SRRTTF:

As a reminder for the decision at Wednesday’s meeting to determine the Sampling Contractor: the process for decision making by the Task Force is governed by the MOA.

Since this is a consensus-based effort, the goal of the Task Force is to reach consensus whenever possible. In practice this means that a high level of respect is afforded the opinions of the members and participants in the room.

Consensus means being able to 1) agree with a decision, 2) agreeing with the decision but refraining from publicly supporting it, or 3) living with the decision and not publicly disparaging it (p 15). If necessary, the group will use the decision rule of “unanimity minus one.” [p 11: “Whenever a decision is to be made, it will be an affirmative decision if one or fewer of the attending members oppose the proposed decision and vote accordingly. If two, or more, of the attending members oppose the proposed decision and vote accordingly, the decision will not be affirmed.”]

The MOA also states that non-voting participants “may attend the meetings and will be called upon to provide input when appropriate.” They are allowed to ask questions and have input into the decision making process, but are non-voting (i.e., they can’t block a decision). The Idaho dischargers are nonvoting at this time and would be considered to be Advisors until such time the MOA is amended to include them (see MOA Introduction, page 7).

The list of voting members is here.

It is important that the Idaho permittees have an opportunity to have input. We will make sure that there is an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments before the decision is made. There will be time to ask questions of prospective contractors after each presentation, as well as open discussion (without consultants present) after Q&A.

I hope this answers any questions. If there are additional concerns please let me know ASAP.

-Chris Page, Facilitator