Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments

Outreach Advisory Committee

Conference Call Minutes

Thursday, June 26, 2003

10:00 - 11:00

Attendees

OAC Co-chairs Judy Shaw and Larry Charles

Hedy Alvai

Vice Pitruzzello

Shari Wilson

Chris Perkins

Robyn Gilden

Fred Ellerbusch

Ralph Lightner

Mitch Lasat

Approval of the Draft Vision Statement

  • No one had any objection to the approval of the Vision Statement. 
  • Robyn Gilden had a question on clarification of the term “wealth” in the last key area of the scope.  She wanted to make sure that it was allowable within EPA’s regulations for the use of Brownfield funds.   Larry Charles explained is to improve the economic impact of the community through the principles of community ownership. 
  • All agreed to formally submit to EPA for review.

 Update on the Center Activities, Hedy Alavi, Johns Hopkins University

  • Edward Bouwer is unable to attend the teleconference due to conflicts in schedule.
  • Center working on budget for Year 3, which is to start October 1, 2003.  The core grant is for the same amount as last year.
  • The various schools can expect the same level of support for TOSC as in Year 2 for the Outreach Program.
  • No word from EPA on the status of TAB funding through the collateral funding.
  • The Center co-sponsored an International Workshop on Urban PAH and BTEX Petroleum Contamination.
  • The CHSUE Scientific Advisory Committee met on June 16th to review 9 research proposals. 
  • In March 2003 CHSUE hosted EPA’s National TOSC/TAB conference in Baltimore. The theme was planning, collaboration and sustainability.
  • Hedy made an announcement for the addition of two new staff members to CHSUE, Ralph Lightner, Engineering Resource Staff member and Jocelyn Bauer, Center Financial Manager.
  • EPA Annual Community Involvement Conference being held July 22-25, 2003, in Philadelphia.  Information concerning the meeting was e-mailed to all OAC members.

Update on Region I, Chris Perkins, Associate Director, Environmental Research Institute, University of Connecticut   

  • New project – Native American Tribe, Passamaquoddy , training course in oil spill cleanup
  • Danbury, Still River – Mallory Hat Factory used mercury extensivel in the production of felt.  Community concerned on contamination in Danbury.
  • Stamford, CT – Met with the CityofStamford Land Use Bureau concerning the use of land contaminated with coal tar residues used as fill.

Update on Region II Projects, Fred Ellerbusch, Director Technology Transfer and Training, NHSRC,  New Jersey Institute of Technology

  • Heart of Camden in South Camden – Camden, New Jersey
  • Buzby Landfill Task Force – Vorhees Township, New Jersey; methane gas issues, consistent time for flares.
  • Ironbound Community Corporation – Newark, New Jersey; Giving Newark School of Construction advice on technical issues, historical significance and architecture.

Update on Region III Projects, Robyn Gilden, Outreach Program Manager, University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Nursing

  • Creating a Center Brochure for Outreach Activities
  • Created an Evaluation Form – e-mailed a copy to everyone
  • Outreach staff, partnering with the International City and County Managers Association, is assisting in planning and hosting several Risk Communication workshops for communities and local governments that are faced with contaminated site issues.
  • Outreach staff is participating in planning meetings for MD DHMH and MDE’s CDC health tracking grant.  Staff will provide input on utilization of databases and access to information for communities.
  • Outreach staff and Region 3 EPA community involvement office are organizing a regional community involvement conference for state and local government and communities. 
  • Program Manager and Outreach Director are working collaboratively with the Health Sciences/Human Services Library at UMB and the National Library of Medicine to develop an online repository of environmental health materials that can be used for community education and outreach. 
  • Program Manager and Outreach Director assisted in securing UMBSON as a co-sponsored and participated in an EPA Aging listening session to help identify the national agenda for the new aging initiative.
  • Program Manager attended the two-day Mid-Atlantic Cumulative Risk Workshop in Philadelphia to gather knowledge and add Environmental Health Nursing insight.
  • Outreach Director attended the TAB briefing to collaboratively discuss Brownfield Projects and the addition of Environmental Health as a resource. 
  • Hagerstown Central Chemical Superfund Site – site investigation completed and continuing relationship by being a liaison for the panel.
  • Superfund and Brownfield Sites in Herring Run Watershed – multiple Brownfield sites and on Superfund site of concern in this community.   68th Street the Center will provide community assistance and technical assistance.  Lower Herring Run Park, a former landfill is for sale by the City.  Community would like the Center to review the EPA Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation Report.
  • Pen Argyl, PA – Concerns by the Community on the health effects from an existing landfill and proposed 27 acre expansion of the site.  Center to provide a health survey.  The results will be posted to the Centers website.

Open Discussions, Suggestions, Comments Adjournment, Next Meeting

·     Process for Ensuring Relevance of Research to Local Community

·     Larry suggests developing a Model Plan to Engage Communities to be aware of services available by Center.  This to be discussed and designed at the November 14, 2003 meeting to be held in New Jersey hosted by Fred Ellerbush and NJIT.  At the meeting OAC members would like to tour one of Region II project sites, maybe Ironbound.

·      Per Mitch Lasat, EPA Program Manager, it was suggested that there be an Outreach Conference Call with all Regions with EPA Hazardous Substance Research Centers that would include a briefing and discussion.