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environmental remediation

EPA proposes lowering trigger for Butte lead cleanup, expanding work

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday morning released details about a long-awaited proposal to significantly lower the lead cleanup level for residential soils and interior dust in Butte. As envisioned, the cleanup level would drop from 1,200 parts per million to 456 ppm. In addition, EPA

Montana moves to settle mining violations at Zortman-Landusky gold mine

Montana moves to settle mining violations at Zortman-Landusky gold mine

Montana regulators are proposing to settle their allegations of recent illegal mining activities at the former Zortman-Landusky gold mine by requiring a payment of less than half the original fine. The consent decree would require a $200,000 settlement to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), but no admission

EPA promises update on Butte lead action level by June 1

Cyrus Western promised in January that EPA would announce by June 1 a new action level for lead contamination of residential soils and interior dust in Butte. On Monday, Mackenzie Meter, a regional EPA spokeswoman, said, "Yes, we are still on track to release a proposed new residential lead

Feds reach $3.5M settlement in Yellowstone National Park oil spill that impacted river

The federal government has reached a $3.5 million settlement following a 2020 gasoline spill in Yellowstone National Park that polluted the Yellowstone River and groundwater next to it. The money will be used to continue remedial work in the area that's expected to continue for years. Some

After years of delay, EPA promises Butte community that a new lead action level is coming

EPA’s regional administrator spoke Tuesday night at Montana Technological University and said something locals have verbalized for years. “We all know that the 1,200 number, that’s not acceptable, that it needs to come down, and that’s going to by a pretty significant extent,” said Cyrus Western,

EPA's directive for lead in soils described in Butte as 'troubling' and 'hogwash'

The EPA announced Monday a new national directive for addressing lead contamination in residential soils — long a hot topic in Butte-Silver Bow County because of Superfund cleanup of pollution from historic mining and smelting. J.P. Gallagher, chief executive officer of Butte-Silver Bow, described being deeply troubled by

Watchdogs chafe at snail's pace EPA review of Butte lead level comments

The warm, fuzzy feelings survived about as long as a parched snow goose in the Berkeley Pit. The Environmental Protection Agency announced in October a proposal to drop the cleanup level for lead in residential soils and interior dust from the long controversial 1,200 parts per million to just