FULL BOARD MEETING
Services Building Conference Room
Saturday, November 18, 2000

MINUTES
The Fernald Citizens Advisory Board met from 8:35 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2000, at the Fernald Site Services Building in Hamilton, Ohio. The meeting was advertised in local papers and was open to the public.

Members Present
French Bell
Jim Bierer
Sandy Butterfield
Marvin Clawson
Lisa Crawford
Steve Depoe
Lou Doll
Pam Dunn
Gene Jablonowski
Jane Harper
Graham Mitchell
Robert Tabor
Thomas Wagner

Members Absent
Fawn Thompson
Mike Keyes
Gene Willeke

Phoenix Environmental Staff
Douglas Sarno
Patti Kidd

Designated Federal Official
Johnny Reising

Approximately 10 spectators also attended the meeting, including members of the public, the media, and representatives from the Department of Energy and Fluor Fernald.

1. Call to Order
Jim Bierer called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

2. Remarks and Announcements
The FCAB received a letter acknowledging its Stewardship recommendations and an update on progress at the site. Graham Mitchell led a discussion about damage to trees on site that is being caused by deer. A plastic protective covering has been used on the trees, but the damage is continuing. Since tree replacement is a financial burden, other methods are being considered such as deer population monitoring and control. Members voiced some concerns about hunting as a control method. No specific actions are to be immediately taken other than monitoring the situation.

DOE Headquarters has approved moving forward on the reinterment of Native American Remains.

The cattle grazing lease will be renewed; however, acreage will be reduced from 60 acres to 37 acres. If additional land is needed for Native American reinterment, grazing can be eliminated upon 45 days notice to the lessee.

3. Report on SSAB Stewardship Workshop
Pam Dunn led a discussion on the draft recommendations on long-term stewardship that were developed at the workshop. The purpose of the recommendations are to ensure that long-term stewardship for contaminated sites is a major focus of DOE. Each SSAB is being asked to endorse all of the recommendations. The recommendations are categorized by funding, roles and responsibilities, timing of stewardship, information management, and public involvement. After discussion of possible improvements, it was decided to endorse the recommendations as written.

Jim Bierer moved that the recommendations be endorsed and notification sent to the other boards. The motion passed unanimously.

4. Update on Contract and Budget Issues
A new support contract for the Fernald site will be authorized and signed on Monday, November 20, 2000. There will be a six month period to reestablish the baseline and to plan for site closure. There will be a briefing of the new contract at the January meeting and updates at each meeting thereafter for six months.

On October 27, 2000 the budget was issued for fiscal year 2001 and the first allotment has already been issued. The budget results in a $23 million shortfall for Fernald. There will be a rebaselining to accommodate the shortfall and to keep all projects moving forward. The FCAB will be kept up to date regarding the schedule impacts of this shortfall.

5. WPRAP Update and Discussion
Dave Lojek of DOE briefed the FCAB on the Waste Pits Remedial Action Project. The overview included key remediation dates, material flow, project successes and achievements, current excavation status, and radiological airborne issues and status.

Approximately 1,000,000 tons of low-level radioactive and contaminated subsoils will be excavated. Approximately 300,000 tons of moisture will be removed from the waste resulting in approximately 626,500 tons of materials to be transported offsite for disposal. It was noted that the moisture content of materials being shipped to Envirocare has been consistently higher than estimated. While within acceptable limits for disposal, this higher moisture content results in more weight of material and higher disposal costs. The FCAB asked to be kept informed of efforts to manage this issue and any resulting impacts on the project.

To date, 100% of the contract quantity for operational year one was met, and 90% of the contract for operational year two was met. All EPA enforceable milestones have been met: 1,680 railcars have been loaded, and 29 unit trains have been shipped. The project is on track for operational year three. There have been 1,100 days without a lost-time accident and one year without an OSHA recordable event. The project has received the IT Group Presidential Award, the IT Group Quarterly Award, and the Fluor Tri-Star Award.

Currently, excavation in Pit 1 is 30% complete, Pit 2 excavation will start in Spring 2001, Pit 3 is 30% complete, Pit 4 will start in Summer 2001, and Pit 5 test excavations were performed with full excavation to start in Spring 2001.

A map of air sampling locations was presented and the air-monitoring system was explained. In certain areas where airborne contamination is elevated, 50,000 lapel air samplers have also been used to study air contamination. Airborne contaminants were detected in an area not previously monitored showing high levels of Thorium 230. A detailed plan was developed to identify the cause of this contamination. Goals are to determine sources and potential sources, administrative and engineering controls necessary to abate the sources, and the effectiveness of the current monitoring program. Testing is underway and will be completed in four to five weeks. Normal operations will not proceed until testing is complete. The FCAB asked to be kept informed of this issue.

6. Silos Update and Discussion
Discussion with the current contractor is ongoing but it has not produced anything of substance. Within the next two weeks, a decision will be made whether or not to stay with the current contractor. If the current contractor decides to perform, there are obvious concerns about its ability. On the other hand, there are no current backup plans. Any change will certainly result in cost and schedule impacts. The FCAB asked to be kept apprised of the situation.

The FCAB also expressed concern about getting updates and reports from Fluor, DOE and the CAT Team in a timely manner. The CAT Team assured the FCAB that all involved parties will receive prompt reports on progress from now on.

7. New Member Recruitment
There are two openings on the board. The board reviewed a new member solicitation fact sheet and discussed what kind of person(s) would be needed. It was suggested that one of the new members be a high school or college student. A discussion followed on how to recruit a student board member through the local high school or college.

8. Public Comment
Jim Bierer opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

9. Adjournment
Jim Bierer adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.I certify that these minutes are an accurate account of the November 18, 2000 meeting of the Fernald Citizens Advisory Board.

James Bierer, Chair Date
Fernald Citizens Advisory Board

Johnny Reising Date
Deputy Designated Federal Official