Los Angeles Basin Contaminated Sediments Task Force

Summary of the Implementation Committee Meeting
December 13, 2000

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Attendees:

Ralph Appy (POLA), Maile Gee (CCC), Steven John (USEPA), Michael Lyons (LARWQCB), Tom Johnson (POLB), John Foxworthy (POLA), Dennis Eschen (LBC), Omer Kadaster (Kleinfelder).

1. Discussion of Pros and Cons of Establishing a DMMO

Ralph and Tom of the Ports indicated that they would prefer to keep the group less structured than the DMMO operating in the Bay Area. Both POLA and POLB felt that the ad hoc Interim Advisory Committee works well. They do not want to see an increase in bureaucracy in the permitting process. When asked what permitting was like before the creation of the IAC, the response was that permitting was easier to deal with before.

The DMMO in the Bay Area gets its funding from the Corps budget and the tasks they deal with are more complex. Steven John with the EPA would like to see a DMMO-like structure to simply formalize the process and streamline the permitting and approval of contaminated materials dredging projects. John Foxworthy agreed with Steven about formalizing the approval process, as did the others present at the meeting.

A decision was made to formalize the guidelines of the IAC, especially with regard to the approval process. The new name for the IAC with be the Dredged Materials Management Committee. It will be kept applicant driven with a point of contact given for each project. There will be a virtual “office,” but no plans now for a structured for funded office. The DMMC should be maintained after the Strategy is complete and should be discussed in the Corps DMMP FS.

2. Draft Consolidated Dredge Permit Application

Tom Johnson is still working on changes to the CSTF permit application. Send any other comments to Stacey Crouch. The group agreed that the permit should be tested and the Ports proposed trying to use it on some of the maintenance dredging projects that are coming up. The consolidated permit would be filled out in addition to the regular paperwork and reviewed by the DMMC and permitting agencies for effectiveness.

3. Revisions to Interim Advisory Committee Guidelines

Ralph Appy is working on proposed changes to the IAC guidelines. Once he makes the changes discussed today, he will distribute the guidelines for review. The group agreed to test out the new guidelines on the next project that comes up.

4. CSTF Strategy Timeline

The group reviewed the timeline that Maile and Ralph worked on including comments received from members since the last CSTF meeting (not many were received). The group agreed to do a conservative schedule that shows the amount of time estimated to complete the Strategy and a compressed schedule that has a reduced review period. Review of the timeline shows that the only real place to save time is on the Strategy report preparation and review portion of the project. The most time that could be saved is approximately 6 mos. Tom Johnson suggested adding a line that shows the statutory deadline. Ralph and Maile will make changes and e-mail the timelines out to the CSTF core members for review prior to the next CSTF meeting.

Next Meeting - February 7, 2001 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at POLA


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