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National Information |
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Superfund Program
Mouat Industries
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Site Type: Active NPL City: Columbus County: Stillwater Zip code:59019 EPA ID#: MTD021997689 Congressional District: At Large |
Site Description
The Mouat Industries site is located south of Columbus, Montana. The land was leased fro the City of Columbus. Mouat Industries processed chromium ore into high grade sodium dichromate at the site from 1957 to 1963. The process produced wastes containing hexavalent chromium (a heavy metal) and sodium dichromate. In early 1975, gravel was laid on the site from a depth of six inches to three feet. By late 1976, yellow mineral deposits containing chromium were evident on top of the ground. In 1990, the site was fenced to restrict access.
Site Risks
Soils and groundwater were contaminated with hexavalent chromium. The groundwater plume is moving slowly toward the Yellowstone River, which is one half mile south of the site. Private wells, which are not polluted or threatened at this time, are within one quarter mile of the site.
Cleanup Progress
Cleanup was done in two stages: immediate response and long-term cleanup action focusing on the groundwater. In 1990, EPA erected a chain link fence around the area of contaminated soils. At the request of EPA, the Town of Columbus redirected an existing drainage ditch that channeled runoff directly onto contaminated soils at the site. Monitoring wells that had been drilled in the 1970s were capped. In November 1991, EPA issued an order to all the identified PRPs which directed the removal and treatment of on-site contaminated soils. Soil treatment was completed in 1994. An Expedited Response Action (ERA) to address surface water groundwater contamination was initiated in 1996, under a second EP administrative order. This action addressed all remaining health and environmental issues at the site. Early actions to restrict access to the site by erecting a fence and diverting runoff reduced the potential for exposure to hazardous material. A major soil removal action further increased protectiveness. Currently EPA and DEQ agree that the treated soil is "waste left in-place" above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. Policy Five-Year reviews will continue. The Town of Columbus will continue to implement Institutional Controls to keep a cover over the repository and prohibit new wells in the block placement area. The Town of Columbus will notify the agencies of land use change proposals. The agencies will meet with the Town annually to discuss/review IC issues. Annual groundwater monitoring will continue for 24 years and at least once every 5 years thereafter. When all parties are satisfied that institutional controls are in place to keep the site protective of human health and the environment, the site will be eligible for deletion from the NPL.
Community Involvement
Community involvement is integral to the cleanup process at Superfund sites.
See the Site Documents section below for the fact sheet and the annual updates.
Redevelopment/Reuse
Site Documents
Note: the following documents are Adobe PDF documents (about PDF files)
Technical Documents
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Five-Year Review Report, March 19, 2008
(PDF,1.7 MB)
Review of Cleanup Complete, December 2007 (PDF, 1 page)
Contacts
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EPA Roger Hoogerheide, Remedial Project ManagerRegion 8, Montana Office, Federal Building 10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200 Helena, MT 59626 (406) 457-5031 Email: hoogerheide.roger@epa.gov Wendy Thomi, Community Involvement Coordinator View Documents at: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Stillwater Co. Library
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Montana Department of Environmental Quality Daryl Reed, Project ManagerP.O. Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620 (406) 841-5041 Email: dreed@mt.gov |
