CDC ATSDR Camp Lejeune CAP Monthly Call – 03.30.2015

The following is the agenda (and notes) from the most recent CDC/ATSDR Camp Lejeune Community Assistance Panel phone meeting on March 30, 2015.  The agenda items are below, with specific notes added from Gavin.  More information will be added as certain questions and concerns are addressed.  Draft protocols and other information for the Cancer Incidence Study and the Soil Vapor Intrusion analysis will be forthcoming in upcoming posts.

Listen to the Audio Recording here:

AGENDA CAP Monthly Call

1.   Introduction (People in the room and on the Phone)

2.   ATSDR General Updates

• Meeting with Veterans Affairs – March 20, 2015
  • According to the ATSDR official, the VA representative was “surprised” that there were issues between the ATSDR, CAP and VA with our ongoing process and “thought everything was going along fine.”  Concerned much, VA?

• Meeting with Department of Defense (APOW) – Mar 23-25, 2015
  • Concern raised about soil vapor intrusion study and what that would mean for other sites. They are concerned about how the work at Lejeune may have impact on other facilities.“I’m sure they ARE concerned. They’ve been getting away with it for years.” -JE
  • Work plan sent out to CAP and Navy has a copy.  They provided comments but according to the ATSDR, “generally the discussions were fruitful in that when we left the meeting they agreed that they would fund the project.”This is great news.
• Upcoming Meeting – Senate Arms Committee – Not Confirmed – Apr 2, 2015
  • Concerns from the CAP include: They want to know about Camp Lejeune, health studies, etc.
    -Who is on the committee?
    -Why now?
    -Who will present from ATSDR – Director Breysse
    -What’s the motive?
  • Major Concern from Gavin: No minutes of the meeting and no CAP members present.  Are Congressional Briefings not a part of the Congressional Record and not required to be transcribed for future FOIA requests?  Evidently not.  This is a big loophole that needs to be closed.

3.   Health Study Updates:

• Male Breast Cancer Study
• Health Survey
• Cancer Incidence Study – Starting initial steps for Contract (Program Grants Office)
  • Officials wanted to see the protocols, CAP has them also.
  • They (DOD, VA, Lejeune) have no issue with the CIS in general. Only issue is how the cancer incidence study will be funded – whether they can work out contract with contractors, fund it all up front or incrementally. Must work with Navy and CDC contracts grants office.Concern from Gavin: What’s the total projected funding cost for the studies?

4.   Health Assessments – Update

• Soil Vapor Intrusion
• Drinking Water Re-analysis

5.   Next CAP Meeting: – Greensboro, North Carolina – May 12 – 13, 2015 – Embassy Suites

• May 12th = Public Meeting – 6-9
• May 13th = CAP Meeting

6.    CAP Updates and Concerns : (Open session for questions from the CAP)

7.    Next Monthly Call = Monday, April 20th, 2015 – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM EST