1)      Meeting began at approximately 7:05pm

2)      Introductions:

3)      EPA Presentation – Bonnie Lavelle, Project Manager, Superfund OU3
Update on Sampling at the Vermiculite Mine (see attached):

a)      EPA is following a process regarding the environmental impact of the W.R. Grace Mine site. Identifying the risks of exposure is ongoing and how they will be addressed is being determined.

i)        The first phase is ongoing for about one year. They are currently getting asbestos test results back from the mine site. This is a big project and it is anticipated to take a while.

ii)       Identifying the size of the problem is ongoing including the mine site and Rainey Creek drainage areas.

b)      Identifying the operation boundary of the area involves EPA, Montana DEQ (MDEQ) and W.R. Grace. W.R. Grace has an administration order for consent which was signed in September 2007.

c)      EPA and MDEQ are developing the sampling plans, with EPA performing the risk assessment involving mammals, fish, birds and human exposures.

i)        W.R. Grace is performing sample acquisitions. W.R. Grace is preparing the summary report to EPA with a feasibility study.

ii)       EPA/MDEQ are developing the objectives and selecting the cleanup alternatives.

iii)     Any public concerns regarding an oversight of the plan - EPA would like public input.

d)      Organizing the investigation

i)        Surface water and sediment levels – this is being done above the mine, three areas of creeks and ponds, at the foot of the tailings pond, overflow, mill pond, Carney Creek area (seeps have been encountered) and the Rainey Creek areas.

ii)       Samples have been collected since October 2007 (red dots indicate the highest concentration of asbestos found).

(1)   Tests of sampling involve fiber count per milliliter

(2)   Guest Question: are there any sampling being done of the Kootenai River and if so how far from the mine site? Who is the oversight contractor and are sediment sampling being done with depths?

(a)    Sampling is being done very close to the Kootenai River – test results will be available in the next few weeks.

(b)    CDM and Tech. Law are the oversight contractors

(c)    Sediment sampling is done with a “grab” method, no depth sampling is being conducted.

(3)   Guest Question: Are fish and animal testing being done?

(a)    Planning for fish/animal testing is being done this year. Collecting, separating tissues and tissue pathology is a possibility. Difficulties are being encountered regarding on-site animal exposures, assessing the population size and targeting of smaller animals. Comparisons are needed to test consistency with abnormal lab rats results versus field test abnormalities. This will warrant longer studies.

iii)     Studying and understanding the water flow and concentrations is needed by EPA.

(1)   EPA is aware of the different drainages and past operations of the mine site. They anticipate five years or more sampling with assessment and resolution following.

iv)     Mine Waste:

(1)   The original outcropping has the highest concentration, the waste rock pile had the second highest concentration and the fine/course pile is the third highest concentration. Covering material at the mine site records “non-detect”. Studies are needed for the difference in the types of the mine waste to be sampled.

v)      Soil/Tree Bark Sampling:

(1)   There is currently metrological equipment on site to record prevailing winds. It has been recorded that 7.5 to 8 miles is the longest transect with sampling being done very ½ mile. Asbestos contamination drops off at 1.5 – 2 miles from the mine site.

(2)   Douglas fir is the only tree bark being sampled. Sampling is being done four feet up the tree up to 5.5 miles from the mine site. Results from sampling “tell a different story”, with asbestos being picked up from all directions. There is “a lot” of work still to be done.

vi)     Ambient Air Sampling:

(1)   Two concentric circles of air sampling is being done, this is a four week program, with the program running through October 2008.

e)      This year expectations are releasing a summary of last year sampling results and Phase II, Part A summary for future releases. A “couple” of more years of sampling the risk assessment should be available.

 

4)      Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval:

a)      July 8^th, 2008 Regular board meeting minutes need to be reviewed.

i)        Insufficent time remained to review meeting minutes.

b)      LATAG, Vice President, Helen Andries has submitted her resignation from LATAG.

i)        LeRoy Thom made the motion to accept Helen’s resignation, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

ii)       Draft budget changes submitted to EPA are currently on hold for the hiring of a Technical Advisor.

 

5)      Treasurer’s Report:

a)      The Treasurer reported no outstanding reimbursements are to be paid.

b)      Current grant balance remaining is $33,100.27.

6)      EPA Report – Mike Cirian

a)      To date 64 properties have been cleaned, with a total of 1,016 properties being cleaned. This involves the removal of over 20,000 cubic yards of soil and 640 cubic feet of insulation.

b)      Task orders 8 and 9 are on a temporary hold, it is anticipated eight or nine properties will come off “hold” by month end.

7)      ERS Report

a)      19 properties have been found that need response actions, they will be started immediately.

b)      The scope of work for the ERS position needs to be approved and sent to contractors.  A larger cleanup job will involve a bid system.

8)      DEQ – Catherine LeCours

a)      As of August 10^th, 2008 741 inspections have been completed. A total of 1,200 properties have been identified for inspection, this equates to approximately 62% of the inspections completed.

b)      No soil sample results are available, but currently 38% qualify for removal.

9)      W.R. Grace – Bob Marriam

a)      Ground water is currently being monitored at the mine site. This involves six wells and two monitoring wells, the wells have been reworked and samples are being collected.

 

10)   New Business

a)      EPA will have a presentation on Tuesday, September 23^rd, 2008 at 7:00 at the Little Theater.

i)        Phillip Erquiaga made the motion to sponsor the presentation, Leroy Thom second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

 

11)   Next Regularly Scheduled LATAG meeting September 9^th, 2008.

 

12)   Adjourn

a)      JoElyn Brus made the motion to adjourn, Eileen Carney second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00pm.