Minutes Dec. 15, 2021 Monthly Meeting
PINE RIVER SUPERFUND CITIZEN TASK FORCE
General Membership Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2021
The meeting recording is available at the following web link with the password below, with timestamps included in minutes:
Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/EZamhjcVvtp90i-nQSv-vosRZ_MMwO3ugm4SntXPNlHg58t31vTCOE1yxxD7MXK1.blIr6rTdRMbSwE1R
Access Passcode: 5Pw%yk=M
The meeting began at 7:02 pm via Zoom with Secretary Brittany Fremion as host, with 21-23 participants.
Chairperson Jane Keon called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
I. Additions to Agenda: Correspondence and Communication;
II. Approval of November minutes. (Doug Brecht and Ed Lorenz)
III. Treasurer’s Report [00:00:00]: Gary Smith, Treasurer
A. November 2021
1. As of December 14, 2021, Huntington Bank account is closed. Our new bank is the Gratiot Community Credit Union.
2. The General Fund Checking balance stands at $5,936.88. The Gratiot County Credit Union General Fund Checking and has a balance of $1,982.25 and the Share Draft Savings Account total stands at $5.00. The Money Market Account (Oxford Automotive settlement) has $61,778.45. TAG grant money available for the Former Plant Site (FPS) stands at $21,291.06. The Velsicol Burn Pit (VBS) has $48,698.38. Velsicol Burn Pit (VBP) Fund Checking has $131.52. The complete reports will be attached to the permanent minutes.
3. Memberships are $5/year and t-shirts (blue and grey) $12-15 each plus shipping ($5.80). Send check to PO Box 172, St. Louis, MI 48880.
a) T-shirts vary in price by size, the but the Board will discuss a flat rate that includes the cost of shipping, especially if we add them to our website. Ed was able to connect the new bank account to the website for donations and memberships. Ed and Gary will provide an update next month.
IV. Correspondence and Communication [00:06:10]: Jane Keon, Chair
A. Phone call to state legislature regarding bird study funding – Jim Hall
1. Jim was able to connect with state legislators about funding for a follow-up bird study and they indicated that it shouldn't be a problem.
B. Phone call from the Detroit News regarding our attempts to get a follow-up bird study. We are waiting to find out if there will be an article; the journalist had many questions for Jane.
C. Jane shared that she read the chapter on the Superfund sites in St. Louis in the new book by Dr. Tom Corbett and that it is very well done. Dr. Corbett thanked Jane for reading it and providing feedback. He continues to work on the book, which is almost complete.
D. Mayor Jim Kelly emailed Jane following communication with the Congressional Intergovernmental Liaison for EPA’s Region 5 Office. The Liaison connected with him for a quote about recent announcements about funding for the VBP Site for a press release. The City is excited that the funding may be available to start the cleanup and to be featured in the Region’s reporting.
E. The Gratiot County Herald covered Hall of Fame inductee announcements.
V. CAG Hall of Fame Awards: [00:09:42] Recognition for the long service of two founding CAG members: Gary Smith and Jim Hall.
A. Remarks:
1. Gary Smith (S-M-I-T-H): Ed Lorenz, Vice Chairperson, shared remarks about Gary, noting that “it’s hard to imagine the CAG without Gary.” He has been involved in many ways and his service as treasurer has been really important; but so too is his service to the country during the Vietnam War, his work in the community, such as with the fishing derby. Ed also commended Gary as “a model of up-cycling,” work that has prepared him for his “biggest up-cycling experience, which includes plans for how to use the FPS property once the clean up is complete.” In addition, Ed shared that Gary has been “a major fundraiser for the CAG, too, playing a bankruptcy expert with Jane, and they alone convinced a judge to gives us more than $100,000 in the Oxford settlement.” When it came to documenting communication, Gary insisted that EPA record everything in full, not just summaries of citizen comments, as well as noting those individuals who were present and participated in meetings. He was integral to the bird study, “comes up with good ideas and has often done the hard work, too, such as delivering a pizza.” Gary has 23 years of service to the CAG and community and, while modest about his contributions, that's what a good leader does, is share the credit. And Gary is a good leader.
2. Jim Hall: JoAnne Scalf, Jim’s sister and CAG member, shared remarks about him, roasting him at the start by saying “the only reason Jim joined the CAG is because someone told him that there’s a free buffet at every meeting,” demonstrating that wit and humor run deep in the Hall family. JoAnne noted that Jim’s contributions are unsung, yet he always answers the call, from serving as a youth coach and helping lead the fishing derby to his participation in PBB Registry studies and engagement at community meetings. In addition, she noted that “The different hats he has worn in the CAG are impressive” and have been many. His best talents include his “adaptability, his artful persuasion and composure, and how he sculpts solutions through collaboration; his laser focus, task-based and team-work, and perfectly timed and lighthearted humor.” He and Gary have put 23 years of work into the CAG, putting pressure on lawmakers, the EPA, the health department and other agencies. His solution-based work scope has helped with cleanups, as well. JoAnne closed by saying, “Thanks to Jim, the Hall legacy in St. Louis is six generations strong,” noting that the cleanup and progress seen so far wouldn’t have been possible without him, and that his work to create a safe living and working environment for future generations is “an inspiration to us all.”
VI. PROGRAM: [00:25:35] Technical Advisor Scott Cornelius presented on how climate change might impact Superfund sites. The presentation slides will be appended to the permanent minutes.
A. Scott shared a paper that he found a few months ago on climate change, which was part of the presentations at the reinstatement of the Superfund Tax meetings that he and Ed attended. The lead scientist who wrote the paper identified major risks associated with climate change, which holds important implications for the CAG. Scott’s recommendations for CAG based upon this information include:
1. The CAGs questions tied to concerns about climate change include:
a) What effects will climate change have on the remedies at the FPS and VBP Superfund sites?
b) What impacts will climate change have on the RD parameters for the FPS and VBP Superfund sites’ remedies?
c) Most importantly, when will the analysis of the effects of climate change on the proposed remedies for these sites be completed?
2. The designs of sites going forward should take into consideration inevitable changes in water elevations, especially the VBP and FPS, which are on the Pine River. With this in mind, Scott recommends:
a) Both the FPS and VBP Sites’ RDs must take into consideration the future changes in the Pine River’s elevation due to climate change and
b) The CAG should request an analysis of this issue be prepared before the FS ad remedy selection, and presented at a public meeting.
3. Scott’s rational includes the following:
a) Climate change is a game changer and all remediation needs to take that into consideration in the design phase;
b) The effects of climate change on surface water levels has far reaching consequences for all river, floodplain, and sediment cleanups;
c) The areas once only submerged occasionally by flooding, such as floodplains, must be treated like submerged bottomlands because in 20 years or less they may be submerged;
(1) For example, spreading activated carbon on a floodplain (even if a viable remediation technology) that will be submerged in 20 years or less is not a scientifically sound remediation strategy and a waste of funds.
(2) As such, the goal should be to get the remediation right the second time and eliminate the need for a third remediating because of another failed remedy.
B. Discussion:
1. Concerns were shared about the integrity of the perimeter wall with expected flooding tied to climate change, as well as implications for the carbon amendment study. In addition, Scott explained how and why flooding would be a major issue in mid-Michigan.
VII. EGLE Report [00:47:35]: Erik Martinson, Project Manager
A. Railroad spur investigation — Erik reported that the property survey was conducted at 202 S. Watson on November 29th, in addition to a survey of the vacated right-of-way at Watson and Tyrell. Everything went smoothly and lined up with previous surveys. The only issue the team encountered was on the north side of the private property, where the vacated right-of-way from Tyrell is 30 feet, and so when vacated, the southern 15 feet was given to the private property owner and the other 15 feet to the north given to the Railroad. As a result, the proposed boring figure included in the scope of work shows borings further north than the team was able to sample (proposed to do 20 to the north, but they were only able fit in 12). Weston finished sampling at 5:00 pm today (done in two days). They completed a total of 37 locations down to 10 feet below ground surface. Visual evidence was consistent with previous drilling efforts (lots of clay down to 10 feet). They did not hit any till, which was expected given the height above the River’s surface. Weston delivered samples to state lab this evening and EGLE’s overflow lab, Eurofins, will pick up the remaining samples in the morning. So that’s real progress, finally.
1. There were a few last minute changes to the scope of work, related to borings (proposed 50 and completed 37), again, mainly because of the survey and property ownership to the north.
2. Also, there was a an issue with the lab in California slated to do the soil analysis for PCBSA. The lab is relocating and so Erik delayed sampling. If there are elevated levels of DDT or DDX in any of the other samples, then EGLE will go back and add it to the analysis.
3. The other issue was with the EGLE lab, which didn’t think it would be able to take any samples, which was surprising, but Erik and Weston negotiated to deliver a few more samples to Eurofins, which will analyze for VOCs, Tris, 2,4 DDD and 2,4 DDE, and EGLE will do the remaining pesticide samples (28 compounds, including HBB, PBB, and DDT isomers). The sampling meets expectations, with the exception of PCBSA.
4. Finally, Erik expects to have the lab results in the next month and may be able to share some of the information at the January meeting. The official reporting and presentation will come later, though.
B. Discussion
1. Erik didn’t observe any visual indications that the soil samples that looked off, but that doesn’t mean much in his experience. Much of the soil is clay so the compounds can get bound up tightly. Also, the DDT wouldn’t give off much for the VOC reader, which the weather can influence, too. There weren’t any obvious odors, either. Something to note, however, was that during the first boring push on the north side of the private property, they hit refusal at 1/5 foot below the surface and it was a railroad spike—so they are in the correct location.
2. Erik also reported that he hasn’t had any communication with the Railroad since the end of September; he cut off communication when he discovered they could do the sampling without needing access to their property. He’s hopeful that if contamination is observed with the current sampling and analysis, it will provide sufficient evidence to compel their cooperation via court ordered access.
3. Jim asked if EGLE/Weston had the railroad spike, which might be nice to have as an artifact for a future exhibit at the FPS. Erik said he would check.
4. Finally, Erik will have an update on the dissolution of the trust property cooperative agreement in January.
VIII. EPA Report [0:59:47]: EPA not present but Jane shared a recap of the thorough written report Tom Alcamo, Project Manager, shared (appended to permanent minutes).
A. Heaters still running full blast in Area 2 Phase 2, scheduled to operate until January 7th, with additional funding added to the budget if diminishing returns not yet met by then. Two of the extraction wells were modified because of NAPL composition, and pumped by hand, and the team is still removing 10-15 gallons per day at those two wells.
B. RI and FS for downstream expected to be released soon, with hyperlink to digital version because of the document’s size; EPA will provide CAG with hard copies for organizational records.
C. The contract for PSA 1&2, where Midwest Refinery was located and site of soil excavation, is expected to be warded in spring 2022.
D. VBP scheduled to receive infrastructure funding, which is very exciting. We will get a new Project Manager for that site. Tom will introduce that person to the CAG; it is someone with RPM experience elsewhere, given nature of Velsicol sites.
E. Discussion
1. There are many early 2022 deadlines, so it looks like the new year is going to be very busy. The CAG will need to coordinate with the TA soon to make decisions and plans. But we are eager and excited for the work.
IX. Technical Advisor Report: [01:05:51] Scott Cornelius, CEC
A. Review of Final Uniform Federal Policy Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for OU-4; this is one of two documents the CAG asked Scott to review (the next will be the Carbon Amendment Planning, Phase 2 Work Plan, which he will present in January).
1. In April 2021, CH2M/Jacobs provided a 512 page umbrella operational document to EPA for the Velsicol Chemical Corporation Superfund site OU-3 and OU-4, outlining Remedial Investigation (RI) activities from April 2021 to October 2022. The purpose of the QAPP is to further define the chemical contamination and asses the use of carbon as a remedial technology by providing guidance for the RI activities.
a) OU-3 includes the Pine River, adjacent riverbanks, and floodplains downstream of the St. Louis hydroelectric dam to the upstream side of floodplain 1.2
b) OU-4 includes the Pine River from the upstream side of floodplain 1.2 to the confluence of the Pine, Chippewa, and Tittabawassee Rivers near Midland, Michigan.
2. Problem Statement 1: Site-related COCs (Total DDT, HBB, and PBB) have been released into the Pine River and deposited in riverbank and floodplain areas during flood events. The extent of riverbank and floodplains oil contamination is not adequately defined.
a) Goal of Study 1: Determine the nature and extent of floodplain contamination sufficient to complete baseline risk assessments, assess the need for remediation, and develop potential remedial options. (These are great and on target, according to Scott.)
3. Problem Statement 2: Arthropods and worms in the floodplains that are consumed by wildlife have the potential to bioaccumulate chemical contaminants.
a) Goal 2: The data in this carbon amendment portion of the study will be used to assess whether activated carbon can reduce the bioavailability to worms and anthropoids (this is good, Scott said), and subsequently reduce bioaccumulation in higher trophic-level organisms, such as mammals and birds.
(1) Scott pointed out that the highlighted portion isn’t adequately covered in prior work plans or the document. If the experimental design is adequate, they can do the first part, but not necessarily the second.
4. Problem Statement 3: Collection of worms or other anthropoids for the carbon amendment study is labor intensive and and results in termination of the collected species.
a) Goal 3: Determine if the use of SPME sample preparation (a surrogate stick that acts like worm fat) can be used to predict the bioavailability of DDT, PBB, and HBB in soil as an alternative to collecting works and arthropods.
5. The RI sampling design and rationale for activities in both OU-3 and OU-4 further refined the extent of DDT, HBB, and PBB, and other Velsicol Chemical related contaminants in sediments, floodplain soils, and biota. In OU-4, activities included (a) assessing the effects of activated carbon on bioavailability of these contaminants in lower-level trophic organisms and (b) assessing SPME.
6. The QAPP includes a lot of significant details, setting standards that EPA has to meet and providing the community with an important tool and resource. This is a “building block” document and, overall, very good in terms of detail and coverage. There are a few concerns about “leaps and assumptions made,” but they also point to the importance of TA review and community engagement with the document.
7. Discussion [01:21:45]
a) Concerns about Goal 2 (highlighted above) were explored further. Scott explained that the extent to which EPA/contractors can reduce bioaccumulation in higher level organisms is problematic. There are also some issues with the extent to which activated carbon penetrates the soil to reduce bioaccumulation in higher-level mammals.
(1) Would they have to also test and sample higher-level mammals (birds, etc)? Scott said yes and explained why, expanding upon why the claim to reduce bioaccumulation in mammals and birds is a much larger study.
b) What is the mechanism in carbon that is supposed to reduce bioavailability? Activated carbon is used in water treatment systems, wherein carbon acts as material with holes and binding sites that attract contaminants, which works well when water moves the carbon and contaminants around, allowing them to bind. DDT that is microns away from the carbon won’t migrate to bind to it, especially when stuck in soil.
(1) Some data in lab conditions produced some results that suggested it could work. So there is limited success, but there are other issues, such as worms appear to avoid the carbon, moving away from it rather than engaging with. It can also have detrimental effects on the worms. So this is more of a pilot that will help us understand how/if this is an effective remedy.
(2) Jane shared that Dow Chemical did some experimental work with carbon, which is the source of inspiration here, although Dow gave up on the experiment. Scott confirmed that Dow evaluated it and decided not to proceed. Gary added that the collaboration between EPA and Alma College is really great, but that the use of SPME rather than worms in this case should also be noted. Scott provided additional insight into SPME sampling, explaining that it’s not an apples to apples comparison. However, there remains a commitment to the study. Gary offered that the state might be really interested in the outcome of the study, especially if there aren't any major long-term, positive results—especially those pertaining to bioaccumulation.
(3) The CAG can/will revisit this next month during Scotts presentation on the second phase of the carbon amendment study.
X. Old Business [01:35:40]
A. PBB Leadership Team update – Brittany Fremion, Jane Keon, and Norm Keon
1. Clinical Trial Update: The Emory team has almost hit their benchmark of 100 participants, making the study successful in terms of recruitment, especially in the midst of a pandemic and other unexpected challenges.
2. Dr. Marcus, lead scientist for the Registry, was also scheduled to meet with MDHHS reps again this week about ongoing issues with the agency and MDPHI, and will keep us updated. She shared that reporting back to her team and community members, who have known to contact legislators and write letters, has been a good negotiating tool with the agency.
3. The next community meeting will be virtual and is being planned for early March. The last virtual meetings were really successful. This spring the meetings will be less about recruiting participants and more about reporting back to community members and getting input for future research to address community concerns and needs. If anyone in the CAG or community has thoughts about priorities for future research, please share them with Jane, Ed, Norm, and/or Brittany.
4. The Team continues to collaborate with partners at the CMDHD and recently discussed the possibility of adding questions about concerns tied to environmental chemicals to the 3-year community health assessment conducted by MidMichigan Health, as well as the new texting platform the district is using to connect with the district’s community members as a means of connecting the Registry team with PBB community members.
5. Finally, work on the PBB Registry Patient Portal is ongoing.
6. Jane added that the meetings are really interesting and informative, and that she learns a lot from talking with them.
B. Vote Results for CAG Officers and Board Members [01:39:20]
1. Office of Chairperson: Jane Keon (incumbent)
2. Office of Vice Chairperson: Ed Lorenz (incumbent)
3. Office of Secretary: Brittany Fremion (incumbent)
4. Office of Treasurer: Gary Smith (incumbent)
5. Board of Directors:
a) Jim Hall (incumbent)
b) Margaret Hoyt (incumbent)
c) Norm Keon (incumbent)
(1) The Executive Committee (consisting of all elected officials) will determine whether to add another two people to the Board of Directors.
C. Latest results on the thermal treatment website [01:40:50] — Gary Smith
1. Gary reported ongoing concerns and issues with the data shared via the EPA monitoring website. There are people in the community who want/need to have this information, and deserve the reassurance that the site is both operating correctly and updated regularly.
2. Discussion: Jane recommended calling Region 5 and asking someone to update the data on the website and present at the January meeting.
D. Website traffic data [01:50:40] - Ed Lorenz
1. Traffic is up 3% this month compared to last month: 71 different visitors who looked at 106 pages, with the most views at the college and university partners, where we work, meeting minutes, and “lessons” pages. Less than half are from Michigan, but there were a lot from Ohio (Columbus, specifically). Gary shared that there is a teacher in Ohio who has assigned Jane’s book, which might be a source of the Ohio visitors.
2. Ed will connect with Gary to see about adding t-shirts to website, he just needs a photo and price ($20 would include shipping and a small profit for the CAG).
XI. New Business [01:56:15]
A. JoAnne will be opening her Voluntary Health Map survey in February for another round of mapping. She will share announcements and information with the CAG in the weeks ahead. Ed will post it to the website and we’ll look forward to a future presentation with updates on her work.
B. In addition, JoAnne and Jane engaged in a conversation with community members in a St. Louis Facebook group about the PBB Registry. The former chemical worker was understandably frustrated with the Registry work but with insights shared, came around and it ended up being a productive discussion with many community members.
Please remember to pay membership dues ($5/year). Send check to PO Box 172, St. Louis, MI 48880.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 via Zoom.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brittany Fremion, Secretary