Elizabeth Mine
Community Advisory Group Meeting
Approved :
Attendees:
EMCAG Members
and Alternates Present: Deby Botelho, Linda Cook, Tom Essex, Neal Meglathery, Scott Stokoe,
Bob Walker and Steve Willbanks
VT Agency of
Natural Resources: George Desch and John Schmeltzer
Vermont
Department of Health: Vernon Nelson and Georgiana _____
EPA: Ed Hathaway, Pam Harting-Barrat, and Dave Reisman
U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers: Scott Acone
URS: Jason Clere
ATSDR: Gary Perlman
Copperas Hill
Coalition: Lori
Barg, Pat Parenteau and Fred Moody
Adamant Accord: Cindy Cook, Facilitator
EPA Site Update
Ed
reminded everyone that the Emergency Action focused on stabilizing the TP-1
tailing dam, the Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) will focus on TP-1,
TP-2 and TP-3, and the Remedial Action will address all other sources of
contamination at the site. The purpose
of the Remedial Investigation (RI) is to determine the nature and extent on
contamination, and to establish Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG’s).
There
is a good chance that the site will get partial funding for the NTCRA this
fall. If funding becomes available, EPA
hopes to use it to:
The
final cover for tailings piles, the closure of TP-3 and groundwater diversion
will probably have to wait for another funding phase.
Ed
noted that TP-3 is far and away the largest source of metals (other than iron)
loading to the West Branch, and that literally a ton of iron moves from TP-1
into the West Branch every four to six days.
He also noted that while in the past selenium was not considered a major
contaminant at the site, it turns out that it has significant ecological
impacts.
The
Remedial Investigation (RI) will be completed later this summer. Since the RI will conclude that the site
poses threats to human health and the environment, a Feasability Study (FS)
will be conducted to assess alternatives.
The goal of the Remedial program is full compliance with all “Applicable
or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements” (ARAR’s). These are all regulations and standards that
ordinarily apply to projects in the state of Vermont, including the Vermont
Solid Waste Regulations and the Vermont Water Quality Standards. This fall, EPA will discuss cleanup options
with the EMCAG as part of the Feasability Study (FS) development.
A
copy of Ed’s presentation is attached.
Lead Contamination
Ed
discussed the lead contamination that was found at the sites of the two
copperas factory locations. Lead
contamination is limited to fairly small areas, but is very high within these
areas. 400 parts per million is considered
the threshold for soil. Above 400 parts
per mmillion (ppm), lead is considered a problem. Lead levels in soil at the factories were as
high as 680,000 ppm. Fortunately, the
lead contamination seems to be fairly well contained. Lead was not found in surface water or ground
water testing dome near the factories.
EPA will probably post these areas and leave the contamination in place
for now, as the sites are of high archaeological significance, and EPA’s emergency
program does not have the money to conduct the archaeological work that would
be needed in association with removing the lead.
Gary
Perlman stated that ATSDR has recommended that the public be warned to stay
away from the copperas factory sites.
The sites have yellow caution tape around them now. EPA will put up snow fencing sometime
soon. EMCAG members asked that EPA or
the state notify the public of the lead contamination through newspaper
articles and/or posters on community bulletin boards.
Copperas Hill Coalition
(CHC) Presentation
Fred
Moody noted that the CHC has hired Pat Parenteau to help with discussion of
ARAR’s and the goals of the Feasability Study.
The CHC has about $7,000.00 in uncommitted funds.
Lori
Barg noted that she had sent out a summary prior to the meeting. She described EPA’s work as “comprehensive
and thorough”. Lori asked Ed what would
happen if EPA couldn’t meet its cleanup goals.
Ed responded that they are obligated to cleanup the site until they get
to the point at which further work is “technically impractical”.
Scott
Stokoe noted that he would like the opportunity for more discussion with the
state at the next EMCAG meeting.
The
January 27, 2005 meeting summary was reviewed and approved, pending comments
from Gwenda, John and Jim.
Election of
Officers
The following officers were elected unanimously for
terms beginning immediately, and running through December 11, 2005:
Neal Meglathery, Vice Chair,
Gwenda Smith, Secretary, and
Deby Botelho, Treasurer.
Next Meeting Date
The next EMCAG meeting was tentatively set for September 28.
The meeting was adjourned at
8:40 PM.