Agenda for Monthly Public Meeting Feb. 19
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. We will meet in person at St. Louis City Hall on Mill Street. For those unable to attend in person, please join the meeting via Zoom* (directions at bottom of this agenda).
AGENDA
1. Additions to agenda
2. Approval of January minutes
3. Treasurer’s report – Gary Smith, Treasurer
4. Correspondence and Communication - Brittany Fremion, Chairperson
· The CAG Executive Committee met on Monday, January 27th to discuss Site-related activities and meet with Colin Gray to screen the pitch materials for his limited documentary series.
· Update on documentary film project about PBB that will feature the CAG – Colin Gray (TBD)
· The CAG is still waiting on a response to our FOIA for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission records related to radioactive waste at the FPS (submitted in October 2024). In late January, the FOIA Analyst said it could take another 6-8 weeks to process. In the meantime, we encourage EPA and EGLE to continue their work to determine whether there is still radioactive waste present at the FPS.
· The CAG, inspired by Dr. Tom Corbett and in collaboration with PBB partners, prepared a letter to RFK, Jr., nominee to the US DHHS. The letter will be included in a larger packet of materials being prepared for public officials on the PBB disaster and Velsicol Sites.
· Jane Jelenek did a presentation on the CAG’s work for a group in Lansing.
· The Morning Sun published an article on the CAG Hall of Fame nominees (appended).
· Doug Brecht shared a blog series on the Pine River and CAG: https://forloveofwater.org/category/blog/pine-
· Brittany and Jane co-presented on the history of the PBB disaster and CAG for a CMU class on Monday, February 10th.
· Alma community groups invited the CAG to participate in plans for an Earth Day event at Alma College in early April (more under New Business).
· Reminder: Jane (Keon) Jelenek’s two books on the history of the CAG and Velsicol Sites are available on Amazon or can be purchased at CAG meetings.
· Update on CAG website and traffic — Ed Lorenz
5. EPA Community Involvement - Diane Russell, Site Community Involvement Coordinator
6. EGLE Report - Erik Martinson, Project Manager
· Residential bird/nest study
· Impoundment fish sampling
· Aging fish study
7. EPA Report: Velsicol Burn Pit Site – Jennifer Knoepfle, RPM 1, and Anna Nguyen, RPM 2
• OU1 ISTT Operations Update – Jennifer
• Ephemeral Channel Sampling West of VBP (ditch sampling) Update – Anna
• OU2 Update
8. EPA Report: Velsicol Former Plant Site - Jennifer Knoepfle, RPM 1, and Anna Nguyen, RPM 2
· OU1
o Downgradient Vertical Barrier Wall
o Upgradient Vertical Barrier Wall Repair
o PSA 1 & 2
o PSA 3
o PFAS Groundwater Sampling
· OU3 & OU4 (downstream)
9. Technical Advisor/TASC Report
· The CAG still seeks a TA and welcomes recommendations.
· TASC Team Report - Gary Smith
10. Ongoing Business
· PBB Leadership Team update – Ed Lorenz, Norm Keon, Brittany Fremion, Jane Jelenek
· PBB Citizens Advisory Board update — Tom Corbett
· CAG Hall of Fame Inductee — The award “recognizes individuals who have an exemplary record of giving time and talent to the restoration of the Pine River” watershed.
o Nominees announced in January, votes collected by CAG secretary.
o Tonight: Announcement of Hall of Fame Inductee!
o March Banquet and Award Ceremony (details forthcoming)
11. New Business
• CMU class project on Site redevelopment and reuse - Dr. Richard Hayes, CMU
• Alma College AmeriCorps VISTA Collaboration - TBD
12. Adjournment
February Zoom Meeting Directions
*Zoom meetings are primarily for streaming purposes, although Doug Brecht, CAG Zoom czar, will monitor the chat and look for raised hands so remote participants can ask questions/lend insights. Please note that the meeting ID and password change each month.
Topic: Feb. 2025 Task Force/CAG Meeting
Time: Feb 19, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87826307677?pwd=TbVouuAyE2jiu1jBYb96b4rkMac9bF.1
Meeting ID: 878 2630 7677
Passcode: 156206
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,87826307677#,,,,*156206# US
+13017158592,,87826307677#,,,,*156206# US (Washington DC)