RE: [CPEO-MEF] RAB questions

[ted@theodorejhenry.com]

Jim

I do not think DOD made RABs just to make them fail, although I
certainly think they could have supported them better. DOD has always
said that such guidance was not made too detailed so site personnel
would have the flexibility needed to fit their situations.  

Unfortunately, some sites do not want it to work or simply have had no
training in the same room with community members to learn how to make it
work.

At sites where this closed approach is taking place, and I am associated
with one right now, the military entity is shooting itself in the foot
and in the end, making their projects harder, more costly, and more
prone to serious political scrutiny.

So, I believe RABs can work, but the tools available to community
members and military personnel alike to make them work are very, very
limited. Throw in a great number of defense contractors who do not truly
understand community participation and sites can certainly head down the
wrong path. I guess my point is - this is not the only path available,
just like only discussing defined SWMUs is not only path available.

Peace  

Ted

-----Original Message-----
From: UTOSI-Hdqrs@kc.rr.com [mailto:UTOSI-Hdqrs@kc.rr.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:07 AM
To: cpeo-military
Subject: Re: [CPEO-MEF] RAB questions

At 07:08 AM 10/30/02 -0600, info@cswab.com wrote:

>I've been told that Restoration Advisory Boards can only "legally"
>discuss sites listed on the base's Installation Action Plan.
>
>Are RABs in other communities commenting on things like cleanup of
>contaminated buildings, pipelines, spills not covered under RCRA or
>CERCLA, PCB cleanups, asbestos removal, etc. (ie, cleanup projects that
>are not necessarily listed as an IRP cleanup)?
>
>Does anyone know if there is specific language that either prohibits or
>provides for the discussion of specific cleanup topics by a RAB?
>
>Please post your reply.
>Thank you!
>Laura

Laura this is very true.  Only items listed in the IAP known as SWMU's, 
Solid Waste Managements Units.

And in fact the RAB cannot vote as a group on IAP work that is being
done, 
only vote and send letters as individuals.

The RAB members do not have any say in the cleanup of contaminated 
buildings, pipelines, sewer lines, spills not covered under RCRA or
CERCLA, 
PCB cleanups, asbestos removal, etc.

What a "SHAM".  This is called covering your XXXXXXXXXXXX.

Jim Oyler, RAB Member
Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant.
De Soto, KS

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