MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Oregon, Ohio area citizens and TOSC: Community Outreach
related to ESOI

Introduction

The Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center (MHSRC) provides independent scientific expertise to communities with hazardous substance contamination problems.  The expertise is provided through the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program at Michigan State University. The TOSC program facilitates community involvement in environmental decision-making through educational and technical assistance services, and is funded under a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

TOSC program services seek to build community understanding of site contamination problems and thereby empower citizens and local government to participate more effectively in the decision-making process.  Working collaboratively with citizens, TOSC faculty design educational workshops that address key questions and concerns.

Oregon-area citizens requested TOSC program assistance concerning the Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc. (ESOI) site and seek technical assistance regarding the extent of the contamination, the environmental impact of the contamination, ecological and human health impacts, and cleanup remedy options.

Agreement

This Memorandum of Agreement between Oregon-area citizens and TOSC will serve to state the principles and nature of our collaborative efforts.  This Memorandum of Agreement is not legally binding.

Scope of Services

TOSC is entering into this agreement with the understanding that Oregon-area citizens are seeking the following actions from TOSC:

TOSC and its representatives will provide impartial technical assistance and expertise to the community to meet the needs of the community detailed above.  This information will be provided through community workshops and information sessions, technical document review, and general community education.  

TOSC and its representatives will maintain a position of non-advocacy.  Any recommendations made by the TOSC program are to be seen as advisory and provided as information that citizens may use in their decision-making.  This technical assistance will not supersede nor interpret federal, state, or local laws and regulations, and assistance provided cannot be considered legal advice.

The community will contribute their knowledge, experience, and time.  In kind contributions (e.g., distributing fliers or organizing meetings) are helpful.

Project Evaluation

Every six months, the partnership between the Oregon-area citizens and TOSC will be evaluated using the following criteria: 

Project Duration

The approximate duration of technical assistance shall be for two year’s worth of service, even if that takes longer than two calendar years, with the project start date of July 2002.  Extension of the agreement after two year’s service is possible if both parties agree in writing.  This agreement can be terminated at any time before the anticipated end date by written request of either party.  Reasons for project termination should be included in the termination request in order for both parties to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided and to improve future attempts at similar agreements.

If at any time during the duration of the agreement the community is not satisfied with the work of TOSC, contact should be made with the Director of Technology Transfer and Training, Dr. Thomas Voice, by calling him at 1-800-490-3890.

TOSC Program Midwest Hazardous Substances Research Center B100A Research Complex-Engineering Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI  48824

________________________/Date: ________
Joanne Schiavone, Citizen
Oregon-area

________________________/Date: ________
Kirk S. Riley for TOSC