Restoration Advisory Board

Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
June 16, 1998

Meeting Minutes

1. ATTENDANCE:

LTC Lopez, Plant Commander
Ken Dolph, Resident Plant Manager
Rob Davie. Radford AAP Restoration Manager
Joe Ricci, U. S. Army Environmental Center
Bob Whistine, Public Affairs Specialist, IOC
Joy Leketa, PAO, Radford AAP
Allen Boynton
Marty Gordon
Steve Cole
Jim Dawson
Ron Secrist
Rick Parrish
David Burdette
David AIlbee
Shelley Barker
Helen Smartt
Teresa Hamilton

2. DISCUSSION:

a. Office of the Commander, LTC Lopez, Commander:

• Fourteen million dollars have been set aside in the plant’s 1998 budget for the environment.
• Dating back to earlier days, environmental controls were not as stringent as they are now.
• Restoration priority is cleanup of old dumpsites.
• Plant is one of a kind and we want it to grow.
• Teaming and partnership with the community is key.
• RFAAP needs the communities’ expertise and knowledge.
• The Army is committed to restoration.
• RFAAP has a good working relationship with U.S. Environmental Protection
• Agency (EPA) and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); RFAAP is viable and will continue to strive for excellence.
• Our focus is committed to environment and safety.
• We have to be good stewards to the environment.

b. Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Mr. Ken Dolph, Resident Plant Manager:

• RFAAP and Alliant will make certain that the stakeholders’ voices/opinions are heard.
• Community involvement is a key factor, as the public will be given a chance to speak out and listen to what’s being planned.
• Focus on being good neighbors to the community.
• Assist RFAAP in keeping a clearer picture on what the communities’concerns are.
• Communicate the depth and breath of what we do to the public through this committee.

c. Videotape:

• Brief videotape was shown on the history of RFAAP.

d. Radford AAP Restoration Manager, Mr. Rob Davie:

• Focus is on the numerous cleanup programs.
• Forty-four sites have been identified.
• Looking for community input.

e. U.S. Army Environmental Center, Mr. Joe Ricci presented the
        following viewgraphs:

WHAT IS A RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD (RAB)?

• Representatives of the community, installation and regulatory agencies.
• Individuals provide individual advice.
• Community is not a decision-making body.
• Jointly shared by community and installation (co-chaired).

PURPOSE OF RAB

• Opportunity for community participation.
• Compliments other community relation activities.
• Benefits both the Army and the community.
• Determine interest through newspapers, advertisement, public service announcement, and public news releases.

RAB TIPS

• DOD and EPA guidelines.
• Reflect diverse community interest.
• Made up of community members only.

RESPONSIBILITY OF RAB

• Provide advice on environmental restoration issues to the installation and federal/state regulatory agencies.
• Address important issues related to cleanup.
• Identify proposed project requirements.
• Participate in regular, publicly announced meetings.
• Draft a charter and elect a chairman.

RAB RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC

• Attendance.
• Advise and comment on cleanup issues to government decision-makers/review and comment on documents.
• Report back to your community.
• Voluntary capacity.

RAB RESPONSIBILITY (EPA/STATE)

• Review and provide documents, comments.
• Ensure state/federal standards and issues are met.
• Facilitate condition.

CO-CHAIR

• Coordinate with community co-chair/admin support.
• Ensure installation operating constructive participation.
• Ensure RAB opportunity to input community concerns.
• Provide documents in a timely manner.
• Refer cleanup issues appropriately.
• Report back to community/installation.

ASSISTANCE AVAILABILITY

• USAEC assistance.
• Budgetary assistance.
• Technical assistance (e.g., CHPPM)
• DOD RAB assistance (directory/resource book)
• TAG/TOSC cost.
• TAPP assistance (ways to get funding).

f. Question and Answer Period:

• The community had several questions; the key players addressed each of the following questions.

• Are "we" disappointed in the turn out for tonight’s meeting? No.
• Will the Board participate in active problems? Yes. The Board will be apprised of what RFAAP has done and what will be done from this point forward.
• Is the infrastructure of the power plant maintaining "state-of-the-art" conditions in pollution controls? Yes. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has visited the plant and has spent a great deal of time touring the plant’s facilities. Radford has done very well in pollution prevention throughout the plant.
• What projects are currently underway? The rubble pile, lagoon, and removal of a site contaminated with lead.
• How much soil was removed’? Only three hundred cubic yards.
• Do you have a priority list of these sites? Yes. A history of every site and recommended actions; these priorities will be shared with the RAB.

3. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 0845, followed by a reception. The timeframe for the next scheduled RAB will be some time in August.

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