Meeting began at approximately 7:09pm

Introductions:

 

1)      Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval:

a)      December 9^th, 2008 Regular meeting minutes were reviewed. Phillip Erquiaga made the motion to accept the minutes as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

b)      January 6^th, 2009 Regular meeting minutes were reviewed. Eileen Carney made the motion to accept the quarterly report as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

 

2)      Treasurer’s Report:

a)      The Treasurer reported a current balance of $29,127.86

b)      Reimbursement #63 in the amount of $889.00 is pending payment

3)      Old Business:

a)      Phillip Erquiaga submitted a draft copy of the February newsletter. He will forward an electronic copy to all board members, the grant administrator and Tiffany Sabine for review. (ACTION ITEM).

b)      Details are needed on how the design/strategy/methodology of the toxicology studies is being done. An email will be sent to Victor Kettelopper (after Dr. Black review) requesting this information. (ACTION ITEM).

i)        It was commented that this is a prime example of LATAG activities, i.e. submit what they want from EPA, and then have the information communicated to the public. (Katherine LeCours).

c)      Current grant monies will be detailed at the next LATAG meeting, scheduled for Friday, February 13^th, 2009. (ACTION ITEM)

d)      Q4 report will be available for review by the board on Friday, February 13^th, 2009. (ACTION ITEM).

e)      A board meeting has been scheduled for Friday, March 6^th, 2009 to review Policy and Procedures and By-laws. (ACTION ITEM).

f)       A board meeting has been scheduled for Friday, February 13^th, 2009 to outline/design the grant renewal application. (ACTION ITEM).

g)      A proposed joint CAG/LATAG meeting will be organized; it is anticipated to be held at the Little Theater on March 12^th, 2009 pending approval (ACTION ITEM).

 

4)      EPA Report – Mike Cirian

a)      Annual update was presented to the public at the Town Hall meeting Monday, February 9^th, 2009.

b)      Construction season will begin May 1^st, 2009.

c)      The ambient air report and soil management plan has been published.

d)      Summary of creek investigations was completed for operable units 4 and 7. The results were provided to LATAG both hardcopy and on CD to be distributed to LATAG, LATAG will make the determination if Terry Spear will be reviewing it. (ACTION ITEM).

i)        The creeks are in bull trout habitat and they are working with Montana state Fish and Game and U.S. Fish Wildlife. Gordon Sullivan recommended working with the Conservation District as well as Kalispell Fish and Game.

e)      It was announced that Victor Ketellapper will not be regularly attending LATAG meetings.

f)       EPA and DEQ recommended to have their reports presented first at LATAG, allowing them to leave early, and then have LATAG conduct their business meeting. It was decided to change LATAG’s agenda to reflect this request (ACTION ITEM).

i)        Discussion followed regarding the multiple reports that both EPA and DEQ conduct on a monthly basis. It was asked if these meetings could be consolidated down into one meeting, but Libby elected officials will still have their own meeting.

(1)   Lerah Parker (guest) commented that communications need to be opened up to the community which includes the operating units actions, O&M activities, etc. It was recommended to move to a central meeting with organizations reporting on their activities. Discussions will continue in the next few months to work out the details of this central meeting.

(2)   Ted Linnert offered to have EPA pay for advertising of this central community meeting, Dr. Black recommended to have the County Commissioners take the lead in participating in the community meeting. Gordon Sullivan recommended having LATAG and CAG draw together for this meeting.

g)      EPA anticipates approximately 100 to 150 properties to be cleaned during the 2009 construction season. This quantity depends on time and material needed to be removed.

5)      W.R. Grace Report – Bob Medler

a)      Animal sampling and aquatic sampling for OU3 continues. Results are due within the next couple of weeks from last year’s sampling. OU3 results (after verification) will be published on the OU3 website, please contact Bonnie Lavelle at lavelle.bonita@epa.gov for the web site information.

i)        It was commented that LATAG might possibly link to the EPA Website for OU3 to facilitate information to the public.

b)      ABS sampling is planned for the summer of 2009 at the OU3 site. Comments regarding other stakeholders involved with the OU3 site (involving soil, bark and water resources) are involved. Other stakeholders include Fish/Wildlife, Plum Creek, U.S. Forest Service, State of Montana and private ownerships. It was commented to contact ALL the stakeholders involved with OU3.

c)      Basic fiber count on bark is found to diminish as samples outside of the parameters is done. Determination regarding the impact and/or health risk(s) further out from the parameters regarding wood cutting etc. is being done as related to fiber counts.

 

6)      DEQ Report – Katherine LeCours

a)      Please refer to the Town Hall meeting regarding and DEQ update.

b)      The Troy field season will begin on May 4^th, 2009.

c)      78% return rate for access of properties has been experienced (reflective of Libby 90% return rate).

7)      Technical Advisor Status

a)      Terry Spear has started with LATAG as their new Technical Advisor. He will be in Libby March 10^th, 11^th and 12^th to be introduced to the community at LATAG, CAG, O&M, ARDNET, EPA and the commissioners. Terry has been extensively involved in the past with Libby projects and has many hours already competed (past years) on information involving the Superfund site at Libby.

i)        Possible documents for Terry to review include the ambient air studies, sampling analysis, activity base sampling etc. Community members who would like to have Terry review information should first present it to LATAG to be accepted and forwarded to Terry.

 

8)      Sub-Committee Report(s)

a)      Communications Committee – Phillip Erquiaga (chairperson)

i)        A newsletter will be distributed in draft form for review (ACTION ITEM).

b)      Health/Safety Committee – on hold

c)      Nominations Committee – LeRoy Thom (chairperson)

i)        A community member, Donna Martin has submitted an application form to join the LATAG Board.

(1)   Dr. Black made the motion to accept Donna Martin as a LATAG Board member, Phillip Erquiaga second the motion, motion unanimously passed.

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

i)        No report.

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

i)        It was recommended to have Terry Spear attend the March 12^th, 2009 meeting (to be determined joint meeting with LATAG/CAG) to be held at the Little Theatre.

 

9)      New Business

a)      None

 

10)   Next Regularly Scheduled LATAG meeting March 10^th, 2009.

 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00pm.