EPA proposes to delete a portion of Libby, Montana Superfund site from National Priorities List
Public comments will be accepted through March 18
LIBBY, Mont. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invite the public to comment on a proposal to delete Operable Unit 5 (OU5) of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site from the National Priorities List (NPL). Comments will be accepted from February 15 through March 18, 2024.
Operable Unit 5 includes the former Stimson Lumber property, now home of the 400-acre Kootenai Business Park and multiple businesses. Operable Unit 5 was cleaned up in 2016 and does not require additional cleanup as previously completed actions are considered protective of human health and the environment. Operable Unit 5 is co-located with the Libby Groundwater Superfund site where cleanup is ongoing, and that site is not affected by the proposed OU5 partial deletion.
A partial deletion is part of the Superfund process used to remove a section, or operable unit, of the site from the NPL when no additional remediation is expected. The area will continue to be subject to operation and maintenance activities, including regular reviews for protectiveness. EPA, in consultation with DEQ, will continue to address contamination concerns at remaining Operable Units of the Libby Asbestos site, which includes the former mine site.
The proposal to delete OU5 is available online.
You may comment on the proposed partial deletion of OU5 using the following methods:
- Online by following the instructions for submitting comments.
- By email to: zinner.dania@epa.gov
- By mail to: Dania Zinner, U.S. EPA, Region 8 (SEM-RB), 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129
Please visit the Libby Superfund site webpage for more information.