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Environment Scrutiny Panel Meeting No. 31
21st November 2006
Le Capelin Room, States Building, Royal Square
Present Deputy R.C. Duhamel (Chairman)
Deputy G.C.L. Baudains (Vice Chairman) Connétable K. A. Le Brun of St Mary
Deputy Le Hérissier (attended close of meeting only) Deputy S. Power
Apologies
Absent
In attendance C. Le Quesne, Scrutiny Officer
M. Robbins, Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| The Panel convened an additional meeting to receive Mr. G. Langlois in respect of ongoing concerns that he had as a result of the Environment Departments research into the presence of deep water being present on the Island and originating from France. The Panel welcomed Mr. Langlois to the meeting and invited him to explain his concerns with regard to the test bore holes commissioned by the Environment Department in response to pressure from the Water Diviners Group. Mr. Langlois explained that some of his concerns were as a result of the lack of technical knowledge displayed by the appointed drillers. He asserted that the materials used to bore the test sites was sub standard. The concrete mix used at the sites had been inappropriate and not been allowed sufficient time to dry. That together with inadequate pipes had led to the water samples being contaminated by concrete seepage. Mr. Langlois contended that in addition the company undertaking the bores had not been able to conduct the drilling without the expert input of the previously recommended drilling company owned by Mr. L. De La Haye. The Panel was advised that he himself as a diviner had confirmed the finding of Deputy G. Baudains that four deep water streams joining Jersey and France were present and he endorsed the map showing the water course produced by the Deputy . The Panel sought to clarify the process used for the test drilling and made enquiries as to why the quality and arrangements for the test had not been brought to its attention at the time the drilling took place. The Chairman advised that any future challenge to the finding of the BGS and Entec would have to be on a scientific evidence basis. The Chairman agreed that some findings with regard to isotopic readings could be further investigated. It was noted that reports from the University of Caen purchased by Mr. Langlois would be obtained by the Panel to assist with this initial research. The Panel was advised that the previously agreed total bore depth for the test sites had not been achieved on one of the sites and further drilling had ceased at the instruction of the Minister. |
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The Panel discussed all of the above matters and decided that it would seek to clarify the information relating to the isotopic findings of the tests. It would obtain any data it could from French authorities and consider the possibility of any further action at a later date.
The Panel advised Mr. Langlois that in order for it to consider the matter in any way he should put his views and concerns to the Panel in writing. Mr. Langlois undertook to provide the necessary correspondence.
The Panel thanked Mr. Langlois for his time.
Signed Date ..
Chairman, Environment Panel