Meeting Minutes

Mr. Fairman convened the meeting at 7:00 PM. He introduced himself and explained that the main purpose of this evening’s presentation and discussion is to review the bog separation pilot test. He reviewed the groundrules, and noted that questions and comments are welcome after the speakers finish their presentations. Mr. Fairman noted that he will intercede only to clarify questions and comments. He requested that comments focus on issues and not on personalities.

Ms. Balkus introduced herself and stated that she is from the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE), and is the Project Manager for the Bog Project for the Quashnet River site. Mr. Szymoniak introduced himself and noted that he is from Jacobs Engineering and is their Project Manager for the site.

Ms. Balkus said she would review the purpose of the pilot test, review some of the sampling data in order to clarify each of the components in the pilot test, and then explain the actions that will be taken. She noted that after the presentation (Attachment #1) the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Ms. Balkus reported that the pilot test has three purposes. She said that the first purpose is to implement and evaluate extraction, treatment, and discharge systems on the Quashnet River at the leading edge of the Fuel Spill 1 (FS-1) plume. She noted that she would be focusing on the portion of the plume that is discharging into the bog area. She stated that the second purpose of the pilot test is to protect human health by reducing exposure to ethylene dibromide (EDB), which has been detected in the surface water, groundwater, and the bogs. Ms. Balkus said that the third purpose is to accelerate the restoration of the Quashnet River. She noted that because the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) study that is in progress would not normally put a remedy in place for another two years, the pilot test will accelerate the installation of a remedy.

Ms. Balkus displayed a chart that showed the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) cranberry stakeholders. She said that there are a significant number of people involved in the FS-1 site, as well as the FS-28 site on the Coonamesset River, including cranberry stakeholders, the towns, cranberry industry people, conservation people, federal and state regulatory agencies, the Air Force, and the Army. She noted that a number of meetings have occurred with representatives from the competing interests, which include the cranberry industry, the natural wetlands habitat, and the brook trout habitat. She added that time and cost considerations are also factors in selecting a remedy. Ms. Balkus reviewed the meetings that have taken place, and the permits that have been obtained or are pending.

Ms. Balkus reported that several efforts are taking place regarding the site. She stated that local growers have been paid for last year and this year’s crops, except in the case of the Town of Mashpee, where real estate interests have yet to be resolved by the Town. She noted that AFCEE has a cranberry testing protocol in place with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a result of detection of EDB a couple of years ago in the cranberry bogs. She noted that last year, all the cranberries tested non-detect, and that the cranberries will be tested again when they are harvested in 1999. Ms. Balkus reported that the surface water has been tested for EDB at the inlet and outlet inside the bog, and that this testing will continue on a monthly basis. She noted that the CERCLA process is ongoing and includes a Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan, and Record of Decision. Ms. Balkus noted that AFCEE has contracted with Kansas State University (KSU) to do two research projects, one to ascertain whether EDB can penetrate the skin of the cranberry and get into the fruit, and the other to determine if the vines and roots of the cranberry plant can uptake EDB. She noted that when the studies are completed, the results will be published.

Mr. Szymoniak added that Jacobs Engineering is doing monthly surface water sampling and testing for EDB at 13 locations in the bog.

Mr. Szymoniak displayed a map, and indicated where the plume is upwelling. He noted that Jacobs Engineering is measuring the surface water at the inlets and outlets to the bogs in an attempt to ascertain a reference area for the contamination. He said that Jacobs Engineering will also look at the outlet of one of the bog channels, since EDB concentrations as high as 1.0 part per billion (ppb) have been found at several locations. He noted that the concentration decreases to .04 ppb closer to Johns Pond. He reported that there is an effort to monitor and isolate where the EDB is coming into the channel itself.

Mr. Szymoniak displayed the conceptual site model and explained that the organic silt controls how the groundwater upwells. He said that in the groundwater there is a large amount of upwelling around the entrance to the bog. He also noted that there is a great amount of recharge at groundwater, and that drive-point sampling shows non-detect below the peat deposit. He reported that EDB was seen at the highest concentrations on the edge of the bog and that one of the goals is to try to protect the K1 bog, which is primarily where brook trout spawn. He noted that there is a tremendous amount of upwelling in certain locations back in the bog that bring in EDB, which continues to upwell into other parts of the bog downgradient.

Mr. Szymoniak said that another important factor that will be studied is the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) and the temperature of the surface water. He noted that brook trout need a low temperature to spawn. He displayed a graph that indicated consistently high oxygen of around 10 milligrams/liter at the outlet of the K1 bog. He said that samples were taken over a one-week period, to look at the effect of the DO throughout the day. He noted that in preceding weeks, water was sampled at two locations in the cranberry bog. He reported that there is a large spike in the temperature as one proceeds through the bog, and noted that the river channel in certain locations is very wide and flat, which causes the water temperature to increase about five degrees centigrade/Celsius. He also noted that there is very little fluctuation in the water temperature in the K1 bog. Mr. Szymoniak then stated that approximately two-thirds of the water that comes into the treatment system originates from the FS-1 plume.

Ms. Balkus said that the objectives of the Bog Separation Project are primarily to look at the drawdown on the bog and ensure that the delicate hydrology that Mr. Szymoniak discussed is not impacted. She said that some of the goals of the project are to intercept the EDB contamination upwelling into the river system and to assess the performance of granular activated carbon (GAC). She added that the impact on the ecology of the nearby wetlands and river by the treated water will be studied. She said that the goal is to protect human health by reducing EDB concentrations through the carbon in the treatment plant. She noted that existing cranberry operations will be protected by ensuring that none of the EDB from the plume makes it into the bog.

Ms. Balkus showed where a new extraction well (EW-5) will be placed on the south side of the K1 bog, which will extract groundwater at about 150 feet, at the rate of 200 gallons per minute (gpm). She said that the water will then be reinjected on the north side of the K1 bog at a shallow depth, and that the focus in this area is to ensure that the hydrology for the trout in the area is not changed. She noted that cold groundwater upwells into the bog, and it is a goal to ensure that this still occurs. Ms. Balkus explained that the groundwater will be mixed with what is being discharged from the treatment plant, and then reinjected along the north side of the bog. She stated that besides maintaining the habitat, the plume will be pushed down underneath the bog.

Ms. Balkus reported that the second component of the project is to put in shallow well-points on the eastern side of the K2 bog, and extract 400 gpm, which will be discharged in two surface water bubblers. She noted that the third component of the project is to consider building berms along the perimeter of the K2 and K6 bogs to separate the surface water from the bog and ensure that the water cannot get into the cranberry bogs. Ms. Balkus displayed photographs of an extraction well vault, a treatment plant building, and fractionation tanks from the FS-28 plume, and noted that the buildings erected for this project will be similar. She noted that surface water will be discharged through a bubbler or fountain that will aerate the water as it goes back into the river, to ensure that the oxygen level is adequate to maintain the fish population.

She reviewed the construction schedule and noted that next week installation on EW-5 will be started, in February construction of the berms and shallow well-points by the K2 bog will begin, and in the spring or summer, construction of a new bog will occur. She said that the new bog of three acres will ensure that the Town has close to the current number of productive acres.

Ms. Balkus discussed operation and maintenance of the system. She noted that this is a pilot test that will operate for 12 months, with quarterly reports issued to evaluate progress. She added that daily activity and operation logs will be maintained, and monthly progress reports of the status of operation and maintenance will be issued. She then reported that monitoring is currently being reworked to ensure that the hydrology is being maintained, particularly in the K1 bog area. She said that surface water sampling, air sampling, and ecological monitoring in the brook trout area will continue, as will monitoring of the performance of the treatment plant.

Ms. Balkus then discussed the next steps in the Quashnet River pilot test by first noting that a hearing with the Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission would be held later in the evening. She reported that the public comment period on the Pilot Test Workplan will run from January 6 through January 22, 1999, and the monitoring plan will be revised to incorporate additional brook trout monitoring. She also noted that sometime in the third week of June, a public meeting will be held to discuss the three-month Pilot Test results.

Mr. Fairman asked for questions from the audience.

Mr. Lafleur asked if the irrigation water source will continue to be the Quashnet River. Ms. Balkus confirmed this, and added that all the water coming in from Johns Pond is clean.

Mr. Cambareri of the Cape Cod Commission (CCC) introduced himself, and noted that since the public information meeting is taking place on January 21, 1999, comments are being accepted until January 22, 1999, and all of the comments will be resolved by the January 22, 1999, there must be a fairly good buy-in for the project at this point. Ms. Balkus replied that that was why she displayed the list of all the stakeholder meetings that were held. She noted that tonight’s public meeting was being held to enable comments, and pointed out that the comment period had started at the Joint Process Action Team (JPAT) meeting on January 6, 1999. Mr. Cambareri said that his comments are that the fisheries' concerns should be recognized and addressed, and that the pilot test program should minimize effects on the fisheries as much as possible. He noted that the trout look for naturally discharging water that is cold and has a high DO rate, and that treated water will be mixed with naturally discharging water. Mr. Cambareri said that he has looked through the documents for some recognition of how the pilot test would affect spawning activities, and added that he has concerns about the K1 bog. Ms. Balkus reported that several meetings with Mr. Steve Hurley of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW) have taken place since the workplan was published, and several areas will be expanded when the plan is finalized. She said that a University of Massachusetts fisheries expert, Dr. Ross, who is a PhD, will be consulted, and will assist with ongoing analysis of the data. Mr. Szymoniak noted that the brook trout typically spawn by October or November, and that it is hoped that the system will be fine-tuned by then. He stated that the trout start hatching in April, and one of the concerns is that there is enough level of flow in the channel.

Mr. Cambareri said that there was probably a difference in flow from water discharged out of a bubbler as opposed to upwelling groundwater as it comes up through the core substrate. Mr. Szymoniak said it is not likely that all the water will be intercepted, but the intent is to try to get the majority of the water. He noted that most of the brook trout spawn or attempt to spawn in the K1 bog and there is an effort to improve that channel. He noted that there is a considerable amount of erosion in the K1 bog, and that the intent is to provide a better habitat in the bog. Mr. Cambareri asked if there were any recognized thresholds which address the impact of the fishery in the area. Mr. Szymoniak replied that a meeting is scheduled next week with Dr. Ross where they will discuss this. He noted that Dr. Ross indicated to him on the phone that the temperature is probably more critical than DO, so an attempt will be made to set temperature thresholds. He said that at FS-28, a change in the temperature due to the influence of the treatment plant has not been observed, so a large change in the temperature is not foreseen. Mr. Cambareri said he could understand how the effluent in FS-28 might be the same, but he is not sure it would be the same in a naturally occurring water.

Mr. Cambareri asked about the erosion of the slopes. Mr. Szymoniak replied that Dr. Ross will review the conditions before the slope is stabilized, and noted that in some cases red brook trout prefer shade, and that the water temperature is important. He added that if the slope is stabilized, there should be assurance that it is actually being improved.

Ms. Balkus reported that Mr. Hurley requested that the slopes be stabilized because the natural springs are the cause of the erosion. She noted that the extra berm along the north side of K2 is a recent addition, since there will be discharge into these two areas. She said that Mr. Hurley wants the bog to be separated from the channel so that silt from the bog or sand from the bog would not continue to erode into the channel.

Mr. Cambareri asked for an estimate of how much EDB EW-5 would be able to capture, and how much the shallow point extraction wells will capture. Mr. Szymoniak replied that they should be able to capture about 92% of the particles. Mr. Cambareri asked if the experience at FS-28 had made them feel confident that this extraction well could perform as well as FS-28. Mr. Szymoniak said he believes so, although the situation at FS-28 is slightly different.

Ms. Walker identified herself as a member of the Public Information Team (PIT), and asked if air sampling has been performed at the site. Mr. Szymoniak said that air sampling was done at the end of October 1998, and a sampler was placed on the water surface. He noted that the results were sent to the regulatory agencies, and that the numbers were very low. He said that air sampling will continue. Ms. Walker noted that a follow-up public meeting is scheduled for June 1999, and quarterly reports will be issued. She asked how the public will have access to the quarterly reports. Ms. Balkus said that the quarterly reports will be put into the Administrative Record, to which the public has access, and that at the end of the Pilot Study, a comprehensive report will be published. Ms. Walker asked if the public would have access to these reports in the four town libraries. Ms. Balkus said that it would. Ms. Walker said that she is concerned about the integrity of the process, and thinks it is unprecedented that construction has been started before the end of the public comment period and before a final permit from the Mashpee Conservation Commission has been obtained. She noted that she has not seen this before, and does not think it is a good precedent to be setting. Ms. Balkus said that normally she would agree, but that wells installed in November showed detections that were higher than seen there before. She said that because of the potential risk to human health AFCEE obtained an emergency agricultural certification to start the work as soon as possible, concurrent with getting all the permits required.

Mr. Karson asked if the 92% capture rate pertained to just EW-5, or EW-5 and all the shallow well points. Mr. Szymoniak confirmed that the 92% rate is for the whole system.

Mr. Horan introduced himself and said that he lives on Saddleback Road. He requested that the trucks involved in the project stay off Saddleback Road between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM when children are boarding busses. Mr. Szymoniak noted that today is the first day working on the project, and that an effort will be made to heed the request.

Ms. Walker asked Mr. Szymoniak to identify the amount of time that he believes EDB has been entering the Quashnet River. Mr. Szymoniak replied that the first sampling performed by Jacobs Engineering occurred August 1997, but he does not know the results of any sampling done before then. Ms. Walker asked if it was possible that EDB could have been in the river for 10 to 20 years. Mr. Szymoniak said that he could not offer a projection. Ms. Walker asked if there was anyone in the room who could offer a projection. Mr. Fairman asked if this has been investigated. Mr. Minior reported that at the site where the plume originates, testing of the fuel dump valves was performed in the 1960s. He said that one must consider how long it would take the EDB to travel from the site of origin to the river. He said that he does not know.

Mr. Fairman asked if there were more questions and comments from the audience. There were none. He asked Ms. Balkus to comment on the meeting following this one. Ms. Balkus said that the Notice of Intent filing with the Mashpee Conservation Commission was first heard on January 7, 1999, and was continued until 8:20 PM this evening in the Conservation Commission office. Mr. Fairman noted that Ms. Balkus and Mr. Szymoniak would be available for the next 20 minutes to answer questions.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.