Meeting began at approximately 7:10pm

Introductions:

1)      Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval:

a)      This was put on hold until a full quorum was present.

2)      Treasurer’s Report:

a)      The Treasurer reported a current balance of $32,624.43

b)      Reimbursement #58 is still pending payment.

 

3)      Old Business:

a)      Phillip Erquiaga reported that he would do a newsletter this month (October).

i)        First quarter draft report was submitted to Mike Noble. Second quarter draft report will be forthcoming (ran out of paper) and third quarter draft report is approximately 50–75% completed. It is anticipated all quarterly reports will be completed by the end of next week. (ACTION ITEM).

b)      List of documents for LATAG to review from EPA. Mike Cirian directed LATAG to the website eparegion8.com for any documents. Phillip requested specifically “DRAFT” documents that have not been released for LATAG review (ACTION ITEM).

i)        It was asked from the audience (Gordon Sullivan) what documents the previous TA (Gerry Henningsen) has reviewed and if a list would be available (ACTION ITEM).

 

At this time Dr. Brad Black joined the meeting to make a quorum.

 

Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval:

1. July 8^th, 2008 Regular meeting minutes were reviewed. Dr. Brad Black made the motion to accept the meeting minutes as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.
2. August 12^th, 2008 Regular meeting minutes were reviewed. JoElyn Brus made the motion to accept the meeting minutes as written, Phillip Erquiaga second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.
3. September 9^th, 2008 Regular meeting minutes were reviewed. Dr. Black made the motion to accept the meeting minutes as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.
   
   
4. At this time, nominations for the open Vice Chairperson were taken.
   1. JoElyn Brus nominated LeRoy Thom for this open position.

 

4)      EPA Report – Mike Cirian

a)      Update:

i)        At this time 111 properties have been cleaned for the year.

ii)       Approximately 1,069 total properties have been cleaned for the project.

iii)     Approximately 39,000 cubic yards of soil has been removed.

iv)     Approximately 770 cubic yards of building insulation and interior demolition has been removed.

v)      35 properties remain for cleaning for this year, 20 properties are currently being cleaned.

vi)     A lot of outdoor properties have been cleaned this year.   

b)      The Granite Creek clean up involved a lot more asbestos in the rock than anticipated. When they are done with shotcrete they will be moving the equipment to Calhan Creek. Anticipated beginning clean up in three weeks.

c)      Flower Creek has ten areas identified for clean up; eight areas have been completed with removal and replacement material.

i)        Gordon Sullivan asked regarding Fish/Wildlife Division providing creek access which he believed to be limited through September 30^th, 2008.

d)      Thursday, October 9^th CAG Meeting

i)        There will be a presentation on the schools with an up to date status on those buildings/areas.

ii)       There will be a presentation from ATSDR regarding upcoming studies.

e)      OU5 (BMX area), sampling has been completed (attached to motorcycles), worker collection (ABS) studies was also completed at the Stimson properties, as well as soil samples collected. Results are pending.

f)       Ted Linnert reported the County Commissioner brief was moved to 3:00 on October 8^th, 2008.

g)      EPA is working with the schools regarding the education of interviewing and monitoring of individuals and sites.

5)      W.R. Grace Report – Bob Medler

a)      Bob reported that there are three phase of testing/monitoring going on at the mine site. The first phase involves aquatic, sediment sampling, fish population’s studies (including collection and sampling).

 

6)      Technical Advisor Status

a)      Recommendation from the Technical Advisor sub-committee to pursue Terry Spear for the position.

i)        Terry Spear has over 26 years experience with a toxicological background with industrial hygienist.

(1)   It was asked how soon Terry could start, Dr. Black responded with very soon but a contract is needed. It is anticipated that Terry would attend monthly LATAG meetings.

(a)    JoElyn Brus made the motion to accept the recommendation from the Technical Advisor sub-committee to accept Terry Spear as the Technical Advisor and pursue a contract with him. Phillip Erquiaga second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

(2)   Gordon Sullivan recommended interaction with Dr. Gerry Henningsen.

(3)   Mike Cirian commented that EPA website is updated with documents ready for review.

(4)   The EBoard will be compiling a preliminary contract with Terry.

ii)       MERDI responded but they have not current toxicological service.

7)      DEQ Report – Catherine LeCours – Special Presentation DEQ Inspection Results for OU-7 (see handout):

a)      No soil samples have been received yet.

b)      Parcel Details: DEQ has received approximately 78% of the access agreements sent out, 94% of those received by DEQ have granted access, 5% of those received by DEQ have denied access.

c)      Investigation Details: DEQ has inspected approximately 65% of those areas inside the project area, 38% of those inspected meet removal criteria.

d)      Budget Details: EPA awarded to DEQ for OU7 from July 2004 through April 2009 $4,047,000. The average cost for a TAPE inspection is $2,709 per parcel.

e)      Response Details: Average cost of each removal $57,650, average cost of each Extended ERS response $3,000, average cost of Limited ERS response $503.

8)      Sub-Committee Report

a)      Communications Committee – Phillip Erquiaga (chairperson)

i)        See above report.

ii)       The web site has been updated regarding board members and posting of the Technical Advisor position.

iii)     Q1, Q1 and Q3 reports will be completed by end of next week (ACTION ITEM).

iv)     October Newsletter will be available by month end. Distribution includes both hardcopy and electronic mailing list (ACTION ITEM).

b)      Health/Safety Committee – on hold

c)      Nominations Committee – _______________ (open chairperson)

i)        Currently LATAG is looking for a new vice chairperson.

d)      O&M Attendance – Mike Noble/Leroy Thom (co-chairs)

i)        No Report – no meeting was held last month, LeRoy is anticipating attending the October meeting.

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

i)        The committee is moving forward in the selection of a Technical Advisor, There are toxicology studies being done with NHEERL, epidemiology studies are being done to define the dose response curve. It is very important to research the younger/school age exposures this involves the school registry. Dose exposure (versus inhaled exposure) and fiber burdens with health outcomes need research. Tissue banking and a scoring system with CT scans needs to be measured against fiber burden versus exposures.

(1)   Gordon Sullivan commended that this information needs to be reported to the public. Dr. Black reported that NHEERL was to report their findings in September but is has not been received yet.

 

9)      New Business

a)      Abe Troyer asked about the emergency health declaration, the response was probably after the change of administration.

b)      Mike Noble made the announcement that Cheryl Fox, Grant Administrator, has submitted her notice to not renew her contract which expires at the end of November. In the not to renew letter, Cheryl mentions the possibility to extend the contract through the winter until April 1^st, 2009.

i)        JoElyn Brus made the motion to not accept the Grant Administrator’s resignation. Dr. Brad Black second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

ii)       LeRoy Thom made the motion to accept an extended Grant Administrator’s contract for six months, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

10)   Open Discussion:

a)      Gordon Sullivan commented about the 1996 Granite Creek flood and the movement of material. Mike Cirian commented that only visible vermiculite was removed from this area.

b)      Comments were provided that the Flower Creek area had four bridges downstream, but the 5^th Street Bridge had no signage (popular swimming hole). Mike Cirian reported that no rock was placed on the Libby Creek areas.

c)      Phillip Erquiaga commented that the proposed cleanup and work plan (draft) needs to be reviewed. The ambient air sampling criteria regarding the amount of data needs to be reviewed.

d)      Abe Troyer commended that LATAG needs to get input from EPA as to the essential documents needing review.

 

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

 

12)   Adjourn

a)      Dr. Brad Black made the motion to adjourn, Abe Troyer second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00pm.