EMCAG Members and Alternates Present: Jim Condict, Linda Cook, Tom Essex, John Freitag, Rod Maclay, Neal Meglathery, Sheldon Novick, Gwenda Smith, Scott Stokoe, Bob Walker, and Steve Willbanks
Strafford Technical Advisor: Sally Mansur
Copperas Hill Coalition: Kathy Hardy, Fred Moody
Technical Assistance Grant: Richard Downer, Peter Gregory
Facilitator: Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord

The meeting began at approximately 7:08.

Working Session re Draft EE/CA

Woody Reed's Review
Woody Reed described a meeting he had earlier in the afternoon with EPA representatives and consultants in which Jim Gusek, a consultant with Knight PiŽsold and Company, suggested replacing the SAPs units with Sulfate Reduction Barriers, or "SRB's". Woody's had concerns regarding the wintertime effectiveness and the useful life of SAP's units. He believes that the substitution of SRB's is a good idea, as they are not affected by frozen conditions and their useful life is approximately 25-30 yearsÑmuch longer than SAP's units. Woody passed around a copy of an article that Jim Gusek wrote about wetland treatment systems. The meeting began with discussion of the recent EPA site visit to assess TP3. Several CAG members raised questions regarding what is known about the ground and surface water in the TP3 area, and how EPA will decide how much of TP3 will be preserved. Linda Cook asked that the CAG be informed prior to all future site visits.

Woody explained that SRB systems accumulate metals in a residue that will need to be replaced periodically, and that this residue may need to be treated as a hazardous waste. He said that methane generation was not a problem, but that if they were not set up properly that the odors from hydrogen sulfide could be a problem.

Woody also noted his personal opinion that EPA should remove as much of TP-3 as possible because this would decrease the size of the treatment system needed at the base of TP-3 and/or increase the life of the system.

Richard Downer's Review
Richard Downer passed around samples of geosynthetic liners. He stated that Alternatives 2B and 2C offer the best technology, and agreed with Woody that he thinks that removing as much as possible of TP-3 is a good idea, because generally it is better to pay increased capital costs than to increase O &M costs, which go on forever. Sheldon commented that Richard's comments were based on his engineering background and did not take into account the historic preservation value of TP3.

Richard suggested that it might be possible to reduce the cover thickness to 18"Ñ6" of topsoil, 6" of general borrow and 6" of crushed rock quarried at or near the site to reduce truck traffic. He also discussed the possibility of using riprap directly on top of the cover system to hold it in place without topsoil or vegetation. Sheldon asked if vegetation was needed to retain water that falls on the site, and Richard replied that he didn't think that it was.

Richard also suggested building the cap without a wall, or with rip rap stabalization, rather than Roller Compacted Concrete. If rip rap could be found on-site, this would eliminate roughly 6,500 truck trips. Sheldon noted that the current configuration of TP-1 and TP-2 is one of the most prominent features of the historic landscape. Others indicated that they felt that eliminating the wall and regrading TP-1 and TP-2 to more stable slopes was a good idea.

Process for Developing EMCAG Comments on the Draft EE/CA

There was quite a bit of discussion regarding the CAG's process for commenting on the draft EE/CA. Tom Essex encouraged the group to adhere to the schedule that it agreed upon this summer. Sheldon stated that he thinks that it is unlikely that the group will reach consensus, and suggested that each member group submit its own comments on the draft EE/CA. Many people disagreed with this suggestion and stated their hope that the CAG will submit a single set of comments, with dissenting opinions included. Tom suggested, and the group agreed, that EPA be given copies of the TAG consultant's comments.

Redevelopment Grant Update

Sally Mansur reported that the interview committee has interviewed several candidates and is considering broadening the services it is asking for to include developing a reuse vision for the site, as well as providing Section 106 process expertise.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:17PM.

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