MAY 23-24 DERTF MEETING-San Berdu

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

DERTF TO MEET IN SAN BERNADINO

 The Defense Environmental Response Task Force 
(DERTF), a high-level Federal committee responsible for improving 
cleanup strategies at closing military bases, is scheduled to meet in 
San Bernadino, California, May 23-24. There is a public comment 
period scheduled for Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00 pm. This a is a 
good opportunity for RAB members from throughout Southern 
California to give direct input to policy-makers. (I will post the exact 
location when I learn it.)

At previous meetings of DERTF, local activists have used the 
meeting to highlight some of their concerns. At its January meeting, 
in Charleston, South Carolina, the Grass Roots Conversion Coalition 
raised issues such as 1) the need for more cleanup money, 2) the 
importance of technical assistance, 3) the need for diversity of 
Restoration Advisory Boards and reuse authorities, and 4) opposition 
to the weakening of cleanup standards.

DERTF is headed by Deputy Undersecretary Defense 
(Environmental Security) Sherri Wasserman Goodman. Its members 
include Don Gray of the Energy and the Environment Study 
Institute, Sam Goodhope of the Texas Attorney General's office, and 
David Wang of Cal-EPA, as well as representatives of other Federal 
agencies/armed services.

Lenny Siegel