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Community
Liaison Council Meeting Minutes
4:00 p.m., September 18, 1998
Natcher Conference Center, Room A
Draft
Ms. Hedetniemi welcomed attendees and members,
and introduced the following presenters:
Bernard Bloom, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
Edward Herbert, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
James Richmond, Maryland Department of the Environment
Yong-Duk Chyun, Office of Research Services
Mehryar Ebrahimi, Project Officer, Power Plant Expansion Program
George Williams, Deputy Director, Office of Engineering Services, ORS
Joseph Johnson, Architect, Zimmer, Gunsul Frasca
HANDOUTS:
Agenda
Draft Minutes, July 1998 CCWG Meeting
Draft Minutes, September, 1998, Agenda Subcommittee Meeting
Power Plant Expansion Phase 2
Maryland Department of the Environment Organizational Chart
PRESENTATIONS:
Update on Noise: Mr. Mehryar Ebrahimi,
Project Officer, Power Plant Expansion Program
In response to recent indications of noise, Mr.
Ebrahimi has investigated in the area around the power plant, talked to
individuals there about the possible noise source, and has been unable to
detect a source for this report. He contacted Jan Gray of the Edgewood
Glenwood Association with this information and asked the neighborhood to
send him reports on noise, including the time of day and location from
which it was detected. He recounted the thorough inspection in 1994 of
power plant noise which resulted in the installation of louvers on
buildings and indicated his office would continue to monitor noise.
Ms Hedetniemi pointed out that there may be
increased noise reports with the removal of natural noise buffers, such as
the stand of trees at Jones Bridge and Wisconsin Avenue. She said that a
wind direction indicator providing a 24 hour read-out has been installed
on the National Library of Medicine. This device will assist in
determining how sounds travel from the campus. She encouraged everyone to
notify her of the time, date and place of any noise suspected of emanating
from NIH.
Mr. Ebrahimi continued his presentation with a
description of excavations at the power plant site. An enormous rock
formation must be removed to clear the building foundation of the power
plant addition. His office explored two possible methods for its removal:
a) a hoeram or; b) controlled blasting. The latter was chosen because it
produces less noise and vibration. The blasting will commence in a month's
time and continue for 6-8 weeks. All blasting will take place in the day
time at two hour intervals.
Representatives of Explosive Experts, Inc.
described security measures to be instituted for explosive materials. A
locked truck with enough explosives for a day's use will be parked in the
excavation site; a blasting mat will be employed; the explosive storage
truck will be removed at the end of the day.
Mr. Schofer asked if the rock formation could be
used for the foundation. Mr. Ebrahimi replied that this had been
investigated and was not possible because all the space was required for
the building. Mr. Schofer suggested that prior to the commencement of
blasting, a photographic record be made of cracks in nearby buildings. Mr.
Ebrahimi replied that his office had undertaken monitoring of all adjacent
buildings as well as the physics of their construction.
Mr. Ebrahimi's office is conducting a full
technical meeting on controlled blasting that will be open to the public
on Wednesday, September 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Natcher
Center, Room D. To ensure complete awareness of this process, Ms.
Hedetniemi will encourage participation in this meeting by Whitehall and
Edgewood Glenwood Association representatives.
Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection (MDEP): Bernard Bloom and Edward Herbert
In introducing Mr. Bloom and Mr. Herbert, Ms.
Hedetniemi expressed the hope that through this series of meetings with
regulatory agencies, the CLC will receive insight into the interaction of
NIH with these agencies.
Mr. Bloom, the Air Quality Program Manager for
MDEP, said his office was a small agency of the executive branch of the
county government. The office is divided by function, e.g., air quality,
water, etc. and within each function by environmental policy and
compliance officers such as himself and Mr. Herbert and field inspectors.
The office oversees compliance with ordinances governing all areas of
indoor and outdoor air, water, noise, and waste pollution.
Mr. Bloom outlined five areas of interaction with
NIH:
1) NIH as a potential source of air pollution. He
cited the investigation undertaken of the NIH incinerators that have since
been removed. However, he said the biggest threat to air quality in the
county is radon which leads to the next area of interaction.
2) NIH as a body of scientists who aid him in his
work. He cited the work on Dr. Jay Lubin at NIH who assisted him in his
radon outreach program and others who have assisted him in asthma as it
relates to indoor air pollution.
3) NIH as a member of the community. He cited the
assistance he had received from Ms. Hedetniemi's office in establishing
Ozone Red Alert Days on the NIH campus.
4) NIH as a professional source. He cited
circumstances during which NIH had loaned him instruments to check indoor
air quality in County prisons.
5) NIH as an employer of county residents. He
cited an NIH doctor who was being poisoned by carbon monoxide and how his
office had determined that this was the result of UPS trucks parked under
her apartment window.
Ms. Miller asked if Mr. Bloom had tried to get
Metro to charge less for rides on Ozone Alert Days. He replied that County
Executive Douglas Duncan had initiated such conversations with the Metro
authority.
Mr. Herbert gave a brief description of how MDEP
responds to environmental impact studies. These studies come from the
State of Maryland Clearing House to the county executive who then sends
them to MDEP for review. In this process the MDEP represents the interests
of county citizens, businesses and the county government. They base their
responses on good science and good environmental studies, working closely
with the Maryland Department of the Environment and on occasion with the
Federal Environmental Protection Agency. In working cooperatively with the
19 federal facilities in Maryland, the MDEP has established
"win/win" relationships that have enabled them to reassure
citizens on environmental compliance. While Montgomery County does not
have authority over federal agencies such as NIH, they have worked closely
with them and the boards that govern their environmental compliance.
Maryland Department of the Environment:
Mr. James Richmond
Mr. Richmond serves as liaison between MDE and
federal agencies and local groups. He distributed an organizational chart
of the Department to describe its interaction with NIH. The Air and
Radiation Management Administration oversees NIH permits for boilers and
generators. Waste Management Administration (WAS) is responsible for
ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal of oil, solid waste and
hazardous materials. Water Management Administration (WMA) has
jurisdiction over sewage, wastewater and stormwater run-off. The Technical
and Regulatory Service Administration often utilizes the various databases
available through NIH to assist with compliance research. MDE regularly
conducts inspections at NIH to ensure compliance with applicable
environmental regulations and specific permit conditions. Mr. Richmond
stressed that all inspections are randomly scheduled and unannounced. He
said that state laws relating to the environment must not be less
stringent than federal laws and that all federal facilities in Maryland
must adhere to state regulations.
Dr. McKinney, of the Department of Safety at NIH,
reinforced the notion of cooperation with county and state offices and
commended their professionalism.
In response to Ms. Hedetniemi's request for
questions, Ms. Miller requested Bernard Bloom to provide her with a radon
map of the county. She inquired about gas lawn mower's contribution to
pollution. Mr. Bloom said his office is aware that gas mower engines
function without emission controls. At this point they do not represent a
major pollution threat, but they may have curtailed use in the future. Ms.
Miller asked if his office has considered the impact on the environment of
the area's position as third highest in population growth in the country.
Mr. Bloom acknowledged this as an area of concern, saying MDEP is involved
with checking permits being issued in different areas and coordinating
local planning.
Dr. Goldman announced a Recycling Summit on
Saturday, October 3 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the County Executive Office
Building in Rockville.
Report on the Clinical Research Center (CRC):
Yong-duk Chyun, NIH and Joseph Johnson, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca
Mr. Chyun announced that the final plan for the
CRC has been sent to NCPC for approval, and he expects it to be cleared
without a hearing so that construction can commence in November. Mr. Chyun
introduced Mr. Joseph Johnson, architect with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca,
to present the latest plan. Mr. Johnson first described the changes to
Center Drive that have already been instituted, as well as the progression
of changes up to the final design for a four lane boulevard. Large
exterior plantings will be reflected in smaller size plants in courtyards
flanking the atrium. On the courtyard ground floors, plantings near the
building will ensure patient privacy . The principal entrance to the
building will be on the north side into a seven story atrium with a
skylight that reflects light. An information desk will be in the center;
on one side will be a bookstore and on the other a cafe.
Patient rooms will be located on either side of
the atrium. The typical arrangement for patient floors will locate
research laboratories related to the clinical research being done on the
floor at the end of each block of patient rooms. Every other floor will
consist of interstitial space enclosing mechanical operations. This design
makes for ease of repairs to the heat, light and air systems or conversion
in the event of the need to change a floor's function. The CRC will have a
brick face with insulated glass windows and pre-cast cornices and
moldings. Mr. Johnson used a computer software program to provide a
virtual tour of the interior courtyard that shows the staircase as a
double helix. When members of the group expressed concerns about the
safety of the staircase, Mr. Johnson said all features of the staircase
had not been decided, but that safety would be a primary concern. Ms.
Goldstein suggested a psychologist with knowledge of public reactions to
such spaces be consulted. Ms. Des Roches suggested a double helix
sculpture and an escalator instead of the staircase. Mr. Schools suggested
consulting the Consumer Product Safety Commission for assistance with
child-proofing the design.
Road Construction and Traffic Pattern
Changes: George Williams, ORS
Mr. Williams briefly described recent changes to
Center Drive and announced that by September 28, it would be reopened to
two-way traffic. Changes to other traffic patterns will result from the
imminent ground-breaking of the Vaccine Research Center and Building 37
along with the utility construction parallel to Convent Drive. These
construction projects will result in the following changes:
- Memorial Drive will be closed for 2 ½ months.
- Beginning on September 29, South Drive will be
closed for 12-15 weeks.
- Over the weekends there will be sporadic
closings of West Drive.
- By March all the tie-ins will be complete,
South Drive will be reopened, and Convent Drive will be closed.
Mr. Clifford said that he is placing signs on Old
Georgetown Road so visitors to the campus will be aware of road changes.
He also confirmed plans to continue use of security guards to direct
traffic at critical intersections on campus.
Ms. Hedetniemi said she will keep nearby
communities informed of road changes.
Report on Trees: Ms. Hedetniemi
Ms. Hedetniemi reported that an arborist has been
contracted to access the tree population in the northwest quadrant of NIH.
The arborist recommended the immediate removal of four diseased trees in
danger of falling near the Children's Inn. Ms. Hedetniemi will keep the
CLC informed of future findings of the arborist.
Other Business
The pedestrian pathway at the south end of the
campus has been completed and landscaping of the area around it has begun.
Ms. Hedetniemi announced a hearing on September
23 requesting public involvement in establishment of an office of public
liaison at NIH. She wanted the CLC to understand that the purpose of this
new office will be to enlist advocates and consumers in the process of
determining NIH research needs and patient services. The Office of Public
Liaison will be in the NIH Office of Communications under Anne Thomas. Its
purpose and function are completely different from the Office of Community
Liaison.
Mr. Schools reported the movie festival earned
$32,000 for the Children's Inn and several NIH summer camps. His office
received many positive comments about the series.
ACTION ITEMS:
Ms. Hedetniemi will ensure nearby community
representatives are informed about controlled blasting.
Ms. Hedetniemi will keep the community informed
about road changes.
Mr. Bloom will provide a radon map of the county.
Ms. Hedetniemi will keep the CLC informed of the
findings of the arborist.
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Community Liaison Council
(formerly CCWG) will be Thursday, October 15 at 4:00 p.m., Room D, in the
Natcher Conference Center.
Attendees:
Janyce Hedetniemi, Director, OCL, NIH
Barbara McDonald, Community Specialist, OCL, NIH
Ron Baker DCAB, DES, NIH
Jeanne Billings, Wisconsin Condominium Association
Evans Bildstein, Explosives Experts, Inc.
Bernard Bloom, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection
Ronald T. Burkhouse, Explosives Experts, Inc.
Yong-Duk Chyun, DCAB, DES, NIH
Anthony Clifford, Office of Research Services
Robyn Des Roches, Edgewood-Glenwood Citizens Association
Morton Goldman, Luxmanor Citizens Association
Jeanne Goldstein, Chevy Chase Valley Citizens Association
Richard Grote, Bethesda Parkview
Edward Herbert, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection
Susan Hinton, National Capital Planning Commission
Carolyn Revelle Hufbauer, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning
Commission
Joseph Johnson, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca
Robert McKinney, DS, ORS, NIH
Ginny Miller, CCWG Co-Chair, Wyngate Citizens Association
Gyula F. Movach, DS, EPB, NIH
Frank O'Rourke, Whitehall Condominium
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, R&W, Inc.
George Williams, ORS, NIH
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