The Aamjiwnaang First Nation Band Office - May 3/24 (Blackburn Media Photo by Melanie Irwin)The Aamjiwnaang First Nation Band Office - May 3/24 (Blackburn Media Photo by Melanie Irwin)
Sarnia

Aamjiwnaang to update band members on benzene removal

Another community information session is planned at Aamjiwnaang First Nation on Wednesday, September 18.

Chief Janelle Nahmabin said they'll be discussing the benzene removal process at INEOS Styrolution.

"Our council has been wanting to be sure that the community is well informed on the benzene removal process, because since April it's been a very concerning issue for Aamjiwnaang First Nation," said Nahmabin. "So, we're just making sure that we are informing our community as much as possible and sharing some of the advocacy and work that our team has been doing."

Band members will be given the opportunity to have questions and concerns answered.

"There is going to be our council, our environment department, our consultants Cathy and Scott Grant who are air pollution specialists, as well as our consultant Sharilyn Johnston who is the former environment coordinator for Aamjiwnaang. So we do have a good team coming together to share news with our community," Nahmabin said.

The gathering, at the Maawn Doosh Gumig Community Centre on Virgil Avenue, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

INEOS announced three months ago it would be permanently closing its styrene monomer production site by June 2026.

A community meeting was held in August at Aamjiwnaang after the two phase plan to remove benzene was received by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP).

A detailed suspension plan, including winterization measures, was submitted and approved by the MECP Director on August 14, 2024.

INEOS had pushed for more time, urging safety over speed, but its alternative plan was rejected.

INEOS started removing benzene from the Tashmoo Avenue site by pipeline during the second week of September.

The agreed upon suspension plan must be implemented within the October 16 deadline set by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

Benzene controls were issued by federal and provincial government agencies after Aamjiwnaang First Nation reported that elevated emissions made some members feel ill in April.

The First Nation declared a state of emergency afterwards, which is still in effect.

Read More Local Stories

Tents at Rainbow Park, May 16, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)

Rainbow Park monthly bill amounts to nearly $120K

From August 31 to September 30, expenses amounted to $119,767. 

A photo of a bus 4Northern is fundraising to purchase for students at Northern high school in Sarnia. Submitted photo.

Final fundraising push for new Northern high school bus

The 4Northern Foundation has raised 70 per cent of its fundraising goal since launching the campaign on February 1.

A typical Waste Management, Inc. front loader garbage truck with White body and Volvo chassis (Volvo WX). Photographed in San Jose, California by (en)user Coolcaesar on December 26, 2005. (Photo via Wikipedia)

City looking for feedback on Waste Master Plan

Residents are being asked about their current level of satisfaction with the solid waste collection service.

Household hazardous waste being collected at a drop off event. Photo courtesy of Bruce County.

Mobile hazardous waste depot coming to Lambton Shores

The depot is open from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the County's Public Works Depot at 6958 Townsend Line, east of Forest.

Flooding in Warwick Township. August 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Township of Warwick Fire & Rescue Department via Facebook.

Nearly $98K to help Warwick with flood recovery after 2023 storm

After a long application process, Warwick Township has received provincial aid to help cover the costs of flood damage sustained last year.

An Ontario Provincial Police cruiser. (Photo from the OPP's Twitter page)

Stolen trailer recovered in St. Clair Township traffic stop

Two Chatham-Kent residents were arrested in a traffic stop Tuesday night after they were seen with a trailer that was allegedly stolen nearly one year ago.