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Superfund Program
Carpenter-Snow Creek
NEW: Public Comments on EPA Proposed Plan 
Site Description
The Carpenter-Snow Creek site is located in Cascade County, near the town of Neihart in the Little Belt Mountains southeast of Great Falls, Montana. The site is in an historic mining district, and due to the impact of mining activities, groundwater, soils and some streams are contaminated with heavy metals and arsenic.
The Carpenter-Snow Creek Mining District (CSC District) NPL site is located adjacent to and includes the town of Neihart. Mining began in the CSC District when prospectors from Barker discovered silver deposits near the future town of Neihart. The CSC District's mines primarily yielded silver, lead, and zinc ores. After 1883, only those mines with high grade silver ore continued to operate. Later during the period from 1915-1919, the use of the flotation process allowed the mining of lower grade silver ore. During the 1940s, lead and zinc were produced in large quantities for World War II. The CSC District has been largely inactive since the 1960s, although some mines have reported mine development work and some sporadic production.
Site Risk
Approximately 96 abandoned mines have been identified in the Carpenter-Snow Creek Mining District, and at least 21 of these have been identified as probable sources of contamination to surface water. There are documented impacts from mining waste to soil, surface water and stream sediments in Carpenter Creek, Snow Creek, and Belt Creek.
In 2002 and 2003, EPA collected soil/mine waste, surface water sediment and groundwater samples in the town of Neihart (Neihart Operable Unit). Concentrations of lead and arsenic were above screening levels in some residential yards and alleys. Contaminant levels in the surface water of Belt Creek as it flows through Neihart were not above drinking water standards or levels that EPA considers unhealthy for aquatic life. Contaminant levels in the sediment of Belt Creek as it flows through Neihart did not exceed levels considered safe for recreational use.
| Media Affected | Contaminants | Source of Contamination |
| Ground water, sediment, surface water, soils | Lead and arsenic | Mining activity |
Cleanup Progress
Results from two groundwater samples indicated that none of the metals was present at levels above the human health drinking water standards. EPA has sampled residential soils throughout Neihart. A human health risk assessment and draft feasibility study for Neihart were completed in 2005.
In 2004, EPA conducted a cleanup of lead-contaminated soils near two historic mills within Neihart. The Neihart tailings pile along Belt Creek was capped and armored to prevent runoff or failure in floods.
Community Involvement
EPA has conducted several public meetings to discuss the results of the sampling efforts. A fact sheet was mailed out describing the results. EPA will continue to send out fact sheets and hold public meetings as proposals for cleanup are being evaluated. EPA meets several times each year with the Cascade County Board of Health and Health Director.
Documents
Note: the following documents are Adobe PDF filesAbout PDF files
NEW: Public Comments on EPA Proposed Plan (PDF, 13 pp, 125K)
Read the transcripts of the Public Meetings for the Proposed Plan for Clean Up of the Neihart Operable Unit, held on November 30 and October 25, 2006:
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November 30th Public Meeting transcript (PDF, 3 pp, 14K)
October 25th Public Meeting transcript (PDF, 13 pp, 64K)
Contacts
EPAScott BrownRemedial Project Manager Region 8, Montana Office Federal Building 10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200 Helena, Montana 59626 (406) 457-5035 brown.scott@epa.gov |
Montana Department of Environmental QualityCatherine LeCours |
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View Documents at: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cascade County Health Department Belt Creek Ranger Station
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