RAB Meeting Notes

A view of Downtown Adak, overlooking Sweeper Cove

November 5, 2008

The meeting was held via teleconference with participants calling in from the Reeve's High School Conference Room on Adak, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) office in Anchorage, the Environmental Protection Agency office in Seattle and NAVFAC Northwest in Silverdale, Washington, as well as Homer Alaska, Bainbridge Island WA, Olympia WA, and Albuquerque NM. The following people attended:

Name	Affiliation	Location
Esther Bennett	RAB member (community co-chair)	Adak, AK
Mike Durfee	RAB member	Adak, AK
Agafon Krukoff	RAB member	Anchorage, AK
Chuck Mohn	RAB member	Anchorage, AK
Rex Poe	RAB member	Anchorage, AK
Melvin Smith	RAB member	Anchorage, AK
Tom Spitler	RAB member	Adak, AK
Cathy Villa	RAB member	Adak, AK
Guy Warren	*RAB member (ADEC)	Anchorage, AK
Chris Cora	*RAB member (EPA)	Seattle, WA
Mark Wicklein	*RAB member (Navy Co-Chair)	Silverdale, WA
Kent Sundseth	USFWS	Homer, AK
Layna Goodman	Navy RPM	Silverdale, WA
Kendra Colyar	Navy RPM	Silverdale, WA
JoAnn Grady	Grady & Associates	Anchorage, AK
Tom Tomczyk	Bristol	Albuquerque, NM
Bill Rohrer	URS	Olympia, WA
Jennifer Allen	URS	Bainbridge Island, WA
*non-voting RAB member

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Navy co-chair Mark Wicklein called the meeting to order at approximately 6:10 p.m. (Adak time). Mr. Wicklein asked whether the agenda could be changed so the community co-chair discussion could be first, then approving the minutes, second. Mr. Wicklein also asked whether adding a discussion of the RAB charter and by-laws (attached) was acceptable. There were no objections.

Bylaws/ New Members/ Selection of a Community Co-Chair

Mr. Wicklein reviewed the bylaws. Five voting members were present at the beginning of the meeting (Ms. Cathy Villa, Mr. Melvin Smith, Mr. Chuck Mohn, Ms. Mary Grisco, Mr. Mike Durfee). These members voted to remove four members (Ms. Violet Pearl, Ms. Pam Miller, Mr. Charles Lyon, and Mr. Steve Hines), resulting in a voting membership (present and not-present) of 15 members. These five members (a quorum) then voted to add two new members (Ms. Esther Bennett and Mr. Tom Spitler), for a total of 17 voting members.

Ms. Bennett was elected as Community Co-Chair. Voting members Mr. Rex Poe and Mr. Agafon Kurkoff arrived after these decisions, increasing the total of voting RAB members present to nine.

Ms. Bennett and Ms. JoAnn Grady will contact the members not in attendence to confirm whether or not they want to remain as members. Those not present included Mr. Vince Tutiakoff, Mr. Will Tillion, Mr. Jack Stewart, Mr. Mike Mitchell, Mr. Ed McNall, Ms. Rachel Kratz-Hines, Ms. Carrie Johnson, and Ms. Char Gisvold. In addition to the community members, there is one non-voting member each from Navy (co-chair), ADEC, and EPA. These are Mark Wicklein (Navy), Guy Warren (ADEC), and Chris Cora (EPA), respectively.

With a quorum of community RAB members present, the April 15, 2008 RAB meeting minutes were also approved. There were no comments to the April minutes from the participants that attended. Mr. Wicklein proceeded to the next item on the agenda, the 2008 Field Season Update.

2008 Field Season Update

The 2008 field season update was presented by Mr. Wicklein and Ms. Layna Goodman. The presentation generally followed the material presented in the printed 2008 Field Season Update, which had been provided to RAB members before the meeting (in the mailed RAB information packets and the posting on the Adakupdate.com website).

Landfill and Land Use Control Repairs/Upgrades

SES-Tech
5 - 10 people
August 14, 2008 to September 17, 2008 (planned)

This project involved repairing sections of the Metals and Palisades Landfills, fencing in Parcel 4, monitoring wells, and updating the business section of the Airport UXO Educational Awareness DVD. The work occurred slightly later than planned.
Free-Product Recovery

SES-Tech
2 people
One week a month throughout the year

This project involved removing free-product at the NMCB, South of Runway 18-36, and SWMU 62 sites.
OUB-1 Remedial Action

EOD Technology (EODT)
60 to 70 people
June through October (planned)

This munitions clearance project of 366 acres at Mount Moffett Sites MM-10F, MM-10G and MM-10H focused on activity not completed during the 2004 field season.

EODT demobilized on Sept 11, 2008, after completing 107 of 406 grids. The contractor will return for a full season in 2009 with about one-half the number of 2008 staff. The efficiency of the work should be much greater in 2009, as a result of refining work processes this year.
OUB-2 Supplemental Remedial Investigation\Feasibility Study

USA Environmental
20 to 25 people
June through October

As many as 40 USAE staff were on island during this year's field season and all planned work was completed. The Navy is awaiting a report from the contractor, due in December. Mr. Wicklein acknowledged EPA and ADEC support during planning and decision making toward the end of field work. This helped the project goals for the season.

This project filled gaps in data from previous field seasons at the 18 OUB-2 sites with further action. Results of this work will lead to a risk assessment, feasibility study, proposed plan and ROD (2009\2010). Remedial action will follow beginning in 2011 or 2012 and is anticipated to complete within two to five years.
Lake Jean (LJ-01) RA and Rifle Grenade Range (RG-01) NTCRA

USA Environmental
15-20 people
June through August (plan)

The objective of this project was to finish munitions clearance and remedial action work at Lake Jean (LJ-01) and Rifle Grenade Range (RG-01).

Both projects were completed this field season. The contractor demobilized on October 12.
Munitions Quality Assurance

Battelle
5 to 10 people
May through October (plan)

Battelle continued to be the Navy's independent quality assurance contractor for the munitions clearance work during the 2008 field season.

This was the first time the Navy had dedicated independent quality assurance (QA) staff on-site for the entire season. The QA contractor had approximately 10 people on-island all summer. Their responsibilities included auditing the EODT project and the two USAE projects. Battelle remained on-island until after the power was restored to complete the QA work, and they demobilized on October 12 at the same time as the USAE crew.
Annual Monitoring and IC Inspections

SES Tech
10 to 12 people
Three weeks starting early September (plan)

This was the annual groundwater and landfill monitoring project. The annual institutional control inspection was completed during this same time period.

All environmental samples were transported off island within the laboratory analytical holding times. The contractor demobilized from the site in early October. The Navy is working on a report of the monitoring results.
Andrew Lake Seawall Sweep

EOD Detachment Northwest
2 people
September 5 through September 12

This was the annual clearance of surface munitions from the Andrew Lake Seawall.

The EOD Detachment Northwest (a Navy crew) was on-site during the week of September 22 and completed the sweep. The Navy is awaiting a report of the findings.

Adak Munitions Update
The Adak Munitions Update was presented by Mark Wicklein. In summary, all plans for 2008 were completed this year. EPA and ADEC were very helpful in supporting this effort. A New Uniform Federal Protocol for Quality Assurance was implemented, which required a lot of coordination but resulted in excellent planning and a good model for others to use in the future.

Non-Field Work Performed Since Last RAB Meeting
- OUB-1:
  
  Lake Jean
  Project plan completed
  
  Mount Moffett sites (MM-10F, MM-10G and MM-10H)
  Project plan completed
- OUB-2:
  
  Rifle Grenade range
  Project plan completed
  
  Supplemental remedial investigation/feasibility study
  Project plan completed
Non-Field Work Planned Between Now and Next RAB Meeting
- OUB-1:
  
  Lake Jean
  Prepare after action report
  
  Mount Moffett sites
  Prepare 2008 field season report (interim)
- OUB-2:
  
  Rifle Grenade range
  Prepare after action report
  
  Supplemental remedial investigation/feasibility study
  Develop risk assessment
  Develop remedial investigation report
  Begin feasibility study report
Petroleum Sites Update
Mark Wicklein presented a summary of the Petroleum Sites Update, on behalf of Gary Simmons with NAVFAC NW, who has since moved on to other projects.

Non-Field Work Performed Since the Last RAB Meeting
- Area 303
  
  The Navy developed a focused feasibility study report for this site. Discussions are on-going between ADEC and the Navy concerning the results.
- Pipeline Decommissioning
  
  The Navy is evaluating contractor bid packages for work planned during the 2009 field season.
- EE/CA Documentation
  
  The Navy began developing an engineering evaluation/cost analysis for the Former Power Plant, T-1451 and SWMU61, Tank Farm B. This work begins to address recommendations from the 2006 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report concerning these two sites. This is to address remediation at these sites.
Non-Field Work Planned Before The Next RAB Meeting
- Area 303
  
  Continue discussions between ADEC and the Navy concerning the preferred remedy for this site.
  
  If discussions between ADEC and the Navy on this subject conclude before the next RAB meeting, a further step will be to develop a proposed plan for these sites, and submit it for public review.
- Pipeline Decommissioning
  
  TSelect a contractor to complete the work for the 2009 field season.
- EE/CA Documentation
  
  Complete the EE/CA and develop a remedial design work plan for any additional work, as warranted, after concurrence from ADEC.
- Antenna Field Site
  
  Plan for additional site characterization based on results of the 2006 Petroleum Summary Report.
Monitoring/Site Closeout Update
Layna Goodman, who replaced Jim Brown after his retirement in February of 2008, presented a summary of monitoring and site closeout activities.

Non-Field Work Performed Since the Last RAB Meeting
- The final Landfill Monitoring Report was completed in May 2008. The final Groundwater Monitoring Report was completed in June 2008.
Non-Field Work Planned Before the Next RAB Meeting
- Drafts of these reports (including the institutional controls report) will be submitted for regulatory review.
Roberts Landfill Cover/Other Issues or Questions
An observation was made from Mr. Krukoff regarding the surfacing on the Roberts Landfill. It appears bare and may need new soil cover and reseeding. Navy responded that the IC controls report from the 2008 survey (inspections) will be evaluated to determine what was identified as needing repair on the landfill. Since the report is not yet received, it is unknown at this time if the member observations were also picked up in the survey.

Mr. Poe asked how the Navy is going to stop people from entering the metals landfill. Mr. Wicklein responded that the fencing, signs and gates are meant as deterrents to landfill entrance, and are not designed to prohibit entry. Mr. Chris Cora stated although walking on the landfill is not a health hazard, we don't want anyone injured by contact with buried metal objects. Ongoing education is appropriate so people don't drive vehicles on the cap or dig in the cover. Also, the landfill is more of an aesthetic issue, since there is not surface contamination. Ms. Goodman mentioned funding is available for institutional controls repairs and depending on how large the problem is at Roberts Landfill, this could be mitigated in 2009.

Mr. Warren asked whether marine tissue monitoring will occur next year. Navy responded yes (for 2009). This occurs every two years.
Review Action Items
1. Mr. Wicklein will contact Ms. Bennett to discuss co-chair responsibilities.
2. Ms. Grady and Ms. Bennett will check with members not attending this meeting regarding their continuing participation.
3. URS will post RAB by-laws and the meeting minutes to the Adak Update web site.
4. Ms. Goodman will review the institutional controls inspection report when available with respect to Mr. Krukoff's comments concerning the Roberts Landfill.
5. Mr. Wicklein will provide information discussed during previous RAB meetings to URS concerning the buttress along the beach north of Metals Landfill containing wood and metal debris. URS will add this information to the minutes of this RAB meeting and post on the Adak Update web site.
Preliminary Agenda for Next Meeting
Mark Wicklein suggested that a proposed agenda be e-mailed or mailed out about a month before the next RAB meeting. The proposed agenda would be jointly developed by Esther Bennett and Mark Wicklein. Interested RAB members could then e-mail or call their comments in to Mark Wicklein and/or Esther Bennett, and refinements to the agenda could be made accordingly.
Set Date for Next RAB and Adjourn
Mark Wicklein and others discussed that the next scheduled RAB meeting will convene on Adak on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:16PM, Adak time.

Attachments:
ADEC Barrel Retaining Wall Cover Letter 28 July 2004
Barrel Retaining Wall Photographs 24 July 2004