Cleanup Update For More Information: Diana Hammer, US EPA 457-5040 hammer.diana@epa.gov Keith Large, MT DEQ 841-5039 klarqe@mt.gov Doug Martin, MT NRDP 444-0234 douqmartin@mt.gov Mike Kustudia, MT FWP 542-5533 mkustudia@mt.gov Peter Nielsen, Missoula Co. 258-4968 Nielsen P© ho.missoula.mt.us Websites: http://www.epa.gov/ regionS/superfund/sites/ mt/milltown http://www.cfrtac.org These updates are intended to provide you with the latest information about Remediation Restoration and Redevelopment activities at the Milltown Reservoir Sediments Superfund Site. US EPA Montana Office 10 W.15th St., Suite 3200 Helena, Montana 59626 1-800-457-2690 Milltown Reservoir Sediments Superfund Site • Issue #102 Spring 2011 Status1. The Milltown Project continues to go well and is on schedule. Remediation and Restoration • The big attention-getter in the past few weeks has been the river flows—the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers have been flowing well above normal. The Clark Fork River (measured at the "above Missoula" station) is expected to peak June 9 close to the 30,000 cubic feet/second. That is the kind of flow one might expect to see about every 25 years. To check the flows (daily and predicted), go to: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi7abom8 • Wet conditions have limited work on Site. • Removal and regrading of the Clark Fork River Bypass Channel continues; recent activities include sorting rock for reno mattresses, running pumps to keep the bypass channel dry, completion of the buttress along the toe of the 1-90 slope. Regrading the bypass channel continues and should be complete in July 2011. • Upstream, restoration work (final flood plain grading, micro-topography, and seeding) was completed in late April. Additional seeding and revegetation activities are scheduled to occur as the spring runoff drops and continue through the fall. • Regrading of the former powerhouse area is being coordinated with FWP Parks and is scheduled to be completed late 2011. • Restoration monitoring reports for the 2010 year are available upon request, contact Doug Martin (see phone number and email contact information in orange box to the left). • Work on the west embankments of the 1-90 Bridge was completed at the end of March. Additional rip rap was added to the east side to protect the area downstream of the bridges from erosion during predicted high flows. The east side embankments and the corner (where the Clark Fork and Blackfoot join) work will be done this summer. • The US Geological Survey has been measuring river velocities on the Blackfoot River as the flows increased (ascending limb of the hyrdrograph) and will again measure flows as they decrease (descending limb of the hydrograph). • EPA has funded MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks to continue its fish monitoring program (caged fish, radio-telemetry, population assessments). This data, along with the surface and groundwater data comprise EPA's on-going monitoring program. • EPA completed its interviews for the Five Year Review of the Milltown Remedial Action. These interviews, along with the Site Inspection (April 19) and document review, will be included in the Five Year Review scheduled for release later this summer. ------- Monday, June 13 Milltown-Banner Community Council meeting at 7 pm in the Banner School Library Tuesday, June 14 Milltown Design Review Team Tour of Project from 11 am to Noon • Tuesday, June 21 Milltown Redevelopment Working Group meeting 6:30-8:30 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Banner. Sunday, August 14 Community at the Confluence of the future Milltown State Park. 11 am—4 pm Featuring Jack Gladstone and Animal Wonders. Free Admission! Redevelopment News • Planning for the Milltown State Park continues with the hiring of a Design and Construction firm this spring. • Development will focus on the "Milltown Gateway" (along the west side of the Blackfoot River) and the "Confluence" area. • Also underway is interpretive planning for the new park—funded by a Preserve America grant through the Montana State Historic Preservation Office. • Interpretive displays are being finalized for the Milltown Bluff Overlook. • DEQ released the bid package on May 31, 2011 for construction of the Milltown Bluff Overlook. Construction is expected to begin later this summer. This work is funded by EPA through a cooperative agreement with the State of Montana. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has extended the Clark Fork and Blackfoot River closure for up to two years—from June 2011 to June 2013. "River closures will continue in the interest of public and worker safety as continue and cleanup and restoration efforts are completed." (FWP press release 5/23/11) PROJECT SCHEDl 2011 2012 Remediation Restoration Redevelopment : Redevelopment Safety Reminder DURING THE MILLTOWN CLEANUP, THE CLARK FORK AND BLACKFOOT RIVERS ARE STILL CLOSED TO RIVER RECREATION ABOVE AND BELOW THE PROJECT AREA. Clark Fork River users must exit the river at Turah Fishing Access; Blackfoot River users must exit at Weigh Station. WARMING VIOLATORS and TRESPASSERS WILL BE FINED. For more information, contact Montana FWP at 542-5500. View of the Milltown Project area as seen from the Bluff Overlook, June 7, 2011. ------- |