1)      Meeting began at approximately 7:05pm

2)      Introductions:

a)      Bob Marriam requested to be added to the LATAG minutes mailing list (ACTION ITEM).

3)      Meeting minutes for review and approval:

a)      May 6^th, 2008 Regular board meeting minutes were reviewed.

i)        JoElyn Brus made the motion to accept the minutes as written, Nancy Hogan second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

 

4)      Treasurer’s Report:

a)      The Treasurer reported that reimbursement #54 was submitted in the amount of $927.

b)      Current grant balance remaining is $34,171.81.

5)      Old Business:

a)      Since Dr. Henningsen is not present no action items with his responsibility was addressed.

b)      EPA has requested to be added to the September LATAG agenda.

6)      EPA Report – Paul Peronard

a)      The contract season has begun utilizing a new contractor, ASW Associates Inc., resulting in issues which are causing the cleanup to be behind schedule. Multiple homeowner complaints have been received by EPA. There has a verbal stop order issues with ten days to correct the problem. This is involving task order #5 and ER has taken on the task order. Task order #6 is holding until resolution can be found.

i)        Discussion followed regarding the problems with the new contractor. Paul mentioned that similar “growing pains” were experienced with the other contractors. Contractors are response for their employee HAZWOP training and certifications.

b)      13 properties have completed cleanup.

c)      ABS sampling would have been done this week except for the weather (rain), outdoor sampling should be done.

d)      There is a U.S. Geological Survey background study being done. This is a geological reconnaissance of old burrow areas and the clay cliffs. They have a research and development officer working side by side with EPA testing with air samples.

e)      Ambient air sampling is being completed.

f)       The Burlington Northern railroad will complete the rest of their sampling.

g)      The bankruptcy settlement between EPA and W.R. Grace was approved on June 2^nd, 2008 and two checks will be issued to EPA by July 2^nd. One check for $239 million for the cleanup and one check for $11 million for O&M activities.

7)      ERS Report – Mike Cirian

a)      Lincoln County is looking to hire a time-time employee in the fall of 2008 for the ERS position. They want someone local to take on these responsibilities.

i)        The position will stay with EPA until there is a formal “hand-off”.

ii)       D.C. Orr asked if Lincoln County will be providing any financial support for the position. Answer: No, not right now. Paul Peronard mentioned that the arrangement of funding is pending.

b)      Ted Linnert mentioned that at the CAG meeting on Thursday there will be a discussion regarding the ATSDR/EPA study being proposed. Dr. Black said that this is a five year multi-award contract.

 

8)      DEQ Report – Catherine LeCours

a)      The Troy area sampling began last week with some possible ERS issues encountered.

b)      The State of Montana is current in settlement negotiations with W.R. Grace.

i)        $5.1 million is being negotiated to be set aside for O&M with a 30 day comment period that has already begun.

9)      W.R. Grace – Bob Marriam

a)      Spring run-off water sampling is being done on the following:

i)        Flow rates of streams from the Rainey Creek Basin;

ii)       Testing for asbestos content;

iii)     Fish toxicity testing is being done with results coming out of Oregon. Water from a pond with the highest asbestos fiber content is being done. Fish are being tested at different dilution rates using cut-throat trout. This is a 42 day testing cycle from full asbestos fiber content to zero asbestos content.

iv)     Beginning next week all water sampling will be conducted, this is the second round of testing.

 

10)   Technical Advisor Report – no report available

a)      It was reported that Dr. Gerry Henningsen has had past health issues resulting in operations and hospitalizations. There was a letter mailed to Dr. Henningsen on June 6, 2008 requesting Dr. Henningsen involvement with LATAG. There has been some discussion with Dr. Henningsen since he received the letter but not reports have been submitted. The Eboard recommended proceeding forward for a new technical advisor. It is the obligation of LATAG to the community that their needs are met.

i)        JoElyn Brus made the motion that if LATAG does not hear from Dr. Henningsen by June 15, 2008 (as stated in the letter), that LATAG begins the process to seek another Technical Advisor. Phillip Erquiaga second the motion. LeRoy Thom asked if EPA could provide any legal assistance in the process. Paul Peronard mentioned that LATAG needs to close out the old contract and resolve any financial issues. Motion passed unanimously.

11)   Sub-Committee Reports

a)      Communications Committee – Phillip Erquiaga (chairperson)

i)        Without any technical advisor reports or information from the T.A. it is difficult to submit information for the website or the newsletter.

ii)       A proposal was submitted to the EBoard for a resolution to the web site. The budget requested on the new proposal is less than the current alternative.

(1)   It shouldn’t take a long time to “put up” the web site. It is recommended to post meeting minutes, contact numbers for LATAG, Q&A area, and build an email distribution list for about $100/month.

(2)   If LATAG gives the go-ahead it will take approximately two to four weeks to have the site up.

(3)   No other Eboard members have received this proposal and it was asked to have Phillip forward electronic copies to all Eboard members (ACTION ITEM).

(4)   Phillip requested past meeting minutes electronically. Cheryl Fox will burn CD’s with the appropriate years’ meeting minutes and forward to Phillip (ACTION ITEM).

(5)   LeRoy Thom made the motion to move forward with a new web site, JoElyn Brus second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.

b)      Health/Safety Committee – Alvin Benitz/Nancy Hogan (co-chairs)

i)        No report.

c)      Nomination Committee – Helen Andries (chairperson)

i)        No report

d)      O&M Attendance Committee - Mike Noble/LeRoy Thom (co-chairs)

i)        No attendance from LATAG at the previous meeting.

ii)       Paul Peronard reports that the O&M is currently working on producing a draft report on the export plan. It is hoped this area would have a ROD by year end 2008.

e)      Technical Advisor Committee – Dr. Brad Black (chairperson)

i)        Animal toxicity studies will be updated in September 2008.

ii)       Epidemiology work with EPA and CARD utilizing a database is now being loaded with EPA completing data entry. Additional support will be gradually added.

(1)   Studies of the youth population and lower levels of exposure will be done.

12)   New Business

a)      None

 

13)   Open Discussion

a)      Paul Peronard reported the GSA website which buys/sells government material was selling a pallet of Zonolite material. They were contacted by EPA and the material was shipped to Libby for disposal at the mine site landfill. This involved 25 - 40 pound bags of Zonolite material.

i)        Thanks to Nancy Hogan’s husband that found the material for sale and contacted EPA.

b)      Paul mentioned that EPA is working to minimize the exposure to the asbestos tainted vermiculite. Region 10 has worked on the history and surplus of the material and it is expected that what material is left for the public is at a retail level and not a wholesale level.

14)  Action Items

a)      Cheryl Fox will add Bob Marriam to LATAG minutes distribution list.

b)      Cheryl Fox will provide past meeting minutes electronically to Phillip Erquiaga.

c)      Phillip Erquiaga to provide the web proposal to the Eboard.

 

15)   Next Regularly Scheduled LATAG meeting July 8th, 2008.

 

16)   Adjourn

a)      Dr. Black made the motion to adjourn, LeRoy Thom second motion. Motion unanimously passed.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00pm.