Restoration Advisory Board

Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
May 18, 2000

Meeting Minutes

Attendance

Agenda Item #1. Introductory Remarks, Approve Minutes of 16 March 2000

Mr. McKenna convened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. and asked if there were any comments or questions about the 16 March 2000 RAB meeting minutes. There were none, and the minutes were approved as written.

Agenda Item #2. RCRA Permit Reissuance

Mr. Russell Fish of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 provided a presentation on RFAAP’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action permitting process (click here to view presentation). Mr. Fish explained that the Corrective Action Permit deals with the cleanup of past hazardous waste releases in RFAAP’s Main Manufacturing Area (including the Horseshoe Area). He also noted that there is another RCRA permit at RFAAP, an operating permit, which deals with the day-to-day operation of hazardous waste.

Mr. Fish stated that the Corrective Action Permit was issued in November 1989 and was effective through November 1999. Then, every 10 years, it is reissued after an application is submitted six months in advance. The November 1989 permit has been extended until the new permit is issued. The draft permit is almost ready to be released for public review. EPA will announce the 45-day public comment period in The Roanoke Times and local radio and place a copy of the draft permit in the information repository (Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library). Mr. Fish stated that the public may submit written comments, or a public hearing is available if people would like to have their verbal comments recorded. As suggested by the RAB, the draft permit may also be uploaded to the RFAAP Installation Restoration Program (IRP) web site with a link where visitors can email their comments to Mr. Fish.

Agenda Item #3. Groundwater Horseshoe Area, Status Update

Mr. Wendell Barner, a hydrogeologist with the IT Corporation, provided a presentation on the Regional Groundwater Study that RFAAP is conducting in the Horseshoe Area (click here to view presentation slides). RFAAP is collecting and evaluating data as well as conducting investigative activities to determine current geological and hydrogeological conditions. RFAAP is trying to identify groundwater flow paths—in particular where groundwater may be entering the New River.

Agenda Item #4. Project Status Update

Mr. McKenna referred to the RFAAP Investigative Status Report Update handout and summarized recent activities. He reported that RFAAP is ready to award another effort to conduct background sampling. RFAAP will identify minimally disturbed areas to conduct the study, which will help determine the level of naturally occurring metals in the soil. This will provide a benchmark so that RFAAP knows to what level they need to clean up any contaminated soils.

Mr. McKenna also reported that RFAAP will be holding an Installation Action Plan workshop September 19–21, 2000 and invited a representative of the RAB to attend. The purpose of the workshop it to review sites and future plans and then to prioritize work and structure the budget accordingly. Participants discussed whether other public or local government representatives should be invited to attend the workshop. Mr. McKenna stated that he is seeking long-term community involvement in the restoration program through the RAB. In this way members will be able to provide informed input into the process (e.g., the workshop). RFAAP agreed to contact local government planning departments to see if they are interested in participating in the RAB and the workshop. Mr. McKenna noted that the membership was falling and asked if the RAB members knew anyone who would be interested in joining the RAB. RAB members didn’t have anyone specific in mind but suggested looking into involvement from local government representatives, academics, or groups with professional expertise.

Agenda Item #5. Closing Remarks, Schedule Next Meeting

Mr. McKenna adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The next RAB meeting will be held at RFAAP on Thursday, 20 July 2000, at 7 p.m.

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