File name: JACSupplementalBudget2011-2012_20110114_123337.dcr
Folder: C:\Documents and Settings\HAppropriations\Desktop\Recordings
16 ~ 1/14/2011 12:33:56 PM ~ Friday, January 14, 2011 Department of Environmental Quality called back from this morning. Waiting for meeting to begin
45 ~ 1/14/2011 12:39:32 PM ~
57 ~ 1/14/2011 12:39:44 PM ~ Berger: start, microphones
1:10 ~ 1/14/2011 12:39:57 PM ~ Corra: Slide - single chart on supplement Pg 9 of budget book is in error, updated table on slide Land quality - support costs; manpower questions answered when finished
2:57 ~ 1/14/2011 12:41:44 PM ~ Land Quality Permit Backlog slide - 4 people added, 1.5 million governor has reserved for backlog reductions, 100,000 for organizational evaluation; support costs dollars 4 people: 2 natural resource scientists, 1 hydrologist, 1 hydrologist for CHIA - cumulative hydrologic impack assessment Cumulative effect on groundwater (two generalists, two focused on hydrologics) 1.5 million for backlog - need to do more detailed plan History: 2005 timeframe backlog was acceptable 2010 backlog grown ..need to examine work processes Details of backlog : 259 applications need to be taken out of mix 113 can be taken care of with administrative action on our part Examples of administrative action scenerios, including inactive applications, no action by DEQ, tied up in federal agencies will write to necessary agencies and applicants
10:20 ~ 1/14/2011 12:49:07 PM ~ Nicholas
10:25 ~ 1/14/2011 12:49:11 PM ~ Corra 4 wrong location 20 tracking 45 inactive applications 28 no response/action from DEQ 16 tied up in agencies
11:18 ~ 1/14/2011 12:50:05 PM ~ Berger: would like printed copy
11:26 ~ 1/14/2011 12:50:13 PM ~ Corra: Hire outside contractors; conflict of interest issues, availability, efficiency issues Use contractors on minor permits, nonsignificant revisions to permits, work side by side with existing employee, use to reduce workload of current employees
13:06 ~ 1/14/2011 12:51:52 PM ~ Corra: Land quality organized differently Other division organize on functional lines, Land quality organized on a business line. Employees do all duties..industry likes that..continuity with industry and employees Equivalent of 23 full time doing permitting Summary - options for contractors Breakdown on where contractors will work 41 21 12 significant revisions 14 bonding 6 renewal and transfers Backlog growth - inefficiency Continuous Improvement - consultant, permitting staff, customers, complete process flow diagram IT project is ongoing - one year hiatus Slide with other issues permits, inspections, increasing rules from EPA, developing new rules and standards 1. OSM oversight and rulemaking 2. Sage Grouse Stipulations - i year work with 1.5 employees major implementary agency is DEQ 3. Federal coal leasing 4. Uranium 5. Public involvement..appeals, citizen meetings
22:21 ~ 1/14/2011 1:01:08 PM ~ Berger: Questions? Demand with CBM, permits renewed for coal bed methane part of problem?
22:55 ~ 1/14/2011 1:01:42 PM ~ Corra: Environmental Quality Council rejected .. EPA objected to permits...1 120 permits John Wagner Redo ag use rule Prior meeting with technical evaluation, public comment Sat on permits.. Industry can operate under old permits
25:24 ~ 1/14/2011 1:04:11 PM ~ Berger: seperate issue but similar..how did reach point of major backlog Reviewing as going through IT renovation?
26:07 ~ 1/14/2011 1:04:54 PM ~ Corra: New table that will be in budget - :QD Permit workload Two classifications: New and maintenance 2005 cumulative manpower and complexitiy every year asking to add people, make choices Tackle backlog with IT project Put IT on hold for one year...part of it was sage grouse, had a contractor had to be terminated, Will pick contractor based on expertise of piece of agency working on
29:43 ~ 1/14/2011 1:08:29 PM ~ CorraL More selective Reassignment of people Variety of complexity in permits McMurray, Youngs Creek Cole Mine, pages and maps Large permits contain 1 year of data... Uranium .. both us and industry on learning curve Significant learning curve
32:01 ~ 1/14/2011 1:10:48 PM ~ Berger: Move forward
32:10 ~ 1/14/2011 1:10:57 PM ~ Nicholas: Questions when ready
32:18 ~ 1/14/2011 1:11:04 PM ~ Corra
32:25 ~ 1/14/2011 1:11:12 PM ~ Berger: want copy of corrected table
32:35 ~ 1/14/2011 1:11:21 PM ~ Corra: will now talk about AML Two funding streams 82.7 million repayment of prior balance withheld, ends 2014, .. Last year only put in one year Examples and dollars of state wide projects shown on 2012 supplemental budget summary..highlevel picture 83.4 million from legislature labeling columns: Pg 11 of handout
36:29 ~ 1/14/2011 1:15:16 PM ~ Berger: continue
36:34 ~ 1/14/2011 1:15:21 PM ~ Corra:
37:00 ~ 1/14/2011 1:15:47 PM ~ Hastert: AML ..December handout...states receiving less money from AML in future because monies not used for the intent
37:43 ~ 1/14/2011 1:16:29 PM ~ Corra: not quite... History of ALM fund 50% at federal level, 50% to state...Feds gave less than the 50% mandated Bill was changed to add funding for orphaned miners - bankrupt companies not paying pensions and medical costs of retirees funds sent to UMWA for orphans Production has shifted 2006 amendment fixed problem...unappropriated funds in the US Treasury Some of funds used for noncoal..certified state
40:15 ~ 1/14/2011 1:19:02 PM ~ Hastert: In Handout...do you have a list of criteria ..original intention..what is your criteria to know if something fits in Uranium..use unappropriated money for other projects like UW Definitions from coal, guidelines,
41:28 ~ 1/14/2011 1:20:15 PM ~ Corra: Prioritize projects 1. Immediate threat to human health and environment 2. Adverse effects of coal mining 3. Impacts on the environment State certified for its coal can use its money elsewhere.
43:20 ~ 1/14/2011 1:22:07 PM ~ Hastert: Is there a written guideline? Criteria written or open to interpretation.
44:10 ~ 1/14/2011 1:22:57 PM ~ Nicholas:..creek
44:18 ~ 1/14/2011 1:23:04 PM ~ Corra; 82.7 million has no criteria on it..spelled out in federal act
44:38 ~ 1/14/2011 1:23:24 PM ~ Hastert: Who decides?
44:45 ~ 1/14/2011 1:23:32 PM ~ Allen: Subject to action by state legislator with emphasis on energy ..dealing with past effects of money
45:09 ~ 1/14/2011 1:23:56 PM ~ Peterson: Backlog problem driving force..bentonite adding people because of permiting process, application process, Are these wounds self inficted? Are we at minimum of requirements of EPA? more efficient for companies and DEQ
46:36 ~ 1/14/2011 1:25:23 PM ~ Corra: Want to write correct permits Bentonite permit problems because of sage grouse implementations
47:34 ~ 1/14/2011 1:26:21 PM ~ Peterson: two other companies
47:47 ~ 1/14/2011 1:26:33 PM ~ Corra: similar problems
47:55 ~ 1/14/2011 1:26:42 PM ~ Hastert: tell me ...rock springs and dynamic compaction homes experiencing ...why not AML funding?
48:44 ~ 1/14/2011 1:27:31 PM ~ Corra: Ongoing grouting, subsiding in Rock Springs, 9 million per year, money on and off for 25 years..multiple coal seams, shallow and deep regrouting technology from past not as effective, mine portals Dynamic compaction project: Governmental claims acts.. Standard of determination...not caused or it was absolutely or to a reasonable degree of engineering.. Good faith offers Structural Engineer Colorado Engineer...report damage survey..could not find any damage Attorney General - pending lawsuit
52:45 ~ 1/14/2011 1:31:31 PM ~ Hastert: Issue of interpretation by individuals Rock Springs mined out areas under homes Not dedicating AML funding in that area,
53:36 ~ 1/14/2011 1:32:23 PM ~ NIcholas: Three roles on committee Advocates Represent body Represent state Teach ourselves how to ask questions of agencies that get information. What considerations did agency take, what process for claims, where are the claims, have you considered these things, are you aware of these things, Should more AML funds be earmarked for Rock Springs? That is our job in the budget markup. Can ask Attorney General to come in for executive session..can not discuss that session..confidentiality will regulate the line of questioning
57:45 ~ 1/14/2011 1:36:32 PM ~ Nicholas Berger Nicholas: Is there more information ..background information?
58:15 ~ 1/14/2011 1:37:02 PM ~ Hastert: clear understanding of agency guidelines
58:40 ~ 1/14/2011 1:37:27 PM ~ NIcholas: 30 million for reclamation...9 million ongoing per year for Rock Springs...issue elevated to litigation process..
1:00:14 ~ 1/14/2011 1:39:01 PM ~ Hastert
1:00:24 ~ 1/14/2011 1:39:11 PM ~ Edwards Rock Springs has lots of problems. We look at being partners with Rock Springs to resove this. We are doing continuing monitoring activites. Grouting has its own problems.
1:02:33 ~ 1/14/2011 1:41:20 PM ~ Hestert I get questions about what is going on. Is there a resource for me to find out what is going on from your agency
1:03:20 ~ 1/14/2011 1:42:07 PM ~ Edwards Gelnell Hunter is contact in Rock Springs.
1:03:53 ~ 1/14/2011 1:42:39 PM ~ Nichols When members get on the Approprications Committee, people expect a higher degree of information. You and your people or contractors need to contact Sen. Hestert when they are in the area
1:05:27 ~ 1/14/2011 1:44:14 PM ~ Nicholas Let Senate Hastert know what has been done in the past and is currently being done. We have to make sure we are looking for complete information.
1:07:47 ~ 1/14/2011 1:46:33 PM ~ Hatert That is what I am trying to do. There has been a big gap of information to the public.
1:08:31 ~ 1/14/2011 1:47:18 PM ~ Nicholas Part of our role is to get that information.
1:08:55 ~ 1/14/2011 1:47:42 PM ~ Corra Suit has been filed, hence there is a lot of information that can not be shared.
1:09:40 ~ 1/14/2011 1:48:27 PM ~ Nicholas We can do Executive Session but all the information has to stay here.
1:10:44 ~ 1/14/2011 1:49:31 PM ~ Corra We will be out and we will contact the Rock Springs delegation.
1:11:27 ~ 1/14/2011 1:50:14 PM ~ Esquabel
1:11:46 ~ 1/14/2011 1:50:32 PM ~ Exquabel Does in only go back to 2008
1:12:24 ~ 1/14/2011 1:51:11 PM ~ Corra We pick that date when the prior
1:12:55 ~ 1/14/2011 1:51:41 PM ~ Corra We have been receiving money from AMP for 30 years.
1:13:50 ~ 1/14/2011 1:52:36 PM ~ Esquabel You say 17 claims have been filed
1:14:27 ~ 1/14/2011 1:53:14 PM ~ Meier Nitrigon Plant here in Laramie. What things could the state do to be pro-active
1:15:31 ~ 1/14/2011 1:54:18 PM ~ Corra THe best way to do that, help them pay for background studies. I don't know how to get ahead of that curve.
1:16:38 ~ 1/14/2011 1:55:24 PM ~ Meier You know what data they need? If we were going to do those things ourselves , what would it cost
1:17:43 ~ 1/14/2011 1:56:29 PM ~ Corra We just started monitoring here in northern Cheyenne. We require grantees to also monitor the air
1:18:33 ~ 1/14/2011 1:57:19 PM ~ Edmonds Do you move people around into different departments
1:19:02 ~ 1/14/2011 1:57:49 PM ~ Corra Yes when we have ..... Round numbers if I may We have only hired only 4 people in the last We had two vacancies in Cheyenne that we reassigned to the field We made three reassignments.
1:20:52 ~ 1/14/2011 1:59:38 PM ~ Edmonds When work flow goes down in an area, do you shift people out of an area.
1:21:24 ~ 1/14/2011 2:00:10 PM ~ Corra All of our Federal Acts require us to monitor projects. This chart shows us that we have
1:22:29 ~ 1/14/2011 2:01:16 PM ~ Peterson The 28 that were inactive, What is the average age a yeaar
1:23:14 ~ 1/14/2011 2:02:01 PM ~ Corra 12-15 months.
1:23:44 ~ 1/14/2011 2:02:31 PM ~ Peterson I don't know what
1:23:59 ~ 1/14/2011 2:02:46 PM ~ Corra We are not going to throw them out without contacting landowners.
1:24:34 ~ 1/14/2011 2:03:20 PM ~ Nicholas Dont remove them just to clean tham off you books Land Study - Efficiency study.
1:25:24 ~ 1/14/2011 2:04:11 PM ~ Corra Better clarity, outreach Consistency District to District. THis study has told us that we need a mix of generalist and specialists. It's too early to predict that.
1:27:31 ~ 1/14/2011 2:06:17 PM ~ Nicholas Did we put a time table on this
1:27:49 ~ 1/14/2011 2:06:35 PM ~ Corra I would like to defer until I talked to the Governor.
1:28:27 ~ 1/14/2011 2:07:14 PM ~ Nicholas There was a time I could warrant that they could have their permits approved here in Wyoming than any thoer State. That is not true anymore. It is a concern that the air quality is taking much longer. It looks like that is an area we need to look at.
1:30:59 ~ 1/14/2011 2:09:46 PM ~ Corra There are new SO2 standards. Have are O & G permits We will take a look at that
1:32:07 ~ 1/14/2011 2:10:54 PM ~ Nicholas Its always easier to take phone calss and go to the field.
1:32:39 ~ 1/14/2011 2:11:26 PM ~ Corra On the air quality side air monitors are air monitors
1:33:16 ~ 1/14/2011 2:12:02 PM ~ Meier Is it all narrative.
1:33:31 ~ 1/14/2011 2:12:18 PM ~ Corra These permits have a fair amount of scientfic information. There are some checklists. The large sources, we had to model the impacts in Montans and South Dakota.
1:35:29 ~ 1/14/2011 2:14:16 PM ~ Berger We done for now.