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Elizabeth Mine Community Advisory Group June 25, 2003 Meeting Summary

What is the CAG? | How does the CAG work? | Meeting Summaries | Current meeting schedule   EMCAG Members and Alternates Present: Deby Botelho, Jim Condict, Kay Campbell, Linda Cook, John Freitag, Neal Meglathery, Gwenda Smith, Scott Stokoe, Bob Walker and Steve Willbanks Strafford Technical Advisor: Sally Mansur Copperas Hill Coalition: Fred Moody VT Agency of Natural Resources: George Desch, John Schmeltzer and Jeff Wennberg VT Division for Historic Preservation: Giovanna Pebbles and Emily Wadhams EPA: Ed Hathaway U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Scott Acone USGS: Jane Hammarstrom URS: Jason Clere, Lori Filipek and Chris Hatton Public Archaeology Laboratory: Matt Kierstead Adamant Accord: Cindy Cook, Facilitator Approved 9/24/03 I. Greeting, EMCAG Chair EPA Team Presentation re TP-3 Ed Hathaway gave a brief introduction, then a number of specialists gave presentations about TP-3. The following presentation are summarized in the attached slides: • Site Update – Ed Hathaway, EPA • Historic resource overview of TP-3 – Matt Kierstead, Public Archaeology Laboratory • Geochemical evaluation of TP-3 (Is all of TP-3 acid generating?) –Jane Hammarstrom,    USGS • Evaluation of the performance uncertainties and possible cost associated with the    treatment of TP-3 run-off using passive or semi-passive innovative treatment    technologies – Lori Filipek, URS Corp. • Standard engineering approach for TP-3 – Chris Hatton, URS Corp. • Other factors that influence the TP-3 cleanup approach: Groundwater contamination at    TP-3, metal loading, and flow – Jason Clere, URS Corp. • Summary of EPA Presentations – Ed Hathaway, EPA VT ANR/SHPO Perspective Regarding the Feasibility of Preservation/Treatment of TP-3 Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jeff Wennberg stated that for both environmental and economic reasons, the State has concluded that that preservation of TP-3 and treatment of the runoff from TP-3 is not a viable option. He said that the State will not assume the financial responsibility and risk associated with preserving TP-3. Jeff noted that unfortunately passive treatment systems cannot reliably and affordably treat the runoff from TP-3. Annual cost estimates for TP-3 treatment range from $100,000 and $500,000, depending on whether or not cadmium concentrations in the treatment sludge make it a hazardous waste. Jeff went on to say that ANR staff had hopes that they would find that some of the more historic parts of TP-3 were less acid-generating that others, and could be preserved. Unfortunately, the USGS analysis concludes that all of TP-3 is acid-generating. Jeff noted that because of the project schedule, a final decision regarding the future of TP-3 is about a year off. There is a possibility that some of TP-3 may be preserved if during this year, a group comes forward that can show that it has: 1. Site control (through easement or ownership) of the land involved, 2. Financial capability on an on-going basis to pay the Operations and Maintenance (“O&M”) costs associated with TP-3 preservation, and 3. Create a bond sufficient to cover the costs associated with removing the preserved portions of TP-3, if this were to become necessary, so that Vermont taxpayers are “held harmless”. 4. Jeff emphasized that there is a year or so to discuss the possibility of a local group assuming the costs and risks associated with the preservation of TP-3, and said that ANR staff would be happy to work with local groups to explore possibilities. Secretary Wennberg also suggested that those concerned with preserving the historic nature of the site, might consider working with EPA during remediation to carefully document and preserve any non-polluting artifacts found within the pile during remediation and somehow recreate or retell the story of the mine on site after remediation. He suggested that this might preserve the mine’s story, would relieve preservationists from the legal and financial liabilities associated with the preservation of actual tailings and could lead to additional funding. An EMCAG member noted that this “document and destroy” approach is not a preferred option. Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Emily Wadhams praised EPA and ANR for its efforts in exploring the possibility of preserving part of TP-3, and expressed disappointment that preservation does not appear to be a viable option. She noted that her $800,000 annual budget (half of which is from user fees) is barely sufficient to maintain the state-owned historic sites. Emily said that her office will work with the community to tell the story of what happened at the site, including the story of the cleanup. She described the heritage tourism possibilities associated with the Elizabeth, Ely and Pike Hill mines. After discussion, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45.   top

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