New Updates to the ASARCO Smelter Site Website
{www.RecastingTheSmelter.com}

The Texas Custodial Trust is committed to the remediation of the Site and to working with the surrounding community and stakeholders. As part of our stakeholder outreach efforts we are dedicated to maintaining a website that has the most current and up-to-date site information. Please note that there have been new website updates and some new site activities. These include:

1. Demolition Contractor Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

   The bid process for demolition has now started. A prequalification questionnaire for demolition contractors is ready for download (please click here or on the RFPs/Bids tab on the website to access the questionnaire). All responses are due by Friday, September 24th, 2010. Specific directions are on the form. Anyone interested in bidding on the demolition work MUST submit a questionnaire. Anyone who does not respond to the questionnaire is disqualified from bidding on the demolition work.

   Contractors will be qualified based on several factors including, but not limited to safety performance, similar work experience, financial stability, local participation, environmental and regulatory compliance history, company health and safety and program capabilities. Up to ten contractors will be pre-qualified for the demolition bid process. These contractors will be notified via email and phone by mid-October 2010. A demolition contract is anticipated to be awarded in 4th Quarter 2010.

2. Community Meeting Scheduled for October 19th, 2010

   A Community Meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2010 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. All community members are encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss project status and upcoming activities.

   Details
   October 19th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
   El Paso Downtown Public Library
   Main Auditorium
   501 North Oregon Street
   El Paso, TX 79901

   Please join us to learn more about this project in your community.

3. Rail Removal Update

   The plant rails, rail ties, switches and other track material have been sold to National Salvage for $215,000. The materials are being removed, de-contaminated on-site, loaded onto trucks and transported offsite for reuse and/or recycle.

   Removal activities will continue for up to two months. During that time, it is expected that less than 5 trucks per day will be leaving the site.

4. Intern Program

   The Site trustee is in a process to hire UTEP engineering and science students as interns. These interns will be working with Malcolm-Pirnie and ERM on the demolition, solid waste remediation and groundwater remediation aspects of the project.

Thank you for your interest in the website. We appreciate your blog posts and are working to answer any questions in a timely manner.