St. Clair River Canadian RAP Implementation Committee (CRIC) Draft Meeting Minutes

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1 St. Clair River Canadian RAP Implementation Committee (CRIC) Draft Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Ontario Ministry of the Environment District Office Sarnia, Ontario Participants: Wilson Plain Jr. Sharilyn Johnston Terry Burrell Ted Briggs Dean Edwardson Annette Verhagen Phil Vallance Christine Rogers April White Donna Strang Naomi Williams Sandra Kok (by phone) Jenn Richards Jake Lozon Trevor Robak Paul Buttery Claude Lafrance Regrets: Brian McDougall, Darrell Randell, Mike Nelson Guests: Courtney Jackson ITEMS Welcome and Introductions: Ted chaired and welcomed committee members. Recognition was extended to the Sarnia District office of the Ministry of the Environment for coordinating the meeting logistics and holding the meeting in their boardroom. Courtney Jackson was introduced as the new Environmental Resource Technician at Aamjiwnaang First Nation. She was invited to the meeting by Sharilyn for information purposes. Review and Acceptance of Agenda: The draft agenda was accepted as prepared. Review of Minutes and Action Items from the Meeting of June 25, 2012: The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted. Actions from the previous meeting were addressed and updates were provided. The following was discussed: The Chairs of the Work Plan subcommittees arranged meetings with their members to begin drafts of the new Work Plan. Subcommittees are currently working towards finalizing their plans and will have a draft report complete by the next meeting. A workshop was held at Walpole Island First Nation on August 28, The workshop was organized by April and Naomi with the purpose of providing information to the community about fish tumours and to see if there was interest in doing additional studies in the delta region. Community members have raised concerns about the occurrence and cause of skin legions and deformities in fish in the river and whether or not contaminants from upstream sources are travelling and settling in the Walpole Island delta. Approximately, 20 community members attended the workshop. Dr. Paul Baumann, an expert in fish tumours from Ohio State University (retired) presented an overview of fish tumours and skin legions, their causes (viral or contaminant), how other AOCs have researched the problem, the

2 benefits and downfalls of using different sentinel species and how a research study could be organized. o Dr. Paul Baumann recommended studying Brown Bullhead in the Walpole Island delta as there is a sufficient population to support the study and because they would provide more site specific information compared to other species such as Shorthead Redhorse and Walleye. Brown bullheads do not migrate and are a benthic species that would be directly affected by contaminants in the sediment. o Community members supported the study and initial discussions on sampling dates, etc. occurred. April and Naomi will follow up with interested community members and develop a sampling plan. Paul Baumann is on retainer with Environment Canada to help with sampling design. Sampling is expected to start in the spring. o CRIC will review next steps regarding the Fish Tumours or Other Deformities BUI once results from the Brown Bullhead study are reported. Sandra provided an update on the AIC BUI Re designation process. Natalie Green (Detroit River RAP Coordinator) has drafted a summary of the process and will send to Ted and Claude to review. Once reviewed, Claude will distribute to CRIC. Updates: Contaminated Sediments Project Report and Time Line The final Sediment Management Options report from ENVIRON is expected very soon. It will incorporate the additional studies conducted by Pollutech (geotechnical, geophysical and geochemical). The report will be submitted to the Sediment Technical Committee, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Walpole Island First Nation and Senior Managers for review. Six weeks will be allotted for the submission of comments. The report may also be distributed to Shell and Suncor. Public consultation is now expected to begin in January, Terry advised that the City of Sarnia would also like to be consulted. Action: Claude will distribute the report to the council of the City of Sarnia via the City Clerk. FOSCR Activities Terry reported for Darrell. Distribution of the funds received from the Shell Fuelling Change Challenge has begun. Five thousand dollar contributions have been approved for numerous habitat projects occurring within the AOC. The remaining portion of the $ will be distributed in the new year. Some of the funded projects include: 1. Canatara Park phragmites control 2. Bay lodge coastal wetland rehabilitation 3. MTO Hwy 40 Prairie passage 4. The Van Stam project repair of wetland berm, including turtle habitat 5. Phase II of Bowens Creek wetland project. GLSF O&M Contracts/COA Funding April reported that partners successful in receiving funding have been notified. Decisions on funding levels were approved and letters were signed by the Federal Minister of the Environment. All but one partner agreement has been drafted (to be completed by the end of September; agreement for shoreline protection).

3 Contracts have been drafted for Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Walpole Island First Nation and for Paul Baumann. Projects that will proceed include: laboratory analysis of duck and frog livers, a report by the Canadian Wildlife Service on waterfowl populations, a summary of ship based discharges into the river (to compare and contrast the St. Clair River to St. Mary s River AOC) and a benthos BUI status assessment for the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. Jenn reported that COA funding was provided to RLSN for wetland rehabilitation. A fish assessment was also proposed but has not been carried out as it was understood that DFO was already conducting assessments. Ted reported that funding is being provided for the consultation involved with the Sediment Management Options report, RAP Coordination, shoreline softening (Cathcart Park) and FOSCR (outreach work). Action: April will contact DFO and obtain information on their fish assessments to determine if work proposed by the MNR is similar or overlaps. The Canada Ontario Agreement along with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was signed in September COA is currently being renegotiated. The United States is hoping to re designate all BUIs by Action: Claude will invite a US representative to attend next CRIC to explain their strategy in moving forward over the next two years. BUI Assessment Status Donna updated CRIC on the status assessment report for two BUIs that are currently being drafted. The Restrictions on Dredging Activities report has been written and reviewed by Claude. Some revisions are required prior to being distributed. There is one day of monitoring remaining for the Degradation of Aesthetics BUI. The 2012 observations will be incorporated into the draft report prepared by Erin Carroll of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority last year. Both reports are expected to be complete by the end of Discussions on the next BUIs to be assessed led to a number of suggestions: 1. Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems Studies conducted in 2010 and 2011 are currently being drafted into a report that should be available by Christmas. 2. Degradation of Benthos A study summarizing all available information on benthic communities for the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers is currently being conducted at the University of Windsor. The study will assess this BUI against the current delisting criteria. 3. Restrictions on Drinking Water 4. Beach Closings Sampling continues along many beaches of the St. Clair River. Paul B. will provide report once 2012 data has been assimilated and analyzed. Internship funding may be available and could provide $ for resources and additional support. EC Representation on Committees Sandra announced that April will take over her role as Co Chair of CRIC effective immediately. CRIC members thanked Sandra for all the work and support she provided during her time on the committee. Sandra s work will now focus on the Detroit and Niagara Rivers.

4 Talfourd Creek Rehabilitation An update on the Talfourd Creek Rehabilitation project was provided by Sharilyn. The remediation will occur in the Bear Creek area adjacent to the Pow Wow grounds at Aamjiwnaang First Nation. The agreement has been signed and a shoreline design is currently being developed by the consulting firm Parish Geomorphic. Construction is slated to begin in October. The project information has been uploaded onto the Aamjiwnaang First Nation website for community input, media inquiries and community outreach. They also hosted a contest for a new logo design. Pre and Post sampling is being organized by Aamjiwnaang First Nation with support from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Other reaches of the river have been identified for restoration activities if other funding becomes available. Centennial Beach Bacteria Track Down April reported that additional bacteria sampling had commenced at Centennial Beach in Sarnia for the bacteria track down study. Sampling began in August and is expected to continue into September. A map supplied by the city of Sarnia identified two storm water outfalls that may be influencing the E. coli levels at the beach. The City of Sarnia provided funding ($1000) to support the study. The Health Unit collects samples at three sites around Centennial Beach on a weekly basis and after large rain events. Analysis is being conducted at the Ontario Ministry of Environment Biological Laboratory in Etobicoke, Ontario. The analysis will provide data on Total Bacteria along with the amount originating from Bovine or Human sources. April thanked Paul and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for their help and efforts in planning and supporting this study. Proposed Work Plan Committee Reports: Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Population Subcommittee April reported that the subcommittee has met multiple times and a draft of the work plan is prepared. Members also agreed on a new name that incorporates and identifies the new BUIs the subcommittee is responsible for. The subcommittee will take one more look at the work plan and provide comments to April before the draft is finalized. Research and Monitoring Subcommittee April reported that the subcommittee has not met, but a meeting will be scheduled shortly after she speaks to Environment Canada representatives on what research and monitoring activities should be carried over into the new work plan. A meeting with subcommittee members will be scheduled to finalize the draft. Outreach and Education Subcommittee Claude updated the group on the activities of the Outreach and Education Subcommittee. Members have met twice for brainstorming sessions. The next step will determine what activities are the most feasible and valuable.

5 The Outreach and Education Subcommittee will not be responsible for including the activities surrounding the Sediment Management Options report in the work plan as a separate committee has been established to organize these communications. Point Sources Subcommittee Ted reported that the Point Sources subcommittee has met and outstanding actions regarding the work plan were noted. The BUIs under this work group are: restriction on drinking water, beach closures and aesthetics, all of which are moving forward with additional work described earlier. The actions to be undertaken will include identifying the leads for each priority action along with the resources and time required to complete them. Sediment Subcommittee The Sediment Subcommittee has a draft plan completed with priority actions identified. Ted reported that the communications surrounding the Sediment Management Options report would not be included in the work plan. Discussions arose regarding the Restrictions on Dredging Activities BUI. Because of the many disposal options that are presently available, it has been suggested that the BUI is not as relevant as it was in the Stage 1 Remedial Action Plan report. Disposal plans have to be documented and approved before any dredging activities can be conducted. A draft report covering an overall AOC approach to this BUI has been submitted to Environment Canada senior management. Action: April and Sandra to distribute the report when finalized. Action: Subcommittee leads were asked to have a draft work plan report prepared by the end of October. The reports will be sent out to CRIC members one week prior to the next meeting to facilitate review and discussion. Subcommittee leads will present the proposed work plans at the next meeting. Tumours in Fish Next Steps: April updated the group on the details of the fish tumours BUI earlier during the meeting (see Review of Minutes and Action Items from the Meeting of June 25, 2012 above). BPAC Celebration Event for Re Designating Added Cost BUI: Claude informed members of CRIC that a celebration event is being planned for September 28, 2012 to celebrate the removal of the Added Costs to Agriculture or Industry and Degradation of Aesthetics (U.S. only) BUIs from the list of impaired beneficial uses. The American event will take place at the Great Lakes Maritime Centre in Port Huron, Michigan at 11 am. The Canadian event will occur at Cathcart Park Pavilion in Sombra, Ontario at 2 pm. All CRIC members were invited to attend. Recent Discussions on Drinking Water BUI: A discussion on the issues surrounding the Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odour Problems was facilitated by Claude. Recently, two spills have occurred in the region that led to the precautionary shut down of water intakes along the St. Clair River. Politicians in the affected areas along with the general public have raised concerns regarding spill response procedures and the justification behind re designating the Drinking Water BUI to not impaired. In response to the most recent spill involving the release of ethylbenzene from Styrolutions while loading a lake freighter, Dean reported that the notification procedures were performed well.

6 The future status assessment report for the Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste or Odour Problems will have to include an update on the advancements in spill response and notification in the St. Clair River along with a summary of the present day risks compared to historical risk of industrial spills. Regardless, the report will have communication challenges that need to be overcome. Ted, Donna and Mike Moroney (Ontario Ministry of the Environment) will attend a public meeting organized by the Wallaceburg Advisory Team for a Cleaner Habitat (WATCH) on October 9, The purpose of the meeting will be to inform the public about the notification processes put in place for the two spills that occurred in the last few months. In addition, an overview of the Restrictions on Drinking Water or Taste or Odour Problems will be provided. Public input and concerns will be recorded. Other Items: A Four Agency meeting is coming up on November 8 in Sarnia. Suggestions on remediation projects to highlight are welcome. The Lake St. Clair Biennial Conference is scheduled for November Next Meeting Data and Location: The next meeting will be November 21, 2012 at the Sarnia Lambton Environmental Association office. Adjournment

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