EPA Proposes Lower Residential Lead Cleanup Level for Butte

EPA has issued a Proposed Plan outlining changes to the cleanup level, also called an “action level,” for lead in residential soil and interior dust in Butte. This Proposed Plan, which is open for public comment until June 30, 2026, proposes a reduction in the lead cleanup level in the community, an expansion of the current BPSOU boundary, and updates the cleanup timeline. 

Overall, the plan proposes that:  

• The cleanup level for residential soils and interior dust is lowered from 1,200 parts per million (ppm) lead to 456 ppm lead.
• The current BPSOU boundary is expanded by approximately 3,637 acres to include approximately 7,100 additional homes for required sampling and evaluation for cleanup.  
• Review the Proposed Plan and the entire administrative record.

We encourage all residents and interested parties to read the document thoroughly and take part in the public comment period. Verbal public comments will be accepted for the record at the public meeting on June 16, and written public comments will be accepted through the duration of the public comment period. Please send written comments by email to  (EPAButtePPcomments@epa.gov) or by standard mail to: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  
ATTN: Butte Superfund Site Team 
10 W 15th St, Suite 3200 
Helena, MT  
59626 

Via email: Public comments must be emailed to (EPAButtePPComments@epa.gov) by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Via USPS/traditional mail: Public comments must be postmarked by Tuesday, 6/30.

To learn more about these changes, please join the EPA at upcoming formal public meeting in Butte.  A stenographer will be present to record your verbal public comments.

Public Meeting
When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6-7:00 pm
Where: Library Auditorium at Montana Tech (1300 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701)

Directly before the formal public meeting, EPA will host an open house on June 16 from 5:00-6:00 pm in the atrium outside the Library Auditorium.