The Warren Sentinel

Article date: November 14, 1996

 Citizen groups may apply for grant to oversee Avtex cleanup

By: Teresa Brumback

Citizen groups affected by Avtex may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 to hire a technical advisor to interpret government and industry information on cleanup studies and activities at the abandoned Superfund toxic waste site.

The "technical assistance grant" (TAG) program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its regional offices provides funds for qualified citizens groups affected by a Superfund site "to hire independent technical advisors to help them understand and comment on site-related information, and thus participate in cleanup decisions," an EPA "fact sheet" stated.

The TAG program is not well-publicized by EPA, but it is an enormous resource to grassroots groups trying to make sense out of the cumbersome, complex process involving studies and cleanup actions at Superfund sites.

Locally, Friends of the Shenandoah River was awarded the maximum of $50,000, in October 1991. The funds were used up by Oct. 31, 1995, and since then no one, including the river monitoring group, has reapplied for the grant, according to Amelia Libertz, TAG coordinator in EPA Region III.

"I don't know that anyone else has expressed interest. It has never come to my attention."

At the time, the Friends of the Shenandoah River was the only group to ever apply for the grant, she added.

An early interpretation of the Superfund law allowed a maximum of $50,000 to be expended for citizen grassroots activities at any given site.

Now, however, there is good news for grassroots groups, since the national policy interpretation is being revised. The proposal now on the table would allow groups to continue to receive grants at a site even after the initial $50,000 grant is used up, Libertz said.

If approved by EPA headquarters in Washington, the broadened policy interpretation would open up access to more funds by any citizens group meeting certain criteria that wants to intelligently monitor the ongoing studies and cleanup decisions being made at Avtex. Elsewhere, Superfund cleanups have been roundly criticized for the decision-making process, which is often seen as unduly long, complex, and esoteric.

Locally, the most outspoken figure on Avtex has been Fred Foster, head of the Warren County Redevelopment Board, which wants to have portions of the site declared clean and clear of liability and resold for industrial use. Foster has been invited to meetings here and in Philadelphia involving EPA officials, local officials, FMC Corp., attorneys, and the trustee for Avtex. He has met with legislators including Rep. Frank Wolf (R- 10th) about Avtex.

Wolf introduced "Fresh Start" legislation which is still worming its way through Congress. The bill would protect boards such as Foster's from federal liability when they are temporarily holding onto Superfund sites for potential resale.

Wolf remains optimistic the bill will move as part of Superfund reauthorization or as a freestanding bill, according to his press secretary David Whitestone. But Hill sources were doubtful that reauthorization would happen in Congress this year. Republicans are being careful to avoid an appearance of being anti-environment, and so will not touch any legislation dealing with Superfund in this election year, the sources said.

In the Virginia General Assembly, Del. Jay Katzen (R-31st) introduced similar legislation to Wolf's that was signed into law by Governor George Allen.

On the regulatory side, citizens have the opportunity to get an inside look at the Superfund cleanup process after receiving a technical assistance grant from EPA.

"An important aspect of the Superfund program is citizen involvement at the local level decision making that relates to site-specific cleanup actions," the EPA fact sheet stated.

Recognizing the importance of community involvement for citizens living near Superfund sites to be well-informed, Congress included provisions under the 1986 Superfund amendments, known as the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), to establish the TAG program.

Decisions concerning cleanup activities at Superfund sites are based on technical considerations including studies of site conditions, the nature of the wastes involved, and the technologies available for performing the necessary cleanup actions. A consultant hired under a technical assistance grant would review these and other issues.

Since the first TAG was awarded in 1988, more than $6 million has been awarded directly to grassroots groups, EPA stated.

To apply for the grant, call Amelia Libertz at EPA Region III, at (215) 566-5522, or write EPA Region 3, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, (215) 597-9817.