Former Sawmill Redevelopment
Contamination from former sawmills can present significant environmental and economic challenges for many
communities across the country. Often located in desirable areas such as riverfronts and downtown districts, these
properties are rich in local history, as they previously served as major employers and economic contributors.
However, when a mill closes the surrounding community is faced with both economic, as well as environmental
challenges that can take decades to overcome. Fortunately, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
state agencies have developed programs that can assist local leaders as they assess, clean up and ultimately transform
these properties back into productive community assets.
Success stories in EPA Region 8 demonstrate that perseverance, creativity, partnership and leveraging can restore
sawmill properties to a variety of productive uses that will benefit the surrounding community well into the future.
Missoula Sawmill is Ready for Reuse
Location: Missoula, Montana
Size: 46 acres
EPA Funding: $137,500 EPATargeted Brownfields Assessment; EPA Revolving Loan Fund, $2.4 million; EPA Brownfields ARRAsubgrant
Leveraged Accomplishments: $ I 1.9 million redevelopment funding; $218,679 cleanup funding; 86 redevelopment jobs
The former Champion International Sawmill operated for more than 80
years on a 46 acre property along the Clark Fork River in downtown
Missoula.The cleanup and redevelopment of the highly visible property
was a priority for the city and was a critical component in the Missoula
Downtown Master Plan.
In the late 1990s, the city and the EPA began characterizing the property
and confirmed extensive methane contamination from wood debris,
with levels high enough to elevate the site to Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Superfund list.The property's location
and redevelopment opportunities encouraged the city and developers
to continue pursuing site cleanup and redevelopment.With financial and
technical support from the EPA, the city issued $3.2 million in low interest
loans and subgrants to remediate the property.
The size and complexity of the site meant that cleanup work would
take place over the course of several years. Nevertheless, the city
and stakeholders were determined to capitalize on redevelopment
opportunities and remained committed to reclaiming the area.After nearly
I 5 years of assessment and cleanup work, the Montana DEQ issued a final
cleanup complete (closure) letter in spring 2014 and in June of that same
year the city dedicated Silver Park.This new I 7 acre park is owned by the
city and features bike paths, green space and restored, historic sawmill
structures and equipment. In March 201 5, developers broke ground on the
first part of the privately-owned 29 acres that will host a mixed retail and
housing development.Additional retail plans include a boutique 200-bed
student residence and a brewpub restaurant in the now aptly named, Old
Sawmill District. Additionally, the cleanup enabled the City of Missoula to
leverage funds to lengthen Wyoming Street from North California Street to
Cregg Lane, which created an important new connector route and helped
alleviate congestion for the surrounding neighborhoods.
Missoula sawmill in Montana, after cleanup.
EPA Brownfields Assessment and
Revolving Loan Fund grants were
critical to the redevelopment of this
former sawmill on the banks of the
Clark Fork River.
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Dubois Sawmill Now Promoting Health and Wellness
Location: Dubois,Wyoming
Size: 55 acres
EPA Funding: $200,000 ERA Cleanup Grant
Leveraged Accomplishments: $368,000 Wyoming DEQ (DEQ's 128a funding); $31,000 leveraged by state and locally; $237,000
Wyoming DEQ cleanup funds; $40,000 City of Dubois cleanup funds; $704,900 Wyoming Business Council (utility installation).
Often referred to as the "Gateway to Yellowstone", Dubois, Wyoming
(pop. 995) is a small community surrounded by unrivaled natural beau-
ty and is rich in local history. Like many western communities, that his-
tory is intertwined with the railroad and timber industries. Beginning
in the late I 950s, Louisiana Pacific operated a sawmill to make 2' x 4'
studs for homes at the Dubois Mill. In I 988 the mill closed, Dubois
lost more than 200 jobs, and for the next decade the 55-acre saw-
mill sat vacant.Then, in 1998, the Albright/Arlen family purchased the
property and donated it to the Nature Conservancy for the "health
and enjoyment of the citizens of the greater Dubois Community and
its future generations." Almost immediately, the Nature Conservancy
sold 5.5 acres to the Dubois Medical Board for $1 to construct a
new medical clinic.Then, in 2005, an additional 7 acres were sold to
the Dubois Community Project for an assisted living center and the
remaining acreage to the Town of Dubois for $1.
At the same time, the Town of Dubois spent years working with the
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to address
contamination on the property. From 2006 to 2008, Wyoming DEQ
provided funds to conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental assess-
ments.The assessments identified refuse landfill piles and petroleum
contamination above Wyoming DEQ's soil cleanup levels. With contin-
ued assistance from Wyoming DEQ, the town was able to clean up the
bulk of the debris piles.
With the completion of the debris cleanup in 2010, the town moved
to address the 8,000 to 9,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils.To
that end, a $200,000 EPA Cleanup Grant was applied for and awarded
in 2012 and used to excavate contaminated soils from 201 3 to 201 5.
The remedial actions taken at the Dubois Mill allow for unrestricted
reuse of the property.
With cleanup complete, a locally designed redevelopment plan is guid-
ing the way toward a full reclamation of the property. A key aspect of
the reuse is the improvement of open and greenspace, in the form of
the River Walk Project, which includes a river walkway path, benches, a
paved parking lot, a fish pond and improved access to the Wind River.
In addition, several redevelopment projects are completed including the
Dubois Medical Clinic, the Dubois Western Activities rodeo grounds,
the 25-unit Dubois Community Project Assisted Living Center, and the
Duffy Therapy and Fitness Center. All of these improvements promote
the health and wellness of the Dubois community. Additionally, a sidewalk along the river provides fishing access and
the Dubois Anglers Wildlife group is working on a two-acre children's fishing pond.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
For more information, visit the EPA Brownfields website:
www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-8-mountains-and-plains
EPA 908-F-15-003
September 2015
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