SUPERFUND AND BROWNFIELDS
at Work in
Montana
2009
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Montana
Table of Contents
Section ' 'Pgflfe
Introduction
Executive Summary 1
Congressional District Map 3
1. Remedial Program
Anaconda Smelter Company 5
Barker Hughesville 9
Basin Mining Area 11
Carpenter Snow Creek 13
East Helena Smelter 15
Flat Creek / Iron Mountain Mine 17
Libby Asbestos Site 19
Lockwood Solvents Groundwater Plume 21
Milltown Reservoir/Clark Fork River Site 23
Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area 25
Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area 29
2. Removal Program
Billings PCE 31
Keller Transport Oil Spill 33
3. Brownfields Program
Bear Paw Development Corporation 35
Berg Lumbermill Site 37
Big Sky Development Authority 39
City of Kalispell 41
City of Shelby 43
Great Falls Revolving Loan Fund 45
Great Northern Development Corporation 47
Kenco Refinery 49
Lewis and Clark County 51
Missoula 53
Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Area 55
Powell County 57
Salish and Kootenai Tribes 59
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Executive Summary
Years ago people were far less aware of how the mismanagement of industrial chemicals
and hazardous wastes could affect public health and the environment. On thousands of
properties across the nation the result was abandoned waste sites that poisoned land,
water and natural environments, and threatened the health of the inhabitants. Since 1980,
when Congress and the President created the Superfund program, EPA has cleaned up
over one thousand of the worst contaminated sites across the country. These cleanups
have helped to make communities safer for millions of Americans. EPA Region 8 has
had a substantial role in this successful effort.
Many Region 8 communities were left to deal with the consequences of decades of
environmental neglect, but Superfund cleanups are changing that. Since 1980, 63 sites in
the Region have been placed on the National Priority List (NPL) which contains the sites
that present the greatest risk to human health, public welfare and the environment. By
the end of 2008, the EPA had completed cleanup at 33 of these sites.
Along with the progress on the NPL sites, hundred of hazardous waste sites in Region 8
have been cleaned up by the Superfund Removal program. The removal program has
reduced risks to the public and the environment from abandoned drums, derailed train
cars leaking chlorine gas, mine wastes left in towns and sensitive ecosystems, and many
other similar hazards.
In recent years Region 8's Superfund program has increased its emphasis on the reuse
and redevelopment of contaminated sites. Cleaning up these properties and promoting
reuse can help reinvigorate communities, preserve green space, and protect public health
and the environment. In addition, we've begun incorporating new "Green Remediation"
technologies into our cleanups. Examples include the use of wind, water and solar power
to provide clean, renewable energy to power treatment systems.
The job of cleaning up hazardous waste sites continues to be a formidable challenge. We
at EPA are blessed with an exceptionally talented and experienced workforce of
environmental professionals including engineers, scientists, community involvement
specialists, attorneys, and support personnel. All are dedicated to cleaning up and
restoring contaminated sites to beneficial use. But as talented as the EPA workforce is,
we would not be able to carry out our mission without the support and commitment of
our partners in state and local government, community groups, and the general public.
Together we can continue to move forward in making the communities and ecosystems
of this region, safer and healthier places to live, work and play.
1
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2
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Shelby,
City of
Kalispell,
City of
J.
Confederated /
Salish and A Keller
Bear Paw Development
Corporation of
Northern Montana
Kootenai
Tribco
Missoula,
City of
Transport
Lewis and
Clark
County
Great Falls
Development
Authority, Inc.
Milltown
Reservoir Upper Tenmile
Sediments Creek Mining
Area
(S)
S
Powell
County ^
Anaconda V.
Co. Smelter
East
Helena
Site
'Basin
Mining
Area
Barker
Hughesville
Mining District
(S>
Carpenter Snow
Crock Mining
District
Lewistown,
City of
Silver Bow
Creek/Butte
Area
Northern Rocky Mountain
Resource Conservation
& Development Area
Idaho
Pole Co.
Legend
J_ Removals
Brownfields
(S) NPL
Si
Montana Congressional
District
A EPA
2.5
~
5 Miles
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Section 1
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Superfund Remedial
&
Anaconda Smelter
Company
Anaconda, Montana
Congressional District—At Urge
About the Site
The Anaconda Smelter Company
site is located at the southern end of the
Deer Lodge Valley. The site includes
the former Anaconda Copper Mining
Company's ore processing facilities.
These and other facilities were devel-
oped to remove copper from ore mined
in Butte from 1884 through 1980. In
1977, the Atlantic Richfield Company
(ARCO) purchased the assets of Ana-
conda Copper. Four years later, ARCO
ceased smelting activities in Anaconda.
The Anaconda Smelter Company
Site covers about 300 square miles and
includes the Old Works; Arbiter Plant;
Recent Accomplishments
Smelter Hill; numerous piles,
waste ponds, and demolition
dumps. Extensive acreage con-
taminated by aerial deposition of
smelter stack emissions resulted in
elevated concentrations of metals
and low pH in the upper few inches
of the soil. This harmed vegetation
and limited seed germination, leav-
ing a sparsely-vegetated, easily
eroded landscape.
Smelter wastes contain elevated
levels of arsenic and metals
(copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc)
posing potential risks to human
health, wildlife, and aquatic organ-
isms. An assessment of the problems
associated with the site led EPA to
include it on the National Priorities
List (NPL) of Superfund sites in
1983. As owner, ARCO is the poten-
tially responsible party.
The Anaconda Smelter site is
divided into smaller areas to make
design and cleanup more manage-
able. First the site is categorized into
five Operable Units (OUs). Two of
the OUs are further divided into sub-
areas.
Old Works / East Anaconda OU
Work on the Arbiter commercial area
has been progressing in phases over the
past few years. To date, 30 acres of the
45 acre parcel have been remediated.
Anaconda Regional Waste. Water &
Soils OU
Opportunity Ponds
The cells (A-D) are engineered disposal
cells within the Opportunity Tailings
Ponds that are used for the disposal of
contaminated material (soil, sediment,
debris, etc.) from the cleanup of mining
waste.
Construction was completed at the A-
Cells. Streamside tailings material con-
tinued to be placed in the B-Cells in-
cluding treatment with lime. Treatment
and seeding continues on the C-Cells
as engineered covers are placed. 1.5
million cubic yards of sediment from
Milltown were placed in the D-Cells.
Engineered covers were placed on 500
of the 3,500 acres of tailings. All ex-
posed tailings surfaces have been
sprayed with a polymer surfactant to
seal the surface and minimize dust dur-
ing windstorms.
Mill Creek Road and Uplands
This was a high priority in 2008 be-
cause of the dust generated during high
wind conditions. Windblown tailings
originally emanating from the Ana-
conda Ponds were stripped off of 150
acres.
Nearly 1,000 acres of upland area were
cleaned up in 2008. Exposed soils in
both the Mill Creek area and the Up-
lands were treated with lime and or-
ganic matter, and seeded with native
grasses.
Community Soils
Residential Yard Cleanups slowed
slightly in 2008 with soil replaced in
30 yards. To date, 380 yards have
been cleaned up. EPA sampled ap-
proximately 160 yards with 1,700 hav-
ing been sampled to date. Interior dust
was sampled in 15 homes.
Twelve acres of historic railroad beds
were cleaned up in 2008. The 40,000
cubic yards of waste material was
hauled to Opportunity Ponds and
clean backfill placed.
Three acres of rail yard east of Ana-
conda was graded to promote storm
water runoff and received a six-inch
thick industrial cover over waste ma-
terials to protect workers from contact
with the waste. A 5,700 foot stretch
along the active railroad line through
Anaconda was also cleaned up.
5
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Anaconda Smelter Company
Site Background
The following Operable Units com-
prise the Anaconda Smelter Site.
The site is divided into five primary
Operable Units:
• Mill Creek—completed
• Flue Dust- completed
• Old Works/East Anaconda De-
velopment Area;
• Anaconda Regional Waste,
Water and Soils (ARWW&S);
and
• Community Soils.
Mill Creek OU—Completed
The former community of Mill
Creek is located 1.5 miles east of
Anaconda and adjacent to the
Smelter complex. Approximately
37 families were relocated in a 1988
remedial action as a result of a Con-
sent Decree with Atlantic Richfield.
The area was heavily contaminated
from uncontrolled releases from the
Smelter. EPA consolidated the re-
maining area of Mill Creek into the
Old Works/East Anaconda Develop-
ment Area OU as the Mill Creek
Addition.
Flue Dust OU—Completed
Flue dust is a by-product of copper
smelting. This remedial cleanup re-
quired treatment and disposal of all
flue dust from nine locations on
Smelter Hill. In 1991, EPA stabilized
the flue dust with cement and lime
and then placed treated materials in a
repository on Smelter Hill. Treatment
of over 500,000 cubic yards of flue
dust was finished in December 1993.
Closure of the repository was com-
pleted in November 1994. Long-term
maintenance and monitoring and lim-
ited site access continues to be re-
quired.
Cleanup Approach
REMOVAL ACTIONS
Anaconda Smelter Demolition and
Initial Stabilization -Time Critical
From 1983-1986, EPA oversaw
smelter demolition and initial stabili-
zation efforts.
Mill Creek -Time Critical
In May 1986, EPA temporarily relo-
cated families with small children. In
1987-198B, all Mill Creek residents
were permanently relocated as part
of the remedial action. The area was
cleaned up, graded and replanted in
1999.
Anaconda Yards -Time Critical
From 1991-1992, under an emer-
gency removal action, arsenic con-
taminated soils were cleaned up in
three Anaconda neighborhoods:
Teresa Ann Terrace, Elkhorn Apart-
ments and Cedar Park Homes.
Old Works Stabilization - Time
Critical
In 1992, EPA and ARCO began to
address immediate concerns about
contaminants released into Warm
Springs Creek by stabilizing the Red
Sands adjacent to the Creek, repair-
ing breaks in the levees and install-
ing fencing to limit access.
Arbiter - Non -Time Critical
In 1994, approximately 275,000 cu-
bic yards of waste material
(including arsenic, cadmium, lead
and zinc) from the Arbiter Plant were
dug up, and moved to a repository on
Smelter Hill.
Beryllium - Non-Time Critical
In 1994, excavation and disposal of
previously disposed wastes and con-
taminated materials from a former
beryllium flake metal pilot plant and
a beryllium oxide pilot plant was
completed. The wastes were sent to
the Smelter Hill repository.
REMEDIAL ACTIONS
Old Works/East Anaconda Develop-
ment Area OU - Ongoing
EPA selected a remedy in 1994
for this Operable Unit which was
divided into six remedial design
units:
1. Golf Course (construction com-
pleted in 1996, golf course
opened to the public in 1997).
2. Red Sands (construction com-
pleted in 1998).
3. East Anaconda Yards and Aspen
Hills (construction completed in
1998).
4. Mill Creek (construction com-
pleted in 1999).
5. Drag Strip (construction com-
pleted in 1999).
6. Industrial Area (initiated in
2003).
Most of the remedial actions in this
OU were completed in the 1990's.
The remaining work at the Indus-
trial Area and Arbiter Complex in-
cludes construction of a cap and
stormwater controls for the Arbiter
Complex. Other Industrial Area
soils will be removed below the arse-
nic action level (250 mg/kg for resi-
dential, 500 mg/kg for commercial
industrial).
(Continued on page 3)
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
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Anaconda Smelter Company
Cleanup Approach Continued
The Arrowhead Founda:ion
formed in 1994 to receive a $50 000
Technical Assistance Grant from
EPA to facilitate the commun.ty's
involvement in the reuse of the Old
Works site through design and con-
struction of a world class golf
course. In coordination with ADLC,
and several community groups the
golf course was finished in 1997.
The TAG group continues to reach
out to the community members who
may want to be more involved in the
Superfund cleanup and reuse of
properties.
Community Soils OU - Ongoing
This OU addresses residential and
commercial soils throughout th; en-
tire Anaconda Smelter Site, including
soils within the city limits of Ana-
conda and the community of Oppor-
tunity. Residential soils in surround-
ing rural areas such as Crackerville,
Aspen Hills, West Galen, and Ante-
lope Springs are also being addressed
through this OU. Other water and
soil issues in the rural areas are being
cleaned up under the ARWW&S
OU. Railroad beds within Anaconda
are also included in the Community
Soils Record of Decision (ROD).
To date, since 2002, Atlantic
Richfield Company has sampled
more than 1,500 yards, cleaned up
over 300 yards in Anaconda and 50 in
the nearby communities. Other soils
within southern Deer Lodge County
that may have been impacted by
smelter emissions and mining wastes
will be addressed through the ICs
Program.
Capping of the active railroad line
through Anaconda was completed in
2008. Cleanup of commercial areas
adjacent to active and abandoned rail-
roads is expected to be completed in
2009.
Anaconda Regional Waste, Water
and Soils (ARWW&S) OU - Ongo-
ing
This OU addresses all remaining
contamination and impacted areas
(surface water, groundwater, waste
source areas, and non-residential
soils) not cleaned up under other
response actions.
EPA subdivided this large area
into 15 Remedial Design Units
(RDUs).
Uplands are primarily contaminated
by smelter emissions. They often
have steep sloped areas, areas of
impacted vegetation, and multiple
landowners. Waste Management
Areas are set aside for management
of slag, tailings, or processing
wastes.
RDU 1— Stucky Ridge Uplands—
ongoing
RDU 2— Lost Creek Uplands
RDU 3— Smelter Hill Uplands
RDU 4— Anaconda Ponds WMA—
completed
RDU 5— Active Railroad/Blue La-
goons—ongoing
RDU 6—South Opportunity Ponds
Uplands—ongoing
RDU 7— North Opportunity Up-
lands—ongoing
RDU 8— Atlantic Richfield Land
Management Area (formerly Oppor-
tunity Ponds WMA)-ongoing
RDU 9— Fluvial Tailings
RDU 10— Warm Springs Creek
RDU 11— Cashman Concentrate—
completed
RDU 12—Slag—ongoing
RDU 13— Old Works WMA
RDU 14—Smelter Hill Facility Area
WMA—ongoing
RDU 15— Mount Haggin Uplands
EPA expects to enter into final
settlement negotiations with the At-
lantic Richfield Company and the
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
7
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Anaconda Smelter Company
Contacts
Im
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Montana Office
10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
(866) 457-2690
Charles Coleman — Project Manager
Phone: (406) 457-5038
E-Mail: coleman.charles@epa.gov
Wendy Thomi — Community Involvement
Phone: (406) 457-5037
E-Mai_: thomi.wendy@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
1100 North Last Chance Gulch
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620
John Brown — Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5036
E-Mail: jbrown5@mt.gov
Technical Assistance Grant Group:
Arrowhead Foundation
118 E. 17th St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Phone: (406) 563-5538
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
8
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
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Superfund Remedial
Barker Hughesville
Monarch, MT
Congressional District - At Large
About the Site
Recent
Accomplishments:
U.S. Forest Service and
EPA signed an Action
Memorandum for one
portion of the site, called
the Block P Mill Tailings
deposit. The Action
Memorandum requires
the Doe Run Co. of St.
Joseph, Missouri, to con-
solidate and cap the tail-
ings. Extensive work was
completed by the Doe
Run Co. in 2004 and
2005, with oversight by
the U.S. Forest Service.
EPA recently completed
a site-wide characteriza-
tion. A two-volume re-
port (February 2005)
prioritizes the sources
and pathways of con-
tamination and provides
specific information
about each of 4 7 sepa-
rate mines and waste
piles scattered through-
out the watershed.
The Barker Hughesville
Sup:rfund site is located in
Judith Basin and Cascade
counties, near the commu-
nity of Monarch. The site is
nearly entirely comprised of
Lewis and Clark National
Forest land, with scattered
strips of patented mining
claims, within the Little Belt
Mountains of central Mon-
tana.
The site is a historic min-
Site Background
ing district. Due to the im-
pacts of a century of intermit-
tent mining activities, soils,
surface water, stream sedi-
ments, and groundwater are
contaminated with heavy met-
als, arsenic and acid-
producing sulfides in widely
scattered waste piles and flu-
vially-dispersed tailings. Sev-
eral open mine tunnels and
shafts discharge toxic water to
surface water.
Because of the contami-
nation and risks to the envi-
ronment, EPA proposed the
site for the National Priori-
ties List (NPL) for Super-
fund cleanup in December
2000. On September 13,
2001, the site was listed as a
Final NPL Site in the Fed-
eral Register.
Rich silver and lead ores
were discovered in the
Bar
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Barker Hughesville
Site Background Continued
Deep underground shafts and
lateral tunnels extend for miles into
the earth, and their interconnections
-mostly flooded-create a maze of
untraceable sources of contamination
to deep groundwater. This water,
usually toxic, finds its way to shal-
lower groundwater or to surface wa-
ter sometimes many miles downgra-
dient.
Cleanup Approach
Cleanup of visible, surface
sources of contamination began in
2004 at the massive Block P tailings
depDsit, situated alongside Galena
Creek. That effort will be com-
pleted in late 2005. However, there
are at least 15 other separate waste
piles or mines within the watershed
that contribute to the overall con-
tamination, and each is equal to or
greater than the contribution of the
Block P tailings.
EPA, U.S. Forest Service and
Montana Department of Environ-
mental Quality, cooperating with
local governments, evaluated ap-
proaches to further cleanup efforts.
The EPA Removal Program
(generally short-term ) is working
with the Doe Run Company to inves-
tigate the nature and extent of con-
tamination associated with the Block
P mine and tailings. The longer-term
Remedial Program plans to begin the
Remedial Investigation sampling to
determine the nature and extent of
contamination at orphan mines site-
wide.
Points of Interest
The ecological impacts of con- round residents living in close prox- taminated piles are likely limited by
tamination following a century of
mining are severe and widespread
throughout the Barker Hughesville
site. The volumes are massive in
scale. However, there are no year-
imity to the contamination. Recrea-
tionists, including campers, hunters,
hikers, bikers, ATV operators, and
rock hounds, frequently visit the site.
However, their exposures to the con-
the remoteness of the sources and the
extreme safety hazards present,
which deter direct contact.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 8, Montana Office
Federal Building
10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Susam Mittelstadt
Remedial Project Manager
Phone: (406) 457-5019
E-Ma:l: mittelstadt.susan@epa.gov
Wendy Thomi
Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: (406) 457-5037
E-Mail: thomi.wendy@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59626
Keith Large
State Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5039
E-Mail: kurge@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: http://www.epa.gov/region8
10
Montana - Superfund Remedial
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Superfund Remedial
Basin Mining Area
Near Basin, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
Town of Basin OU
2004 - EPA completed removal of the
remaining source areas and completed
the reclamation activities for sites
cleaned up in 2003. The work included
mine wastes around the Basin wastewa-
ter treatment lagoons. EPA disposed
an additional 34,000 cubic yards of
material to the Luttrell Repository.
Cleanup of the town of Basin Operable
Unit is now complete. The work was
accomplished in cooperation with the
community, the US Forest Service, the
US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bu-
reau of Land Management, Jefferson
County, and the state of Montana.
Basin Watershed OU
2004/2005 - The state of Montana ini-
tially requested the lead responsibility
for the Basin Mining Area National
Priorities List (NPL) site, Watershed
Operable Unit 2. The state did not ac-
cept the lead, and EPA is currently pre-
paring an Engineering Evaluation and
Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the Crystal
and Bullion mine sites to address Acid
Mine Drainage.
After the EE/CA is done, EPA will de-
velop a proposed plan and record of
decision for the rest of the Basin water-
shed.
About the Site
EPA listed the Basin Mining
Area to the Superfund National
Priorities List (NPL) on October 22,
1999, due to mining waste prob-
lems in the watershed and mining
waste in the town of Basin. The
Site Background
mining area includes the watersheds
of Basin and Cataract Creek and
portions of the Boulder River below
the confluence with these heavily
impacted streams.
Mine wastes impact Basin and
Cataract Creeks and the soils within
the town of Basin. Contaminants
include arsenic, cadmium, copper,
lead and other metals. Listing the
site on the NPL allows EPA to look
at the watersheds in a comprehen-
sive way in cooperation with other
agencies and community groups.
The site is divided into two Oper-
able Units (OUs): the town of Basin
and the Basin Watershed. Contin-
ued releases of arsenic, cadmium,
lead, zinc, silver, and copper to
residential soil and surface water
pose a risk to human health and
aquatic resources.
Town of Basin OU:
In 1998, EPA conducted a re-
moval in the town of Basin OU near
residential properties. This action
removed some of the mining waste
sources located in the community of
Basin.
11
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Basin Mining Area
Site Background Continued
In 2000, EPA completed a Reme-
dial Investigation and Feasibility
Study as well as a human health risk
assessment.
In 2001, EPA released a Proposed
Cleanup Plan for public comment in
January 2001 and issued the Record
of Decision (ROD) for the site in
March of 2001 (estimated cost of $3.9
million). The ROD specified re-
moval of contaminated mine waste
and soil from 26 residential proper-
ties, the Basin School yard, and 15
mine waste source areas.
In 2002, EPA began the residential
component of the remedy in Septem-
ber 2002. Phase 1 was completed in
November 2C02. During this time, 28
residential properties and source ar-
eas, including the Basin School and
Basin Street Tailings, were cleaned
up. A total of 4,700 cubic yards of
material was excavated.
In 2003, EPA cleaned up the addi-
tional residential properties identified
in 2002 and the nine source areas.
The source areas included the Jib
Tailings, stream side tailings, and the
Basin Street Tailings. Approximately
50,000 cubic yards of contaminated
mine wastes were removed in 2003,
despite the short construction season
of May-October. Wastes excavated
in 2002 and 2003 were trucked to
Luttrell Repository for disposal.
Basin Watershed OU:
In 2001 and 2002, and in partner-
ship with the US Forest Service, EPA
conducted cleanup of the mining
wastes at the Buckeye/Enterprise,
Crystal and Bullion Mines located in
the Basin Creek and Cataract Water-
sheds. Approximately 40,000 cubic
yards of waste were disposed of in the
Luttrell Repository. EPA began the
Site Remedial Investigation and Fea-
sibility Study.
In 2003, EPA completed the Re-
medial Investigation and Feasibility
Study for the Basin Watershed OU
which includes Cataract Creek, Basin
Creek, and a portion of the Boulder
River below the confluence of these
two streams.
In 2009, EPA will prepare an En-
gineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis
(EE/CA) for the Crystal and Bullion
mine sites. These two sites contribute
the most to water quality degradation
in the Basin Watershed. The EE/CA
will result in selection of a plan for
mitigation of acid mine drainage from
these two sites. EPA will then seek
funding to implement a non-time
critical removal action for the Crystal
and Bullion mine sites. The NTCRA
will be an interim step toward prepa-
ration of a Record of Decision for the
77-acre watershed.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection
Montana Department of Environmental
h' \ Agency
[I JbLi 1) Region 8, Montana Office
. VPifr . 10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
^ Quality
^ P.O. BOX 200902
W Helena, MT 59620
Wf
Helena, MT 59626
w
Joe Griffin
Kristine Edwards
Project Officer
Project Manager
Phone: (406) 841-5042
Phone: (406) 457-5021
E-Mail: JGRiFFiN(aMT.GOv
E-Mail: edwards.kristine@epa.gov
Mike Bishop
Project Manager-Back-up
Phone: (406) 457-5041
E-Mail: BiSHOP.MiKE(aEPA.GOV
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region08
12
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
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^tDsr^
Superfund Remedial
Carpenter Snow Creek
Cascade County, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
• In late summer 2004, a time-critical removal action
was initiated by EPA's Emergency Response Team.
Two large areas ofNeihart were cleaned up. All soils
exceeding about 2,600 mg/kg of lead were removed
and transported to a large, pre-existing tailings pile
outside of town. Excavated areas were backfilled with
clean soil and hydroseeded. A steep, highly contami-
nated slope situated above several cabins and homes
was cleaned up, recontoured, capped and hy-
droseeded. The pre-existing tailings pile, which grew
in size by about 5,500 cubic yards by this action, was
also recontoured, capped, and revegetated.
• Some remaining areas ofNeihart not involved in the
2004 removal action are known to have soil lead con-
centrations within the range of800 to 2,400 mg/kg
and greater. These areas were the subjects of a hu-
man health risk assessment and feasibility study. Rec-
ommendations regarding remedial actions for these
remaining portions ofNeihart were issued in a pro-
posed plan in October 2006, which was followed by a
revised proposed plan for cleanup on December 2008.
A Record of Decision was signed in April 2009.
• Remedial Design and Remedial Action planning has
begun.
About the Site
The Carpenter and Snow
Creeks watersheds drain
portions of the Little Belt
Mountains of central Mon-
tana, southeast of Great
Falls. The Carpenter-Snow
Creek Mining District (CSC
District) NPL site includes
the town of Neihart, with a
population of approximately
40 year-round residents.
Another 40 to 50 individuals
own or lease cabins and
recreational homes for win-
ter skiing, snowmobiling and
summer vacations. Within
the Carpenter and Snow
Creeks drainages, very few
residences are present; how-
ever, the area is used regu-
larly for recreation year-
round. The two watersheds
and town of Neihart are
within a historic mining dis-
trict with numerous scattered
open mines and large waste
piles. Surface water and
groundwater, as well as
stream sediments and soils,
were severely impacted by a
century of mining. Heavy
metals, arsenic and acid-
producing sulfide residues
pose risks to human health
and the environment.
Percent of
Construction Complete
100
75
50
25
20%
Site Background
Based on concerns ex-
pressed by the state of Mon-
tana, EPA proposed the site
for the National Priorities
List (NPL) for Superfund
cleanup in December 2000.
On September 13, 2001, the
site was listed on the NPL in
the Federal Register.
13
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Carpenter Snow Creek
Cleanup Approach
In 2003 and 2004, EPA collected
samples and gathered pre-existing
data for soils, sediments, surface
water and groundwater, with atten-
tion focused on Neihart, where sev-
eral ore-processing mills and concen-
trates handling facilities operated for
decades. Concentrations of lead in
soils near residences were found
within the range of 4,000 to 12,000
mg/kg. A maximum lead-in-soil
concentration of 44,000 mg/kg was
found in a yard near an abandoned
mill.
Concentrations of heavy metals
and arsenic did not exceed MCLs or
aquatic life criteria in the surface
water of Belt Creek, which flows
through Neihart. Carpenter and Snow
Creeks drain into Belt Creek about
two miles below Neihart. Below that
confluence, impacts to aquatic life
may be observed in future environ-
mental characterization efforts. A
thorough characterization of the Car-
penter and Snow Creeks watersheds,
including the dozens of abandoned
mines and scattered waste piles
known to exist, and known to be
impacting the watersheds, has not yet
been conducted. EPA Region 8 will
seek funds for these and related stud-
ies in 2009.
Results from limited domestic
well sampling in and near Neihart
indicated that none of the heavy met-
als or arsenic was present at levels
above MCLs. However, because
mine discharges and runoff from
scattered waste piles are readily ob-
servable throughout the site, EPA is
coordinating with Cascade County
health officials to include this poten-
tial hazard in a future, more thor-
ough, characterization of the site.
Residents in the area currently get
their drinking water from the com-
munity water system.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 8, Montana Office
10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Scott Brown
Project Manager
Phone: (406) 457-5035
E-Mail: brown.scott@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
I 1100 North Ust Chance Gulch
W P.O. Box 200901
^ Helena, MT 59626
Keith Large
Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5040
E-Mail: klarge@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: http://www.epa.gov/region8
14
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
Recent
Accomplishments:
More than 95% of all
properties that ex-
ceeded health-based
cleanup levels have
been cleaned up under
a non-time-critical soil
removal action that
began in 1991. Re-
maining eligible prop-
erties, excluding unde-
veloped agricultural
lands, will be cleaned
up by the end of2009.
Percent of
Construction Complete
100
75
50
25
Excluding RCRA-
administered smelter site
80%
i
Superfund Remedial
East Helena Smelter
East Helena, Montana
Congressional District - At Large
About the Site
The East Helena Super-
fund site includes a former
lead smelter, the town of
East Helena, several residen-
tial subdivisions, and sur-
rounding rural agricultural
lands. The soils, surface
water, and groundwater in
and around the smelter were
contaminated with lead,
other heavy metals and arse-
nic. About 2,000 people live
within a radius of two miles
from the smelter complex.
Virtually all residential prop-
erties, unpaved streets and
alleys, and agricultural lands
within that area once exhib-
ited elevated soil lead con-
centrations.
The majority of residen-
tial, commercial and public
(parks, school playgrounds,
alleys and roads) properties
located within the commu-
nity or near to it have been
characterized. Agricultural
lands that are proposed for
residential or commercial
development undergo a
screening step, and soil sam-
pling is necessary before
development is permitted by
the county.
Some groundwater be-
neath East Helena was im-
pacted by smelter operations.
However, city residents re-
ceive their water from sur-
face and groundwater
sources that were not im-
pacted. A very few do-
mestic wells predate
Superfund designation
and owners of these wells
have chosen to keep them
for lawn watering only.
Health advisories were
issued in 1988 to area resi-
dents advising caution
regarding disturbances of
soil, dust in houses and
their attics, and unwashed
home-grown garden vege-
tables. Advisories continue
to be issued regularly by
the Lewis and Clark
County-Administered
Lead Education and
Abatement Program.
Site Background
For more than 100 years,
lead and zinc smelting op-
erations deposited lead, arse-
nic, copper, zinc, cadmium,
and some 15 other hazardous
substances into the soil, sur-
face water and groundwater
in and around East Helena.
Asarco Inc. shut the plant
down in 2001. Public access
to the former smelter is re-
stricted. The site was pro-
posed for addition to EPA's
Superfund National Priorities
List in September 1983; list-
ing became final in 1984. In
that same year, EPA and
Asarco entered into an agree-
ment in which the company
performed a preliminary in-
vestigation into site con-
tamination. EPA, the state
and Asarco signed an
agreement in 1988 to con-
duct additional investiga-
tions. In 1991, EPA and
Asarco signed a third
agreement for the residen-
tial soils removal action.
15
-------
East Helena Smelter
Cleanup Approach
Both Asarco and EPA conducted
preliminary studies addressing soil
and contamination in locally raised
livestock, garden vegetables and
crops in 1987 and 1989. These stud-
ies formed a basis for cleanup ac-
tions for residential soils and Wilson
Irrigation Ditch
In 1989, EPA selected a remedy
intended to reduce groundwater pol-
lution from the process ponds on the
smelter grounds. The remedy in-
cluded isolating the process waters
from the groundwater by construct-
ing steel storage tanks and replacing
leaking equipment. The soils and
pond sediments, contaminated by
decades of seepage, were dug up and
disposed of in an on-site landfill.
Contaminated process water was
treated by on-site co-precipitation
technology. The remedy was com-
pleted in the fall of 1996. EPA's
RCRA Program continues to investi-
gate groundwater that remains con-
taminated with arsenic and selenium.
The Montana Department of Envi-
ronmental Quality (DEQ) and EPA
RCRA Programs also oversee demo-
lition on the former smelter site, and
on-site disposal of hazardous waste.
Asarco began a non-time critical
removal action in 1991 to remove
and replace contaminated soils from
residential areas, parks, playgrounds,
streets and alleys. The removal ac-
tion continues, as needed, to this day.
A Record of Decision for residential
soils and undeveloped lands is pend-
ing. However, all residential and
commercial properties that qualify
for cleanup under a removal action
are expected to be cleaned up by the
end of 2009.
Points of Interest
Asarco funds a county-
administered health education and
lead abatement program, with health
professionals stationed within the
community. In 1999, EPA, the
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, the county, DEQ,
and Asarco reviewed the program's
effectiveness using door to door sur-
veys and other evaluation methods.
A final report is available from the
program office. The program re-
ceived high grades for its perform-
ance. Since 2000, 97 percent of chil-
dren screened for lead are at 4 ugldl
or below, and only two children of
several hundreds tested exceeded 10
ugldl.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 8, Montana Office
10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Scott Brown
Superfund Project Manager
Phone: (406) 457-5035
E-Mail: brown.scott@epa.gov
Wendy Thomi
Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: (406) 457-5037
E-Mail: thomi.wendy@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
1100 North Last Chance Gulch
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59626
Daryl Reed
Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5041
E-Mail: dreed@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: http://www.epa.gov/region8
16
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
^tDsr^
Superfund Remedial
Flat Creek/Iron Mountain
Mine
Mineral County, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
• April 9, 2009 - EPA pro-
poses site for National Pri-
orities List.
• 2008-2009 - EPA holds se-
ries of meetings with local
officials and residents re-
garding possible listing.
• 2007- EPA conducts Pre-
liminary Assessment and
concludes that public health
and environmental risks
remain.
• 2001-2002 - EPA's Removal
Program found areas with
heavy metal contamination
and cleaned up several areas
in town.
Seep at head of tailings pile in Hall
Gulch at Iron Mountain Mine and Mill
About the Site
With support from the local community
(the town of Superior and Mineral County)
and the state of Montana, EPA proposed
the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine (Flat
Creek/IMM) Site for the Superfund Na-
tional Priorities List (NPL). The site is
located in and around the town of Superior
in western Montana.
The proposed listing was published in
the Federal Register on April 9, 2009.
This began a 60-public comment period.
Placement on this list makes funds
available to clean up contaminated areas
and protect public health and the environ-
ment in Mineral County, Montana.
EPA met with local officials and mem-
bers of the public before the Site was pro-
posed and explained the Superfund listing
process. In addition, a public notice and
news release was sent to local newspapers
announcing that it has been proposed and
can be found in the Federal Register.
There is a 60-day comment period for
the public to review documents used in the
decision making process and comment on
the proposed action.
After the public comment period, EPA
will consider the comments. If there are no
significant comments opposing listing,
then the Flat Creek/IMM Site could be
officially added to the NPL in the fall of
2009.
Site Background
The site contains multiple mine
waste tailings piles outside of town
found to have levels of arsenic, anti-
mony, lead, and manganese that
could pose long-term risks to public
health and the environment. The full
extent of contamination has not been
determined yet, and many of the tail-
ings were directly deposited into and
near Flat Creek. Some of the tailings
were transported further from flood-
ing after a forest fire in 2000. Water
draining from the mine was also
found to contain highly elevated lev-
els of arsenic, lead, and antimony
above the drinking water standards.
In the past, the town of Superior
used a drinking water well two miles
downstream from the Iron Mountain
Mine and Mill. That well is no
longer in use because sampling
showed levels of antimony above the
drinking water standard. The water
that is provided to residents is safe
and is regularly sampled to ensure it
is within drinking water standards. A
private well in the area also was
found to contain elevated levels of
antimony.
Mine tailings were brought into
town and used as fill, road base and
driveway material over 40 years ago.
In town, contaminants of concern
primarily consist of lead and arsenic.
17
-------
Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine
Site Background
In 1993. the Montana Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
conducted an abandoned mine inves-
tigation of the Iron Mountain Mine
and Mill area. The investigation
found elevated levels of lead, arse-
nic, copper, mercury, zinc, cadmium,
manganese, and antimony. In 2004
DEQ added the Iron Mountain Mine
and Mill Site to the Montana Com-
prehensive Environmental Cleanup
and Responsibility Act (CECRA),
the state Superfund law. Site
boundaries have not yet been deter-
mined.
In 1998, the town of Superior
became concerned about the poten-
tial public health effects from the
Iron Mountain Mine and Mill after a
water sample from the town's well
two miles downstream of the mine
tested above the maximum contami-
nant levels for antimony.
In 2001, because of state and lo-
cal concerns DEQ asked EPA to as-
Contacts
sess the Iron Mountain Mine and
Mill, Flat Creek, and Superior areas.
EPA sampled soil in October 2001 at
the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill,
along Flat Creek, and at three sites in
Superior where tailings from the Mill
had been used.
Based on sampling results, EPA
conducted a time-critical removal of
mine tailings used as fill in town
because of possible short-term health
risks from heavy metal contamina-
tion of lead and arsenic. The remedi-
ated areas included the high school
track, portions of the county fair-
grounds, and a few private driveways
and roads in Superior. In 2003, US
Forestry Service sampling along Flat
Creek found high metal levels.
In 2007, in responding to state
and local concerns, EPA conducted
a reassessment of the Iron Mountain
Mine and Mill, Flat Creek, and Supe-
rior areas to determine if residual
contamination could pose long-term
risks to public health and the envi-
ronment.
From this study, EPA determined
that elevated levels of contaminants
exist in the following areas:
• mine tailings and waste piles at
the Iron Mountain Mine/Mill;
• along Flat Creek; and
• mine tailings used as fill in sev-
eral areas in Superior.
EPA proposed the Flat Creek/
IMM Site for the National Priorities
List on April 9, 2009.
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 8, Montana Office
10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Susan Mittelstadt
Project Manager- Superfund
Phone: (405) 457-5019
E-Mail: mittelstadt.susan@epa.gov
Gwen Christiansen
Project Manager- NPL Listing
Phone: (302) 312-6463
E-Mail: christiansen.gwen@epa.gov
Diana Hammer
Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: (406) 457-5040
E-Mail: hakmer.diana@epa.gov
¦k Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
H 1100 North Last Chance Gulch
W P.O. Box 200902
^ Helena, MT 59620
Daryl Reed
Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5041
E-Mail: dreed@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
18
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
^DS7^
Superfund Remedial
Libby Asbestos Site
Libby, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
• In 2002 EPA estab-
lished a program to
inspect all properties
in Libby. Approxi-
mately 3,500 proper-
ties were inspected in
2002 and 2003. Over
12,000 soil samples
were collected and
analyzed.
• Two former vermicu-
lite processing plants
in Libby and other
public areas have been
cleaned up. Cleanups
have also been com-
pleted at a total of
1,103 residential and
commercial properties.
EPA expects to com-
plete at least 100
cleanups in 2009.
• Based on current in-
formation, EPA esti-
mates that 1,200-1,400
residential and busi-
ness properties will
need some type of
cleanup. The total
number depends upon
the final cleanup stan-
dards set by EPA.
EPA intends to pro-
pose these standards
in late 2010.
About the Site
The major cause of asbes-
tos exposure is believed to
have been from past W. R.
Grace vermiculite mining
operations, which adversely
impacted workers and their
families. EPA investigations
show that exposures are still
occurring in the town of
Libby. Investigation into
the level at which they are
occurring, the risk posed by
such exposures, and cleanup
strategies that may be appro-
priate are ongoing. Obtain-
ing answers to these ques-
tions has lead to the re-
examination of the Agency's
asbestos regulations, policy
and the methods used by
EPA for analyzing asbestos
and conducting risk assess-
ments.
The site takes on national
significance because ver-
miculite-containing asbestos
from the Libby Mine has
been sent for processing to
270 plants across the nation.
This vermiculite has been
used in potting soils, fertiliz-
ers, and insulation in mil-
lions of homes. The Occupa-
tional Health and Safety Ad-
ministration (OSHA), the
National Institute of Occupa-
tional Safety and Health
(NIOSH), and the Consumer
Product Safety Commission
are also taking part in inves-
tigations and analysis of cur-
rent policies.
Site Background
In November 1999, an
article in a Seattle newspaper
indicated that nearly 200
people had died from, and
400 more people were sick
with, asbestosis (a lung dis-
ease caused by asbestos) or
mesothelioma (a fatal form
of lung cancer caused by
asbestos) in the small com-
munity of Libby, Montana.
EPA Region 8 sent an Emer-
gency Response Team to
Libby in late November
1999.
In December 1999, EPA
began collecting samples -
from air, soil, dust and insu-
lation at homes and busi-
nesses in Libby to assess the
risk to public health from
asbestos-contaminated ver-
miculite. EPA moved imme-
diately to locate areas that
were likely to have high lev-
els of contamination such as
two former vermiculite proc-
essing facilities. EPA also
looked at general exposure to
asbestos in the community
and health effects seen in
people with little or no asso-
ciation with the vermiculite
mine in Libby.
Investigations showed
that disturbance of vermicu-
lite results in localized expo-
sure to amphibole asbestos.
Working closely with local,
state and federal agencies,
EPA began to understand
how people might come into
contact with asbestos-
contaminated vermiculite
and what can be done to pre-
vent future exposures — in
Libby and elsewhere.
Libby was added to
EPA's National Priorities
List, commonly referred to
as the list of Superfund sites,
in October 2002.
19
-------
Libby Asbestos Site
Cleanup Approach
EPA is sponsoring several scien-
tific investigations in order to quan-
tify risk from exposure to tremolite
asbestos. On the ground, EPA is
transitioning from removal activity
Points of Interest
to a remedial response in anticipation
of moving toward Records of Deci-
sion (ROD's) at selected OUs. An
Environmental Resource Specialist
program is being piloted to handle
the Operations and Maintenance of
the remedies once EPA's work in the
area has been completed.
Medical Screening
EPA assisted the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Regis-
try (ATSDR) in funding and con-
ducting a massive health-effects
study, involving over 8,000 individu-
als and costing approximately $9
million. The testing, conducted over
two years, was to evaluate the cur-
rent health status of those people
who lived in Libby during the period
of highest exposure to asbestos. Re-
sults from this study show a high
percentage (up to 30%) of abnor-
malities.
Enforcement
In August 2003, in the largest
judgment after trial in the history of
the federal Superfund law, the Dis-
trict Court of Montana ordered W.R.
Grace & Co. to pay over $54.5 mil-
lion to reimburse the federal govern-
ment for the costs of investigation
and cleanup of asbestos contamina-
tion in Libby.
In the spring of 2008, EPA was
awarded a $250,000,000 civil settle-
ment from Grace to be applied to
future clean up costs at the site. This
is the largest Superfund civil settle-
ment in the history of the Agency.
Community Involvement
EPA Region 8 has an Information
Center in Libby that is open five
days a week that has been very well
received by the community. EPA
facilitated formation of a diverse
Community Advisory Group (CAG)
in January 2000 which continues to
meet monthly. EPA also provides a
$50,000 Superfund Technical Assis-
tance Grant to the community and
works closely with that group. In
addition to meeting regularly with
these and several other community
groups, EPA provides site-related
information to the community
through Town Hall meetings, display
ads in three Libby/Lincoln County
papers, a local radio station, printed
fact sheets and a detailed web site.
EPA has sponsored several inno-
vative conferences, trainings, and
workshops in the community focus-
ing on asbestos and its health effects,
economic development, EPA's sam-
pling and cleanup program and risk
communication.
Contacts
\m
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129
(800) 227-8917
Victor Ketellapper (EPR-SR)
Libby Team Leader/Remedial Project Manager
Phone: (303) 312-6578
E-Mail: ketellapper.victor@epa.gov
Ted Linnert (80C)
Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: (303) 312-6119
E-Mail: linnert.ted@epa.gov
I
EPA Information Center
501 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-6194
Mike Cirian
On-Site Project Manager
E-Mail: cirian.mike@epa.gov
EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/region8
20
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
Superfund Remedial
Lockwood Solvents
Groundwater Plume
Billings, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
In August 2005, the Montana De-
partment of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) and EPA released the Record
of Decision for the Lockwood Sol-
vent Groundwater Plume Superfund
site. The remedy includes excavation
and thermal treatment, soil vapor
extraction, in-situ chemical oxida-
tion of contaminated soils, and con-
tainment and treatment of contami-
nated groundwater with enhanced
bioremediation and a treatment bar-
• Consent Decree negotiations be-
tween the Potentially Responsible
Parties and EPA have begun.
Percent of
Construction Complete
100
75
50
25
20%
About the Site
The Lockwood Solvent
Groundwater Plume Site (LSGPS)
is located on the outskirts of Bill-
ings, Montana and consists of
chlorinated solvent contamination
in soils and groundwater. The
groundwater contamination under-
lies approximately 580 acres. The
primary contaminants of concern
are the volatile organic compounds
tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene,
dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and
carbon tetrachloride. Based on
current data, the contaminated
groundwater plume is estimated to
extend from the Beall Trailers of
Montana property on the south and
Brickyard Road and Klenck Lane
on the east, to the Yellowstone
River on the north and west. The
LSGPS was proposed for place-
ment on the National Priorities
List (NPL), commonly known as
the list of Superfund Sites, in May
2000. The public comment period
ended July 11, 2000, and final
listing occurred on December 1,
2000.
Lockwood is a mixture of resi-
dential and light industrial facili-
ties. Currently, there are a limited
number of residential wells still
using groundwater from the area.
These wells are being monitored to
ensure protection of the residents.
Contaminated groundwater
continues to pose a potential threat
to residential areas through the
vapor intrusion pathway. Con-
taminated soil serves as a continu-
ing source of groundwater con-
tamination.
21
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Lockwood Solvents Groundwater Plume
Site Background
In the late 1980s and early 1990s,
leaking underground storage tank
investigations identified chlorinated
solvents in groundwater in the area at
concentrations below EPA's maxi-
mum contaminant levels (MCLs).
Subsequent investigations identified
the 580-acre groundwater plume of
chlorinated solvents that presents
significant threats to human health
and the environment though im-
pacted groundwater, surface water,
soil, soil vapor, and indoor air.
In June 1998, DEQ performed an
Integrated Assessment of the
LSGPS. DEQ provided bottled wa-
ter to residents whose wells con-
tained groundwater contaminants
Cleanup Approach
exceeding or approaching MCLs.
During the summer of 2000, EPA's
Emergency Response Program ex-
tended the Lockwood Water and
Sewer District public water supply
line to the Lomond Lane area and 14
residences with contaminated wells
were connected by August 2000.
EPA also conducted indoor air sam-
pling, provided mitigation for indoor
air contamination, and continued
groundwater monitoring. DEQ con-
tinued indoor air sampling on a quar-
terly basis through February 2002.
These investigations identified two
source areas where elevated concen-
trations of contaminants are found in
soil and associated groundwater: the
Soco, Inc. (Soco) and Beall Trailers
Inc. (Beall) properties.
DEQ began the remedial investi-
gation in 2002. The remedial inves-
tigation included surface and subsur-
face soil sampling, monitoring well
construction and groundwater sam-
pling, aquifer testing, and surface
water and sediment sampling.
Groundwater sampling continues on
a semi-annual basis. DEQ released
the Final Remedial Investigation
Report in June 2003 and completed
the feasibility study in July 2004.
The Proposed Plan, identifying the
preferred alternative for remediation,
was released for public comment in
November 2004 with the public com-
ment period ending January 2005.
Through a Cooperative Agreement
with EPA, DEQ is the technical lead
agency for the site. EPA retains en-
forcement authority.
No remedial actions have occurred
at the LSGPS. EPA's Emergency
Response Program provided a public
water supply to those homes im-
pacted by contaminated groundwater
above federal and state drinking wa-
ter regulations.
The remedy at the LSGPS is a
combination of technologies to clean
up the source areas, prevent migra-
tion of contaminated groundwater
from the source areas, and accelerate
Contacts
cleanup of the contaminated ground-
water that has already migrated
downgradient of the source areas.
The contaminated unsaturated soil in
the source areas will be remediated
with a combination of technologies:
excavation and thermal treatment in
the northwest source area at Soco
and soil vapor extraction in the tank
farm area of Soco and at Beall. The
contaminated saturated soil in the
source areas will be remediated with
in-situ chemical oxidation using per-
manganate at Soco and enhanced
bioremediation with a hydrogen re-
lease compound at Beall.
Migration of contaminated ground-
water from the source areas will be
prevented through containment and
treatment with a permeable reactive
barrier at Soco and enhanced biore-
mediation at Beall. Remediation of
contaminated groundwater that has
already migrated to areas downgradi-
ent of the source areas and is present
site-wide will be accomplished by
enhanced bioremediation followed
by monitored natural attenuation.
Negotiations with the potentially
responsible parties to determine how
the Record of Decision will be im-
plemented has begun.
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Susan Mittelstadt
Phone: (406) 457-5019; (800) 457-2690
E-Mail: mittelstadt.susanOiepa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
1100 North Last Chance Gulch
P.O. BOX 200901
Helena, MT 59626
Catherine LeCours
Phone: (406) 841-5040; (800) 246-8198
E-Mail: clecours@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
22
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
Superfund Remedial
Recent Accomplishments:
• 2009 - March 27: Stage 3 of the Mill town Cleanup began with the
breaching of the spillway coffer dam; river level dropped the final two
feet; combinedflow of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers was re-
directed into a new channel near the base of the Milltown Bluff.
• 2009 - February: Milestone accomplished excavating, loading and
hauling by rail of2,000,000 tons of contaminated sediments off-site
for disposal.
• 2009 - January: With removal of the Milltown Dam Spillway the
Milltown Dam is completely removedfrom the confluence of the Riv-
ers.
• 2008 - March: Diversion of the Clark Fork River into the Temporary
Bypass Channel; stage 2 of the Milltown Cleanup begins with the
breaching of the Milltown Dam; river level at the site lowered 17feet.
• 2007 - October: Loading and rail-hauling of contaminated sediments
begins; 45 train cars/day loaded with approximately 100 tons of sedi-
ments are sent to the Anaconda Smelter Superfund Site for disposal.
• 2006 - June: Stage 1 of the Milltown Cleanup begins with first per-
manent drawdown of the Milltown Reservoir; water level drops 12
feet.
Milltown Reservoir/Clark
Fork River Site
Site Background
Milltown, Montana
Congressional District—At L^rge
About the Site
The Milltown Dam, built at
the confluence of the Clark
Fork and Blackfoot Rivers in
1907, acts as a repository for
sediment and mining wastes.
Sediment from upstream min-
ing activities accumulated in
the reservoir and caused the
formation of a groundwater
arsenic plume that impacted
Milltown's drinking water
supply. EPA added the site to
the National Priorities List
(NPL) in 1983. The site is
being addressed by state and
federal agencies and the poten-
tially responsible parties, the
Atlantic Richfield Company
(ARCO) and Northwestern
Energy Corporation.
The Milltown Reservoir/
Clark Fork River Superfund
Site is divided into three Oper-
able Units: 1) Milltown Water
Supply; 2) Milltown Reser-
voir; and 3) Clark Fork River.
OU1 Milltown Water
Supply - Milltown residents
now have a clean, alternative
drinking water supply; the
Milltown groundwater should
be cleaned up 10 years after
the Milltown Reservoir
cleanup is complete.
OU2 Milltown Reservoir
Sediments - EPA-lead; 2004
Record of Decision (ROD)
calls for removing the Mill-
town Dam and 2.2 million
cubic yards of contaminated
sediments to restore the drink-
ing water supply, fishery, and
Clark Fork and Blackfoot Riv-
ers to a free-flowing state.
OU3 Clark Fork River-
State lead cleanup with EPA
oversight. The ROD requires
a combination of removal and
in-place treatment of tailings
and contaminated soil fol-
lowed by re-vegetation.
Placer mining for gold began in the
mid-to-late 1800s in the Butte-Silver Bow
Creek area. These early activities con-
taminated local areas, but initially did not
contribute extensive tailings to the Clark
Fork River. As mining activities in-
creased, underground mining began for
gold, silver, copper, and other metals.
The mining and milling of deeper copper
sulfide ores in Butte and Anaconda began
during the 1880s and contributed much of
the mining wastes now found in the Clark
Fork River. In early 1908, the largest
flood on record for the river occurred,
resulting in flooding down the entire
Clark Fork River drainage. During this
flood, enormous quantities of waste,
contaminated soils, and contaminated
sediments were deposited all the way
down to the Milltown Reservoir and
Dam just upstream from Missoula.
This Superfund site is approximately
120 miles long and is being cleaned
up in two separate cleanup actions.
23
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Milltown Reservoir/Clark Fork River Site
Cleanup Approach
Milltown Reservoir
Sediments Operable Unit( OU2)
The cleanup at OU2 is an excel-
lent example of how remediation
(cleanup) can be successfully inte-
grated with restoration and redevel-
opment - known as the "3R5."
Redevelopment efforts are led by the
community-based Milltown Redevel-
opment Working Group. The Work-
ing Group is working closely with
EPA, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and
Parks, and Missoula City and County
to turn this Superfund site into a
Montana State Park.
Artist's View of Restored J jvers
EPA, in consultation with the
state of Montana, has the lead for the
cleanup. Remedial Action is under-
way and expected to be complete in
2010 and then the state of Montana's
Restoration Program will assume the
lead for the site. While contaminated
sediment is excavated and hauled off
-site for disposal, restoration and
redevelopment activities are already
underway. The state's Narural Re-
source Damages Program (NRDP) is
developing restoration plans for the
site. A new river channel is planned.
Clark Fork River
Operable Unit (OU3)
1995 - Investigation into the nature
and extent of contamination of the
Clark Fork River began.
1998 - Human Health Risk Assess-
ment completed, concluding that risks
to human health were minimal.
2001 - Human Health Risk Assess-
ment Addendum and Ecological
Risk Assessment were completed.
2002 - The Feasibility Study was
completed; EPA released a Proposed
(cleanup) Plan for public comment.
2004 - EPA issued the Record of
Decision. The ROD calls for a com-
bination of removal and in-place
treatment of tailings and contami-
nated soil followed by re-vegetation.
Stream bank stabilization, weed con-
trol and land owner involvement are
important parts of the remedy.
2005 - Consent Decree negotiations
with the Responsible Party begin.
2006-2007 - RipES (Riparian
Evaluation System) evaluation per-
formed by EPA to prepare for rem-
edy implementation.
2008 - Consent Decree signed and
lodged; State takes over lead on
cleanup with EPA oversight.
2009 - Anticipated start of several
remedial projects, including some
work on East Side Road properties
and the Trestle area in Deer Lodge.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, region 8
10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Russ Forba
Project Manager-Milltown Reservoir
(406) 457-5042; forba.russ@epa.gov
Kristine Edwards
Project Manager-Clark Fcrk River
(406) 457-5021; edwards.kristine@epa.gov
Diana Hammer
Community Involvement Ccordinator
(406) 457-5040; HAMMER.DIANA@EPA.GOV
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
P.O. Box 200902
Helena, MT 59620
Keith Large
Project Officer-Milltown Reservoir
(406) 841-5039; klarge@mt.gov
Joel Chavez
Construction Services Supervisor—Clark Fork
(406) 841-5031; jchavez@mt.gov
Brian Bartkowiak
Project Officer—Clark Fork River
(406) 841-5036; BBARTKQwiak@MT.GOV
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
24
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
-------
Superfund Remedial
Silver Bow Creek/
Butte Area
Montana
Congressional District - At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
• Butte Priority Soils: The Record
of Decision for cleanup of the
Butte Priority Soils Operable
Unit was signed in September
2006. This was the final ROD
for remaining environmental and
human health issues associated
with all media including solid
media, groundwater and surface
water.
• The Granite Mountain Memorial
Area, including the Memorial,
the Mountain Con Mine Yard,
and surrounding historic mining
areas, will be a part of Mon-
tana 's Copperway Regional
Heritage Park. The design plans
were complete in 2009.
• Consent Decree negotiations are
underway with the Potentially
Responsible Parties.
Percent of
Construction Complete
About the Site
Groundwater, surface water and
soils are contaminated with arsenic
and other heavy metals, including
copper, zinc, cadmium and lead.
Silver Bow Creek and the Clark
Fork River contain metals from the
cities of Butte to Milltown. The
tailings, dispersed along the creek
and river, severely limit aquatic life
forms and have caused fish kills in
the river.
Potential health threats include
direct contact with and ingestion of
Site Background
contaminated soil, surface water
and/or groundwater.
Numerous removal and remedial
actions at the Silver Bow Creek/
Butte Area Site hav; reduced hu-
man exposure to metals and other
health threats. High concentrations
of metal in soils and drainage from
the mining facilities still pose risks
that will be addressed in future
cleanup actions.
The Silver Bow Creek/Butte
Area site begins above Butte, near
the Continental Divide, and extends
westward along Silver Bow Creek
to and including the Warm Springs
Ponds (a treatment area). The site
covers about 26 miles of stream and
stream-side habitat. Silver Bow
Creek was used as a conduit for
mining, smelting, industrial and
municipal wastes for more than a
hundred years. Vast mine tailings
deposits are found along the creek.
These deposits contain elevated
levels of metals and have been dis-
persed over the entire flood plain.
The site also includes the cities of
Butte and Walkerville as well as the
Berkeley Pit and the interconnected
mine workings.
The Silver Bow Creek/Butte
Area Site is one of four contami-
nated areas jointly known as the
Clark Fork Basin Si:es. Others are
the Milltown Reservoir Sediments,
Anaconda Smelter, and Montana
Pole & Treating site. All are on the
Environmental Protection Agency
National Priorities List.
25
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Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area
Cleanup Approach
EPA has completed several re-
moval and remedial actions and is
now focusing on the final remedial
cleanup of the site - Butte Priority
Soils Operable Unit.
REMOVAL ACTIONS
2000/2001 - Walkerville Residential
Area: This action addressed 46 resi-
dential properties throughout Walk-
erville, Montana.
1999 - Railroad: Removal of con-
taminated soil on numerous railroad
beds and rail yards throughout the
Butte hills. This action was com-
pleted in 2003.
1996 - Storm water: Construction of
cement channels and sedimentation
ponds throughout the Butte Hill to
address storm water contamination.
1994 - Residential/Source Areas:
Residential yards and waste rock
dumps located throughout Butte and
Walkerville have been/are being ad-
dressed.
1994 - Walkerville: Several waste
dumps were removed or capped.
1992 - Anselmo Mine Yard/Late
Acquisition Silver Hill: contaminated
soils were removed.
1991 - Colorado Smelter: Approxi-
mately 40,000 cubic yards were
moved to an jn-site disposal area.
1990-1991 - Priority Soils: Waste
dumps containing approximately
100,000 cubic yards of soil were
either capped or removed. A railroad
bed and seven residential yards were
also reclaimed.
1990-1991 - Mill-Willow Bypass
Tailings Removal Action: 480,000
cubic yards of acidic tailings were
removed from two tributaries of the
Clark Fork River. A new channel
was constructed; today trout spawn
there.
1989 - Timber Butte: Approximately
40,000 cubic yards of contaminated
soil were moved to an on-site reposi-
tory in 1989. Two residential yards
were cleaned up.
1988 - Walkerville (north of Butte):
Stabilization of 300,000 cubic yards
of lead-contaminated soil from mine
waste dumps. Earthen basements (6)
and residential yards (23) were
cleaned up.
REMEDIAL ACTIONS
Butte Priority Soils: The Butte Prior-
ity Soils Operable Unit was divided
into two phases. Phase I, Expedited
Response Actions, addresses source
areas by removing waste dumps,
railroad beds, or other related mine
wastes. Response actions that are
part of Phase I continue. Phase II is
the final remedial process to address
the remaining environmental and
human health issues associated with
all the media including soil, ground-
water, and surface water. Phase II
culminated in a Record of Decision
in September of 2006.
Berkeley Pit: EPA and the state are
concerned that rising contaminated
mine water in the pit may eventually
migrate into the shallow aquifer and
Silver Bow Creek. Cleanup includes:
1) Construction of a state of the art
treatment facility for surface and pit
water (completed in 2003); 2) per-
manent control of surface inflow into
the Pit; 3) maintenance of the water
level in the Berkeley Pit system;
4) continued control of the West
Camp/Travona System; 5) an exten-
sive compliance monitoring pro-
gram; and 6) institutional controls.
Lower Area One: EPA conducted an
Expedited Response Action for this
area. In 1992, EPA removed manga-
nese stockpiles, and from 1993 to
1997 removed 1.2 million cubic
yards of mine tailings (Colorado and
Butte Reduction). A groundwater
collection and treatment system was
installed. Studies are underway to
see if additional cleanup is neces-
sary. Final capture and treatment of
contaminated groundwater is planned
and the final cleanup decision is part
of the Priority Soils Record of Deci-
sion.
Streamside Tailings: In November
1995, EPA and the Montana Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality se-
lected a remedy for the Streamside
Tailings area. An Explanation of
Significant Differences (ESD) ad-
justed the remedy to some extent.
The remedy removes much of the
waste along the creek and treats
other waste in place. Construction
began in the fall of 1999 and is pro-
gressing well.
Rocker Timber Framing and Treat-
ing Plant: In 1995, EPA, working
with MDEQ, selected the remedy to
address human health risks from
potential exposure to contaminated
soils and groundwater. The remedy
involved the excavation of source
materials and in-situ groundwater
treatment. Cleanup occurred in 1997.
Warm Springs Ponds: The three
man-made Warm Springs Ponds
cover 2,500 acres at the confluence
of Silver Bow, Mill, Willow, and
Warm Springs Creeks. Tailings and
contaminated soils were excavated
and consolidated in Pond 3. Cleanup
was completed in 1995.
EPA's Five Year Reviews (2000,
2005) of the remedy found that it
continues to protect human health
and the environment. Water quality
and biological monitoring over the
past ten years show a significant im-
provement in the pond system's abil-
ity to treat the toxic water of Silver
Bow Creek as shown by the rich
habitat for trout, sculpins, and abun-
dant aquatic insect life.
26
MONTANA - SUPERFUND REMEDIAL
-------
Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area
Cleanup Approach Continued
West Camp/Travona Shaft Area: In
1989, rising mine waters were ad-
dressed by a pumping and piping
system, sending the waters to the
Metro Plant and preventing base-
ment flooding and discharges of
contaminated groundwater to the
alluvial aquifer and Silver Bow
Creek. These mine waters are now
being treated at the Lower Area One
treatment facility.
Points of Interest
The Residential Metals Abatement
Program - was included in the 2006
Record of Decision signed by the
EPA and Montana Department of
Environmental Quality. EPA com-
mitted to periodic reviews of the
program's effectiveness. The 2008
program review showed some pro-
gress in sampling, cleanup and blood
lead testing. When the Record of
Decision was signed, 1,000 proper-
ties had already been sampled. The
Record of Decision required the re-
maining 3,400 residential properties
be assessed by September 2014.
EPA will review the program and
associated data again in September
2009.
Sampling and Cleanup - Since the
Record of Decision was signed, sam-
pling of approximately 300 addi-
tional properties has shown 20 with
elevated levels of lead and/or arsenic
in yard soils, indoor dust, or base-
ment soils. A schedule to clean up
these properties is part of the normal
process within the Butte Silver Bow
Residential Metals Abatement Pro-
gram.
From January 2008 to November
2008, Butte/Silver Bow (BSB)
cleaned up 37 properties: 14 soil
abatement projects, 15 attic dust
abatement projects, 1 interior dust
abatement project, 3 cap protection/
lead paint projects, and 4 storm water
sites.
Attic Dust - An additional 54 proper-
ties had elevated levels of lead and/
or arsenic only in attic dust. As
stated in the ROD, if it is determined
that the attic dust is entering the liv-
ing space or if the property owner
will be remodeling the attic area, the
attic dust will be removed.
Blood Lead Sampling - BSB contin-
ues to collect blood lead data. Of the
656 children participating in the
blood lead screening in 2008, no
children had elevated blood leads,
i.e., above 9.9(ig/dl.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 8 Montana Office
10 W. 15th Street
Helena, MT 59626
Sara Sparks
Remedial Project Manager
Phone: (406) 782-7415
E-Mail: sparks.sara@epa.gov
Wendy Thomi
Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: (406) 457-5037
E-Mail: thomi.wendy@epa.gov
Montana Department of
Environmental Quality
1100 North Last Chance Gulch
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
Joe Griffin
Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5041
E-Mail: jgriffin@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: http://www.epa.gov/region8
MONTANA - SUPERFUND Remedial
27
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Superfund Remedial
Upper Tenmile Creek Mining
Area
Near Helena, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Recent Accomplishments:
2009 - S5M- $10Min Recovery Act Funds to accelerate
cleanup, boost economy, create jobs, and protect human
health at the Upper Tenmile Mining Area Superfund Site.
2008 - Additional residemial properties were remediated
in the Landmark Subdivision in the northern portion of this
Superfund Site.
2008 - EPA issued an amendment to the 2002 Record of
Decision (ROD). This ROD amendment addresses cleanup
costs, drinking water, wastewater, and yard cleanups.
2007 - Cleanup of residential yards in Rimini, including re-
vegetation; also, remediation of Lee Mountain Mine stag-
ing area; improvements to the Luttrell Repository; and
placement of a temporary cap on contaminants in Rimini
Road.
2007 - EPA issues a Proposed Plan for amending the 2002
Record of Decision and receives public comment.
2006 - Cleanup of contaminated soils in Rimini begins.
About the Site
EPA added the Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area to the
Superfund National Priorities List on October 22, 1999, due to
mining waste problems in the 53 square mile watershed, The
small, historic mining community of Rimini is located within
the Superfund site boundaries. Contaminants of concern are
heavy metals, primarily lead, copper and zinc, as well as arse-
nic. These contaminants pose potential risks to public health
and the environment.
Site Background
The Upper Tenmile Creek Mining
Area site is located in the Rimini Min-
ing District, southwest of Helena,
Montana, and consists of numerous
abandoned and inactive hard rock
mine sites that produced gold, lead,
zinc, and copper. Mining began in the
Rimini Mining District before 1870
and continued through the 1920s.
Little mining has been performed in
the Rimini Mining District since the
early 1930s. The site boundary in-
cludes the drainage basin of Tenmile
Creek upstream of the Helena Water
Treatment Plant and includes tributar-
ies that supply water to the plant's
five intake pipelines. EPA identified
150 individual mine sites within the
watershed boundary, of which 70
have been prioritized for cleanup.
Many of these mine features are
above the five city of Helena drinking
water intakes which supply over 70
percent of the city's water.
In 1999, residents and others met
with EPA to request cleanup of min-
ing wastes. EPA listed the site on the
Superfund National Priorities List and
removal began of high priority areas.
In 2000/2001, EPA completed the
cleanup the high priority areas (Red
Mountain, Bunker Hill, Susie Peer-
less/Jenney/King and part of the Up-
per Valley Forge Mine sites). EPA
began the Remedial Investigation/
Feasibility Study. Results showed
high levels of arsenic and/or lead pose
a risk to human health in most resi-
dential yards in Rimini and several
properties in the Landmark subdivi-
sion. Most well water in Rimini is
contaminated. EPA provides a point-
of-use water system or bottled water
to affected residents.
29
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Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area
Site Background Continued
In 2002 EPA and the Montana
Department of Environmental Qual-
ity (DEQ) signed a Record of Deci-
sion (ROD) specifying that cleanup
would include removal of the con-
taminated soils and mine waste and
disposal in the Luttrell Repository.
Cleanup would also include con-
struction of new water and waste
water systems for Rimini. EPA and
the Forest Service continued mine
waste removals. In 2008, EPA is-
sued a ROD Amendment addressing:
1) Cost differences between the 2002
ROD and actual costs/engineering
estimates; 2) Risk-based decision
process for selecting a drinking water
supply for Rimini residents and halt-
ing construction of a community
wastewater system; and 3) Residen-
tial yard cleanups and maintenance
of remediated properties. The
Rimini Sewer and Water Board is
now working with EPA to identify a
preferred community potable water
system.
Cleanup Approach
The Upper Tenmile site is being
cleaned up using a collaborative,
watershed approach. To date, EPA
has been unable to identify a poten-
tially responsible party so the
cleanup is being paid for with federal
funds. Cooperating agencies have
combined resources to expedite a
watershed cleanup. The U.S. Forest
Service has taken the lead role in
cleaning up wastes on its property
within the Superfund site boundary
(Beatrice, Justice and Armstrong
Mines). Where individual mines
involve both federal and private
lands (Upper Valley Forge Mine),
cleanup expenses are shared by EPA
and the Forest Service. EPA and the
Contacts
Forest Service also share construc-
tion and maintenance costs of a joint
mine waste repository. Throughout
the cleanup, EPA continues to work
closely with the Forest Service, state
and local communities.
EPA staff are coordinating with
other state and federal agencies by
addressing Clean Water Act prob-
lems related to mining wastes in the
watershed that have been identified
by the state. Tenmile Creek is a pri-
ority for the state's Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) allocation.
In addition to periodic meetings,
site fact sheets, and other activities,
EPA participates in monthly meet-
ings of the Upper Tenmile Water-
shed Group to inform the affected
communities and the partner agen-
cies of EPA's progress.
^-Upper
Tenmile Creek
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
10 West 15th Street
Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Mike Bishop
Project Manager
Phone: (406) 457-5041
E-Mail: bishop.mike@epa.gov
Diana Hammer
Community Involvement
Phone: (406) 457-5040
E-Mail: hammer.diana@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality
1100 North Last Chance Gulch
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620
Larry Scusa
Project Officer
Phone: (406) 841-5036
E-Mail: lscusa@mt.gov
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/regionQ8/
30
MONTANA - Superfund Remedial
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-Section 2
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Superfund Removal
§zi
Billings PCE
Billings, Montana
Congressional District - At Large
Recent
Accomplishments:
In the summer of2008, EPA conducted an ag-
gressive remediation of PCE source area soils
through excavation, isolation (containment) and
chemical oxidation. Approximately 2,500 cubic
yards of contaminated soils were treated on-site
and 450 cubic yards sent off-site for incineration.
Three of six planned residential radon units have
been installed.
Billings PCE Plume
100
75
50
25
Percent of Construction
Complete
100%
About the Site
The EPA removal program began investigation of the site
in July 2006 upon request of the state of Montana Department
of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). EPA's removal assess-
ment revealed a significant groundwater plume extending from
715 Central Avenue (source area) northeast 1.5 miles through
a residential neighborhood and eventually into downtown Bill-
ings, covering approximately 140 acres. EPA determined the
source of the groundwater plume to be the result of historic
releases of perchloroethene (PCE) from a dry cleaning opera-
tion at 715 Central Ave. There are 300 residential and 180
commercial properties overlying the groundwater plume that
are impacted by vapor intrusion. Approximately 90 residences
have accepted EPA testing, six of which have PCE levels re-
quiring mitigation systems.
Cleanup Approach
The EPA removed all source area soils above the water
table next to the laundry facility and physically isolated a sig-
nificant source area below the water table along Central Ave-
nue with a sheet pile containment cell. This removal was in-
tended to address release and migration of PCE from the
source area.
Effective remediation of the source areas will provide per-
manent and long term protectiveness to the impacted commu-
nity. Based on groundwater modeling by EPA, the removal
actions to minimize future migration of PCE from source areas
will result in significant reduction in the plume and concentra-
tion (plume attenuation) over a 15 to 20 year period.
EPA will attempt to identify remaining residential proper-
ties having PCE in their indoor air above our level of concern
by offering an additional opportunity for residents to have
their homes tested during the fall of 2009. All residents hav-
ing levels above EPA's level of concern will be offered radon
mitigation units which effectively also mitigate PCE vapor.
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Kerry Guy
On-Scene Coordinator
(303) 312-7288
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
31
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Superfund Removal
Keller Transport Oil Spill
In April 2008, a tanker truck accident spilled 6,000 gallons
of gasoline 500 feet up-gradient of Flathead Lake near Poison,
Montana. The gasoline immediately sank into the ground and
traveled through cracks and fissures toward the lake. Several
homes located between the spill and the lake were impacted by
gasoline vapors, endangering residents health and causing the
risk of explosion. The movement of gasoline through ground-
water could potentially impact drinking water wells and even-
tually reach Flathead Lake. Five homes were evacuated and
deemed temporarily uninhabitable until indoor gas vapors
were mitigated. EPA is overseeing the cleanup being con-
ducted by the trucking company.
Polson, Montana
Congressional District - 00
About the Site
Recent
Accomplishments:
• The water treatment system and related
discharge are currently operating under a
NPDES permit issued by the Montana De-
partment of Environmental Quality.
• As of April 2009 th.-ee of the five vacated
homes are now habitable.
Cleanup Approach
A temporary groundwater recovery and treatment system
was installed immediately after the spill. Soil removal was
performed immediately at the spill site along the highway.
Later, an additional 500 cubic yards of soil were removed near
the lake after gasoline had migrated through the bedrock to the
lake shore sediment. A more extensive recovery trench sys-
tem is being installed with a permanent water treatment plant.
Indoor air ventilation systems were installed in five homes to
clear the air of hydrocarbon vapor from the gasoline that
flowed in the bedrock under the homes.
Percent of
Construction Complete
100
75
50
25
30%
1
Points of Interest
Four of the five displaced homeowners have lawsuits
pending against Keller Transport, the company responsi-
ble for the spill.
Keller Transport has very limited insurance funds to cover
the costs of the cleanup and any associated penalties.
33
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Keller Transport Oil Spill
Contacts
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202
(800)227-8917
Steve Way
On-Scene Coordinator
Phone:(303) 312-6723
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8
34
MONTANA - Superfund Removal
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Section 3
-------
Brownfields
life,
Bear Paw Development
Corporation
Bear Paw Development Corporation of
Northern Montana
Congressional District—At-Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2009
$400,000 (Recovery
Act Funding)
Background
Located in north-central Montana
along the Canadian border, the Bear
Paw Development Corporation serves
Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Phillips, and
Liberty Counties (combined popula-
tion 34,116), and the Chippewa Cree
Tribe Indian Reservation. The area's
strongest industry, agriculture, has
declined steadily over the last 30
years and many of the region's
brownfields are the result of a legacy
of traditional farming. As agriculture
and its supporting businesses de-
clined, vacant and potentially con-
taminated properties were left be-
hind. State and Tribal agencies re-
port numerous abandoned mines,
methamphetamine laboratories, and
275 leaking underground storage tanks
in the Bear Paw area. Many towns in
the region have boarded up blighted
properties, including several at promi-
nent intersections.
Project Highlights
To address this problem, the Bear
Paw Development Corporation will
conduct environmental assessments to
evaluate the condition and cleanup
options of priority Brownfields prop-
erties in its area. Conducting an envi-
ronmental assessment is a critical first
step in the redevelopment process to
determine what, if any, contamina-
tion exists. To this end, in 2009, the
Bear Paw Development Corporation
of Northern Montana was selected to
receive two Brownfields assessment
grants - $200,000 for hazardous sub-
stance assessments and $200,000 for
petroleum assessments. Both grants
are part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection
Agency, Montana Office
Phone: (406) 457- 5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Paul Tuss
Bear Paw Development Corporation of
Northern Montana,
Phone: (406) 265-9226
E-Mail: ptuss@ bearpaw.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
35
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Berg Lumbermill
Site
Brownfields
Lewistown, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2009
$200,000
The Berg Lumber Property
Source: Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Background
While the state of Montana has been experiencing
population growth, the city of Lewistown (population
5,945) has been losing residents. The decreasing size
of the community has had a negative impact on the
city, whose residents have below average incomes
and a high unemployment rate. In an effort to ad-
dress this issue, the city of Lewistown is attempting
to clean up its Brownfields sites and return them to
productive use. The Berg Lumber Mill property is a
priority cleanup and redevelopment project for the
city. It is contaminated with hazardous substances at
concentrations that pose a risk to human health and
the environment. Cleanup of the target site will help
reduce these threats and is expected to allow the city
to sell portions of the property for redevelopment.
The city is planning to create an access route to Big
Spring Creek and parkland on the remaining portion
of the property.
Project Highlights
EPA has selected the city of Lewistown for a
$200,000 Brownfields Grant to clean up the Berg
Lumber site on Joyland Road. The currently vacant
site was used as a lumber yard, including a saw mill
and post and pole treating operations, from the 1970s
to 1994. Site soil is contaminated with pentachloro-
phenol and dioxin. Grant funds will be used to exca-
vate and dispose of contaminated soil, install bottom
and top liners, and conduct sampling.
Contacts
Bill Rothenmeyer
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (303)312-6596
E-mail: rothenmeyer.william@epa.gov
Duane Ferdinand
City of Lewistown, MT
Phone: (406) 535-1775
E-mail: planning@ci.lewistown.mt.us
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
37
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Project
Accomplishments:
• Public outreach
efforts have begun.
• Big Sky EDA plans
to conduct up to 12
environmental as-
sessments in the
coming year.
Big Sky
Development Authority
Big Sky Economic Development Authority
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2008
$400,000
Background
In the spring of 2008, the Big Sky Economic
Development Authority (EDA) was selected to
receive two brownfields assessment grants.
The Authority serves the city of Billings and
Yellowstone County (total population 138,213)
and will focus its Brownfields efforts on the
East Downtown Urban Renewal District
(population 3,624), a community east of down-
town Billings. In this neighborhood, 31.5 per-
cent of residents live below the poverty level,
and the median family income is $28,147. The
area has been home to a meat-packing plant and
other industrial and commercial operations that
have likely used or generated hazardous sub-
stances. Of the 276 properties in the area, 65
are vacant or abandoned. They also include a
former oil and gas company, car dealerships,
Project Highlights
and at least 10 service stations. Assessment of
brownfields in the target area will provide in-
formation about environmental contamination
and is expected to be the Authority's first step
toward implementing its Urban Renewal Plan
for economic growth.
Hazardous substances grant funds will be
used to conduct at least 12 Phase I and up to
five Phase II environmental site assessments.
Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform
the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum
contamination. Grant funds also will be used to
support community outreach activities.
Big Sky EDA has selected an environmental consultant to assist with community outreach
and environmental assessments in the project area. The first public outreach meeting was held in
March 2008, and Big Sky EDA anticipates completing 12 Phase I environmental assessments in
the coming year.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Patty Nordlund
Big Sky EDA
Phone: (406) 256-6871
E-mail: patty(Sibigskyeda.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.bigskyeda-edc.org
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Brownfields
City of Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Congressional District—At
Large
Award Date: 2009
Award Amount: $200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
Background
Located in northwestern
Montana, the city of Kalis-
pell (population 20,298)
prospered along the historic
railroad tracks that were
once home to the Galloping
Goose, a train that brought
goods to market across the
state. Many of the properties
along the rail lines that once
housed local industries now
lay vacant or underused, and
environmental contamina-
tion is suspected. To address
the uncertainties of the con-
tamination, the city applied
for and received two EPA
Brownfields assessment
grants, totaling $400,000.
The city has identified forty-
seven underused properties
in the target area, the Bur-
lington Northern Santa Fe
(BNSF) Revitalization Pro-
ject area. They include gas
stations, warehouses, and
grain elevators. In addition,
the state has identified 17
known underground storage
tank releases in the area.
Commercial and residential
properties in the BNSF area
are adjacent to one another,
raising concerns about expo-
sure to contaminants typi-
cally found along railroad
corridors.
Project Highlights
The city of Kalispell will
use its community-wide as-
sessment grant funds to con-
duct up to 20 Phase I and 8
Phase II site assessments for
hazardous substances and
petroleum contamination.
Grant funds also will be used
to conduct cleanup planning
and support community out-
reach activities. The city
will focus assessments on
sites in the BNSF Revitaliza-
tion Project area. Assess-
ment of area brownfields is
expected to facilitate site
cleanup and help leverage
public and private funds for
redevelopment, and return
these sites to productive use.
Contacts
Ted Lanzano
Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 8
Phone: (303)312-6596
E-mail: lanzano.ted@epa.gov
Kelli Danielson
City of Kalispell, MT
Phone: (406) 758-7740
E-mail: kdanielson@kalispell.com
EPA Website: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
41
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42
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Brownfields
City of Shelby
City of Shelby, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2007
$199,700
Background
Project
Accomplishments:
• Developed and sub-
mitted a voluntary
cleanup plan to the
state.
• Conducting final
sampling activities to
support cleanup
plan.
• Final cleanup
approval is targeted
for 2010.
In 2007, the city of Shelby was selected to
receive a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Shelby
(population 3,327) is a rural community that
relies heavily on agriculture and oil and gas
production for economic viability. Recently,
land values have declined, crops have dried
up, and oil and gas activity has plummeted. As
a result, many residents have had to take lower
-paying jobs and, in many cases, second jobs.
More than 40 percent of city residents are con-
sidered low-to-moderate income. Cleanup of
the Shelby Refinery will remove the threat to
human health posed by petroleum wastes. A
Project Highlights
private concrete, sand, and gravel business
hopes to relocate there once the site is clean.
This facility will provide job opportunities,
and generate construction and operation reve-
nues.
Grant funds will be used to remove and
dispose of petroleum wastes at the abandoned
Shelby Refinery site. The site was built in
1940 to process crude oil into gasoline. Funds
also will be used to monitor and oversee the
cleanup process, and conduct community out-
reach activities.
Since receiving its Brownfields Cleanup
Grant, the city of Shelby has developed and
submitted a voluntary cleanup plan to the state
of Montana. The state required the city to con-
duct soil gas sampling at the site which is be-
ing completed. The city also submitted a cul-
tural resources survey and EPA received con-
currence from the State Historic Preservation
Office that the cleanup plans will not ad-
versely affect cultural resources at the site.
The city anticipates cleanup activities at the
site will be completed in Fiscal Year 2010.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Lorette Carter
City of Shelby
Phone: (406) 424-8799
E-mail: shbcdc@3rivers.net
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.shelbymt.com
43
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Brownfields
Great Falls Revolving Loan
Great Falls Development Authority
Great Falls, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2005
$1 Million
Project
Accomplishments:
Revolving Loan Fund
(RLF) Program Guide-
lines in place.
Model loan documents
established.
Extensive outreach and
marketing of RLF in the
community.
A portion of Great Falls' cleanup and redevelopment priority area
along the Missouri River.
Background
In 2005, the Great Falls Develop-
ment Authority (GFDA) received a
$1,000,000 EPA Brownfields Re-
volving Loan Fund (RLF) grant to
make low interest loans and sub-
grants for cleanup activities at
brownfields properties. While
GFDA is open to lending for cleanup
projects throughout its area, the riv-
erfront redevelopment properties
along the Missouri River are a key
priority. This area includes 14 sepa-
rate sites with a range of contami-
nants such as pesticides, metals, as-
bestos, petroleum, and solvents.
Cleanup and redevelopment of the
properties in the area will reduce the
threats to the health and welfare of
the disadvantaged populations in
surrounding neighborhoods. Rede-
velopment also will greatly improve
the visual aesthetics of the neighbor-
hood and create jobs close to where
residents live. The area is considered
a key location for office parks and
medical service facilities, since it
combines river frontage and park-
land with access and proximity to
two of Great Falls' primary business
districts.
Great Falls, Montana (population
56,690), is a regional center in north
central Montana. It accounts for 71
percent of the population of Cascade
County. Two-thirds of the county's
private sector jobs are weighted to-
ward low-paying retail and service
jobs. Wages in the county are 68
percent of the national average.
Project Highlights
Since the RLF grant award in
2005, the Great Falls Development
Authority has successfully estab-
lished its RLF program by develop-
ing model loan documents, conduct-
ing outreach and marketing about
low-interest loans and subgrants, and
by developing program guidelines
and learning about the complex as-
pects of this Brownfields grant.
GFDA has made extensive efforts to
finance projects in the target area,
and overall has demonstrated a
strong commitment to a successful
RLF Program.
45
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Great Falls
Contacts
Ted Lanzano
ff q\
mj)
Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 8
Phone: (303) 312-6596
E-MAIL LANZANO.TEDtaEPA.GOV
Lillian Sunwall
Great Falls Development Authority
Phone: 406-771-9024
E-mail: LSunwall@gfdevelopment.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
46
MONTANA - BROWNFIELDS
-------
Project
Accomplishments:
• Completed assess-
ments offive
properties.
• Assessment of the
former Wolf Point
Roundhouse will
allow development
to proceed on the
Montana Cowboy
Hall of Fame, lever-
aged by a $500,000
grant from the state
of Montana.
Brownfields
Great Northern
Development Corporation
Great Northern Development Corporation, Award Date: 2005 and 2007
Montana Award Amount: $300,000
Congressional District—At Large
Background
The Great Northern Development Corpora-
tion, Inc. (GNDC) was selected to receive a
second Brownfields Assessment Grant in
2007. The GNDC's Brownfields efforts will
target six rural counties in northeast Montana:
Daniels, Garfield, McCone, Roosevelt, Sheri-
dan, and Valley (combined population
26,031). These counties include a federally
designated Enterprise Community and the
entire Fort Peck Sioux and Assiniboine Indian
Reservation. More than 25 percent of the
area's residents are Native Americans, and
19.3 percent of residents live below the pov-
erty level. The closing and downsizing of sev-
eral large employers has resulted in a reduced
tax base, fewer job opportunities, and a legacy
of potentially contaminated Brownfields.
There are 735 abandoned mine sites, and
hundreds of leaking underground storage
tanks within the six counties. Brownfields
assessment will help to remove the largest
roadblock to redevelopment, which is un-
known environmental contamination. Brown-
fields redevelopment will increase and diver-
sify the tax base, provide jobs, and improve
the economic stability of the region.
Hazardous substances grant funds will be
used to conduct at least six Phase I and at least
two Phase II environmental site assessments
in six rural counties in the state. Funds also
will be used for community outreach activi-
ties.
Project Highlights
Using the EPA Brownfields Assessment
Grant. GNDC has so far assessed three sites.
One site is a former railroad roundhouse in
Wolf Point, Montana on the Fort Peck Indian
Reservation. This site has been designated as
the future location of a western heritage center
and the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. In
addition to the Brownfields Assessment Grant
funding, the state has provided $500,000 to
prepare the architectural and engineering plans
for this project. The second site assessed by
GNDC is the former McCone County Hospi-
tal. The former hospital will be renovated by a
private developer and used for commercial
space in the small community of Circle, Mon-
tana.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Audrey Pipal
Great Northern Development
Corporation, Inc.
Phone: (406) 653-2590
E-mail: audrey@gndc.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.gndc.org
47
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H
Former Kenco
Refinery
Brownfields
Roosevelt County, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2007, 2008
$150,000
Background
Project
Accomplishments:
• Based on the results
of the TBA, the
county has a clearer
understanding of the
extent of contamina-
tion at the site and
the potential cost of
cleanup.
• The county can use
the assessment re-
sults and the reme-
diation cost estimate
to assist potential
developers as they
consider the overall
costs of developing
the site.
EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program is designed to help minimize the
uncertainties of contamination often associated with Brownfields - especially for those entities
without EPA Brownfields Assessment grants. The TBA program is not a grant program, but a
service provided through an EPA contract in which EPA directs a contractor to conduct environ-
mental assessment activities to address the requestor's needs. Unlike grants, EPA does not pro-
vide funding directly to the entity requesting the services.
Roosevelt County requested that a Targeted Brownfield Assessment be conducted at the for-
mer Kenco petroleum refinery site located near Wolf Point, Montana. The site was being consid-
ered for the development of an ethanol or biodiesel plant.
Project Highlights
The Kenco property occu-
pies approximately 45 acres
between Highway 2 and the
east/west railroad main line
near Wolf Point, Montana.
The refinery produced jet
fuel, diesel and fuel oil be-
tween 1965 and 1985. The
site has been abandoned
since the refinery closed. In
2005, EPA completed a
Phase I investigation, a his-
toric investigation of the
property use and a prelimi-
nary site inspection. Based
on the findings of the Phase I
investigation, the county
requested a Phase II investi-
gation, a more in-depth envi-
ronmental site assessment,
including sampling activities
to identify the types and con-
centrations of contaminants
and the areas requiring
cleanup. Phase II was com-
pleted in 2008. This report
provided decision makers
with information on the
scope of contamination at the
site which includes soils and
groundwater containing pe-
troleum and other contami-
nants. The assessment veri-
fied that contaminated
groundwater is not migrating
off-site. EPA also developed
a detailed estimate for the
county of the potential cost
of cleaning up the contami-
nation under three potential
cleanup alternatives.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Audrey Pipal
Great Northern Development
Corporation, Inc.
Phone: (406) 653-2590
E-mail: audrey@gndc.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.gndc.org
49
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Project
Accomplishments:
• Completed environ-
mental assessments
of five properties.
• Assisted the Helena
Indian Alliance to
obtain assistance
from the state to
cleanup a mercury
spill identified dur-
ing a Brownfields
assessment.
Contacts
Brownfields
Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Congressional District—At Urge
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2006
$200,000
Background
Lewis and Clark County was selected to
receive a Brownfields Assessment Grant in
2006. Lewis and Clark County (population
55,716) includes the Helena Valley, which is
the primary population center and economic
hub of Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and
Broadwater Counties. Mining and manufac-
turing operations in Helena and East Helena
have significantly decreased over the past
several years, leaving behind contaminated
soil and groundwater. Since 2000, key em-
ployers have closed or relocated, resulting in
an estimated loss of more than 800 jobs and
$25 million in annual earnings in the region.
The per capita income in the county is 86.2
percent of the national average, and 13 per-
cent of residents live below the poverty level.
Growth in the region is largely occurring
outside Helena and East Helena, placing in-
creasing demands on the county to provide
services to unincorporated areas. Brownfields
in the county include mine and mill sites, for-
mer dumps, sawmills, and at least 17 known
methamphetamine labs. When Brownfields are
revitalized, they will be used as sites for afford-
able housing and mixed-use development.
Brownfields redevelopment will create jobs,
increase the tax base, remove blight and
sources of contamination, limit sprawl, and
improve the quality of life for residents.
The county's hazardous substances grant
funds are to be used to inventory and prioritize
Brownfield sites, conduct at least six Phase I
and at least two Phase II environmental site
assessments, develop cleanup plans, and per-
form community outreach activities. The target
area is the Helena Valley, which includes the
cities of Helena and East Helena.
Project Highlights
Using the EPA Brownfields Assessment
Grant, Lewis and Clark County has com-
pleted assessments of five properties includ-
ing a former grocery store building that is
being considered as the possible site for a
new County cooperative health center and a
former Army Reserve Headquarters that was
transferred to the Helena Indian Alliance. A
spill of mercury was identified at the Helena
Indian Alliance site and the county helped the
Alliance obtain assistance from Montana De-
partment of Environmental Quality to clean up
the spill using the state's response program
grant. The county is currently assessing the
sixth and final site, a former foundry where a
local nonprofit that hopes to build affordable
Stephanie Wallace
(i q\
P|
f\s/
Environmenta. Protection
Agency, Regicn 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Laura Erikson
B Lewis and Clark County
¦ Phone: (406) 447-8383
E-mail: lerikson@co. lewis-clark.mt.us
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us
51
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Recent
Accomplishments:
• Cleanup complete on
White Pine Sash
property (16.6
acres), paving the
way for park rede-
velopment.
• Cleanup almost com-
plete at the 46 acre
Sawmill Site, and
park redevelopment
already has begun.
• City of Missoula has
developed an exem-
plary Revolving
Loan Fund program
for small-mid-sized
communities across
the nation. City also
has a qualified and
committed RLF
team.
Missoula, Montana
Brownfields Cleanup and
REVOLVING LOAN FUND
The City of Missoula, Montana Award Dates:
Brownfields
Congressional District—At
Large
Cleanup Grant, 2004;
Revolving Loan Fund Grant, 2004
Award Amount: Cleanup Grant, $200,000; Revolving
Loan Fund grant, $1.4 million
An EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) financed the cleanup of the
Sawmill Property in Missoula (left) and an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant was
used to cleanup the White Pine Sash property (right).
Background
Nestled in a valley along
Montana's Clark Fork River
is the community of Mis-
soula. Throughout its indus-
trial past of lumber mills and
mining, the town suffered
environmental degradation in
numerous locations. Today,
the city has made significant
strides to restore the heart of
its community. With the help
of an EPA Brownfields
Cleanup and Revolving Loan
Fund grant and the involve-
ment of concerned citizens,
Missoula has moved towards
cleaning up two former aban-
doned lots while developing a
plan to provide affordable
housing for residents.
Historically, Missoula's
economy relied heavily on
timber and local mining opera-
tions, which the community
thrived on until the 1960s. The
decline of the timber industry
resulted in massive job reloca-
tion and abandonment of the
city's timber processing facili-
ties, including the White Pine
Sash property, located in the
city's north side, and the
Missoula Sawmill property,
which is adjacent to the
downtown area. With assis-
tance from an EPA Brown-
fields Cleanup Grant and a
Revolving Loan Fund grant,
the city of Missoula has been
able to clean up both these
sites and move forward in
returning them to productive
use.
Project Highlights
Sawmill Site
In 2005, the city of Missoula, Montana made an EPA
Brcwnfields Revolving Loan Fund loan to the Millsite Revi-
talization Project, LLC for $1,000,000 to finance environ-
mental cleanup at the former Champion Sawmill property in
the heart of Missoula. In 2007, the loan amount was in-
creased to $1,125,000 to cover actual cleanup costs. The 46-
acre property operated as a lumberyard and lumber mill from
the early 1900s until 1992 when all milling operations ceased.
Since 1992, the property remaine j vacant, continuing to dete-
riorate. Contaminants on site include glues, metals, primers,
solvents, fuels and other petroleum hydrocarbon based lubri-
cants (such as saw oils, motor oils and greases). Cleanup ac-
tivities are ongoing at the site to address site contaminants.
The city of Missoula and the developers are working closely
with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality
(MTDEQ) to assure the property cleanup is protective of hu-
man health and the environment. The project is moving for-
ward with the participation from the Millsite Revitalization
53
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Missoula
Project Highlights Continued
Project, LLC, the city of Missoula, the Missoula Redevelop-
ment Agency, the Missoala Area Economic Development
Corporation, and the MTDEQ. The former Champion Saw-
mill site will soon be transformed into a mixed-use commu-
nity of 950 residential units (rentals, townhomes, and condos),
more than 140,000 square feet of commercial space, and open
space on more than 40 percent of the site, including a 15-acre
city park along the Clark Fork River.
White Pine Sash
For nearly sixty years, the Missoula White Pine Sash Facil-
ity surface-treated window sashes with a mixture of penta-
chlorophenol (PCP) and diesel or mineral spirits. The mill
anchored the Missoula Northside neighborhood, shaping the
community and providing good paying jobs. In the late 1980s,
contaminated soil was discovered below an underground stor-
age tank, triggering several investigations aimed at determin-
ing the extent and severity of contamination. Mill operations
resulted in surface soil contamination on the city-owned
property with dioxins/furans (dioxins) and pentachloro-
phenol.
In 2004, the city of Missoula received an EPA Brown-
fields Cleanup grant for $200,000 to cleanup the city-
owned portion of the site. Cleanup was determined com-
plete by the Montana Department of Environmental Qual-
ity in 2009. The city intends to develop the eastern three
acres of the city-owned land into a soccer field large
enough for official use by 10 to 12 year olds and a small
play area. The remainder of the city-owned land to the
west will be developed commercially to house city ser-
vices, including the Street Maintenance Division, and
possibly the Parks and Recreation Department. Remedia-
tion of the site will allow these proposed uses to become
a reality.
Contacts
Ted Lanzano
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (303) 312-6596
E-mail: lanzano.ted@epa.gov
Kesha Schlegel
City of Missoula Brownfields
Coordinator
Phone: (406) 258-3688
E-mail: kschlegel@co.missoula.mt.us
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.co.missoula.mt.us/opgweb/grants/brownfield program.htm
54
MONTANA - Brownfields
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Brownfields
Northern Rocky
Mountain Resource
Conservation and Development
Area, Inc.
Bozeman, Montana
Congressional District—At Urge
Award Date: 2009
Award Amount: $1.6 million
Background
A major component of
EPA's Brownfields Program is
the award of cooperative
agreements to states, political
subdivisions, and tribes to
capitalize Brownfields Revolv-
ing Loan Funds (RLFs). These
entities use RLF funds to make
low interest loans for cleanup
activities at brownfields prop-
erties. In 2009, the Northern
Rocky Mountain Resource
Conservation and Develop-
ment Area. Inc., was selected
to receive a $1.6 million
Brownfields RLF to finance
cleanup projects in Central
Montana. The grantee applied
with two coalition partners
including the Snowy Mountain
Development Corporation and
the Montana Business Assis-
tance Connection. The area
targeted by the RLF grant in-
cludes 11 counties in central
Montana (combined popula-
tion 184,654). This area con-
tains hundreds of abandoned
mines, underground storage
tanks, and other potential
brownfields. The counties are
some of the most economically
disadvantaged counties in the
state and the brownfields pre-
sent risks to human health and
the environment.
Project Highlights
The Northern Rocky Moun-
tain Resource Conservation
and Development Area, Inc.
and its partners have several
brownfields sites that are ready
for cleanup. For example, the
Paris Cleaners property in
Lewistown is a former dry
cleaner operation with con-
tamination concerns. The city
would like to demolish the
building and cleanup the site,
enabling the redevelopment of
the property into a park and
attractive greenway. Another
possible project is the redevel-
opment of the Montana Mill-
ing Company in Bozeman. The
developer has a mixed use plan
for the property that includes
renovating an old grain eleva-
tor and incorporating aspects
of the historic mill structures
into a revitalized commercial
and residential development.
Contacts
Ted Lanzano
Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 8
Phone: (303) 312-6596
E-mail: lanzano.ted@epa.gov
Sarah Hamlen and Casey Kulbeck
Northern Rocky Mountain Resource
Conservation & Development Area
PHONE: (406) 582-5700
Email: info@nrmrcd.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
55
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Project
Accomplishments:
• Submitted a draft
voluntary cleanup
plan to the state.
• County is working
with the state and
EPA to focus the
cleanup effort on the
highest priority areas
of the site for redevel-
opment.
• Cleanup will also help
address Comprehen-
sive Environmental
Cleanup and Respon-
sibility Act (CECRA)
issues at the site.
Powell County
Brownfields
Powell County, Montana
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date:
Award Amount:
2006
$200,000
Background
Powell County was selected to receive a
brownfields cleanup grant in 2006. Located in
western Montana, Powell County (population
7,076) historically depended on its railroad
and natural resource industries, but has been
severely affected by the loss of jobs in these
industries. The decline of the timber, railroad,
and natural resources industries has left behind
vacant properties and more than 50 brown-
fields sites throughout the region that have
reduced the tax base, stalled economic devel-
opment, and become a detriment to human
health. Powell County's per capita income is
SI3,816, which is significantly less than state
and national averages. The county's unem-
ployment rate is 8.1 percent.
Hazardous substances grant funds will be
used to clean up the Deer Lodge Roundhouse
site, which is contaminated with hazardous
substances co-mingled with petroleum, includ-
ing heavy petroleum fuels, diesel fuel, and
solvents. The 14.5-acre site has been unused
since 1980, and is contaminated from former
rail maintenance, refueling, and locomotive
repair operations and is a high priority State
Superfund site. Grant funds will be used to
remove fuel oil tanks, excavate and dispose of
contaminated soil, and conduct community
outreach activities.
The county plans to redevelop the Deer
Lodge Roundhouse property for commercial
use and possibly a regional job training facil-
ity. After redevelopment, the site also is ex-
pected to become an integral part of the River
Trail System, which follows the Clark Fork
River and provides pedestrian access to Deer
Lodge's business and commercial areas.
Brownfields redevelopment is expected to
create more than 100 jobs and increase the
local tax base.
Project Highlights
Using a combination of the
$200,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup
Grant and a grant from the state of
Montana Department of Natural Re-
sources, Powell County intends to
clean up contaminated soils, allowing
redevelopment to proceed. The
county is working with Montana De-
partment of Environmental Quality
and EPA to complete environmental
assessments at the site in preparation
for beginning the cleanup work in
2009. EPA is assisting the county by
conducting a targeted brownfields
assessment to provide additional infor-
mation needed to satisfy the require-
ments of the state's voluntary cleanup
program.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Ron Hanson
Powell County
Phone: (406) 846-3680
E-mail: Hanson Ron@bresnan.net
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
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Brownfields
Salish and
Kootenai Tribes
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Congressional District—At Large
Award Date: 2007
Award Amount: $188,750
Background
Project
Accomplishments:
• Assessment work
funded under the
Tribe's Tribal Re-
sponse Program
grant has been com-
pleted.
• The RFP for a
cleanup contract has
been published and
cleanup is expected
to occur in 2010.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes of the Flathead Nation were selected to
receive a Brownfields Cleanup Grant in 2007.
About 4,500 of the 6,999 members of the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
(CSKT) reside on the rural Flathead Indian
Reservation in northwest Montana. With the
recent decline of the timber industry, the tribe
has diversified and now owns five independ-
ent enterprises. While tribal members fill
about 73 percent of jobs in these companies,
unemployment on the reservation still exceeds
40 percent. The poverty rate is 37 percent.
CSKT has identified 122 brownfields on the
reservation, including abandoned mine and
mill sites.
Project Highlights
Grant funds will be used to clean up the
Elmo Cash Store in the community of Elmo,
located on the shore of Flathead Lake. Having
been used as a gas station and general store
since the 1920s, the site is now contaminated
with co-mingled petroleum and heavy metals.
Contamination at the Elmo Cash Store, which
is vacant and blighted, has reduced developer
interest and prevented the construction of
much-needed tribal housing and businesses.
Cleanup of the Elmo Cash Store will reduce
exposure from hazardous substances and re-
move barriers to transforming the property
into a tribal asset. Grant funds also will be
used for public outreach activities.
The Environmental Department and Housing Authority of the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes are working together to clean up the Elmo Cash Store site. Cleanup will likely
require demolition of the building to access contaminated soils and groundwater and remediation
of the site for potential residential and commercial uses. The Tribe is soliciting cleanup contrac-
tors and expects to produce an analysis of cleanup alternatives for public review and comment in
2009.
Contacts
Stephanie Wallace
Environmental Protection Agency
Region 8
Phone: (406) 457-5018
E-mail: wallace.stephanie@epa.gov
Marlene McDanal
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Phone: (406) 883-2888, extension 7215
E-mail: mmcdanal@cskt.org
EPA Web Site: www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
For More Information: www.cskt.org/tr/epa brownfield.htm
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