[CPEO-MEF] Camp Bonneville's premature EA.......

[StellaVB@aol.com]

Camp Bonneville is getting the 'rush' again by the regulated.  Clark 
County officials are recognizing the recent EA is premature due to 
severe issues with a landfill on site (lack of enough data due to lack 
of enough investigation) and the lack of the EE/CA making assessment 
imposssible.  The EA also failed in obtaining and including more concise 
information regarding the Troutdale Gravel Aquifer and Troutdale 
Sandstone Aquifer in which Clark County obtains the water for their 
citizens.  Also lacking in information was 
the two contaminated plumes 'infecting' this water source at other 
locations within the county and the impact 'possible' when/if those 
plumes meet with the groundwater contamination within Camp Bonneville.

It is important to note, it is RAB members who found this discrepancy 
not the regulated.  Camp Bonneville has undergone a major 'lose' due to 
9/11 when they lost their EPA contact to the Coast Guard a few months 
ago.  The EPA rep was a 'champion' for Clark County's health issues 
regarding cleanup and methodology and was 'the voice' of protection for 
the health of every person in Clark County.  No one around the 'RAB 
table' has seen, talked nor met this replacement.  The Camp Bonneville 
RAB members have dwindled to very few in 
numbers due to what some might call 'dragging of the feet' by the 
regulated, though there are arguments from same that the 'dragging of 
the feet' is being done by the regulators (sound familiar to other RAB 
members out there?).  Camp Bonneville's RAB also has a member, myself, 
who has moved to the other side of the U.S. who is still maintaining her 
status as active member through reading of documentation, talking with 
other members around the country and 
relaying this information via the internet to those RAB members who have 
a computer and e-mail and not attending meetings.  It is the importance 
of these few tenacious people who are keeping everyone's 'nose to the 
grindstone' yet it is not enough.  Pushing through a premature EA 
without proper investigations is unacceptable and such premature steps 
must stop by the regulated.  This all comes down to money which is 
understandable.  Our military and elected officials must stop 'this rush 
to justice' and become very honest.  The BRAC and FUD sites must be 
fully characterized for I know 
not one that is not contaminated.  Before rushing to 'document' and 
'close the books' through such 'manuels' as the EA, the military must 
shoulder the blame for the contamination and not push off such land onto 
the unsuspecting civilians in those communities.  The lack of money for 
cleanup is NO REASON to release these sites.  These sites must NOT be 
released into the community and pushing through EA's is not the answer.

Stella