EMCAG Members and Alternates Present: Linda Cook, Tom Essex, John Freitag, Rod Maclay, Neal Meglathery, Kendall Mix, Gwenda Smith, Bob Walker, and Steve Willbanks
Strafford Technical Advisor: Sally Mansur
Copperas Hill Coalition: Kathy Hardy, Fred Moody
Agency of Natural Resources: George Desch and Mike Young
State Historic Preservation Office: Giovanna Pebbles
EPA: Ed Hathaway and Bill Lovely
US Army Corps of Engineers: Scott Acone and Steve Umbrell
AD Little, Inc.: Scot Foster
Facilitator: Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord

The meeting began at approximately 7:08.

Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Update

TP3

George Desch discussed ANR Secretary Scott Johnstone's letter asking the Strafford and Thetford Selectboards and the Elizabeth Mine Community Advisory Group for their input regarding TP3. ScottÕs letter describes three options for TP3. All options involve the construction of diversion ditches around the perimeter of TP3 and the construction of a holding pond and passive wetland treatment system at the base of TP3. Option 1 preserves all of TP3 except the areas affected by the construction of the ditches and passive treatment system. Option 2 preserves approximately half of TP3, the other half would be excavated and added to the lower tailings piles. Option 3 involves the excavation and removal of all of TP3 above Copperas Road, and the preservation of the area below Copperas Road. A copy of Scott Johnstone's letter describing the three options is attached hereto.

George asked that the CAG give ANR its input regarding which of the three options it supports. Once ANR has heard from the CAG and the two selectboards, ANR representatives will meet with people from the State Historic Preservation Office to develop a state position regarding TP3.

Solid Waste Rules

George explained that ANR staff recently determined that the Solid Waste Regulations will apply to the mine cleanup. These rules include minimum capping thickness requirements and both minimum and maximum finish grade requirements that none of the alternatives discussed in the EE/CA meet. ANR had thought that EPA might be able to obtain a variance from the Solid Waste Regulations, but these variances are interim, and EPA cannot use an interim ruling as a means of demonstrating regulatory compliance.

George noted that the cleanup design would not be changed to comply with the current Solid Waste Regulations. Instead, ANR will develop a mechanism so that the cleanup as generally agreed upon can proceed. He outlined three possible strategies to achieve compliance:

1. Ask the legislature to exempt the Elizabeth Mine for the Solid Waste Regulations,

2. Change the regulations (rule changes usually take six or more months), or

3. Develop some form of interim procedure. ANR will assess these options and decide on a course of action by early January.

Rod Maclay expressed his frustration that the CAG was asked to comment on cleanup alternatives and was led to understand that its input would be considered, when in fact the Solid Waste Regulations may dictate the cleanup design. Rod asked why ANR did not forsee problems with Solid Waste Regulation compliance months ago.

John Freitag noted that he would like to see the water quality issues addressed, and that the cleanup design should not be driven by the Solid Waste Regulations. George agreed that the law or regulation should be changed.

EPA Update

The handout Ed Hathaway distributed that summarizes his presentation is attached hereto. Ed also noted that EPA has sought the professional advice of five engineering firms with expertise in mine remediation. All five concluded that from an engineering perspective, all of TP3 should be removed. The engineers strongly recommended, at a minimum, the removal of the high sulfide areas.

The meeting was recessed, and representatives of EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, A.D. Little, Inc and the State Historic Preservation Office left the meeting.

Redevelopment Grant Update

Sally Mansur introduced the consultants who will be working with the towns of Strafford and Thetford and the CAG on developing future use scenarios for the site: Joel Klein, Elizabeth Watson and Peter Benton. She said that the consultants plan to develop an initial vision statement for the mine site in February. The goal is to develop a site reuse vision that can be taken into consideration during the cleanup design process. The redevelopment consultants will help develop reuse ideas, and will identify potential funding sources. They will be returning for meetings with community members on January 9th and January 23rd.

Sally summarized a reuse meeting that was held immediately prior to the CAG meeting, at which the potential for developing the historic resources at the site, the possibility of a town garage at the site, and educational programs and trails that focus on historical and environmental themes were discussed.

Review November 14 Meeting Summary

The CAG approved the November 14 meeting summary.

Election of Officers

The following officers were elected by consensus for six-month terms:
Jim Condict, Vice Chair,
Gwenda Smith, Secretary, and
Rod Maclay, Treasurer.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:16 PM.

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