Restoration Advisory Board

Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
March 21, 2002

Meeting Minutes

Agenda Item #1: Introductory Remarks, Jim McKenna

Mr. Jim McKenna convened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. and asked if there were any comments or questions about the 24 January 2002 RAB meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the RAB. Mr. Parrish noted that the agenda numbering was off on the minutes. Mr. Grieco will make the necessary changes.

Agenda Item #2: Geographic Information System at RFAAP, John Tesner and project team, Baltimore District Corps of Engineers

Mr. Tesner and Mr. Jiang introduced the new Geographic Information System (GIS) for RFAAP. GIS is a powerful analytical tool that can be used to evaluate large amounts of natural resource and environmental data. GIS can also perform statistical evaluations and modeling based on RFAAP sampling results, which will help the IRP to target research and ultimately result in the best utilization of resources for remediation activities at RFAAP. Mr. Tesner added that GIS information can be shared with regulating agencies working with the IRP.

Mr. Albee and Ms. Burnett asked for more detail about the RFAAP GIS data.

Mr. Tesner said that data is still being added to the system. Eventually, it will be possible to use GIS to see all of the information that has been collected about any given IRP site, easily and quickly.

Mr. Tesner demonstrated how data from a hydrogeologic study had been added to the GIS to show where underground cracks and faults might be present on RFAAP property. He added that these geologic features can be conduits for groundwater. GIS information will be used to assess how groundwater flows on the property, especially near IRP sites.

Mr. Albee and Ms. Burnett asked how the direction of the groundwater flow is determined and what would be done with such information

Mr. Redder and Mr. Tesner said that GIS would help to identify new monitoring well locations. Sensors in the wells would collect data related to groundwater elevation and other characteristics. Dye studies could also be performed. Once groundwater flow direction is known, possible contamination migration/transport can be analyzed using GIS and appropriate remediation decisions made.

Agenda Item #4: Election of new RAB members, Community Co-chair, RAB

Mr. McKenna asked the RAB to approve the addition of Ms. Burnett to the RAB. Ms. Burnett’s membership was approved by the RAB. Mr. McKenna described the duties of the RAB co-chair. Mr. Parrish volunteered to be the new RAB co-chair and was approved by the RAB.

Agenda Item #5: Closing Remarks, Schedule Next Meeting, Adjourn

Mr. McKenna said that the next Installation Action Plan (IAP) workshop will be held May 15 & 16 at the Blacksburg Four Points Sheraton Hotel. RAB members are invited to attend and voice their opinions about prioritizing IRP work/sites. The current IAP is available on the IRP Web site at http://www.radfordaapirp/invest/iap.htm.

The next RAB meeting will be held after the workshop on Thursday, May 16. The location and time are to be determined, but may also be at the Sheraton.

Mr. McKenna adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

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