RAB MEETING MINUTES

NAVAL STATION (NAVSTA) NEWPORT
RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2008 MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

The NAVSTA Newport Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) gathered at the Officers’ Club for their bimonthly meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

See enclosure (1) for the attendance list.

Ms. Cornelia Mueller, the Navy Co-Chair, opened the meeting and welcomed the group.

Ms. Lisa Rama, Naval Station’s Public Affairs Officer briefed the RAB members on the Navy’s decision to excess Tank Farms 1-4. Ms. Rama said that Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN) Kimberly Kesler had met with Aquidneck Island Leadership on the status of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) and the disposal of the tank farms. Ms. Rama provided a presentation after the meeting that is provided as enclosure (2).

The RAB members were concerned and requested that future meetings set aside time to discuss this news. Ms. Rama also indicated that she would ask the BRAC Base Closure Manager for the Northeast Region to speak on the topic at the next RAB meeting in May.

Ms. Ginny Lombardo, the US EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) RPM (Remedial Project Manager) for the Melville Water Tower, the NUSC (Naval Underwater Systems Center) Disposal Area, the McAllister Point Landfill, the Coddington Cove Rubble Fill Area, and Carr Point, indicated that Naval Station has a new EPA Community Involvement Coordinator. She is Ms. Stacy Greendlinger. The former Involvement Coordinator, Mark Desouza, joined EPA’s Office of Site Remediation & Restoration EPA New England, Region I. He will work in the Brownfields Section as a project officer.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

The minutes from the January meeting were approved.

Ms. Mueller informed the RAB members that the correction to the November minutes, shown in the January minutes, were not accurate. Mr. Manny Marques’ comment at the November meeting to Captain Poirier was that local Rhode Island contractors are not made aware of opportunities to bid on Navy work.

PRESENTATIONS

Site Update for Old Fire Fighting Training Area (OFFTA)

The clean up plan developed during the Navy’s Optimization Review in 2005 recommended a revision to the Feasibility Study, shoreline protection, and “Hot Spot” removal of soil. The Feasibility study was revised to incorporate information collected in 2004 and 2005, the design for the shoreline revetment is nearly 90%, and “Hot Spot” removal of soil started in January. Soil with highest levels of contamination has been removed, piping has been located and removed, and buried structures have been removed (see enclosure (3)). Once these items are complete, the Navy will prepare the Record of Decision (ROD).

Feasibility Study for Marine Sediment at Former Derecktor Shipyard

The entire presentation is provided as enclosure (4)). It shows what information was used to estimate where areas are located that require remedial action (three areas along the shoreline or bulkhead at Pier 2, Pier 1, and south of the abandoned pier adjacent to the former cold storage building (BLDG 42). Remedial alternatives were identified and evaluated. The alternatives were (1) no action, (2) limited action, (3) capping, dredging, disposal, and (4) dredging and disposal. The no action alternative was the least costly but at least protective of human health and the environment. The capping, dredging, disposal alternative was the most costly (i.e. up to $18M).

NEW BUSINESS

1. Copies of the reports below were available at the meeting. Comments can be submitted to Ms. Mueller at cornelia.mueller@navy.mil/.
   • Draft Final Feasibility Study Revision 1 for Marine Sediments at Former Derecktor Shipyard
   • Draft Basis of Design Report for Demolition and Disposal of Groundwater Operable Unit Treatment System at Tank Farm 5
   • Draft Removal Completion Report Soil Removal Actions Melville Water Tower

2. Schedule for 2008 – The RAB members reviewed the submissions made by Ms. Kymberlee Keckler and Mr. James Colter (enclosures (5) and (6), respectively). The members voted to continue with meetings every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November).

3. Oral History – Dr. Kathy Abbass does not feel there is an interest from the public to participate in a project like this.

   Ms. Mueller provided a one-page fact sheet, intended for use for the Oral History Project, and reminded the RAB members that the RAB is an advisory body designed to act as a focal point for the exchange of information between Naval Station Newport and the local community regarding restoration and cleanup activities. The RAB is intended to bring together community members who reflect the diverse interests within the local community, enabling the early and continued two-way flow of information, concerns, values, and needs between the community and the Navy.

   RAB members are asked to meet regularly and review and comment on technical documents and plans relating to the ongoing environmental studies and cleanup activities at Naval Station Newport. Members are expected to serve as a liaison with the community and to be available to meet with community members and groups. The one page fact sheet is enclosed (see enclosure (7)).

4. Progress Summary Table – Ms. Keckler was unable to attend the meeting. The table will be updated and provided at the next meeting.
5. Field Work Update – Current field work includes the removal action at OFFTA as described above; excavation of test pits and installation of borings at the NUSC Disposal Area; development of wells at Tank Farms 4 and 5 for the risk assessment; and monitoring of the biopile at Tank Farm 2.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership Committee – The Committee Chair reported that there are 16 community members, 7 were present at the meeting.

Planning Committee – The Committee Chair did not attend the meeting.

Project Committee – The Committee Chair did not attend the meeting.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the RAB will be held on May 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Officers’ Club.

Enclosures: