TOSC's Assistance Work Plan: Alpena Cement Kiln Dust Site

Continuation of Services: Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) Waste Pile, Alpena, Michigan March 20, 2000

Summary

This document is an addendum to the March 22, 2000 Assistance Proposal. In this document, the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program proposes to continue to provide technical assistance and educational services to the Alpena County Air and Water Quality Study/Action Group (AWQ) regarding the National Gypsum Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) pile. This assistance is a continuation of services formally outlined in the March 22, 2000 Assistance Proposal. Questions concerning the continuation of services should be directed to Kirk Riley, TOSC Program Coordinator, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University.

Previous TOSC Services

January 27, 2000-TOSC attended an Air and Water Quality Group meeting and explained the scope of TOSC's services. Community members requested assistance to better understand the implications of a cement kiln dust pile on the shores of Thunder Bay. TOSC also met separately with John Vick, MDEQ-ERD project manager and other residents of Alpena.

March 22, 2000- TOSC returned to Alpena to inform the community on the extent and focus of the assistance TOSC will provide. In meeting with the community, additional concerns were also heard. Dr. Mike Barcelona was introduced as the lead technical consultant. The final draft of the project profile and Assistance Proposal was sent to the AWQ group for distribution to the community.

June 29, 2000-TOSC presented the current status of the National Gypsum CKD waste site. Shawn McElmurry presented a brief summary of the Michigan Department of Environmental Qualities (MDEQ) site scoring. Diane Lickfelt also gave a site summary. Dr. Michael Barcelona discussed the CKD pile while Dr. Guy Meadows introduced the review he is performing on the proposed revetment.

September 21, 2000-The Alpena Air and Water Committee and TOSC hosted the second information session on this site. Dr. Guy Meadows gave a detailed review of the revetment built around a portion of the National Gypsum CKD pile. A glossary and information on revetments were distributed.

Proposed Services

The TOSC program proposes to review and provide comment on Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) currently being performed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). In addition, TOSC will hold an informational workshop to discuss the review and address some or all of the community questions and concerns related to the investigation. Dr. Mike Barcelona, of the University of Michigan Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will perform the review.

Due to the recent activity and community interest in the Alpena Cement Kiln Dust site, TOSC may continue to provide additional services in the future. TOSC continues to remain open to reviewing technical documents concerning site investigations and proposed remedies by any party. This would require an additional proposal and is not currently planned.

The services provided by TOSC are designed to supplement the assistance provided by other parties, particularly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. While TOSC will directly address residents' concerns and questions, TOSC will continue to do so as a neutral party and not act as an advocate for any individual or group.