Restoration Advisory Board

Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
May 17, 2001

Meeting Minutes

Attendance

Agenda Item #1. Introductory Remarks, Approve Minutes of 17 May 2001

Mr. Jim McKenna convened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. He mentioned that RAB members Mr. Robert Freis (co-chair) and Ms. Llyn Sharp were out of town and unable to attend. Mr. McKenna then asked if there were any comments or questions about the 15 March 2001 RAB meeting minutes. There were none, and the minutes were approved as written.

Agenda Item #2. Installation Action Plan Workshop Status

Mr. McKenna summarized some of the results from the Installation Action Plan (IAP) workshop that concluded earlier that same day. He noted that there were no substantive changes from the September 2000 IAP, except for plans to expand groundwater studies to the main manufacturing area. Mr. McKenna said funding for such an expansion was available, but because of the current work schedule and strategy, the additional groundwater studies would not begin until fiscal year (FY) 2006. Once the groundwater studies begin, it would likely take 18 months to complete. At that point, an additional two to three months of internal review would be necessary before the results would be available to the RAB and posted on the RFAAP Installation Restoration Program (IRP) web site (http://www.envnet.org/rfaapirp).

Mr. McKenna said the other changes to the IAP were small add-ons and wordsmithing.

Mr. McKenna added that FY 2002 funding will allow for the investigation of three more Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs, e.g., landfills) for an approximate total of 20. Approximately 40 sites are to be screened outside of current IRP funding.

Agenda Item #3. Question-Answer/Community Input

Mr. Steve Cole asked why the expanded groundwater study was being scheduled so far into the future and if the results of such a study would not be helpful sooner.

Ms. Sharon Wilcox mentioned that the groundwater under the horseshoe area is already being studied. Mr. McKenna added that the later date for the expanded groundwater studies was partly the result of the current work schedule and the karst geology. He added that RFAAP’s focus on soil cleanups (i.e., source removals) is a priority because when contaminated soils are removed or restored, the source of contamination to the groundwater is eliminated.

Mr. McKenna said that the current IRP timeline is based on a broad, analytical approach to assessing the complicated karst geology underneath RFAAP. A thorough, methodical analysis of the contaminant sources and the underlying geology will better enable Radford AAP to assess the value of existing monitoring wells and springs, as well as identify the need for new monitoring wells and their respective locations.

Mr. John Tesner said that a lot of groundwater information is already available from field geology results. He and Ms. Wilcox said indications are that any contaminants in the groundwater are likely discharging to the New River and not migrating to adjacent land. Geologic studies will help to better determine the path of groundwater and develop reasonable risk assessments.

Mr. Cole asked about federal funds going to other restoration sites.

Mr. McKenna said that, compared to other Army installations , RFAAP is getting an appropriate amount of funding.

Mr. Cole asked if the planned work at RFAAP, including the additional groundwater study, would help in transferring land for future private uses.

There was a brief discussion of future land uses with Mr. McKenna stating that at least until 2025, Radford AAP’s land use would remain as it is today, industrial. For general information on land transfer, Mr. Tesner stated a long list of criteria would be examined before land would be transferred from the Government.

Agenda Item #4. Closing Remarks, Schedule Next Meeting, Adjourn

Mr. McKenna said that he would try to schedule next year’s IAP workshop around the same time, together with an evening RAB meeting.

Mr. McKenna adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

The next RAB meeting will be held at RFAAP on Thursday, 19 July 2001, at 7 p.m. Mr. McKenna reminded RAB members of a possible site tour during the July meeting. Depending on interest in a site tour, the meeting starting time might be moved up to 6:30pm. Please contact Mr. McKenna about your availability for a site tour so that the meeting time can be finalized.

Back to RAB Meeting Minutes Archives