Northern New Mexico Citizens' Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Tribal Council Conference Room

Santa Clara Pueblo

Board Meeting Minutes

October 27, 1999

A.  Call to Order

MJ Byrne, DDFO, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and turned the meeting over to George Chandler, Chair.

B.  The Board approved the agenda as amended.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT

Carmen Rodriguez, LANL/ER, announced the LANL-ER Sponsored Quarterly public meeting on November 9, in Santa Fe. She encouraged Board members to attend the TA-54 tour on Saturday, October 30.

Jeanne Marie Crockett, NMED, proposed another joint workshop with NNMCAB, NMED, LANL and the Accord Pueblos. George Chandler assigned this task to the Outreach Committee. She announced other possible collaborative efforts with additional groups involved with public education.

James Bearzi, NMED, announced that the Hazardous Waste Permit for WIPP was issued today and will take effect 30 days from now on November 26. WIPP is still operating under Interim Status. Additional permit modifications will be reviewed in the coming months.

III.  REPORTS

Chair Report

George Chandler reported on the Outreach Coordinating Council (OCC) meeting that discussed the Board’s recommendation to hold monthly briefings for the Pueblos and surrounding local governments. The issue revolved around the release of preliminary data. OCC will meet again to discuss the Board’s recommendation.

Mr. Chandler attended the Geology Workshop tour held on October 19. He recommended that more Board members participate in these tours. Bob Clark expressed interest in participating in a similar tour.

Mr. Chandler attended the Los Alamos County Council meeting when LANL presented the Comprehensive Plan for the Laboratory. He requested a similar presentation for the Board. He noted that there was no mention of environmental monitoring, management or restoration in the Comprehensive Plan.

Mr. Chandler announced that Paul Schumann has been asked to make a presentation on the ER Project in November.

Michael Smith will make a presentation on the Comprehensive Plan for Los Alamos County and the Canyons. Some of this information may be relevant to the Board.

B. DOE Report

MJ Byrne said that Board members are encouraged to attend Secretary Richardson’s dedication ceremony for the White Rock Canyon Reserve. She encouraged Board members to participate. Ms. Byrne distributed copies of the Proclamation and the Memorandum of Agreement. The Board is the first public group to receive these documents. When completed, Ms. Byrne will distribute a copy of the Resource Management Plan.

Ms. Byrne encouraged Board members to attend the tour of TA-54, scheduled for the morning of October 30, 1999.

C. Election

George Chandler and Jim Leach were the tellers for the election. Mr. Chandler asked for nominations from the floor. Jim Johnston nominated Menice Manzanares for Chair. Tammie Gomez nominated Elmer Torres for Chair. The Board elected Menice Manzanares as Chair.

Jim Leach nominated Jim Johnston for Vice Chair. Bob Clark withdrew from the nomination for Vice Chair. Sara Galpin nominated Tim Gallegos as Vice Chair. He declined the nomination. Tammie Gomez nominated Elmer Torres as Vice Chair. The Board elected Elmer Torres as Vice Chair.

Elmer Torres requested time to share his background for election as Vice Chair. Menice Manzanares expressed her interest in keeping open lines of communication. George Chandler recommended that she hold monthly Leadership Committee meetings. Ms. Manzanares said that Committee Chairs and membership might change. She will be in touch with the Chairs. MJ Byrne said she is looking forward to working with Ms. Manzanares and Mr. Torres.

D. Committee Reports

Bob Clark distributed and commented on a written ER report prepared by Fran Berting. (copy attached)

Augustin Garcia distributed and commented on a written report of the Monitoring and Surveillance Committee meeting on October 19. (copy attached)

Menice Manzanares commented on the Community Outreach written report distributed with the Board mailing. Tammie Gomez distributed for comment a rough draft of the Board newsletter to be ready in November. Jim Johnston gave a report on his updating the Board website. Ms. Manzanares described Ray Armenta radio interview on KKIT in Taos, Mr. Armenta and Domingo Martinez on KDCE, Mr. Armenta and Jerry Apodoca on KVSF and George Chandler on KRSN. Janet Gerwin suggested that the Board make an announcement on KUNM on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

James Leach moved, seconded by Jim Johnston that the Board adopt the proposed dates for Board meetings to be held in FY2000 and FY2001. The motion passed 12 to 0. (copy of meeting dates and locations attached)

Ms. Manzanares said that John Alejandro continues to work on the school project for a Board logo. MJ Byrne expressed appreciation for Mr. Alejandro’s visit with DOE Headquarters supporting the confirmation of the Board’s membership.

Elmer Torres suggested that the office phone message invite people to the next Board meeting. He said that the Board postcard mailing list is being reviewed to reduce it from 1500 people. The Committee is also reviewing the Board newspaper ads.

Ms. Manzanares asked MJ Byrne about the FY99 Annual Report. Ms. Byrne responded that a Statement of Work is being drafted to contract out the editing work for this report. She added that the FY2000 proposed DOE has not yet approved budget.

BOARD COMMENTS

Menice Manzanares asked that the September Board minutes be distributed at the next Board meeting. She said that the Board newsletter could be inserted in newspapers or left in public areas like grocery stores. An Open House for the Board is planned for December 15 in the Santa Fe Office.

James Leach asked about an incident involving the Santa Fe Rapid Emergency Response Team that happened on Monday October 25. In 1985, DOE gave some depleted uranium to a New Mexico licensed facility near Pecos. MJ Byrne said that the licensed facility received from Fernald five barrels of which only one had been opened. Tim Gallegos said that there is a public perception problem. Tim Gallegos felt that he and James Leach should have been notified in advance by DOE. Sara Galpin suggested that New Mexico might have jurisdiction. Jim Bearzi said that he did not know about this incident. Ms. Byrne said that she would follow up and get more information for the Board, Mr. Leach and Mr. Gallegos.

Menice Manzanares requested that the Los Alamos Area Manager attend Board meetings because he needs to hear about these situations.

Jim Johnston asked Ms. Byrne about the Chemical Metallurgy Research (CMR) shut down. Ms. Byrne said that the building was shut down for safety reasons. A Safety Plan will be developed to upgrade the sprinkler system in the building. George Chandler asked about who authorizes the release of this information. Ms. Byrne said that it was a lab decision not to release this information.

Sara Gallon asked about a line that unexpectedly pressured at TA-33. Ms. Byrne said that she would investigate and give more information to Ms. Galpin.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Chandler adjourned the meeting at 8:50 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 September 29, 1999.

Certified by:

George Chandler, Chair

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Los Alamos Citizens Advisory Board
P.O. Box 1665
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
(505) 662-1234  FAX (505) 662-4321
staff@lacab.org