Learn the Issues
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Do settlement communications, such as past “agreements in principle,” impact the implementation of the final Consent Decrees?
The parties are bound by the terms of the various final, publicly available consent decrees. These consent decrees were made available for public comment before they were finalized and entered by the Court. Past settlement communications and documents created in the course of settlement discussions have been incorporated (or not)…
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Is the Confidentiality Order still in effect?
Yes. The Order states that all settlement discussions and documents “shall be kept confidential both during and after the negotiations and not disclosed to third persons.” (Order at 1-2).
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Why are the potentially responsible parties at the site allowed to help design the cleanup plan?
EPA has a longstanding policy to pursue "enforcement first" throughout the Superfund cleanup process. Existing EPA guidance emphasizes that a major component of the "enforcement first" policy is that potentially responsible parties should conduct remedial actions whenever possible. Under the existing Consent Decree, the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) are required…
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When will construction begin in the Silver-Bow Creek Corridor?
Construction in the Silver Bow Creek corridor began in 2024 with the Grove Gulch Project.
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What work are the potentially responsible parties required to complete at Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit?
EPA will conduct oversight in consultation with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on all work to be implemented by Atlantic Richfield and Butte-Silver Bow County. Atlantic Richfield will perform work in the Butte Reduction Works, Northside Tailings, Diggings East, Buffalo Gulch, East Buffalo Gulch, and Grove Gulch areas…
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How does EPA ensure that the potentially responsible parties complete their work?
All cleanup activities performed by the PRPs are subject to enforcement instruments (i.e., consent decrees or administrative orders) that provide for EPA approval of all deliverables and oversight of all work performed by the PRPs.
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How will waste from the Further Remedial Elements project (Silver Bow Creek Corridor) areas be handled?
Each Further Remedial Element project area has its own specific requirements regarding waste. For example, at Northside Tailings and Diggings East, all materials within the project area that exceed the Waste Identification Criteria will be disposed of offsite in a repository. At Buffalo Gulch all materials below the basin(s) that…
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Where can I go to learn more?
PitWatch.org is the online home of the Berkeley Pit Public Education Committee. This volunteer committee educates residents, students, and the public about the environmental management of the Berkeley Pit. Information includes the geology, hydrology, current events, and ongoing academic research associated with the Berkeley Pit. This committee frequently shares their…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked questions about the Butte Area/Silver Bow Creek site.
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Other Site Contacts
Site cotnacts list that includes federal, state and community contact information for the Butte Area/Silver Bow Creek Site.
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How can I get involved?
EPA encourages the public to review our Community Involvement Plan (pdf) (66pp, 6MB) that lays out our specific community involvement activities, and how to become involved at the Site. You can also contact our Community Involvement Coordinator, Mackenzie Meter ( meter.mackenzie@epa.gov ), for site updates and to be added to…
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Factsheet: What to Know About the EPA’s Proposed Plan for Addressing Lead in Residential Soils
Factsheet on a Proposed Plan for changes to the existing cleanup level of lead in residential soils at the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BPSOU) of the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site.
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Jessup, Maryland (Elite Spice Inc.) - Español
Los científicos y analistas de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) completaron recientemente una evaluación de riesgos para comprender el impacto de las emisiones de EtO de la instalación de Elite Spice, Inc.
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Background
The Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area site is in and around Butte, Montana, and includes 26 miles of stream and streamside habitat downstream from Butte. Since the late 1800s, mining wastes have been dumped into areas in and around Butte.
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What projects has EPA been involved with in Butte related to the Superfund site?
A variety of actions and activities have been implemented to address the contamination in Butte, including: Assessments of risk have been conducted to quantify actual and potential human health risks due to potential exposure to tailings, waste rock, yard soils, indoor dust, attic dust, mercury vapor, surface water, and ground…
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Changes Are Proposed for Lead Cleanup in Residential Soils in Butte
Changes are proposed for lead cleanup in residential soils in Butte. Learn about the changes and review the proposed plan.
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Zelienople, Pennsylvania (American Contract Systems Inc.) - Tiếng Việt
Bản đồ này thể hiện ước tính của EPA về nguy cơ ung thư suốt đời từ EtO đối với cộng đồng sống gần American Contract Systems Inc. tại Zelienople, PA. Các nhà khoa học và nhà phân tích của EPA gần đây đã hoàn thành đánh giá nguy cơ để hiểu rõ tác động phát
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Develop an Indoor Air Quality Program in Your School
Effective cleaning and maintenance procedures are critical to protecting building systems and building occupants. Student, teacher and staff health and productivity can suffer when school building systems fail to operate as designed
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Indoor Air Quality Problem Solving Tool
Use the IAQ Problem Solving Tool to learn about the connection between health complaints and common solutions in schools. This resource provides an easy, step-by-step process to start identifying and resolving IAQ problems found at your school.
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What is a site assessment and what is the difference between a site assessment and a site investigation?
The first step of the site assessment process is known as a preliminary assessment (PA). This assessment gathers historical and other readily available information on site conditions and surroundings to evaluate whether the site poses a potential threat to human health and the environment and/or whether further investigation is needed…