Why We Need A National RAB Caucus-Fort Ord RAB Is Broken!

[OrdToxics@aol.com]

I have just read the National RAB Caucus announcement. I'm glad to see we
(community RAB members) are pushing ahead with a National RAB Caucus project.
 It's been sorely needed! 

As you may or may not know, since US-EPA's community relations contractor's
(Career Pro) involvement in the Fort Ord RAB's continuing organizational
problems, the Army Garrison Commander is attempting to gut our RAB's ability
to carry out its mission statement. This is occurring in-spite of written
and oral protests from community RAB members. The Garrison Commander claims
he is implementing Career-Pro's recommendations, despite the fact that our
RAB has not adopted those very recommendations.

Case In Point:

The Fort Ord RAB agenda committee met on 09-09-97 at the Fort Ord BRAC Office
and voted 3 to 1 (1 absent) to adopt the proposed draft agenda presented at
that Agenda Committee meeting.

The Commander of the Defense Language Institute and Presidio of Monterey,
COL. Devlin has apparently issued instructions through the BRAC Environmental
Office (COL. Mettee-McChutchon) that the RABs standing Agenda Committee will
not be allowed to set the monthly meeting agendas, or conduct monthly RAB
business meetings, in spite of the RAB's duly adopted By-laws.

What is so alarming in this latest round of attempts at "fixing" the Fort Ord
RAB, is that RAB community members appealed to the US-EPA resolution of a RAB
members "Question of Privilege" (an outline of Army abuses of the Fort Ord
RAB process), and in response US-EPA brought in a contractor, Career-Pro of
San Francisco State University. Furthermore, the contractor has failed to
address the very "Question of Privilege" they were asked to resolve! And now
the Army is claiming its most recent actions limiting our RAB's inquiries
into the Army cleanup is based on the "recommendations' of the contractor.
 The Commander has notified the RAB that we will not be permitted to set its
agenda in accordance with our By-laws.

Additionally, the BRAC office continues to limit RAB members access cleanup
documentation in a variety of ways. One way is, the Army simply "fails" to
provide community members with the basic documents required to carry out the
RAB's mission (Army just ignores community members written and oral requests
for copies of FOSTs & FOSLs, etc.). The Army defies its own RAB Guidance, as
well as US-EPA/ DOD RAB Guidance. What is most infuriating is the Army's
condescending practice of selectively "enforcing" and ignoring our RAB's
legally adopted By-laws.

Frankly, I look forward to the formation of a National RAB Caucus, having
participated in the Regional RAB Caucus in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay
area. I know there is a better way to involve community members and the
public in the cleanup and conversion of military bases.

For several years now, RAB members from many California military bases have
participated in the Regional RAB Caucus which was hosted by ARC Ecology of
San Francisco. 

Over the past several years, I have worked on RAB issues with ARC Ecology on
many occasions. ARC's Executive Director, Saul Bloom is highly motivated and
ethical leader who truly represents the community's interests without
reservation. Additionally ARC Ecology has a very capable staff. Chris
 Shirley, Karen Hack and others are extremely knowledgeable of the problems
facing community members of military RABs. They have been involved in the
military base "cleanup and conversion" game from the beginning. 

ARC has repeatedly extended themselves to us and other RABs in what I believe
is a sincere effort to improve the RAB process to affect positive change.
 Recently, ARC Ecology offered to travel at their own expense and without
compensation from US-EPA or the Army, to facilitate and/or mediate the Fort
Ord RAB. I am sad so say ARC Ecology was turned down on its offer. 

However, I urge all concerned to recognize ARC's expertise and experience and
incorporate them into the formation of our much needed National RAB Caucus. 

I look forward to seeing old RAB Caucus friends in January, and meeting new
ones as well.

Regards,
Curt Gandy
Executive Director
Fort Ord Toxics Project 

Member and former Community Co-Chair
Restoration Advisory Board
Fort Ord, CA