As a Superfund oversight agency, EPA felt the questions in Scarboro were compelling enough to warrant a verification study. At the same time, EPA in Washington and the General Accounting Office issued new guidance on conducting oversight, and part of that guidance involved direct sampling in a statistical fashion to validate study design as well as data quality and results. Ms. Warren offered to supply additional memos about the drivers for EPA sampling. The 60-day public comment period on the plan will begin September 16. EPA will conduct a number of meetings in Scarboro in September and will work with the Scarboro Community on a walk-through of the plan.
All stakeholders are welcome to attend.
The City of Oak Ridge has requested a briefing as well. Ms. Warren offered to meet again with the SSAB on a subcommittee basis to discuss plan specifics. Ms. Warren invited public comment on the concept, sampling locations, number of samples, or any other aspect of the plan. Comments should be sent to Ms. Warren, Cheryl Walker Smith, or Connie Jones. Ms. Warren noted that the copies handed out this evening were advance copies distributed before the start of the public comment period.