schreiber. Since the transfer facility began operations in 1988, con- centration levels have increased dramatically. A report released May 18 by the MOE, states, "significantly elevated levels of copper and zinc were detected near the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tranship- ment facility in Schreiber." : The report adds, "levels of these two metals were hundreds of times higher in.1988 than 1987, before the transhipment facility began operations. Off property levels of cadmium were slightly above the Ministry guide- line." : Readings of copper were detected at 3,400 parts per million (ppm) at one testing site on com- 3 pany property in 1988. The level recorded at the same site in 1987 before the facility began operat- ing was 4 ppm. The ministry guideline is 60 ppm. Levels of zinc were recorded at 35,000 ppm at one site on com- pany property in 1988. The levels recorded in 1987 were 35 ppm. The ministry guideline is 800 ppm. Levels of cadmium also exceeded ministry guidelines on company property. It was tested at 150 ppm and 80 ppm in 1988. The ministry's guideline is 4ppm. Iron too was above acceptable ministry guidelines. Levels of 11,000 ppm and 17,000 ppm_were recorded in 1988..The ministry's guideline is 3,000 ppm. Arsenic, lead and silver were elevated as well, but met applica- ble guidelines off railway proper- ty. On railway property, arsenic was elevated above ministry guidelines at three sampling points. The ministry began testing in response to complaints by resi- dents of Schreiber who opposed the construction of a loading pad by CPR in 1987. The pad was built to receive zinc and copper concentrates from Minnova Inc., a base metal mine located 20 km northwest of Schreiber. On August 18, 1988, the new facility started to receive concen- trates from the mine. Some residents, who have since formed a group called the Concerned Citizens Committee of Schreiber (CCCS), are concerned about possible health, environ- ment, noise and highway safety problems. Rose Renaud, spokesperson for the group, said, "when will somebody do something about it? We can only do so much holler- ing." The ministry conducted the tests from July 14 to August 13, 1987 (before operations began) Ambulance volunteers recently took the St. John Ambulance Advanced First Aid Course and passed with flying colors. Part of the test was to respond to simulated accident scenes.. Above, an ambulance arrives at the scene of a two vehicle collision. For the full story turn to page 8. Photo by Dave Chmara and from August 31 to October 3, 1988 (less than two months after the transfer facility began opera- tions). The ministry's report says there is a significant relationship between levels of all metals and distance from the CPR concen- trate transhipment area. Although levels were elevated above ministry guidelines at some of the testing sites, the report says, "their exceedence would suggest that contamination may be present but would not neces- sarily imply adverse effects." It goes on to say, "Apart from health concerns, however, the study clearly shows that there is potential contamination of. off- property vegetation, soil and groundwater." Studi i The ministry is sampling at two nearby residential sites to find out if health-based air quality objectives are being exceeded. In addition, the report recom- mends that the environmental monitoring program continue. "This program should include vegetation, soil and snow sam- pling, plus direct air sampling and wind measurements. Groundwater assessment may also be appropriate," the report concludes. Renaud said, "I'm really teed off the levels are so high - and they say they still have to do more tests." - "How long will this stuff have to blow all over our town before somebody does something about it?" she asked: Renaud accuses CPR of not following the agreement for oper- ating the site. She said tarps are supposed to cover the entire load- ing area, and not just the concen- trate piles. The MOE report says, "During the site visits on August 31 and October 3, 1988, puffs of visible particulate matter were seen in the air during the unloading of trucks and loading of rail cars at the transhipment site. Concentrates: were being spilled on the asphalt apron in front of the concrete pad, and were also being spilled and carried on truck tires onto the gravel area between the pad and the railway cars. Tarpaulins to cover the concen- trate were present on the site but did not appear to be in-use." Renaud said even if tarps are used properly, the concentrate dust still blows around during unloading and loading. She suggested one way of pos- sibly eliminating the dust prob- lem would be to ship the concen- trate from the mine in closed con- tainers and loading these contain- ers on-to the rail cars. Following discussions with the MOE, CPR has hired a consultant to determine how dust emissions can be reduced. The MOE is seeking a legal opinion on whether it has the right to issue a Control Order to a federally chartered railroad. Upcoming public meeting + Renaud said the MOE is plan- ning to conduct a public meeting concerning the transfer facility at some point in the future. "We really need the support of Schreiber to get it out of here," she said. During the meeting, the CCCS plans to distribute an information sheet about the transfer site." In addition, a video will be shown. Renaud said the video explains what she and the group have done to date and provides information about the site. "It also shows how to stir things up," she said. The video was funded by the Secretary of State (Womens Health Information Network) and was produced by Water Shed Productions operating out of Thunder Bay. Renaud said, "it's time for the people of Schreiber to have ari uprising and get it (the transfer © facility) out of here." Belluz POT 2W0 Broker Realty Ltd. Simcoe Plaza Terrace Bay, Ont Juris Zdanovskis 1-807-824-2933 1-807-825-9393 Anne Todesco bound Page 2 INSIDE THIS WEEK Ambulance Volunteers Dedicated group passes test Letters to the Editor No rest for the hospital Readers have lots to say Page 5 Superior Shoreline HOUSE INSURANCE Page 8 * New Homes 10 yrs or less Discount * Renovated Older Homes Discount * Senior Citizens Discount * Claims Free (for 5 yrs) Discount Special rates for 825-9492 825-9646