EMCAG Members and Alternates Present: Jim Condict, Linda Cook, Tom Essex, John Freitag, Rod Maclay, Kendall Mix, Gwenda Smith, Scot Stokoe, and Bob Walker
Strafford Technical Advisor: Sally Mansur
Copperas Hill Coalition: Kathy Hardy, Fred Moody, Richard Downer and Woody Reed
Agency of Natural Resources: George Desch and Chris Recchia
State Historic Preservation Office: Emily Wadhams
EPA: Ed Hathaway and Bill Lovely
US Army Corps of Engineers: Scott Acone
Facilitator: Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord, Inc.

The meeting began at approximately 7:00 PM.


Reports by TAG Consultants Richard Downer and Woody Reed

Woody Reed described his 30 years of experience in wetland systems, and said that he no longer believes that a reliable, cost-affordable wetland system can be designed for TP3. He also said that he believes that the proposed treatment system for TP1 will be problematic in the winter. He has reviewed the latest O&M cost estimates, and concludes that they are valid. He noted that if any of TP3 is preserved, a treatment pool will be needed, and that if the cover system is eliminated, the site will produce Acid mine Drainage forever.

Richard Downer agreed that TP3 should be removed. He said that EPA's proposal is practicable and doable and uses well-understood technology. He also said that further analyses regarding the stability of the tailings are needed, and that the cost estimates are in the appropriate order of magnitude.


Remarks by Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Chris Recchia

Commissioner Recchia thanked the EMCAG members for all their hard work, and noted that the EMCAG is a model for community involvement. He noted that while the Agency of Natural Resource's primary interest in environmental quality, community input is very important.

The Department of Environmental Conservation supports Alternative 2C. At a minimum, the high sulfide portions of TP3 should be removed, but ANR is willing to support the preservation of part of TP3, if it is cost effective to do so.

Commissioner Recchia stated that ANR supports proceeding with the cleanup at its proposed schedule.


Remarks by State Historic Preservation Officer Emily Wadhams

State Historic Preservation Officer Emily Wadhams stated that the Eliazabeth Mine as a nationally significant historic site. She also noted that this is an environmental cleanup project, nit an historic preservation project. She would like to see as much of TP3 preserved as possible.


EMCAG Representatives' Reactions to the Proposed Plan, and Position re Preservation of TP 3

Each EMCAG representative summarized his or her interests, reactions to the Proposed Plan, and position regarding the preservation of TP3.


The meeting was recessed for 10 minutes.


Formal EMCAG Comments on the Proposed Plan

Consensus was reached that Woody Reed and Richard Downer's reports be submitted to EPA by the EMCAG.


Copperas Hill Coalition (CHC) Update re the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

Kathy Hardy reported that the Copperas Hill Coalition (CHC) met before the last EMCAG meeting. The CHC has spent about 80% of its funding, and will develop a scope of work and seek additional funding from EPA.


Redevelopment Initiative Update

Sally Mansur gave a summary of the community survey regarding preferences for future use of the site conducted by John Milner Associates. The response rate was very high. The most popular uses were conservation, interpretation and recreation.


The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45.

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