Fuel Tank Advisory Committee votes to meet quarterly; DOH to coordinate schedule and funding

The Fuel Tank Advisory Committee voted during its April 15 meeting to change its meeting cadence from twice a year to quarterly. The motion — moved from the floor and seconded during the meeting — passed after recorded voices in favor and opposition were read aloud by the chair.

What the vote did: FTAC voted to hold four meetings per year, with two meetings online only and two meetings in person or hybrid, alternating. The committee recorded a majority vote in favor and the chair asked DOH staff to coordinate scheduling, public outreach and budgetary needs to implement the change.

Why it matters: FTAC meetings bring federal, state and local regulators together with community members and Navy representatives to share operational updates and receive public questions. Committee members and public speakers argued both sides: some said more frequent meetings would allow shorter response cycles and keep momentum on technical issues (for example, tracer study results), while the Department of Health said in‑person meetings cost money and that expanding to quarterly in‑person meetings will require returning to the Legislature to request funding. The vote directs DOH to coordinate details and return with a plan.

Vote and next steps - Motion outcome: Motion carried; DOH to publish a revised FTAC schedule, conduct outreach and report back at the next meeting with calendar and budget implications. - Implementation conditions: DOH noted it cannot immediately commit to more in‑person meetings without legislative funding. A staff follow‑up plan in the meeting record lists tasks to update meeting notices and public outreach by November 1, 2025.

Ending: Committee members agreed to discuss meeting timing (day/evening) and accessibility at the next meeting; the motion establishes a new expectation of quarterly updates but leaves schedule details to DOH and FTAC staff.