1.       Meeting began at approximately 7:07pm

2.       In the absence of the Chair, and Vice Chair, LeRoy Thom facilitated the meeting after JoElyn Brus declined this position.

3.       LeRoy Thom opened the meeting reiterating the public comment period between March 17^th, 2008 and April 26^th, 2008. It was asked when the next CAG meeting is scheduled – answer April 10^th, 2008. At the last meeting there were five key points made, they are:

Ø      Healthcare needs

Ø      Certainty of funds for Libby

Ø      Certainty of funding for needed activities such as; Risk Assessment including toxicity and epidemiology studies

Ø      O&M needs

Ø      Economic Development needs

Discussion followed regarding public comments for DOJ:

-- DRAFT SUMMARY OF MEETING MINUTES FOLLOWS --

 

Ø      Multiple letters from the community is needed.

Ø      Response sheet handout for anyone in the community to provide their comments.

Ø      LATAG cannot use federal dollars with their technical advisor advice.

Ø      Many comments were made about if $250 million is enough.

Ø      The critical need was discussed to keep the $250 million in Libby, this needs to be addressed, DEQ said it was important to incorporate this in our comments.

Ø      Discussion was made regarding if the community of Libby is taking a buyout without asking for a settlement (neither did LATAG or CAG), now EPA is asking for a reduced price. There is no coverage for healthcare issues, there is no risk assessment. EPA, the federal government and the state are responsible. They, include W.R. Grace has “failed” us. We need a risk assessment with the toxicology and epidemiology studies before a buyout can happen.

Ø      $250 million doesn’t release EPA from their cleanup responsibilities.

Ø      Risk assessment will determine the cleanup criteria and the ROD to follow.

Ø      Discussion between if EPA Region 8 or EPA Headquarters “gets” the money and who is going to control it? Who will provide possible reports on how it is spent? Who will they report to?

Ø      Publish the letter in the paper, possibly read on the radio, utilize Channel 10, flyers, multiple letters for the community to sign at Rosauers?, at hardware stores?, at senior centers?

 

Important Points Made:

 

Ø      The letter should come from CAG – it would be stronger (LeRoy Thom).

Ø      The community needs to either agree or disagree on the $250 million dollar amount.

Ø      $250 assurances that it is earmarked for Libby.

Ø      Protect the funds including the interest to be retained for the community of Libby.

Ø      Protect the funds as a whole for accrued interest.

Ø      Comments were made about “Future Response Costs”, if it couldn’t be defined as January 1, 2008 and forward and “Past Response Costs” would be prior to December 31, 2007. Comments were made after future response costs were resolved (ROD), then remaining monies could go to past response costs.

Ø      Certainty of funds use for a risk assessment (including toxicology and epidemiology studies – it was recommended to have these studies “peer reviewed” (by who?)).

Ø      Yearly report on monies spent and future expenditures needed.

Ø      Recommended community and/or state advisory administration of the funds.

Ø      Comments made about no healthcare coverage and the awareness that the HNA (W.R. Grace Health plan) will be discontinued and a trust fund will be needed for future healthcare costs. [This went back and forth for a while, some people said “don’t mention too confusing”, Mr. Heberling is working healthcare costs, etc.]

Ø      Comments made about economic revitalization [some people said “no, too confusing”].

 

 

 

Next Step:

Members volunteered for two groups:

Letter Writing:

Gordon Sullivan

LeRoy Thom – 293-9174

Phillip Erquiaga – 293-2393

Mel Parker – 293-9705

Clinton Maynard

Distribution Group:

Nancy Hogan – 293-5028

JoElyn Brus – 293-5537

Alvin Benitz – 293-7950

Lerah Parker – 293-9705

Trent Oelberg – 293-5900

 

Community Involvement

 

Ø      Get Troy involved

Ø      Libby Mayor

Ø      City of Libby

Ø      County Commissioners

Ø      Letter should be endorsed by as many community groups as possible.

Ø      Senior Centers (Libby and Troy)

 

4.       Action Items
Drafts of the last two meetings from March 18^th and 25^th are needed as quickly as possible -
due no later than noon, Friday, March 28^th, 2008.

 

5.       Next Regularly Scheduled LATAG meeting April 8^th, 2008.

 

6.       Adjourned

 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:05pm.