2017 Region 8

Anaconda Aluminum Co Columbia Falls Reduction Plant Site also known as the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) site COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This community involvement plan provides links and contact (EPA) promotes fair and meaningful public information to people and resources so that you can learn involvement so that all people enjoy equal access to the decision-making process more about the CFAC site and identify ways to be involved. and the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards regardless Section 1 Section 2 of race, color, national origin or income level.

To do this in the EPA Superfund program, EPA staff works with the community and partners to conduct community outreach activities in areas affected by the Superfund designation and develops a community involvement plan that summarizes public concerns about the site and outlines how people can engage throughout the Superfund process. Provides a synopsis of the site and Presents EPA’s community engagement Community involvement activities at the summarizes community concerns and program for the site and ways to get involved. Anaconda Aluminum Co Columbia Falls communication preferences. Reduction Plant site, also known as the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Section 3 Appendices site, are designed to:

• Inform and update the public about the site and the cleanup process. • Engage the public to provide meaningful input into the Superfund process and site cleanup decisions. • Sustain public engagement throughout the Superfund timeline. Reviews the CFAC site’s history and status. Summarizes key community information and provides supplemental and contact information.

2 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Street sign leading to the CFAC site. Cover: Aerial view of the CFAC site alongside the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 3 The Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Autumn.

4 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Section 1: • Site Synopsis INTRODUCTION • Community Concerns • Communication Preferences 2

Section 2: • Tools and Activities • Additional Resources THE COMMUNITY 18 INVOLVEMENT PLAN

Section 3: • Description SITE BACKGROUND • History • Current Status 28 • Community Involvement

Section 4: • Community Profile • Contacts APPENDICES 32

EPA would like to thank the Flathead Beacon for allowing the use of the newspaper’s photographs in this document. The photographs may not be used or reproduced without the express consent of the Flathead Beacon. Site Synopsis

The CFAC site is located at 2000 Aluminum Superfund is the federal program that Drive, two miles northeast of Columbia Falls investigates and cleans up the country’s in Flathead County, Montana. It covers about most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned 960 acres north of the Flathead River; the CFAC hazardous waste sites to protect public facility operated on site between 1955 and health and the environment. The program 2009. The CFAC site is located in EPA’s Rocky was established by the Comprehensive Mountain and Plains Region (Region 8). EPA Environmental Response, Compensation, and Region 8 serves Montana, Colorado, North Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 sovereign tribal nations. At the CFAC site, EPA is the lead agency. EPA works closely with the Montana Department During its operation, CFAC created of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to oversee significant quantities of spent potliner site investigation and cleanup activities. material, a federally listed hazardous waste, CFAC and their contractor Roux Associates as a byproduct of the aluminum smelting are currently conducting the site’s remedial process. EPA’s initial site evaluation investigation with EPA and MDEQ oversight. indicated groundwater and surface water MDEQ is overseeing the demolition of physical had been contaminated with cyanide, structures on site. fluoride, and various metals. Multiple CFAC: Columbia potential sources of contamination are located at the site that may pose risks to Falls Aluminum human health or the environment. Company To protect human health and the environment, EPA added the CFAC site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2016, making it eligible for additional study and cleanup resources under EPA’s Superfund program.

6 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Map showing CFAC site in relation to the surrounding communities and its location within the state of Montana. // Sources: Esri, DeLorme, AND, Tele Atlas, First American, UNEP-WCMC and USGS.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 7 The Superfund timeline can take many years. The infographic below shows the major steps in the Superfund process and where the CFAC site is in the process.

8 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 9 Community involvement is essential Community interviews are an important part throughout the Superfund process to ensure of EPA’s public engagement program. EPA will people can share information about the site continue to conduct community interviews and participate in the decision-making process to identify community concerns about the CFAC site and ensure effective community and reuse of the site. Community involvement engagement throughout the Superfund process. activities– from initial have investigations been ongoing to and final will cleanup continue at the CFAC site in order to identify and In June 2016, EPA conducted an initial round respond to community concerns, engage people of interviews with Columbia Falls residents, in the Superfund process, and develop the adjacent landowners, former CFAC workers, community involvement plan. other stakeholders. Their experiences ranged At the CFAC site, these activities have included: fromlocal businesshaving minimal owners, contact elected with officials the CFAC and facility to working on site for decades. • Researching community documents and considering public comments. • Meeting with local residents and community groups. • Community members government partners at the local, state and nationalWorking level.with elected officials and can discuss concerns • Cooperating with local news media. with EPA whenever a • Conducting community interviews. representative is in the area, or contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator by phone, email, or mail at any time.

10 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Community members gather around one of the landfills on the CFAC site during a tour in 2016. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 11 Community Concerns

HUMAN HEALTH CLEANUP

Review of information Community members are concerned about the People want the CFAC site cleanup to be gathered during community contamination on site and how it may affect thorough, protective, lasting and timely. people’s health. People discussed concerns People are concerned about potential effects interviews and other outreach about potential health impacts but did not of the cleanup on surrounding areas, including activities has identified attribute any health-related issues or illnesses the transportation of asbestos and other to the site or facility operations. People would hazardous materials through the community. several community concerns like to have educational materials about Interviewees also shared concerns about about the CFAC site. Some site conditions to better understand any long-term monitoring of the cleanup and some risks associated with living in the area and people have expressed frustration that site people noted that some site recommendations for minimizing potential investigation and sampling activities have contamination concerns are contact with site contamination. People also taken several years. observed that, in spite of “no trespassing” longstanding, stretching back signage near the site, people continue to 20 to 30 years. access the area to play ballgames and ride motorcycles and ATVs.

12 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP COMMUNITY THE INVOLVEMENT ECONOMY WATER

People want to be informed and engaged in People are concerned about the potential Water quality and access to clean water are the Superfund process and stated that the impacts on the local economy that may community priorities. People noted that result from listing the CFAC site on the NPL water quality is related to both groundwater, Community Liaison Panel, residents near as well as from the site’s cleanup. Some for wells and municipal water supplies thecommunity, CFAC site, city and and other county stakeholders officials, the should CFAC interviewees noted that the site’s listing in Columbia Falls, and surface water, for receive timely updates. Many community could stigmatize the area; other interviewees downstream communities. People requested members expressed concern about whether thought that the site’s cleanup could remove more information about which contaminants their input would be considered in the a major community concern and attract new decision-making process. Community businesses, residents and visitors. Several and whether those concentrations pose a risk members also asked about the roles of various people shared concerns about the decline tohave public been health identified or the in environment. area water supplies People agencies and organizations. of industrial employers such as CFAC and also asked about potential cleanup options expressed the need for sustainable economic for area water supplies, whether wells and development and quality jobs in the area. water infrastructure systems will need to be upgraded or replaced, and whether site contamination could impair area water supplies over the long term.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 13 Community Concerns continued

AIR WATERSHED

Clean air is important to the community. People are concerned about potential People want to know about any historical migration of site contamination that could impacts from CFAC facility operations on local have broader watershed impacts. These air quality and if cleanup activities, including impacts could affect wildlife, water supplies the transportation of asbestos and other and the general health of area communities. hazardous materials through the community, could create potential air quality issues.

FUTURE WILDLIFE LAND USE

People are concerned about potential health People would like to know more about how and if the CFAC site could be reused in the future. winter habitat for elk near the CFAC site. Several people said that doing something Severalimpacts people on fish stated and other that wildlife,they value including the area’s productive with the land should be a priority. environmental resources and see them as an Community members asked that EPA cover important part of the community’s quality of life. future land use considerations as part of site information materials and presentations.

14 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP The area around the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site is home to many wildlife species.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 15 Communication Preferences

The community expects newsletters. People also recommended In May 2015, the CFAC Community Liaison radio announcements, newspaper articles Panel was organized by CFAC to provide a EPA Region 8 to be and television news stories to make sure forum for open discussions and exchange transparent about its work information reaches as many people as of ideas and opinions about the CFAC site. possible. Many also requested that information Community Liaison Panel meetings are open and to strive to include be made available online and locally. to the public and participants represent all community members consultants, state and federal agencies, and and stakeholders in the PUBLIC MEETINGS CFAC.the community, The Community elected Liaison officials, Panel project is similar Superfund process. During People agreed that meeting in person is a to a CAG, with the difference that it is organized good practice and that EPA should distribute by CFAC and not by an independent community past outreach activities, EPA information through a variety of community group. To learn more about the Community identified several methods events and locations. Most people stated Liaison Panel, please visit: that weeknights would likely work well for www.cfacproject.com/community-liaison-panel the community prefers for cityofcolumbiafalls.org/cfac-liaison-panel engagement and being kept include City Council meetings on Monday evenings,public meetings. church Potentialnights on scheduling Wednesdays, conflicts and Many people expressed concern that having informed about the CFAC the Community Market and Farmers’ Market on two community organizations, the CFAC Superfund cleanup. Thursday evenings. Some people also advised Community Liaison Panel and a Community against Friday evening meetings. Advisory Group, at the same time could be confusing, be redundant, waste resources, INFORMATION SHARING and lead to information discrepancies and People stated that EPA should use a range of COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP (CAG) inconsistencies. Other people shared concerns methods to keep the community, government People are interested in exploring the that the Community Liaison Panel may not possibility of establishing a CAG at the CFAC adequately represent the community and on all site-related work. EPA should share site. A CAG is an independent group made up supported formation of a separate CAG. People informationstaff, agencies in andwritten elected form officials and include updated of members of the community and is designed recommended that if a CAG was formed, graphics, pictures and maps. Information to serve as the focal point for the exchange of it should be as broadly representative of should be straightforward and easy to information among the local community and community perspectives as possible. understand in plain language. Recommended EPA, the state regulatory agency, and other outreach methods include regular mailings, agencies, stakeholders, and people involved and Internet and social media, and emailed interested in the Superfund cleanup.

16 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP NOTIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS OF SAMPLING RESULTS People emphasized the importance of People are generally aware of sampling taking continued community access to site documents, place on site, and people want to make sure via the site’s information repositories, regular mailings, community meetings, online would like to have more information about the resources and other means. Community schedule,they are notified location of and sampling extent results.of the sampling, People members regularly review site documents to and emphasized the importance of sampling stay informed and engaged. results being clear and easy to understand.

Rob Parker, EPA site assessment manager, talks to Columbia Falls residents about designating CFAC a Superfund site. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 17 The Community Involvement Plan

EPA’s community 3. Sustain long-term public engagement and maintain two-way communication with the involvement plan for the community, partners and stakeholders to CFAC site outlines how EPA make sure that people have equal access to the Superfund decision-making process will work with others to and the same degree of protection from WEBSITE address community concerns environmental and health hazards regardless EPA will continue to maintain a of race, color, national origin or income. with consideration for the www.epa.gov/superfund/columbia-falls community’s preferred website specifically for the CFAC site. The webpage will: communication methods. To Community Engagement • Provide an overview and history of the site ensure fair and meaningful Tools and Activities and EPA’s involvement. public involvement in the • Post updated information about the To achieve these public engagement goals, Superfund cleanup process to the public. investigation and cleanup at New and topical information will be the CFAC site, EPA will: community involvement tools and activities: featured on the front page of the website in EPA has identified and developed a variety of the TOPICS IN FOCUS section. • Publish site reports and documents related Promote community awareness and 1. to the site as they become available to the understanding of the CFAC site and public. A link to the document section is Superfund process by collecting and making located on the front page of the website information available and accessible to the under Site Reports and Documents. public in a timely and non-technical manner. • Provide links to additional resources Encourage and publicize opportunities 2. related to the site. for community engagement and public comment throughout the Superfund process. EPA also has other webpages available for information about the Superfund program and Region 8: • National Superfund program: www.epa.gov/Superfund

18 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP • EPA Region 8: FORMAL PUBLIC COMMENT www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-8- PERIODS mountains-and-plains Before key Superfund decisions are made at • Superfund Community Involvement: www. the site, EPA will announce and open a public epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community- comment period and encourage people to involvement submit information. EPA considers all public Other organizations with websites that provide comments in the Superfund decision-making Look for the orange boxes in information about the CFAC site include: process. The last formal public comment period opened in March 2015, when EPA proposed the this section for ways you can • MDEQ: CFAC site for listing on the NPL. deq.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/CFAC/cfac engage with EPA. • CFAC Community Liaison Panel: Please share your thoughts with EPA www.cfacproject.com/community-liaison- during public comment periods. panel • City of Columbia Falls: cityofcolumbiafalls.org/cfac-liaison-panel

Please learn more about the Superfund process and the CFAC site by visiting these online resources. Consider linking to these resources and sharing the information on social media. Let EPA staff know how the webpage can be improved.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 19 PERIODIC UPDATES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS Please contact EPA staff to add your name EPA will develop and distribute information and preferred contact information to To help address community concerns about about the site on a quarterly and as-needed the mailing list. Consider relaying these the CFAC site, EPA will collect, prepare and basis. These updates will: updates and information to others and distribute user-friendly documents to help people understand site conditions, technical • Provide regular updates about the encourage them to sign up for updates if reports and legal concepts in plain language. EPA Superfund process. interested. Doing this helps make sure that everyone in the community has access to will use maps, photographs and other visual aids • Notify the public about public meetings and accurate and up-to-date site information. in these materials to help people understand the availability sessions and public comment CFAC site. Potential fact sheets include: periods. • CFAC Superfund Site Overview: provides a • Distribute information and educational general description of the site, site agency materials about areas of community responsibilities and the timeline for concern. Superfund implementation. • Provide links to publicly available • CFAC Contaminants of Concern: discusses documents and other resources. the contaminants of concern at the site, • Reach a broad audience representative of their effects on human health, exposure the community and diverse stakeholders. pathways and what the public can do to protect themselves. EPA will maintain and continue to build the mailing list. If you would like to be on EPA’s • Introduction to Superfund: discusses distribution for the CFAC site, please contact community involvement requirements of EPA’s community involvement coordinator. the CERCLA law, the Superfund process and Updates will be available at the site’s opportunities for community involvement. information repositories. • Reusing Superfund Sites: discusses EPA’s

reuse of Superfund sites and shares success stories.approach to supporting the beneficial

20 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Fact sheets, brochures and other educational INFORMATION REPOSITORIES • Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study materials will be shared with all parties on Work Plan the site distribution list, will be available at EPA will continue to maintain a physical • Phase I Site Characterization Sampling and the site’s information repositories, and will be place for the collection of information and Analysis Plan shared during public events and with other documents related to the CFAC site. Physical organizations for broad distribution. copies of documents are available for review or • Site Reassessment for CFAC Aluminum photocopying at both of the site’s information Smelter Facility repositories: Please read and share site-related • Support Document for the Revised National educational materials with others. If you ImagineIF Library - Columbia Falls Priorities List Final Rule know of other resources and publications 130 6th Street West • Fact sheets and brochures relevant to the that relate to the CFAC site, please share Columbia Falls, MT 59912 CFAC site them with EPA. Similarly, if there is a (406) 892-5919 need for new or expanded information resources, please let EPA know. EPA Region 8 Headquarters Please visit one of the site’s information Superfund Records Center repositories and tell other people about 1595 Wynkoop Street their locations. Consider reviewing Denver, CO 80202-1129 technical documents and providing (303) 312-7273 or feedback and comments to EPA staff. If (800) 227-8917 ext. 312-7273 you have feedback on the repositories and Some of the materials available at the how to make them more accessible to the repositories include: public, please let EPA know. • Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Progress Reports (multiple reports are available, dating to November 2015) • Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 21 NEWS MEDIA COMMUNITY MEETINGS availability and listening sessions so that community members can share their thoughts EPA Region 8 will provide updates and EPA will attend meetings held by community with EPA staff. information to local newspapers and radio and groups, local and tribal governments, and Potential meeting locations include Columbia television stations and ask them to report on other organizations to share information about Falls City Hall, the Columbia Falls High School site-related issues. EPA staff will be available the site and address community questions, theater, the Columbia Falls Junior High School for interviews and will respond to media concerns, ideas and comments. To identify Cafetorium, the North Valley Community inquiries in a timely fashion. appropriate opportunities and venues to deliver information about the CFAC site, EPA Center and the Coop/Columbia Falls EPA will publish public notices about meetings will coordinate with Flathead County and Community Market. and other events in local newspapers and the City of Columbia Falls and community send the notices to other local news outlets. organizations such as the CFAC Community Consider inviting EPA to speak at a EPA Region 8 will include the following media Liaison Panel, the Senior Citizens Center, the meeting or event. Please also attend EPA outlets as part of outreach and information Columbia Falls Lions Club, the Rotary Club of public meetings and other Superfund- delivery efforts. Columbia Falls, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia related public meetings to share your Newspapers: Daily Inter Lake, Flathead Beacon, Falls, the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce thoughts, concerns and questions. Let EPA Hungry Horse News, Missoulian and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. staff know about other organizations or Television: KCFW and KECI – NBC Montana, KPAX EPA will also hold separate public meetings coordinate with or attend. – CBS Channel 8, KTMF – ABC Fox Montana for key Superfund milestones and decisions. events that could be a good fit for EPA to EPA will ask for community feedback at Radio: KGEX 600 AM, KERR 750 AM, KJJR 880 these meetings. Notice for EPA-hosted public AM, KOFI 1180 AM, KUKL 90.1 FM, KHNK 95.9 meetings will be provided in advance and EPA FM, KBBZ 98.5 FM, KDBR 106.3 FM will coordinate with MDEQ, Flathead County and the City of Columbia Falls to schedule them. Please read, watch and listen to local news media reports about the site and Different formats may be used for public share that information with others. Keep meetings, depending on the topic and situation. an eye out for notices for public meetings EPA may host public meetings or hearings, or other events in local newspapers. open houses, informal gatherings focused on particular topics of interest, and informal

22 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP U.S. Senator Jon Tester, EPA Remedial Project Manager Mike Cirian, and CFAC Environmental Manager Steve Wright during a 2016 site tour. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 23 CAG SUPPORT COORDINATION WITH GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY INTERVIEWS Should the community decide to form a AGENCIES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS EPA will continue to arrange interviews with Community Advisory Group, EPA has support EPA Region 8 will continue to coordinate with community members and stakeholder group resources available. EPA will work with the MDEQ, the Flathead County Health Department, representatives. These community interviews community and coordinate with Flathead the City of Columbia Falls, the Montana will help EPA: County and the City of Columbia Falls regarding Department of Health & Public Services, and • Identify new and ongoing communication potential CAG formation. For more information, other relevant agencies on the implementation strategies to better engage the community please visit www.epa.gov/superfund/ of CFAC site investigation and cleanup activities. and interested parties. community-advisory-groups EPA will also respond in a timely manner to inquiries from local, state and national elected • Stay abreast of community concerns, issues and perspectives as they evolve across the Consider learning more about CAGs Superfund timeline. and what they do. Meeting with other ensure they are kept informed of site updates community members could provide an andofficials, milestones. and meet with them regularly to • Implement, monitor, evaluate and revise opportunity to discuss potential CAG this community involvement plan. formation for the CFAC site and ways to Please talk with local, state and federal ensure broad community representation. public service personnel and elected Please contact EPA for an interview. Please contact EPA site staff for follow ups Interviews usually last around 30 and support. concerns and questions. minutes and can lead to discussion officials and share your comments, afterward. Encourage others to participate in an interview.

24 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP View of Nucleus Avenue, Highway 486 in Columbia Falls, Montana. // Source: Flathead Beacon

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS EPA will share CFAC site updates through EPA Region 8 will continue to maintain a Facebook, Twitter and other social media: presence in the community through informal visits and discussions with residents and • EPA Region 8 Facebook stakeholders. EPA staff will also be responsive • EPA Region 8 Twitter to emails, phone calls, in-person discussions • EPA Region 8 News and Events webpage and written inquiries from the public.

Consider sharing information about the Please contact EPA staff for the CFAC site. site on social media and following, relaying Mike Cirian information and linking to EPA social Remedial Project Manager media posts related to the CFAC site. (406) 293-6194 [email protected] 108 East 9th Street, Libby, MT 59923 Robert Moler Community Involvement Coordinator (406) 457-5032 [email protected] 10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200, Helena, MT 59626 Please see the Appendix for additional contacts for the CFAC site.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 25 Additional EPA Resources EPA has other resources available that people • Partners in Technical Assistance Program support initiatives that provide all people living (PTAP): Colleges and universities near Superfund sites with technical assistance, needs and priorities. provide voluntary technical assistance to training opportunities and other services. EPA can access depending on specific community communities through this program. has a variety of environmental justice resources Technical Assistance Programs: available: • Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Technical assistance refers to the provision Program • Environmental Justice Collaborative of services focused on increasing community incorporated community groups. With TAG Problem-Solving (CPS) Cooperative understanding of the science, regulations and funding, :community TAGs are awarded groups canto non-profit contract Agreement Program: The CPS program policy related to environmental issues and with independent technical advisors provides funding for eligible applicants for EPA actions. To support healthy communities to interpret and help the community projects that address local environmental and strengthen environmental protection, EPA understand technical information about and public health issues within an affected works closely with communities to make sure their site. The TAG recipient group is community. The program assists recipients they have the technical help they need. responsible for managing their grant funds in building collaborative partnerships • Technical Assistance Needs Assessment and contributing a 20 percent award match. to help them understand and address (TANA) Tool: This is a process to identify Most groups meet this requirement through environmental and public health concerns additional support that a community may in-kind contributions such as volunteer in their communities. require in order to understand technical hours toward grant-related activities. • Environmental Justice Small Grants information and participate meaningfully in Environmental Justice Resources: Program: EPA’s Environmental Justice Small the Superfund decision-making process. A Grants Program supports and empowers TANA helps EPA determine what technical Environmental justice is the fair treatment and communities working on solutions to local assistance resources and information the meaningful involvement of all people regardless environmental and public health issues. The Agency can provide to meet community of race, color, national origin or income, with program is designed to help communities needs. respect to the development, implementation understand and address exposure to and enforcement of environmental laws, • Technical Assistance Services for multiple environmental harms and risks. regulations and policies www.epa.gov/ Communities (TASC) Program: This environmentaljustice. • Other Environmental Justice-Related program provides services through a Funding Opportunities. national EPA contract. Under the contract, EPA Region 8 programs collaborate closely a contractor provides scientists, engineers to make sure underserved, low income and and other professionals to review and tribal communities facing disproportionate explain information to communities. TASC environmental risks have opportunities for services are determined on a project- meaningful participation in environmental decision-making. Region 8 also coordinates communities. closely with EPA Headquarters and states to specific basis and provided at no cost to 26 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Buildings at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 27 Site Background

Site Description

A primary aluminum reduction facility was active on site from 1955 to 2009. The facility’s permanent closure was announced in March 2015. The CFAC site covers about 960 acres. It is bounded by Cedar Creek Reservoir to the north, Teakettle Mountain to the east, Flathead River to the south and Cedar Creek to the west.

the federally designated threatened bull trout andThe theFlathead federally River sensitive is a fishery westslope that includes cutthroat trout. The site’s total property area covers about 3,196 acres. The remainder of the site property is located south of Flathead River. This area was never used for industrial operations.

Buildings and industrial facilities on site included offices, warehouses, laboratories, mechanical shops, paste plant, coal tar pitch tanks, pump houses, a casting garage and a potline facility. The CFAC site also includes seven closed landfills, an active landfill, material loading and unloading areas, two closed leachate ponds, and several wastewater percolation ponds. A rectifier yard and switchyard owned by Bonneville Power Administration and a right-of-way for the Burlington Northern Railroad are also within the site’s boundaries.

Buildings at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site. // Source: Flathead Beacon

28 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP The CFAC site is located in a rural setting. The site include cyanide, fluoride and metals, nearest residences are located adjacent to the including arsenic, chromium, lead and site’s southwest boundary, about 0.80 miles selenium. These contaminants are present west of the historic footprint of site operations, in soils, surface ponds and groundwater at in a neighborhood referred to as Aluminum the CFAC site and pose a risk to nearby wells City. The City of Columbia Falls anticipates that and the Flathead River. land uses in this area will not change rapidly in the foreseeable future.

Site History

Prior to the site’s industrial development in the 1950s, land uses in the area were residential and agricultural. Anaconda Copper Mining Company purchased the property in 1951 and built the aluminum Your input is important. reduction facility. In 1985, CFAC bought Please contact the EPA the plant from Atlantic Richfield Company, which had acquired the facility from the Community Involvement plant’s original owner in 1977. Glencore, a Switzerland-based company, acquired Coordinator at any time. CFAC in 1999 and announced the facility’s permanent closure in 2015.

Facility operations generated significant quantities of spent potliner material, a federally listed hazardous waste, as a byproduct of the aluminum smelting process. Contaminants detected at the

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 29 Current Status

EPA and the State of Montana have determined that a comprehensive investigation of the CFAC site is necessary to inform effective cleanup actions to address these risks. EPA proposed adding the site to the NPL in March 2015, making it eligible for additional study and cleanup resources under the Superfund

listing on the NPL on September 9, 2016. EPAprogram. carefully EPA evaluatedfinalized the all publicCFAC site’s comments received on the proposal to list the site to the

NPL before making a final decision. agreement with CFAC to investigate siteIn November contamination. 2015, UnderEPA signed the terms a final of the agreement, CFAC is conducting a comprehensive investigation of soils, river sediments, and ground and surface water to determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site. All work is approved and overseen by EPA and MDEQ. The results of the investigation will determine cleanup needs and identify potential cleanup options. In 2015, Calbag purchased the physical aluminum plant infrastructure from CFAC. Work to dismantle the structures is ongoing.

Winter view of a CFAC office building. // Source: Flathead Beacon

30 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Community Involvement

EPA Region 8, in coordination with MDEQ, has conducted community involvement activities through the process leading up to listing the CFAC to the NPL as a Superfund site. Community outreach activities have included establishing and maintaining a public website, requesting and considering public comments, holding public availability sessions and public meetings, attending local meetings of civic and community groups, distributing community updates and fact sheets, publishing public notices in the Daily Inter Lake, Flathead Beacon and Hungry Horse News newspapers, meeting with stakeholders and individuals, establishing and maintaining a local information repository at the Columbia Falls branch of the ImagineIF library, conducting community interviews, and reviewing available community documents. The information gathered through these activities helped to identify community concerns and communication preferences and develop this community involvement plan.

Some of the documents EPA reviewed include:

The Flathead County’s Growth Policy: Last updated in 2012, the development of the policy included a community in transition, seeking to balance recognition, conservation, and use of historical and naturalextensive resources public outreach with economic and assessment expansion of and county-wide sustained goals population and priorities. growth. TheIts findings policy does highlight not specifically reference the CFAC site. concerns and perspectives related to the CFAC site. Ann Green Communications conducted CFAC’s April 2015 Community Assessment Report: This report identified a variety of community stakeholderscommunity interviews to ascertain with an communityunderstanding leaders, of community elected officials, perspectives neighbors, and interestsbusiness regardingleaders, CFAC andemergency the salvage response and remediation officials, former work employees, done at the environmental site. Focus areas advocates included and issues other of siteimportance to the community, local perceptions of industry and CFAC, and suggestions for CFAC’s community outreach approach as part of its site responsibilities.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 31 Community Profile

Columbia Falls and Flathead County are part The county and its population centers production. Over time, the local economy has of northwest Montana’s Flathead Valley, which lies between Glacier National Park and Flathead population growth since 2000. It is one of the the retail trade and service industries as well as Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of fastesthave experienced growing areas significant in Montana. and sustained constructiondiversified, experiencing and health care. significant Current growth economic in the Mississippi. Surrounded by more than two drivers for Columbia Falls and Flathead County million acres of the Flathead National Forest The City of Columbia Falls covers 923 acres include its natural resources and related – 1.3 square miles – and is bounded by the recreation and tourism opportunities. the community, Columbia Falls is known as the Flathead River to the east and south and by gatewayand with to the Glacier Flathead National River Park.flowing through Burlington Northern railroad tracks to the north. The original town was laid out in the Land Use and Demographics 1890s, incorporated in 1909, and developed as a trade- and transportation-related 1 Flathead County encompasses 5,098 square settlement. The community is located about miles. About 94 percent of the land area is national or state forest land, wilderness, Kalispell. State Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 2 farmland, or forest. Developed areas make connecteight miles the from three Whitefish cities. and 15 miles from up the remaining 6 percent of the county. In addition to Columbia Falls, other major Historically, the area’s economy has been population centers in the county include based on industry and natural resources – logging, mining, agriculture and commodities

Kalispell and Whitefish.

1. Source: Columbia Falls Master Plan, 2000. Accessed at .

flathead.mt.gov/planning_zoning/documents/ColumbiaFallsCity-CountyMasterPlan.pdf

32 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Local and Tribal Government Overview

Flathead County City of Columbia Falls Confederated Salish and Blackfeet Nation cityofcolumbiafalls.org Kootenai Tribes blackfeetnation.com tribalnations.mt.gov/cskt Aflathead.mt.gov County Commission serves The City has a commission-manager The Blackfeet Indian Reservation as the county’s executive and form of government. Elected The Flathead Indian Reservation is located in northwest Montana. legislative branch. The Commission has land located in Flathead County. The entire reservation spans consists of three elected at-large six-member City Council. The City The Reservation is home to the about 1.5 million acres. The commissioners. In addition, Managerofficials include is the day-to-day a Mayor and manager a Bitterroot Salish, upper Pend Blackfeet Tribal Business Flathead County has eight elected of city business and activities. d’Oreille and Kootenai Tribes – Council is the governing body also known as the Confederated of the Blackfeet Nation and is branches of government. Elected Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the responsible for exercising all officials representing various Flathead Nation. A total of 28,296 powers of government under the and Recorder, Treasurer, County acres of reservation land are located Blackfeet Constitution and Bylaws. Attorney,offices include Clerk the of Court, Sheriff, two Clerk in Flathead County – the entire The Council consists of nine Justice Court Justices of the Peace, reservation covers more than 1.2 members from four districts who and the Superintendent of Schools. million acres. Headquartered in are elected by tribal members to Pablo, Montana, the Flathead Indian serve four-year terms. Reservation is governed by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council, which consists of 10 elected councilmen.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 33 Contacts

U.S. Environmental Confederated Salish and City of Columbia Falls Congressional Protection Agency (EPA) Kootenai Tribes of the Donald W. Barnhart Representatives Robert Moler Flathead Nation Mayor U.S. Senator Steve Daines 130 6th St. West Community Involvement Michael Durglo, Jr. Coordinator Director of Environmental Columbia Falls, MT 59912 Washington D.C. 20510 EPA Region 8 Protection (406) 892-4391 (202)320 Hart 224-2651 Senate Office Building 10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200 P.O. Box 278 Susan Nicosia www.daines.senate.gov/connect/ Helena, MT 59626 301 Main Street City Manager email-steve (406) 457-5032 Polson, MT 59860 130 6th St. West U.S. Senator Jon Tester [email protected] (406) 883-2888 Columbia Falls, MT 59912 Mike Cirian, PE [email protected] (406) 892-4384 Washington D.C. 20510 Site Manager [email protected] (202)311 Hart 224-2644 Senate Office Building EPA Region 8 Montana Department of 108 East 9th Street Health & Public Services Flathead County Health senator Libby, MT 59923 Department www.tester.senate.gov/?p=email_ (406) 293-6194 Congressman Ryan Zinke* [email protected] 121 Financial Drive, Suite A Joe Russell Kalispell,Kalispell FieldMT 59901 Office Health Officer Washington D.C. 20515 1035 1st Avenue West (202)113 Cannon 225-3211 House Office Building Montana Department of Kalispell, MT 59901 zinke.house.gov/contact Environmental Quality [email protected] (406) 751-8101 *to be updated when a new (MDEQ) Flathead County congressperson is selected Lisa Dewitt Pamela Holmquist [email protected] Superfund Project Manager Chairman, Flathead County Montana State Legislature 1225 Cedar Street Commission Dee L. Brown Helena, Montana 59601 800 South Main Street, Room 302 Senate District 2 (406) 444-6420 Kalispell, MT 59901 P.O. Box 444 [email protected] (406) 758-5503 Hungry Horse, MT 59919-0444 (406) 387-9494 Blackfeet Nation [email protected] Zac Perry House District 3 62 Hospital Road P.O. Box 268 P.O.Blackfeet Box 2029 Environmental Office Hungry Horse, MT 59919-0268 Browning, Montana 59417 (406) 261-9642 (406) 338-7421 [email protected]

34 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP Demolition at the CFAC site. // Source: Flathead Beacon

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site CIP 35 Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Community Involvement Plan 2017