Heavy Metals Remediation Committee @ Vashon Library 3:30-5:00 PM
May 7, 2004
Draft minutes

Meeting called to order by co-president Adam Rawson. Also present were: Mary Ellen Walker, May Gerstle, Donna Keller & Bonnie Meyer from King County Public Health and Guy Barrett from Ecology.

The agenda and minutes from the last meeting were approved. May agreed to take notes. 

We are still looking for an organizer for the October symposium. Guy will check to see if we can hire an events coordinator under the public participation grant. We can look at pets and wild life as long as it’s just one part of the symposium. In a memo from Marian Abbett, dated March 16, she said…”the grant activities still must focus on the cleanup and human health protection. Pets need to be protected for one reason; they can bring contamination into the homes just as humans can.” Adam will determine what the program and report back at next meeting.

Phytoremediation: Adam is the lead---need to connect scientists and people who need to phytoremediate. Talk to Sally Brown at the UW.

The soil building project is at a standstill for now.

Dockton Park cleanup. Shaheeda is to make a proposal to Ecology. They might be able to provide 50% of King County’s actual cost that is deemed eligible. (King County owns the park.) See memo regarding donated labor from Marian Abbett. 

Private Facility cleanup---Camp Sealth needs to and is doing something to clean up their soil.

An agreement was reached on the video editing from the last symposium. The script is being sent to Holly to do the final edits and add a few trailers.

Sediments Disposal Practice that Brian asked about at the previous meeting. Marian found out that there is a large dredging project in one of the Tacoma waterways. Sediments are being removed….activities are around the clock…she suggests contacting Dave Kendall of the Corps of Engineers (764-3768) for more information.

Healthcare Handbook---Shaheeda is working with Allison Jones to procure a grant to make more copies available to other health care providers.

May gave a short IRPPC report---they want Rita to distribute the Fertilizer Information, printed in color to us and at point of sale, and to VIGA and the Garden Club etc. IRPPC wants to see the plan/time line for distribution.

Bonnie reported that the Healthy Gardening brochures were distributed at 33 locations, mostly by the Master Gardeners. King County also gave STARS training to 100 child care providers. They will also be giving rubber mats and are continuing to distribute nail brushes and signs. Bonnie introduced Donna Keller, Education Specialist who will work with her. She will send us assessment questions by e-mail for our input.

Guy reported on the Area Wide Task Force Guidelines and on the work they are doing in the plume area using the SEPA Guidelines. They are also working on a Voluntary Clean Up Program (VCP) and will be sending out a fact sheet to residents in the plume area. May asked Ecology to get copies of the Dirt Alert brochure to schools, library, doctor’s offices etc.

May will ask IRPPC if Mary Ellen can be a sub to Rita or the other contractor (for payment) in order to write medical articles geared to the lay person.

Meeting was adjourned on time. Notes submitted by May Gerstle.

Next meeting, will be held on July 2, 2004 ---same time and place.