State of Montana Newsroom
DEQ to Open Public Comment Period and Hold Public Meeting on Montana Pole & Treating Plant
HELENA -- The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is inviting the public to comment on proposed changes to the original cleanup plan at the Montana Pole & Treating Plant. The wood-treating plant operated in Butte and was deemed a Federal Superfund site after its closure. The site has undergone cleanup of soil, groundwater, solid and hazardous waste.
The proposed changes include establishing more protective cleanup levels than those included in the Record of Decision (ROD). The proposed pentachlorophenol cleanup level will provide increased protection to groundwater, while the proposed dioxins cleanup level will increase protection for commercial and industrial use. All soils not meeting the proposed cleanup levels will be managed on-site under a more protective capping plan than originally appeared in the ROD. The Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the updated cleanup plan and agrees with DEQ’s proposed changes.
DEQ is hosting a public meeting in Butte on Feb. 18, 2020 on proposed changes to the original cleanup plan at the Montana Pole & Treating Plant.
The public meeting is an opportunity for DEQ to present the proposed changes in an open house format directly to those who may be impacted and for the public to ask questions.
What: Public meeting on proposed changes to original cleanup plan at Montana Pole & Treating Plant
When: Feb. 18, 2020 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Conference Room, Butte Brewing Company, 465 E Galena St, Butte, MT 59701
Public comments will be accepted from Feb. 10 to March 10 and may be submitted to: dbowers@mt.gov or mailed to Dave Bowers, MT DEQ/WMRD, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620.
For additional information, DEQ has written a draft Explanation of Significant Difference which explains the proposed changes and why they are necessary. The draft Explanation of Significant Difference is available for review begtinning February 10, 2020 at the Montana Tech Library – Montana Pole ESD Administrative Record, online at Deq.Mt.Gov/Public/PublicComment or the public may call the department at 444-6335 to have copies made available.
DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the public meeting and/or provide public comments. If you require an accommodation, please contact Joann Wiggins at 406-444-6795 or by email at: jwiggins@mt.gov