EMCAG Representatives and Alternates: Deby Botelho, Jim Condict, Linda Cook, Tom Essex, David Fisk, John Freitag, Phyl Harmon, Rod Maclay, Neal Meglathery, Kendall Mix, Sheldon Novick, Gwenda Smith, Scott Stokoe, Bob Walker, Kelly Welch and Steve Willbanks.
Town of Strafford Technical Advisor: Sally Mansur
Technical Outreach Services to Communities (TOSC) Team: Peter Ryan
Facilitator: Cindy Cook of Adamant Accord

The meeting was convened at 7:00 PM.


The Hazard Ranking Scoring (HRS) of the Elizabeth Mine Site

Dr. Josh Hamilton of Dartmouth describes EPA's system for ranking sites. This is a numerical system from 0 to 100. A site must score above 28.5 to be listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). The Elizabeth Mine site scored 50.

Once the site is listed on the NPL, Josh indicated that the HRS document is set aside and a thorough site evaluation is conducted.

The HRS system includes four pathways for potential human exposure. These are: soil, air, groundwater and surface water. EPA looked only at surface water in scoring the Elizabeth Mine, because of the way the scoring system is designed. A high score in any one pathway is sufficient to get the site listed. While the other pathways were not used to score the site, they will be addressed in the comprehensive site investigations that follow NPL listing.

Technical Outreach Services to Communities (TOSC) Team's comments on the HRS Scoring of the Elizabeth Mine Site

Sally Mansur spoke with TOSC team leader Bill Librizzi. The team's comments on the HRS are not yet complete, but Bill gave Sally a summary of their preliminary comments. The team believes that EPA followed appropriate procedures in scoring the site, and that focusing on surface water was appropriate. The score was based on preliminary data and focused solely on the surface water pathway. NPL listing will free up the funding necessary to study the site more thoroughly. All four pathways will be addressed in future site investigations.

John Frietag asked about the fisheries data in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report concluding that trout are unlikely to be affected by metals from the Elizabeth Mine. Josh indicated that EPA concluded that the Army Corps data was not sufficient to draw conclusions regarding fisheries impacts. Josh said that he does not think that there was an immediate significant impact to humans.

John indicated that he was committed to proceeding with a cleanup of the site.

Peter Ryan made several points. He underscored the importance of securing funding to study the site. He also observed that there is a tremendous opportunity to use historic mitigation to the benefit of historic preservation interests. He also suggested that additional testing regarding the impacts of wind-blown dust on humans would be very good, as he has concerns regarding the nature of dust leaving the site.

The TOSC team will submit its comments to EPA and the Town of Strafford. EPA has published its intent to list the Elizabeth Mine Site on the NPL in the National Register. The public has an opportunity to comment.

Review December 13 Meeting Summary

The draft meeting summary was unanimously approved.

At this point, there was a 10-minute break.


Remarks by the Chair

Scott Stokoe asked everyone to step back and appreciate how far the group has come in the past six months. He observed that the EMCAG has made tremendous progress its ability to appreciate the concerns of all members, thereby making the group as a whole stronger. Scott looked forward to the challenges of the next year and noted that the overlap of individual interests is likely to increase over time. He thanked the members for working together.


Facilitator's Update: Process Schedule

Cindy Cook provided the EMCAG with a draft schedule for the next six months.


TAG Coalition Update

Sally Mansur reported that members of the Elizabeth Mine Study Group and Citizens for a Sensible Solution have met to work on their application for a Technical Assistance Grant or TAG. The coalition hopes to submit an application to EPA by February 8, and envisions the TAG organization as an extension of the EMCAG that represents all EMCAG members. TAG money can be used for technical assistance.


Creation of an Outreach and Education Committee?

Bob Walker reported that Sarah White of EPA had suggested that the EMCAG form an outreach and education committee. Sally suggested that the TAG coalition could take on this role and develop newsletters and public for a to keep the public informed.

Josh Hamilton suggested using a web site to post meeting times, and to provide people with educational and historical materials, including the 7th and 8th grade mine-related curriculum recently developed in Strafford and documentation of the changes to the site as the cleanup progresses. Dartmouth can provide technical and financial resources to develop materials for the web; Nancy Sorrell (sp??) is the contact person at Dartmouth. Kendall Mix reminded the group that information should be developed in a way that is as accessible as possible, and that not everyone has access to the internet. Josh agreed that the internet be ought to be only one of several avenues for making materials available to the public.

Josh observed that the Elizabeth Mine offers tremendous educational opportunities. The process the EMCAG and EPA are engaged in is unique and could serve as a model for how community involvement processes can be very positive. He suggested that the community and EPA ought to be proud of the model that they have developed, and noted that he has discussed this with national leaders within the Superfund program.

John Frietag announced that the Strafford 7th and 8th graders are doing a presentation on their mine project. John will find out when this presentation will be, and distribute this information to the EMCAG.


Review and Discuss Draft Site Fact Sheet

The EMCAG reviewed a draft fact sheet that will be issued jointly by EPA, ANR and the EMCAG. Cindy asked that members draft a brief statement of their group's purpose to include as an attachment to the fact sheet.


Upcoming Meetings:

Cindy reviewed the mine-related meetings for the next few weeks. There will be a meeting with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Strafford Selectboard on Wednesday, January 17 at 9:00 AM at the Strafford Town Office.

TOSC mine remediation expert Karl Burgher will be coming to town in mid-March to provide the EMCAG with more detailed information regarding the array to cleanup alternatives. He has offered to meet with EMCAG member groups individually. Groups that are interested in arranging to meet with Karl should contact Sally.


Agenda for February 14 Meeting

It was suggested that the group review its process for reviewing the draft reports or interim deliverables that EPA will be drafting for EMCAG comment.

Scott suggested bringing in an expert who might help the EMCAG understand the interplay between discussions between EPA and the community and landowner liability negotiations.

Kendall stated that the Strafford Selectboard is planning to arrange a meeting with the selectboards of neighboring towns after Town Meeting Day to discuss the impacts of the cleanup.


The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:35.