Minutes from October 14, 2000 Meeting

The Fernald Citizens Advisory Board met from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2000, at the PEIC, Delta Building off the Fernald Site, in Hamilton, Ohio. The meeting was advertised in local papers and was open to the public.

Members Present
French Bell
Sandy Butterfield
Marvin Clawson
Lisa Crawford
Pam Dunn
Gene Joblonwiski
Graham Mitchell
Ken Moore
Thomas Wagner

Members Absent
Jim Bierer
Lou Doll
Steve Depoe
Jane Harper
Michael Keyes
Steve McCracken
Robert Tabor
Fawn Thompson
Gene Willeke

Designated Federal Official
Gary Stegner

Phoenix Environmental Staff
Douglas Sarno
Victoria Spriggs

Fluor Fernald Staff
Christi McLaury

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
Tom Wagner called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

2. Recap Results of FCAB Retreat, Results
Doug Sarno provided the results of the retreat to the FCAB. The FCAB did not comment on the results of the retreat.

3. Overview of Federal Budget Process
Johnny Reising provided the FCAB with the DOE Federal Budget Process. He briefly went through the budget process so that the FCAB could have a better understanding of the process. He explained that the budget is prepared 2 years before approved by Congress, EM competes with other DOE Business lines for budgets, OMB targets are important, state equity is important to HQ/DM and to OH, project baselines are source of budgets, and that most important baselines are consistent with funding assumptions.

He then explains that the budget process starts in the winter with a schedule similar to this:

• January Update Baselines
  
• February/March Site Prioritization
  
• March/April OH Integrated prioritization
  
• Mid April Budget to EM/HQ
  
• Late May EM Budget Decisions
  
• June/July EM to HQ/CFO
  
• July/August DOE Decisions for all Business Lines
  
• September DOE to OMB (Embargo begins)
  
• November OMB Decisions back to DOE (Appeals)
  
• December/January Congressional Request Formulated
  
• February Administration’s Budget to Congress (Embargo ends)
  
• March/May Congressional hearings
  
• June/July House Mark
  
• July/August Senate Mark
  
• August Conference Mark
  
• August President Signs Bills
  
• September/October Execute Appropriations

Johnny also explained that public involvement has great impact on the budget process. In his package of information he listed the process in which to public can follow:

• To the OH Process Site/Integrated Prioritization
  
• To the EM Process April/may – before EM national budget deliberations
  
• To the CFO Process June/July – before CFO recommends to Secretary of Energy
  
• To Congress February/May-before House mark occurs

In the federal budget FEMP/OH commits to solicit public comments at every opportunity, provide cost and schedule impacts of alternate funding assumptions, provide feedback on current status of Budgets (embargo in effect from September to February for President’s budget), and to continue to vigorously pursue budgets to support vision.

4. Silos Discussion
Nina Akgunduz briefly explained the activity on the Silos project. Nina explained that there were some problems between Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation (FWENC) and Fluor Fernald as to what needed to be completed. She explained that several letters had been sent out to the contractor and to Fluor Fernald from the Department of Energy (DOE) addressing several issues on this project. Fluor Fernald also have been on top of FWENC to make sure that everything is understood and that FWENC can meet there standards.

5. Future of Fernald Results, Vision Statement, Next Steps
The FCAB reviewed the Vision Statement that was changed at the 3rd Future of Fernald workshop. The FCAB agreed to this Vision Statement, and agreed to send it as a recommendation to Steve McCracken, suggestion that the statement be incorporated into all DOE planning and remediation activities for the Fernald site.

6. Prepare for SSAB Stewardship Workshop
Doug Sarno prepared a document that will be presented at the Stewardship Workshop in Denver, Colorado. The FCAB reviewed the document and agreed that this presentation was accepted to be presented at the workshop. The document covered several areas: Major Contamination at the Fernald Site, Fernald Use of The Fernald Site, Fernald at the End of Remediation, Artist Rendition of Site picture, Plan View of Site Map, Public Access at Fernald, The Future of Fernald Vision, Planning for Public Uses, and FCAB Issues and Concerns.

7. Adjournment
Jim Bierer adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m.

I certify that these minutes are an accurate account of the
September 14, 2000 meeting of the Fernald Citizens Advisory Board.

James Bierer, Chair Date
Fernald Citizens Advisory Board

Gary Stegner Date
Deputy Designated Federal Official