EPA opts to pull out of CAG meetings

The Environmental Protection Agency’s direct involvement in the Community Advisory Group meetings has drawn to a close after nine years.

Ted Linnert with the EPA Office of Communication and Public Involvement sent an e-mail to CAG facilitator Gerald Mueller stating a new modus operendi on how the two agencies would interact.

Recent discussions have proposed the idea of developing a joint meeting between CAG and the Technical Advisory Group.

“We would like to see the CAG and TAG present their views and perceptions and concerns to EPA as a group,” EPA Team Leader Victor Ketellapper said. “I feel it’s been a hindrance to them to have those discussions while the EPA is in attendance.”

With several CAG members in Helena to testify during the first hearing of House Bill 414, the asbestos funding bill, quorum was not attained at last week’s meeting.

Former CAG member Clinton Maynard began the meeting in the audience with only four other community members present. He took a seat at the table to once again be recognized as a CAG member and fulfill quorum.

Board members D.C. Orr, Gordon Sullivan and Philip Erquiaga then proceeded with their opinions on the EPA withdrawal.

“This is a community forum, not Victor’s prerogative not to show up,” Sullivan said.

He continued that Linnert is out to “undermine” TAG and CAG.

On the CAG agenda was to take a vote of no confidence on Linnert. However, that agenda item was not reached during meeting hours.

“It seems like all of the rational board members aren’t going to be there either and I’d like to think that if they were there they wouldn’t even allow this silly vote of no confidence,” Linnert said through his e-mail to Mueller.

Erquiaga said, “We should treat the EPA like a little kid,” adding that the EPA’s intention is to “divide the community.”

Addressing the recent label of vocal minority, Erquiaga said CAG “is the community.”

“There is a perception by some in the community that all we do is argue … and we do,” Erquiaga said. 

Mueller said when the group began in February 2000 there were three times as many board members and an audience that required extra chairs in the Ponderosa Room at City Hall.

“After this length of time there is normally attrition,” Mueller said.  

Linnert along with CAG member Leroy Thom have previously stated that a facilitator change is a possible option. However, Sullivan, Erquiaga and Orr stated they did not want Mueller to go anywhere.

Libby resident Mel Parker said community participation changed when language went from cleanup to containment.

“We are stuck in a rut,” Parker said.

Sullivan said participation has dwindled because the EPA “did not meet their obligation.”

“The EPA has lied to us,” he said. 

Sullivan said it is the EPA’s problem that people are uninformed and that people are tired of not having their questions answered.

Orr said the EPA wants to take the $250 million W.R. Grace settlement, “put it in their pockets” and get out of town. 

Maynard called the EPA involvement in the asbestos Superfund one of “deception and incompetence.”

Thom, a CAG member since 2000, has chosen to remove himself for a couple of months because the meetings are “consumed by individuals on rhetorical regurgitation.”

Thom said the meetings have become a “soapbox” for a few individuals and he does not believe that is the intention of the CAG.

“I understand those having concerns,” said Thom, “but attacking the EPA officials doesn’t get anything done. The general community has been run away from there because they have gotten tired of the same old things.

“I respect people’s point of view, but to personally attack someone in a public forum is not right,” Thom added.

Ketellapper would like to see a change in procedure.

“After EPA hosts a meeting, CAG has an opportunity to talk about the information from their perspective,” he said. “From there, we can start to develop solutions.”