A view of Downtown Adak, overlooking Sweeper Cove

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November 15, 2000


 

The Adak Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) met for its regular monthly meeting on November 15, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. (Adak time) and 7:00 p.m. (Anchorage time). The RAB met at the CSO Conference Room, Bob Reeve High School, Adak, Alaska. Others participated by telephone conference from Anchorage, Alaska.

The following RAB members were present:
*Mary Grisco
*Charlotte Gisvold
Agafon Krukoff
Keith Martin
*Pam Miller
*Mike Mitchell
*Mark Murphy, EFA NW
*Ed Nash
*Kevin Oates, USEPA
*Richard Stoll, Co-Chair
Patty Vessel
*Cathy Villa, Community Co-Chair
*Elim Yoon, ADEC
The following RAB members were absent:
Roy Ehrhart
Chris Gates, TAC
The following visitors and guests were present:
*Al Larkin
*Sarah Bendewald, OASIS
Cynthia Galktionoff ARC/TSI
*Fran Gomes
*Joann Grady, Grady & Associates
Doug Meloridov, ARC/TSI
*Jenna Mueller, USFW
*Doug Murray, EFA NW
*Alice Petrovelli, TAC
Lt. Cdr. Posuniak
*Michelle Ridgeway
*Chris Riggio, A/PIA
Tim Roy, ARC
Doug Vessel

* participated telephonically

Administrative Note: The summary of discussions during RAB meetings is not intended as a transcript of the meeting. A recording of the RAB meeting is obtained at every meeting and in the event that a more complete transcript of a discussion is needed for a specific issue, this recording can be accessed. While participants at RAB meetings are strongly encouraged to review the meeting minutes prior to finalization of the minutes, it is recognized that there is the possibility that participants in the discussions have not reviewed the minutes to confirm that they accurately reflect the content of the discussion.

  1. Welcome, Introductions, and Meeting Purpose

    Ms. Villa called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. (Adak time). The meeting was delayed due to conference call difficulties. A quorum was present. At least 30 participants in Adak attended at 6:00 p.m., but many left due to the 1-1/2 hour delay of the meeting start.

    1. Approval of Agenda.

      The agenda was slightly abbreviated due to the late meeting start.

    2. Approval of 9/27/00 Meeting Minutes.

      Ms. Miller requested that the 9/27/2000 minutes, second sentence under section I(d)(4) be amended to read, "The RAB elected to search discussed searching for a difference contractor to provide technical support for OUB.

      IT WAS MOVED by Ms. Grisco AND SECONDED by Mr. Mitchell that the minutes of the September 27, 2000 meeting be approved as amended. THE MOTION PASSED with unanimous consent.

    3. General Announcements.

      Mr. Gates was to provide the EKI report, however, the report had not yet been finalized and could not be distributed.

    4. Administrative Issues

      1. Concerns, Issues, Questions.

        Ms. Miller requested that time limits be set for future agenda items.

        Action Item: Time limits are to be included for each agenda item.

        Mr. Mitchell asked about the status of the land transfer. Mr. Stoll said the Navy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFW), and The Aleut Corp. (TAC) signed the land transfer agreement, but the agreement did not reach Congress in time. The schedule will be modified slightly and will be addressed in the next legislative session.

  2. DISCUSSION TOPICS

    1. Operable Unit "B" Ordnance Investigation and Cleanup - 2000 Field Season and Plans for the Future.

      Mr. Larkin provided a statistical review of the OUB investigation and cleanup. Copies of Mr. Larkin's presentation are attached to these minutes.

      ECC and Foster Wheeler are in the process of writing a RI/FS report about the data gathered during the 2000 field season. The report will include a baseline risk assessment under CERCLA. Mr. Oates said that preparing a report earlier rather than later will assist in the land transfer. Inventory areas can be better targeted for transfer. Mr. Murphy said the RI/FS would be used to identify which sites need cleanup in 2001, and alternatively, which sites require no further action. The objective is to make 47,000 acres available for transfer. A report will be released in late February 2001 for formal agency and stakeholder review. The RI work will be included in the 2001 field season.

      Action Item: Mr. Murphy's list of documents and their review/comment deadlines are attached to these minutes.

      Some boundaries may be moved to effect early land transfer. For example, a greater portion of Mount Moffett may be retained as Navy land. The details are still under discussion, however USFW is not enthusiastic about any boundary changes.

      The next field season is expected to start on June 6, 2001.

    2. Comprehensive Monitoring Plan - Status Review of Development and Review Process

      Mr. Stoll said the plan would be available on or shortly after December 1, 2000.

      Action Item: Mr. Stoll will find out from Patty Kelly when the comment period for the Comprehensive Monitoring Plan ends and inform the RAB.

      Mr. Oates said the EPA's comments and concerns had been forwarded to the Navy. He felt Ms. Kelly understood the EPA's concerns and made the appropriate changes.

    3. TAPP Grant Status and Plans for Future TAPP Grant Application

      Ms. Miller said she was shocked that Dr. Scrudato's contract had already been terminated without using any of the TAPP grant money. Ms. Miller felt that Dr. Scrudato could still be helpful to the RAB regarding OUB, long-term monitoring and review of no further action sites. Mr. Stoll said that he and Ms. Kelly had made extensive attempts to communicate with Dr. Scrudato but did not receive any response. Mr. Stoll had the impression that Dr. Scrudato was either not interested or too busy. Dr. Scrudato also never communicated with Ms. Villa after she e-mailed him and wrote a letter. Ms. Miller said that given the contract was not awarded until early to mid-summer, how could Dr. Scrudato be expected to complete work by October? Mr. Stoll agreed, but said that the RAB needed to make some decisions about future TAPP grants so that continuity could be maintained.

      Ms. Villa asked if the RAB wanted to continue to use Dr. Scrudato? Mr. Krukoff said he would prefer someone more accessible. Ms. Villa agreed. Ms. Miller said Dr. Scrudato was extremely communicative and helpful during the first year of his contract. She said Dr. Scrudato is the most qualified person to review the long-term monitoring plan. Mr. Mitchell agreed with Ms. Miller, but suggested that perhaps Dr. Scrudato could assist the RAB in locating a contractor closer to Alaska. Ms. Grisco said she was concerned about using contractors who may have a conflict of interest and stressed the need for independent information. Mr. Stoll said the scope of work should be defined as soon as possible.

      Action Item: Ms. Villa will contact Dr. Scrudato to see if he is interested in continuing to work with the RAB.

      Mr. Murphy noted that if the RAB continues with Dr. Scrudato, he must be contracted by January.

      Action Item: Ms. Villa and Ms. Miller will update the scope of work, and distribute the draft online for RAB comment and approval.

    4. Status of Landfill Transfer and Cleanup Issues Associated with Land Transfer

      Mr. Stoll reported that the new Husky Landfill is open for municipal purposes. Roberts Landfill is officially closed.

    5. Future Milestones and Events Related to the Cleanup on Adak

      Refer to Mr. Murphy's attached schedule of deliverables. Petroleum FFSs are being prepared as well.

      Action Item: Mr. Murphy will update the deliverables list to include petroleum sites.

      Ms. Villa asked about the replaced booms on Sweeper Creek. Mr. Murphy said the booms were replaced and will remain there until alternate remediation is in place.

      Several fuel recovery systems will remain operable throughout the winter. The power plant trench will continue to operate. Additionally, several systems are automatic and continue to run through the winter. The tanker shed and the south runway have been shut down. SWMU 16 (housing area) and the NMCB are currently shut down for new screen installation. The power plant is being repaired and should be running again soon.

      ARC is currently shutting down many utilities, and should coordinate with the Navy so that cleanup operations are not affected.

      Action Item: Mr. Murphy will provide information at the next meeting regarding fuel recovery totals.

    6. Rommel Stake Removal (Summary Status Only - No Detailed Presentation)

      The Rommel stake removal is complete. A report detailing the quantity and location of all stakes will be available by mid-December 2000. Mr. Murphy said more Rommel stakes were found than expected.

  3. Public Comments.

    There were no public comments.

  4. Set Date and Tentative Topics for Next Meeting

    Discussion of upcoming field season work, the comprehensive monitoring plan, and the institutional control management plan.

  5. Meeting Adjourned.

    The next meeting was scheduled for February 21, 2001 at the ADEC office in Anchorage, 7 p.m. (Anchorage time) 6:00 p.m. (Adak time). The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m.

 
  Last Updated: May 20, 2004