RE: EPA's evolving role - 2-way communication & trust

[bob eisengrein <beisengrein@fiam.net>]

You have come down pretty hard on EPA based on your specific problem.Your generalization will get attention but it's not the way to get help. You sound like you are on the outside looking in on negotiations.

Our 20+ years working on a Superfund site involved 10 in your position-outside looking in with envy. We persevered and finally received a EPA TAG, and gained respectability. We invited ourselves to the discussion table and soon became equal partners in discussions. Your practical solution to the suckerfish situation sounds like you have the common sense often missing at the discussion table. That really became our mission when finally involved: "ask the so-called dumb questions" and see the raised eyebrows, but finally get a realistic answer and solution.

Wish you well in the "admission" problem; remember, it is a long range job. We have been at it since 1978 and have 5 years more before completion of the remediation. Since I am now 81, I keep hoping to see the successful completion of this long range problem.