**Draft Minutes from the September 11, 1999 Meeting**

The Fernald Citizens Advisory Board met from 8:35 a.m. until 11:15 p.m.
on Saturday, September 11, 1999, in the Large Laboratory Conference Room
on the Fernald site. The meeting was advertised in local papers and was
open to the public.

+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Members Present                   | French Bell                      |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Jim Bierer                       |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Sandy Butterfield                |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Marvin Clawson                   |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Jack Craig                       |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Lisa Crawford                    |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Lou Doll                         |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Pam Dunn                         |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Mike Keyes                       |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Gene Jablonowski                 |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Jane Harper                      |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Graham Mitchell                  |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Ken Moore                        |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Robert Tabor                     |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Fawn Thompson                    |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Gene Willeke                     |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Members Absent                    | Darryl Huff                      |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Thomas Wagner (excused)          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Designated Federal Official       | Mike Jacobs                      |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Phoenix Environmental Staff       | Gwen Doddy                       |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Douglas Sarno                    |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Crystal Sarno                    |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| FDF Staff                         | Tisha Patton                     |
|                                   |                                  |
|                                   | Sue Walpole                      |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+

> Approximately 13 spectators also attended the meeting, including
>
> members of the public, the media, and representatives from Department
> of Energy and Fluor Daniel Fernald.

**1. Call to Order**

Chair Jim Bierer called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

**2. Announcements and New Business**

Jim introduced Susan Brechbill, Manager of the Ohio Field Office.
Brechbill said that she hopes to attend meetings, heard good things
about the FCAB and looks forward to working with them and thanked them
for their participation. Introductions were made.

Jim Bierer reported on a very busy summer for the FCAB. The SSAB
Transportation Working Group had its first meeting at the Transportation
External Coordination Working Group in July in Philadelphia. A number of
DOE Headquarters staff were on site throughout the course of the summer
and FCAB members had an opportunity to meet with them including the new
Assistant Secretary for EM, Carolyn Huntoon.

Jack Craig noted the recent problems that have been identified at the
Paducah site in a series of Washington Post articles. He distributed a
fact sheet regarding the presence of trace levels of plutonium
introduced as part of the production process at Fernald. Gene Willeke
noted that the remediation committee discussed these issues and related
concerns about contamination "outside of the fence" and concluded that
similar conditions did not exist at Fernald. Susan Brechbill noted that
a big part of the problem was that the information at Paducah was not
provided in an open forum, while the presence of plutonium at Fernald
has been public information for some time. Lisa Crawford expressed
astonishment that DOE had not learned a lesson from what happened at
Fernald. Fernald had similar problems 15 years ago and we have all
worked extremely hard to overcome those mistakes. That DOE has repeated
the same mistake makes her wonder why DOE is not following its own
practices. Pam Dunn asked what response Congress had to these stories.
It was noted that a Committee has been formed.

Susan Brechbill noted that Ohio Field Office policy is one of complete
openness, and if there are circumstances where information cannot be
released they will explain why. It was also noted that Carolyn Huntoon
has proposed a reorganization of DOE EM Headquarters. A description of
this reorganization will be provided to the FCAB. There will be
increased security measures implemented at Fernald in the near future
which will include a closer inspection of badges upon entering the site.

**3. Re-Bid of Fernald Contract**

The first week in August, Jack and Susan met with the Secretary to
discuss the options for the remediation contract at Fernald. Fluor
Daniel Fernald is nearing the end of the contract which began in 1992.
The Secretary decided it was necessary to re-bid the contract according
to DOE policy as there is no legal reason not to have the contract
re-bid. A Source Selection Board has been identified made up of DOE
field office personnel and headed by Glen Griffiths. Their first task
will be to develop a schedule for developing a request for proposal. DOE
has asked regulators, workers and community members to provide input
regarding their desires for requirements and goals of the next contract.

Graham Mitchell noted that OEPA has provided comments to DOE as to what
they expect from the contract. These comments will be sent to FCAB
members.

It was decided that the FCAB would also provide input to the contract
process. Comments will be developed at the next remediation committee
meeting and provided to DOE by October 15. DOE extended the due date by
two days to accommodate the FCAB's schedule.

**4. DOE Response to Cattle Grazing Recommendation**

Doug Sarno introduced the topic by noting that DOE had sent a response
to the FCAB recommendation indicating basic agreement with all aspects
of the recommendation. New leases are currently being negotiated with
the lessee. However, in the meantime, two issues have come to the
attention of the FCAB that require discussion. First, Doug talked to DOE
earlier in the week regarding the movement of fences. Rather than move
the fences back the 50 to 100 feet requested by OEPA and the FCAB, an
initial survey in the field was done to move the fences back only 30
feet. Doug Sarno and Tom Schneider of OEPA visited the pasture area to
review this possible change. The fence consists of a single strand of
electrified barbed wire on metal posts about three feet high. The
current position of the fence is right on the edge of a steep drop-off
of 20 or more feet to the creek bottom. While the proposed setback is
less than what was requested, both Tom and Doug noted that it would
still serve the purpose of assisting in expanded an established riparian
zone. Jack Craig noted that DOE had already agreed to the 50 foot
setback and that it would uphold that agreement. If any reason occurs
that this setback cannot be met, DOE will discuss it with the FCAB.

In a second issue, Mike Keyes brought to the attention of the FCAB that
on three separate occasions in recent weeks, cows have wandered off the
pasture and onto the site. A number of concerns were expressed with
regard to these events including safety, possible contamination spread,
and particularly the staff time and resources that were expended in
dealing with the matter. Security guards and rad techs were both
required to deal with the incidents, which lasted up to six hours before
the farmer retrieved his cattle. Jack Craig noted that DOE takes cows
getting loose very seriously; and will take strong steps to ensure that
the lease will include strong provisions for any future occurrences.

**5. Update on SSAB Transportation Working Group**

Doug Sarno presented the draft mission statement that was developed by
representatives of eight SSABs at the first meeting of the SSAB
Transportation Working Group. Fawn Thompson represented the FCAB at the
meeting and Rocky Flats and Idaho were the two major sites who did not
attend. Participating sites are being asked to ratify the draft mission
of the group. The future of the group will be determined at the
September 1999 SSAB Chairs meeting based on which sites wish to
continue. The representatives that were present at the meeting were
encouraged by the Working Group and ongoing participation in the
Transportation External Coordination Working Group (TEC/WG). Tom Wagner
will be attending the chairs meeting and would like to bring the FCAB
endorsement of the Working Group to the chairs meeting

Graham Mitchell asked about the concerns of the sites who did not
participate. Doug Sarno answered that there is concern that issues are
site specific and that they do not want any statements to be generated
by such a group and have the appearance of approval by all of the
participating boards. Concern was also expressed about the resource
requirements of supporting such a group. Lisa Crawford asked if DOE-HQ
were supportive of the group. Doug noted that HQ has been very
supportive and that Martha Crosland participated in the meeting. DOE has
expressed its feeling that it is important to have stakeholder input at
TEC/WG.

Gene Willeke motioned to endorse the mission of the Working Group. Ken
Moore seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

**6. Silos 1 & 2 Revised Feasibility Study Independent Review**

Doug Sarno introduced the topic by noting that the Remediation Committee
has been following the progress and issues of the Silos Project. The
Proof-of-Principle results were discussed briefly last month and we are
looking forward to October when FDF will deliver the draft Revised
Feasibility Study for Silos 1 and 2 to DOE.

Todd Martin, the Critical Analysis Team (CAT) leader, provided a brief
overview of the goals of the CAT. The CAT is a continuation of the
independent review of the Silos projects that was begun with the
Independent Review Team originally assembled to review the vitrification
decision. The CAT is looking at the current decision process to ensure
it is technically sound, fiscally and financially responsible and
logistically practical and accountable. The CAT has been very involved
in the technical review for the Silos 1 and 2 feasibility study. Martin
noted that while Fluor Daniel Fernald has been very open and supportive,
they do not always listen to the recommendations of the CAT.

Gene Willeke questioned whether the decision to move the silos material
into transfer tanks will create problems. Martin responded that the
tanks should make it easier because the retrieval of material from Silos
1 and 2 will be very difficult and anything that can help provide a
steady stream of product to the treatment plant will be an advantage.
Willeke also asked about retrieval from Silo 3, as the material is a lot
different than expected. Martin responded that retrieval from Silo 3
should not be a problem, and that the design for that is one of the
things the CAT will be looking at this week. Ken Moore asked if high
pressure hoses being used to clean out the silos presented a threat to
the aquifer. It was noted that the materials in Silos 1 & 2 are already
wet and there is a drain going into the leachate system.

Doug Sarno reviewed the schedule for the Revised Feasibility Study. The
next step is the delivery of the Revised Feasibility Study to DOE by FDF
at the end of September. There will be a series of public workshops and
meetings to discuss the decision before DOE submits its proposal to EPA
on February 1, 2000. The final proposed plan will be produced in the
fall of 2000. Though the formal public comment period will occur over
one year from now, the most important opportunity for public comment is
now. The most important opportunity to provide input is before DOE
presents its proposal to EPA. The FCAB will work with DOE to get a
Revised Feasibility Study schedule to all CAB members and to streamline
the process as much as possible. We want to look at all the options and
understand the process for decision making. The October, November, and
December Remediation Committee meetings will be devoted to working on
the Revised Feasibility Study. DOE noted that they will be available to
meet with stakeholders to discuss any issues and conduct any workshops
that are necessary.

**7. Stewardship Seminar**

The FCAB reviewed the materials for the October SSAB Stewardship
Conference. Lisa Crawford expressed serious concern that these meetings
continue to be scheduled on a weekday schedule. The FCAB has repeatedly
asked that these events be scheduled to allow those who are most
interested to be able to attend without impacting their work schedules.
Lisa will contact DOE-HQ to voice this concern again, and Tom Wagner
will be asked to address it at the Chairs meeting.

Doug Sarno noted that while the FCAB has been working on stewardship
issues in general, we have not used that term. Stewardship is an
umbrella word that basically covers all requirements post remediation.
Stewardship is the most important thing at Fernald because if it fails
then all remediation efforts will have failed. The stewardship
conference will focus on education, sharing information and dealing with
big picture items. We do not expect to be developing any detailed
statements; only very big picture issues.

The conference will include a tour of the Oak Ridge site. The conference
itself will be run similarly to the previous SSAB conferences using both
plenary and breakout sessions. There will also be a public meeting on
stewardship the morning after the conference sponsored by DOE-HQ as part
of the PEIS lawsuit settlement.

Discussion papers supporting the conference were distributed and members
asked to read them prior to the next Stewardship Committee meeting on
October 13. All members were encouraged to attend the Stewardship
Committee meeting to assist in preparing for the Stewardship conference.

Susan Brechbill noted that stewardship is her top priority, and she
would like Fernald to be a model for stewardship for the rest of the
complex.

**8. Public Comment**

Bierer opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

**9. Adjournment**

Jim Bierer adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

I certify that these minutes are an accurate account of the

> September 11, 1999, meeting of the Fernald Citizens Advisory Board.
>
> James Bierer, Chair Date
>
> Fernald Citizens Advisory Board
>
> Mike Jacobs Date
>
> Deputy Designated Federal Official