MEETING MINUTES

Final Site Survey Subcommittee January 6, 1999

The first meeting of the Final Site Survey Subcommittee of the Yankee Rowe Community Advisory Board (CAB) was held on January 7,1999. The meeting was held at City Hall in North Adams, MA. Anne Skinner, chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM with five committee members present.

FINAL SITE SURVEY SUBCOMMITTEE ATTENDEES
Gail Cariddi
Anita Barker
Bob Gallaghar
Anne Skinner
Carole Angelo

Ms. Skinner began the discussion by confirming that members had received the two documents sent by Yankee, the Environmental Site History Report and the Progress Report prepared in December.

Jane Grant commented that Yankee is involved in a legal and judicatory proceeding with the NRC and the information the committee will receive in the future may be impacted as all parties to the proceedings will be attempting to get their view across. Testimony, filings and responses related to the hearing will be available to the Committee. She stated that a pre-hearing conference will be held at the Franklin County Court House on January 26, 1999 at 9 AM. There will be three judges at the hearing, an administrative law judge and two technical judges who have spent time on radiological matters. They will review the contentions of CAN, The New England Coalition and the Franklin County Regional Planning Board. The public will be allowed to make statements that evening. She noted that it may be a lengthy process.

Anita Barker asked what this hearing was for and Jane responded that when Yankee's License Termination Plan was submitted to the NRC for approval, the public was allowed to ask for a public hearing. The plan is being challenged and Yankee must prove it is adequate.

The committee then began reviewing the information received. Anne Skinner questioned Yankee regarding monitoring of ground water and asked if something could seep in at a future time. Ken Dow, from Duke's Environmental Health and Safety Department, answered that there were no indications of leaks from either the tanks or pipes when they were removed. The Fire Marshall and the Board of Health have inspected the site. By now leakage would have shown itself and none is apparent. Ms. Skinner asked if Yankee can then stop monitoring and was told yes but that Yankee is being very conservative and will continue monitoring.

Gail Carridi suggested they should have a map of the grounds to indicate where these tanks and wells are. It was pointed out that there is a map in the CAB book and Jane Grant said she would have the maps marked and labeled for each CAB member.

As they continued their examination of the material there were no more concerns. Gail Carridi said she is not a scientist and hinted that the information was more technical than she was capable of handling. Anita Barker commented that it should be put in layman's terms.

Anne Skinner conceded she had not found anything in the reports that she was concerned about and wondered if there is somewhere else they should look. The committee at some point wants to walk around the property and see the progress for themselves. In the spring they plan to do so. Rick Williams explained that in areas that have been decontaminated and marked with grids, the floor drains have been plugged so nothing will seep in.

Some copying errors were found in the handouts. Jane Grant promised the missing sheets will be sent to the members and the table of contents will be revised to match the information.

Carole Angelo asked if Yankee still had a shooting range but was told that the guards now qualify at a range in Greenfield.

Anne Skinner then asked if the group thought they should stick to the non-radiological issues until they have a handle on them. Anita Barker felt Yankee was doing a better job than most of our factories and Gail Carridi agreed.

Rick Williams explained how the PBCs in the paint delayed the project 18 months.

Jane Grant said there is not one document on decommissioning that pulls it all together. Gail Cariddi said she feels "You've done so much more than you needed to do."

Rick Williams related that the NRC makes quarterly visits to the plant but delayed the January 25th visit because they do not have concerns. They do call weekly so there is routine dialogue.

Jane Grant will send the group documents on contentions for the pre-hearing conference.

Gail Carridi asked for a transcript of the hearing.

Next meeting will be held on March 3, 1999 at the Florida Town Hall at 7:00 PM

The meeting was adjourned by chairperson Anne Skinner at 8:14 PM

Respectfully submitted pending committee approval,

Anne Skinner