Libby Area Technical Assistance Group, Inc.
PO Box 53, Libby, MT 59923
April 7th, 2009 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
(Note: bold items within paragraphs are motions made and voted on as well as action items agreed upon.)
Board Member Attendees:
Mike Noble
LeRoy Thom
JoElyn Brus
Dr. Brad Black
Phillip Erquiaga
Abe Troyer
Donna Martin
Contractor Attendees:
Cheryl Fox
Guest Attendees:
Mike Cirian
Ted Linnert
D.C. Orr
Meeting began at approximately 7:04pm
Introductions:
1) EPA Report – Mike Cirian
a) EPA handed out two documents at the beginning of the meeting. Annual Project Update and Site Management Plan (see attached).
b) The first task order of the work season involves approximately 45 properties. An increase in size of clean ups are due to the commissioners and the contractors. The first 90 properties for clean up is broken down into two parts. The first week of April will be kick-off week with the contractors.
c) There is an agreement in the works with the Core of Engineers.
d) Cost estimates and agreements are currently going out.
e) Creek signage has come down, but two creeks signage will be going back up. Libby Creek at 5th Street Extension and Pipe Creek at River Road (the signs are back up).
f) EPA has tasked Volpe and CDM for ABS sampling at the schools. The sampling needs validation to develop the initial ABS discussion, regarding contaminate screening studies.
g) A number of properties needing cleaned are difficult to address due to the challenges of contacting the owners/inhabitants, some homes have moved up in the priority of clean up. With the improved studies more homes will be cleaned later.
h) Three contractors are involved with the cleanup, ER, ASW, and Hudspeth. Abe Troyer asked Mike regarding the value of the engineering studies. EPA is currently utilizing a design/build as you go versus inspection/design/build protocol. The older protocol utilized an almost blueprint like inspections/design and they were much more costly. The new protocol provides more money to be spent on the clean up versus on the design work.
i) EPA is reviewing the costs regarding hauling the soils to the top of the mine site versus leaving them down at the “bottom” of the mine site. Currently soils are “touched” three times and the cost is over $500,000 to haul to the top of the mine.
i) Abe asked regarding the cleaning of homes with visual vermiculite. Mike Cirian responded that they are waiting for the toxicology study results before addressing this topic. Dr. Black mentions that they don’t like this and the inconsistencies in the clean up process. Mike said that as soon as EPA gets the information, they will do it.
i) Problems with chasing visible vermiculite is that ACE Hardware sells vermiculite and how can EPA know the difference between the naturally occurring vermiculite and vermiculite purchased at the hardware store? EPA cannot afford to test all vermiculite, even vermiculite sold from local hardware stores. This is why the criteria of greater than 1% Libby asbestos and visible vermiculite. Mike mentioned that visible vermiculite in flower beds is being removed. Dr. Black mentioned that visible vermiculite is being left in lawns where homeowners are installing irrigation systems and the contractor(s) are being exposed to Libby asbestos. Phillip Erquiaga mentioned that the community has the perception of that when their property is cleaned it is fully cleaned and they can install systems as needed. Community education is necessary to clarify these topics. Mike Cirian mentioned that 900 properties in Libby are pending clean up (due to trace or better criteria exists) and no decision to the clean up has been made yet.
ii) D.C. Orr (guest) asked if CDM would be involved in the clean up and Mike answered “yes”.
j) Annual Project Update – Ted Linnert
i) Notices were mailed out to approximately 3,500 community members, based on an address listing from Lincoln County (see attachment Site Management Plan). Phillip Erquiaga mentioned that OU4 risk assessment cannot be available 12/2009 (this item is printed wrong).
ii) Ted asked if LATAG would be interested in the mine convention to be held in Butte in October. Notification to present at the convention has already been sent, or will be sent in May. Discussion followed regarding if Terry Spear is to either attend and/or present.
iii) Abe Troyer asked regarding the current status of Troy.
(1) Mike Cirian responded that over 700 properties need to be evaluated and they have approximately 500 more to be screened this year. Three properties have moved to immediate response.
2) DEQ Report – no attendance, no report
3) W.R. Grace Report – no attendance, no report
4) LATAG Technical Advisor Report – no attendance, no report.
5) New Business:
a) Discussion followed regarding addressing areas outside of the designated clean up areas. It was suggested to mention this issue when EPA is here in May. Ted Linnert commented that the risk assessment has national implications and after it is final it will go national.
b) Discussion followed regarding ongoing exposures and the need for better HEPA vacuums to reduce exposure levels.900 Libby properties (according to Ted Linnert) remain with potential exposures, these properties need to minimize the exposure levels until they are cleaned up. Ted mentioned that EPA is provided a different HEPA vacuum (upright). The smaller vacuums were not large enough to clean an entire house. Abe Troyer mentioned simple basic steps to clean up homes, like utilizing wet wipes then a HEPA vacuum. This would be a proactive approach to reduce exposures. LeRoy Thom made the motion to write a letter to EPA regarding these issues, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed (ACTION ITEM).
c) Discussion followed regarding the remedial investigation for OU1. Terry Spear needs to review this document and get feedback to LATAG, if possible before the May meeting. Phillip Erquiaga made the motion to have the document forwarded to Terry Spear for review, Dr. Black second the motion, motion unanimously passed (ACTION ITEM).
d) It was reiterated to EPA (Mike Cirian) that EPA documents need to come to LATAG and be available to the public first. LATAG will get the documents to Terry Spear who will provide feedback to LATAG to be dissimulated to the public. This is in keeping with past consistent practices. It is anticipated that Terry will be in Libby next month.
e) Abe Troy mentioned that a gentleman from Troy is interested in becoming a LATAG board member (ACTION ITEM).
6) Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval:
a) February 13th, 2009 Special meeting minutes were reviewed. LeRoy Thom made the motion to accept the minutes as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.
b) March 6th, 2009 Special meeting minutes were reviewed. LeRoy Thom made the motion to accept minutes as written, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed.
c) The 2009 Grant Application was reviewed. JoElyn Brus made the motion to accept the application as written and to submit it to Region 8, Abe Troyer second the motion, motion unanimously passed.
d) The letter to Victor was reviewed. Abe Troyer made the motion to accept the letter with edits, JoElyn Brus second the motion, motion unanimously passed (ACTION ITEM).
7) Old Business:
a) Discussion followed regarding the need to invite EPA, DEQ and W.R. Grace to LATAG regular meetings. Previous action item specified a letter to these three groups and not a “To Whom It May Concern” letter, as well as cc: to the other parties for notification of the invite letter. (ACTION ITEM).
b) EPA Flyer review – ACTION ITEM moved to 05/01/09 Board meeting. It was mentioned that wet wiping surfaces should be added to the flyer. Another item mentioned was the Do’s … and the Don’t(s) … should be separated. These items should be added to the feedback compiled at the 05/01/09 Board meeting and submitted to EPA (ACTION ITEM). Discussion followed regarding past clean up practices regarding visible vermiculite inside the home and outside the homes for un-cleaned homes.
c) Encapsulation specification – ACTION ITEM moved to 05/01/09 Board meeting.
8) Treasurer’s Report – insufficient time remained for this report.
9) Sub-Committee Reports – insufficient time remained for these reports.
10) New Business
a) Grant budget reallocation letter
b) Grant Administrator’s contract
c) Draft copy of Baseline Risk Assessment feedback from Terry Spear – distributed to the LATAG Board members for their input (ACTION ITEM). Discussion to follow at the 05/01/09 Board meeting.
11) Action Items generated from this meeting (see attached).
12) JoElyn Brus made the motion to adjourn, Phillip Erquiaga second the motion, motion unanimously passed.
