The Role of the Community Advisory Group in Addressing Asbestos Issues in Libby Montana
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2003 Where do we go from here? : the role of the community advisory group in addressing asbestos issues in Libby Montana Colleen A. Lux The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Lux, Colleen A., "Where do we go from here? : the role of the community advisory group in addressing asbestos issues in Libby Montana" (2003). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 8903. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/8903 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRAJIY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission Author’s Signature: Date: Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author’s explicit consent. 8/98 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Where Do We Go From Here? The Role of the Community Advisory Group in Addressing Asbestos Issues in Libby, Montana by Colleen A. Lux B.A. University of Tulsa, 2001 presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science The University of Montana December 2003 Chairperson Dean, Graduate School 3 Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number; EP39704 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI Oissertatiw Publisl^jng UMI EP39704 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code uest ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Lux, Colleen A. M.S., December 2003 Environmental Studies Where Do We Go From Here? The Role of the Community Advisory Group in Addressing Asbestos Issues in Libby, Montana Director: Steve Schwarze5i In November of 1999, regional media exposed the extent of tremolite asbestos contamination and resultant disease in Libby, Montana. A century of vermiculite mining operations created a multitude of exposure pathways to asbestos in residential and public spaces around the Libby community that resulted in one of the worst public health and environmental disasters in United States history. Upon the EPA’s arrival in Libby to assess the extent of the contamination, the agency facilitated the development of a Community Advisory Group (CAG). For four years, the CAG has been the main public forum for addressing issues related to asbestos contamination. This study addresses elements of the community’s response to this disaster from the perspective of the CAG. Research methods included participant observation at twelve monthly CAG meetings and twenty-five interviews with CAG members, an EPA representative, the group’s facilitator, and a local social worker. My attendance at meetings coupled with insight from the interviewees revealed numerous challenges facing the group in its efforts to solve asbestos-related problems. Challenges internal to the community resulted from initial differences in perception of the disaster, the presence and complexity of emotional expression at the CAG, and difficulties associated with prioritization of issues. Challenges external to the community include: the unprecedented nature of the EPA’s cleanup of contaminated areas in the community, the absence of a federal program or funding source to adequately address health care needs, mid Libby’s precedent setting status within the national discussion of asbestos exposure, cleanup, and victims’ compensation. My research suggests that the internal challenges faced by the Libby CAG are not unique, but similar to the struggles other communities experience vdien faced with a slow motion technological disaster. Moreover, the study supports the notion that a community’s response to contamination is determined not only by the physical nature of the contaminant, but also by the specific social infrastructure that has developed in the community. In order to better face the challenges of this disaster, the Libby CAG and community must more effectively generate active leadership, widespread public participation, and a collective vision for the future. 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Acknowledgements i v List of Acronyms Used......................................................... v CHAPTER 1: Introductions and Clarification of the Study............................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 2; History of the Problem and Initial Response.........................................................................25 CHAPTER 3: Purpose, Goals, and Functions of the CAG...........................................................................48 CHAPTER 4: Working with the Agencies to Accomplish Goals................................................................ 72 CHAPTER 5: Perception, Polarization, and Representation....................................................................... 98 CHAPTER 6: Challenges, Suggestions, and the Future of the CAG......................................................... 120 CHAPTER 7: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned.......................................................................... 130 REFERENCES Appendices.............................................................................................................................. 139 Interview Questions Letter fiom EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman to Senator Max Baucus Selection fiom 42 U.S.C. § 9604 CERCLA Bibliography........................................................................................................................... 142 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements This project brought so much to my life over the past year and a half. There are many people I would like to thank whose contributions made this experience and study possible. First and foremost, I would like to thank all the past and current Libby Community Advisory Group members who welcomed me into their homes and lives for a few hours to answer my questions and share their stories. Your continued dedication, passion, and concern for your community is truly an inspiration. Special thanks goes to Wendy Thomi, Tanis Lincoln, and Gerald Mueller for your assistance and participation. My committee chair, Steve Schwarze, thank you for always being there to listen, offer advice, challenge my thinking, and support me throughout this process. I would also like to thank Tom Roy and the faculty of tiie Environmental Studies Program. Tremendous thanks to my Libby family. Bob and Bgee Zimmerman, who for over a year provided me with a warm bed, home cooked meals, and their friendship. I could not have completed this project without you. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and friends for your continued love and support. IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. List of Acronyms Used ARD Asbestos Related Disease ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry CAC Citizen Advisory Committee CAG Community Advisory Group CARD Center for Asbestos Related Diseases CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CHC Community Health Center CORA Center for Asbestos Related Diseases Outreach Recovery Assistance EPA Environmental Protection Agency HCI Healthy Communities Initiative LAMP Libby Asbestos Medical Plan LAX AG Libby Area Technical Assistance Group NPL National Priorities List O&M Operations and Maintenance OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response TAG Technical Assistance Group Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter 1: Introduction and Clarification of the Study Welcome to Libby, Pride o f the Kootenai Valley! The gateway sign extends its welcome to visitors and residents alike along Montana Highway 2 as it meanders into the tiny mountain town. The sign portrays a classic Montana scene complete with large pines, mountains, and an elk. Although the sign is slightly