EPA, Glencore to study Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site contamination

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Glencore announced an agreement signed on November 30 to study the level of contamination at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site.

Senator Tester and Governor Bullock have been urging Glencore for long to come up with acton plans to clean up the plant after discussing the matter with local stakeholders. In January this year, after Glencore walked away from negotiations, Senator Tester sent a letter to the EPA asking them to list CFAC as a superfund site.

“I’m pleased Glencore has finally realized it has an obligation to the people of Columbia Falls,” Tester said. “As this process moves forward, I will continue to hold the company and the EPA responsible for ensuring this site is cleaned up and revitalized so we can continue to strengthen the economy in the Flathead.”

In February, Governor Bullock also urged the EPA to list CFAC as a superfund site.

“I welcome the news that Glencore has recognized its obligations to clean the site and make it ready to once again become a driver of the Flathead economy,” Bullock said. “The plant was a critical part of the economy of Columbia Falls and the site has been idle for too long. It has tremendous potential for redevelopment and will be an important anchor in the future of the region.”

Local stakeholders from across the region thanked Senator Tester and Governor Bullock for their continued efforts in the Flathead Valley.

“The community of Columbia Falls had no assurances from Glencore that CFAC would ever get cleaned up until Senator Tester and Governor Bullock stepped up. As all parties work toward clean up, we must remain diligent because the health of our land, water, and economy depend on it,” said University of Montana Institute on Ecosystems Senior Scientist Erin Sexton.