October 2007 RAB Meeting Minutes

Attendants
The October 10, 2007 Adak RAB meeting was held at the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) office in Anchorage and the NAVFAC Northwest office at Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor in Silverdale, Washington, as well as through telephone connections to Adak Island, Alaska and Seattle, Bothell, and Olympia, Washington. The following people were in attendance:

Name	Affiliation	Location
Violet Pearl	Adak RAB Co-Chair	Adak, AK
Lisa Scharf	Adak Community Member	Adak, AK
Mark Wicklein	Navy Co-Chair	Silverdale, WA
Mike Durfee	RAB Community Member	Adak, AK
Jack Stewart	Adak Community Member	Adak, AK
Carrie Johnson	Aleut Enterprise LLC	Anchorage, AK
John Schiable, tugboat captain and two other unidentified tugboat crew members	Adak Island	Adak, AK
Guy Warren	ADEC	Anchorage, AK
Chris Cora	EPA	Seattle, WA
Gary Simmons	Navy RPM	Anchorage, AK
Jim Brown	Navy RPM	Silverdale, WA

JoAnn Grady	Grady & Associates	Anchorage, AK
Bill Rohrer	URS	Olympia, WA
Mitch Baron	SES Tech	Bothell, WA

Welcome Opening Remarks, Approval of Minutes:

Violet Pearl and Mark Wicklein called the meeting to order at approximately 6:03 p.m. (Adak time). Mark asked for any additions or revisions to the minutes from the April 11, 2007 meeting. Mark also wanted to verify that Carrie and Melvin Smith were now receiving email communications regarding the Adak RAB. Carrie replied in the affirmative. Carrie Johnson moved to accept the minutes, and Violet Pearl seconded the motion.

2007 Field Season Update

Mark Wicklein described munitions-related field activities conducted during this past field season.

A site visit was conducted on island on August 20, 2007 as part of the pre-solicitation process for remedial action work at Mt. Moffett OU B-1 sites next summer.
The Lake Jean and Combat Range (C1-02) clearance project originally scheduled for July through August 2007 and involving 20 people from USA Environmental has been delayed until 2008 due to difficulties with the planning documents.
The completion of the Rifle Grenade range (RG-01) clearance was originally scheduled to be conducted in association with the previous project. Consequently, this work has been re-scheduled for the summer of 2008 also.
The annual sweep of the Andrew Lake Seawall was completed in September by two people from EOD Whidbey Island Detachment. " Quite a bit of material" was collected and disposed of by the Detachment.

Jim Brown then described field activities associated with Land Use Controls and Munitions Awareness Program.

Revisions to the Land Use Control/Munitions awareness program were completed in June and July by 8 people from Tetratech. They completed land use control (LUC) improvements at various site locations. The improvements include:

A TV monitor and DVD player were installed at the airport terminal, and a new LUC/Munitions awareness video was developed. The new video will run on a schedule of one hour before arrival and continuing for one hour following departure for each scheduled commercial flight.

New gates were installed at Metals, Roberts, and White Alice landfills, and fence repairs were completed at the three landfills and along portions of the eastern and southern boundary of Parcel 4.
Excavation notification signs were installed at sites where Navy notification is required for any planned excavation activities; additional excavation prohibition signs (no digging) were installed at the four closed landfills (Palisades, Metals, Roberts, and White Alice), and new ordnance signs were installed on the eastern, southern and western boundaries of Parcel 4 and along the Lake Andrew seawall.
Hiking trail maps were updated with new information and copies were provided to US Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) office for distribution. Approximately 80 maps have been distributed to visitors from June to September of this year, as documented by Carrie Johnson and Lisa Sharp. With the seasonal closing of the USFWS office in September, the responsibility for map distribution has been handed over to Al Giddings and the Aleut Housing Authority (AHA).
A copy of the new LUC/Munitions awareness video, hiking trail maps, sports bottle, and bookmarker were distributed to on-island residents. The LUC/Munitions video, tri-color markers, coloring books, and water bottles were provided to the school. Copies of the video were also given to contractors (for example, Boeing and Manson) for showing as part of their Munitions awareness training program.
Lastly, there were some minor repairs made to select monitoring wells on the island and an inspection of the drainage channels was conducted at three of the closed landfills (Metals, White Alice, and Palisades).
The LUC improvements field effort was completed in early August, and a report is due out later this fall (likely next month).
Seven individuals from SES Tech completed the annual groundwater and landfill monitoring in late September. The field effort took approximately 3 weeks to complete. Following laboratory analysis and data validation, summary reports will be prepared and submitted for regulatory review. Overall, the field effort went well with minimum problems experienced. ADEC personnel were on island for a few days to observe the monitoring activities.
A staff member from SES Tech conducted the annual institutional control inspections in September. All deficiencies noted during the previous inspection (September 2006) were corrected. A summary report is due out to the agencies in mid December.
Two staff from SES Tech completed the biennial marine monitoring in June. The draft report has been sent to the agencies for review. The current fish consumption advisory includes rock sole from both Kuluk Bay and Sweeper Cove and blue mussels from Sweeper Cove. The 2007 sampling results support the current fish consumption advisory with no recommended changes. Monitoring will continue on an every-other-year basis. Following finalization of the marine report, a fact sheet will be sent to all on-island residents summarizing the monitoring results and the status of the current fish consumption advisory.

Gary Simmons described field activities associated with the petroleum sites on Adak.

Two individuals from SES Tech conducted monthly free-product recovery through August. The technically practicable endpoint for product recovery systems not dependent on water table depression (monitoring wells) has been achieved at NMCB, South of Runway 18-36, and SWMU 62 sites.
Recovery trenches installed last field season in South of Runway 18-36 and SWMU 62 have not met the endpoint criteria. Therefore recovery efforts will continue at these two sites.
Because the recovery trenches are not meeting the endpoint criteria, the Navy plans to continue free-product recovery on monitoring wells that are producing measurable quantities until the recovery trenches achieve practical endpoints. Gary and Guy Warren have had recent discussions about which monitoring wells will continue to be monitored during this process.

Gary described an upcoming geophysical survey as part of Area 303 Pipeline Decommissioning Work Plans. The EM-61 Survey will be conducted later this October during a two-week field effort to verify the locations of the main pipeline and laterals. The Work Plans will be prepared so that another contractor can complete the pipe line decommissioning next 2008 field season.

2008 Field Season Update
Mark Wicklein discussed upcoming munitions-related field efforts to be initiated in 2008.
- The OUB-1 Remedial Action (Mount Moffett Sites MM-10F, MM-10G and MM-10H) will be conducted by a contractor to be determined. The level of effort might include from 50 to 150 people depending on the number of field seasons (one to three) required to support the logistics strategy. Field work will likely occur from June through October for each field season.
- USA Environmental is slated to conduct the OUB-2 Supplemental Remedial Investigation but they are not under contract yet. The contract award date is likely in November of this year. Mark asked that no one from the island contact them until they are awarded the contract. The field effort will involve 15 to 30 people for one field season from July through October.
- USA Environmental has been awarded the contract to complete the Lake Jean (LJ-01) and Rifle Grenade Range (RG-01) Remedial Action. The duration of this project is approximately two months. They hope to start with a crew of 10 to 15 people in June 2008; although they must wait for the new Geophysical Prove-Out (GPO) to be installed. The old GPO has been removed. There will likely be two new GPO areas established for the upcoming work, one near Mt. Moffett and one in the valley at Parcel 4.
- Munitions Quality Assurance will be provided by Battelle (or another contractor) to function as an independent government review on the three munitions projects next summer. This would entail a crew of 5 to 10 people for the period of June through October. The QA contractor will also be responsible for establishing the GPO. The contract award is scheduled for November 2007.
- Non-MEC-related projects anticipated for the 2008 field season:
- Mark briefly described Land Use Control Repairs/Upgrades to be completed by SES Tech with a crew of 5 to 10 people during one month between June and October. This will include repairs or adjustments to the DVD player at the Adak airport, and repair of barbed wire fencing and signs at Parcel 4.
- Annual Monitoring and IC Inspections will also be conducted by SES Tech with a crew of 7 or 8 people during a three week period starting in early September
- Gary had already described the continuing Free-Product Recovery work to be conducted by SES Tech (i.e. 2 people on a monthly basis through August of next year). Following review of the field results, a determination will be made to curtail or extend the free-product recovery.
Discussion:

Gary mentioned again the upcoming geophysical survey for the Area 303 Pipeline Decommissioning Work Plan. Gary remarked that he considered that effort to be part of the 2007 field work.

Mark concluded the discussion by suggesting that there would potentially be 100-200 people on the island during the peak of the field effort in 2008.

Guy inquired about the status of the ICMP update. Jim Brown indicated that the internal draft was scheduled for completion in November and a draft to be submitted to the agencies in early December. Guy asked if the Navy could provide a schedule of upcoming deliverables as they had provided last year. Jim responded in the affirmative. He also indicated that the draft IC Inspection Report would be available for the agencies' review at about the same time as the draft ICMP. Any concerns that the agencies have about the results of the most recent IC Inspection could then be addressed in the ICMP.
Munitions Update
Mark Wicklein discussed ongoing efforts of completing work plans for OU B-1 sites, Lake Jean and the Rifle Grenade Range. The Navy convened an Industry Forum for the upcoming remedial action at three Mt. Moffett sites within OU B-1. The Navy determined that the firm-fixed price contract would be designated as a Small Business Set-Aside. A subsequent site visit on Adak was conducted on August 20, 2007. Proposals were due on September 28, 2007 and are currently being reviewed. Guy asked how many proposals were submitted. Mark stated that he could not provide that information at this time. Regarding OU B-2 sites, supplementary work plans for the OU B-2 RI are in the process of being prepared. Upcoming non-field work related tasks include completing the project plans for the Lake Jean and Mt. Moffett sites, awarding contracts for the OU B-1 remedial action at the Mt. Moffett sites, completing the OU B-2 Work Plans, and awarding the OU B-2 RI and Quality Assurance contracts.
Petroleum Sites Update
Gary Simmons discussed the status of the Area 303 Focused Feasibility Study (FFS). Sections 1-6 have been submitted to ADEC, TAC, and ADOT as Draft Final; Sections 7-11 have been submitted as a draft version. Completion of the entire FFS and preparation of the Proposed Plan and Decision Document for Area 303 have been delayed because of a disagreement between the Navy and ADEC in interpretation of ADEC's water quality regulations. This is in reference to other Adak petroleum sites for which Decision Documents have already been executed and not Area 303.

Gary also indicated that the Area 303 Pipeline Decommissioning Work Plan contract will be awarded within 1-2 weeks. Violet asked about the timing of the field work for this effort. Gary indicated that he hoped to have the geophysical survey work conducted as soon as possible following the contract award (i.e. within a couple of weeks in order "to beat the weather").
Monitoring/Site Closeout Update
Jim Brown discussed the status of the Partial Remedial Action Completion Report (PRACR) which is currently being reviewed for concurrence by EPA and ADEC. Approval by the agencies will effectively delist soil and surface water media for 55 OU A sites and 140 OU B-1 sites. The approved report will be posted to the Adak Information Repositories and Adakupdate website. Both EPA and ADEC indicated that their reviews were delayed by end of fiscal year constraints, but that approval by upper management was imminent.
Other Issues / Questions
Mark Wicklein indicated that there will be many individuals and organizations on the island next field season as part of the oversight and quality assurance effort for the scheduled ordnance investigations and removals during the upcoming field season. At least one NTR will be on island for the duration of the field season. Potentially another NTR will be present during part of the field season. Representative(s) from Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA) will be on island for 1-2 weeks. ADEC, EPA, and their contractors will likely have 1-2 representatives for a week or two. Chris Cora from EPA mentioned that TechLaw is EPA's new Munitions oversight contractor. Shirley Rieven (EPA's previous oversight contractor from PH7) will no longer be involved with the project. Mark and perhaps another Navy RPM will be on island pending approval of their travel requests.

Violet Pearl thanked Lisa Scharf for setting up the Map Request list.

Guy Warren asked about two new munitions finds identified recently. Mark replied that he is waiting to get a call back from EOD Whidbey Island to determine what transpired. He will also be contacting the City of Adak. Apparently, someone from the island brought in small arms (or other individual items) and gave them to EOD Detachment Whidbey Island during their recent annual sweep activities. Mark indicated that he is concerned that the proper notification process was not followed in this instance. Guy indicated that EOD Ft. Richardson won't respond to reports involving small arms finds.

There ensued a general discussion about the proper procedures to be followed if munitions are found and identified by residents on Adak. Residents should not touch or move any munitions item, but identify its location, and contact 911 or the Adak Police. The City would then contact Ft. Richardson to determine if they would respond and dispose of the item in question. If Ft. Richardson does not respond, the City of Adak should contact the Navy for further direction. Chris Cora suggested that this process be followed even if the Navy has an on-site presence (for example, an NTR or MEC contractor during the field season) in order to instill the proper protocol among the residents and maintain the process. Carrie reminded everyone that the Munitions Awareness program stipulates that a person call 911 if a munitions item is found by a resident. Violet Pearl indicated that the 911 system is now functional on the island.

Chris also indicated that he has received calls from unidentified contractors wanting information about local points of contact on Adak. He requested an updated contact list. Violet Pearl agreed to send a copy to Chris, Guy, and Mark
Review Action Items
Mark described the following three action items:
- Mark will send out a notice to the RAB once the OU B-1 contractor (and POC) has been identified.
- Jim Brown will send out a deliverable schedule to Guy Warren and Chris Cora (completed as of 10/17/2007).
- Violet Pearl will send an update Adak contact list to the Navy, ADEC, and EPA.
Preliminary Agenda for Next Meeting
Mark solicited ideas for agenda items for the next scheduled RAB meeting (aside from the usual topics). He indicated that the draft agenda would be sent out via the distribution list and the Adakupdate website about three weeks prior to the RAB meeting. He asked that any new topics be sent to him by email.
Set Date for Next RAB
Mark indicated that the date for the next Adak RAB meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2008 at 6:00 Adak time. He also asked whether it would make sense to move the following Fall 2008 RAB meeting up a month (to September) since Navy, EPA, ADEC, and contractors may be on the island as part of the 2008 field season. EPA and ADEC both agreed that would be a good idea. The last time a RAB meeting was held on island was back in 2004. The meeting was then adjourned promptly at 7:00 PM Adak time.