|
|
|
Northern New Mexico Citizens' Advisory Board Meeting
Minutes November 17, 1999 I.
OPENING A.
Call to Order
B. George Chandler moved, seconded by Elmer Torres, that the agenda be approved as presented. The motion passed 9-0; Board members John Alejandro and Connie Thompson-Ortega were absent. C. George Chandler moved, seconded by James Leach to adopt the minutes of the September and October meetings. The motion passed 9-0; Board members John Alejandro and Connie Thompson-Ortega were absent. PUBLIC COMMENT No Public Comment III. Reports A. Overview of Hazardous and Mixed Waste Regulation Paul Schumann, ER/LANL said that the Outfall 260 at TA-16 is the first major corrective interim measure undertaken by LANL. High explosives were found at the site. Jim Johnston asked if lightning could ignite the high explosives. Julie Canepa said that it was not likely to cause a problem. In Material Disposal Area (MDA) P, high explosives were found and ER used remote equipment to apply a combination of chemical and biological treatments. Joe Vozella said that this activity occurred over the past nine months. LANL is concerned about personnel safety. MDA P and Outfall 260 are in restricted areas. George Chandler asked about the difference between the existing regulations and the new waste designation regulations. Mr. Schumann responded that the new regulations are concerned with the generation of new waste and not the legacy sites that LANL is cleaning up. He said that the RCRA regulations are concerned with how the site manages waste from generation to disposal. LANL must meet the treatment, storage, and disposal facility owner/operator requirements for the identification and management of wastes as specified in the Federal regulations. The EPA delegated this regulation process to the state. Julie Canepa distributed a written report on Acid Canyon. This report on Acid Canyon was presented at the quarterly ER meeting in Santa Fe on November 9. The ER Program moved up the sampling dates from July 2000 to now. Some sampling was done earlier with state involvement in how to do the sampling. LANL is now taking radiation surveys, mapping the readings and then will do further sampling based on those readings. LANL characterized 70 sites at multiple depths including 54 samples looking for plutonium, metals and organics. The point of the extensive sampling is to determine any risk to hikers. In February/March, an inventory of contaminants will be finished and risk assessment completed. B. WIPP Litigation James Bearzi, NMED said that he could not comment on the WIPP litigation. MJ Byrne said that she could not comment either. She expressed concern about the accuracy of the newspaper coverage. Veronica Rodriquez from Senator Dominici’s office distributed a press release on the Senator’s amendment to prohibit the Federal government to post bond on these projects. Pecos Incident Menice S. Manzanares said that James Leach and Tim Gallegos raised this concern at the last Board meeting. This topic is outside the Board’s mission. However this information is being presented in the interest of informing the public. Mr. William Bell distributed handouts on the Radiological Assistance Program. He distributed a written report on the LANL RAP response to a state licensed facility near Pecos, NM. James Bearzi stated that his agency agrees with the findings on the inactive facility. The facility needs to be inventoried and controlled until the materials are shipped to Fernald on December 6. New Mexico refused to re-license earlier this year. Mr. Bearzi wants the facility decommissioned and decontaminated before the man who responsible for this building dies. Joe Field asked about the incompatibility of the chemicals shown on the shelf. Mr. Bearzi explained that New Mexico does not have the personnel to do decommissioning and decontamination. In this instance, the materials were sorted to reduce viotility. A compliance schedule has not yet been established. Mr. Field asked if the barrels of magnesium barrels were holding. Mr. Bearzi said that the barrels were holding. Donivan Porterfield stated that the original license for the five barrels received from Fernald was legal. D. Chair Report Menice S. Manzanares reported on her and Elmer Torres’ conversation with staff last week. The new Committee chairs are Sara Galpin for Waste Management; Domingo Martinez for Budget. The other Chairs will remain the same. Ms. Manzanares asked Connie Thompson-Ortega to be a liaison with the surrounding local governments. She asked George Chandler to follow up on the Board’s recommendations and Elmer Torres to be the Tribal liaison. Ms. Manzanares announced the Lunch meeting on November 18 with Dr. Carolyn Huntoon, DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management. She met with the SSAB Chairs at their fall meeting. At that meeting, Connie Thompson-Ortega asked about the diversion of LANL’s EM funds to close quickly other smaller sites. Dr. Huntoon will be asked about the delay in approving our nomination packets. Ms. Manzanares said that she and MJ Byrne interviewed three people this afternoon who are interested in joining the Board. E. DOE Report MJ Byrne reported on the DOE worker safety website address http://www.pis.er.doe.gov/benefits. Dr. David Michaels ES&H for worker safety and health reported on the DOE initiative to compensate disabled beryllium workers. Ms. Byrne reported on the successful Board tour of TA-54. Those members who were not on last tour are invited to attend the next tour. Ms. Byrne said that she is finalizing the Request For Proposal statement for the Annual Report. This process should be completed by the end of November. Ms. Byrne asked if Board members are interested in a WIPP tour in January to contact Ray Armenta. Ms. Byrne has been tasked by Mr. GurulJ to work with Joe Vozella on responding to the Board’s recommendations. Ms. Byrne is working with General Counsel to get a phone card for Ms. Manzanares. Ms. Byrne announced the December 15 Open House at the Santa Fe Office. Anne Callison, representing the Western Governors Association, announced the Southwest Technology Conference on December 7, 8, 9 in Albuquerque. The conference is to foster the transfer of technology among DOE sites. On Tuesday, the optional training sessions are for learning how to use the DOE web databases finding the roadmaps, looking at technologies in use and particular innovative technologies. Ms. Byrne said that Board members would receive a copy of the Environmental Surveillance Report. If the Board wants a briefing by Bob Prommel, tell Ann DuBois. Ray Armenta said that the office would soon get caller ID so the staff can return phone calls even when a message is not left. Ms. Manzanares reported that the staff have a system for covering the office and promptly returning phone calls. Mr. Armenta said that the Outreach Committee report is in the Board mailing packet. Mr. Armenta said that Elmer Torres, the LANL Community Relations and the Outreach Committee are developing a new Board mailing list. If Board members are interested in the TA-54 tour, they should contact him for arrangements. F. Environmental Restoration Committee Report Fran Berting said that the TA-54 tour was excellent and it is an important area for the Board to see. This site has environmental restoration, waste management and monitoring and surveillance issues. She encouraged the whole Board to take this tour. Dr. Berting reported on the Long-Term Stewardship Conference in Oak Ridge on October 25-27. A court settlement with the Natural Resource Defense Council mandated increased public participation on long-term stewardship issues. Oak Ridge is a pioneer in this area and produced two reports on the end use of six areas. The report includes community value guidelines. The Environmental Restoration Committee plans to discuss LANL’s plans for the future at LANL. Then the Committee will educate the Board through a special meeting or workshop on Stewardship and incorporate the topic into each Committee meeting. Dr. Berting requested more time at the next meeting for a report on this topic. Waste Management Committee Sara Galpin was not at the meeting so Jim Johnston made the Committee report. The proposed Transportation Workshop is planned for November 6, 7, and 8, 2000. The conference is to be a joint effort with LANL. The Committee worked on the conference agenda. Mr. Johnston reported that a list of sites that have been decommissioned and decontaminated in 1998 are linked to the Board website. Community Outreach Committee Elmer Torres said that a draft of the Board newsletter is available tonight. The plan is to produce the newsletter quarterly. A mailing list has been developed for just the Board on environment related concerns. Mr. Torres announced that an Open House will be held on December 15 at the Santa Fe Office. Jim Johnston reported on the update on the Board website. A Public Comment section has been added and a link for state, local and federal regulations. Julie Canepa observed that many people do not have computers at home. However, many public libraries have computer systems. Perhaps at a future Board meeting, LANL/ER staff could demonstrate how to use the LANL website. The staff is working on a list of locations for FY2000 Board meetings. The decision was made to hold Board meetings in public locations at no cost. A final list of locations will be submitted in December. BOARD COMMENT Board members did not offer any comments. Executive Session Ms. Manzanares said that no actions would be taking during this Executive Session. The Executive Session was an opportunity for the Board to discuss personnel issues and Board member relations. Adjournment Ms. Manzanares adjourned the Board meeting at 9:30 p.m. The minutes are an accurate and complete summary of the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board meeting held on November 17, 1999. Certified by: ________________________
|