Elizabeth Mine Community Advisory Group Meeting

February 9, 2006 Meeting Summary

Approved March 30, 2006

 

EMCAG Members and Alternates Present:  Linda Cook, John Freitag, Tom Essex, Neal Meglathery, Cathy Cook Parker, Scott Stokoe, Bob Walker, and Steve Willbanks

Copperas Hill Coalition Representatives: Fred Moody and Marie Ricketts

Facilitator:  Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord, Inc.

 

Discussion re Technical Assistance Needs

Risk Assessments

Bob commented that he did not feel that the EMCAG needs assistance in reviewing the risk assessments that EPA will be issuing this Spring.  The group agreed that they are comfortable with the conclusions that Ed has presented at the last several EMCAG meetings.

 

ARAR’s

The group discussed their interest in Pat Parenteau helping them understand the application of regulations that are called “ARAR’s”.

 

Technical Assistance Grant

Fred Moody noted that the TAG grant expires in June.  He has submitted a request for a twelve-month extension, but won’t know for a while yet if the extension is granted.  The CHC has received two grants of $50,000 each.  Fred noted doesn’t think that it is likely that the CHC will get a third grant.  At the current rate of spending, the remaining funds will pay for TAG advisors for about another year.  The group discussed their concern that this will get the EMCAG through the initial NTCRA activities, but will mean that TAG funds probably won’t be available for the Remedial phase, including design of the cover systems.

 

Communication

The group agreed that clearer lines of communication would be helpful.  The group modified and approved a flowchart that describes the commenting process.  A copy of the flowchart is attached.

 

The group agreed that the TAG advisors be asked to:

  1. Provide the EMCAG with clear, concise summaries of issues they want to highlight for the EMCAG’s.  These summaries should be one or at most two pages, bulleted.  It was suggested that Anne seems best suited to prepare these summaries.
  2. Limit their communication with EPA and ANR to clarifying questions, not position-taking, and that they not overwhelm EPA with e-mails.  There was consensus that TAG advisors should refrain from taking advocacy roles (examples of what the EMCAG considers to be advocacy include pushing metals reuse and writing to the selectboards asking them to take specific positions)
  3. Understand that the advisors are working for the EMCAG (through the CHC), and it is the EMCAG, not the advisors, who will submit comments to EPA.

 

John noted that legally the EMCAG can not direct the TAG advisors.  Others noted that the while the EMCAG does not supervise the advisors, it was the clear intent when the CHC was formed that the CHC work to address the technical needs of the community as reflected by the EMCAG.

 

Meetings

Several members suggested that the EMCAG meet with the TAG advisors without EPA present, so that the advisors can help them understand technical issues.  The EMCAG will then meet with EPA, without the TAG advisors, so that they can discuss issues with EPA in a collegial atmosphere.  The EMCAG proposes that the TAG advisors meet with EPA and ANR as appropriate for technical discussions.  The group realizes that this arrangement will likely mean a larger number of meetings in the short run, but wants to do this so that roles are clearer:  The TAG advisors’ role is to advise the EMCAG; the EMCAG’s role is to provide community comment to EPA and ANR.

 

Technical Outreach Services to Communities (TOSC)

The group agreed that they would like Karl Burger to review the Feasibility Study and the cover design for the EMCAG as a TOSC advisor.  The group will also consider seeking assistance from historic preservation expert Tom King, if Gwenda thinks that this would be useful.

 

The group discussed the role of TOSC advisor Kevin Hood.  Kevin has been coming to EMCAG meetings, but his role is unclear.  The EMCAG as a whole is uncomfortable with Kevin’s involvement, as he appears to be working with one member group, and not the full EMCAG, and directed Cindy to contact Kevin and ask him not to come to future meetings.

 

 

EMCAG, CHC, TAG Flowchart

Developed by the EMCAG w/ CHC input

2/9/06