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EPA Completes Third Five-Year Review

EPA reviewed the cleanup efforts (remedy) at all operable units except OU3, the former mine. At sites where there are restrictions on how the land is used, EPA reviews the cleanup to see if it is protective, or if additional work is needed. The five-year review does not include the former mine because the remedy has not been selected. EPA recently completed the third Five-Year Review for this site. Read the Five-Year Review (pdf) (149 pp, 83 MB) online.

Findings

• Cleanup is effectively protecting human health and the environment at all cleaned operable units: OUs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Public Meeting

Learn more about the findings of the Five-Year review at the public meeting.

• Date: July 15, 6 - 7p
• Location: City Hall, Ponderosa Room (952 E Spruce St, Libby, MT 59923)
• Virtual Option: Microsoft Teams, Meeting ID: 283 091 658 201 9, Passcode: ke7DK77r

Topics:

• Status of Former Mine Area (OU3)
• Status of Operation and Maintenance at cleaned OUs
• Wildfire Preparedness
• EPA’s Five-Year Review Results

Contact Beth Archer at archer.elizabeth@epa.gov or (720) 512-1917 with questions.

Wildfire Preparedness

In April, Lincoln County, EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, and the state of Montana met to prepare for the possibility of wildfires in or around the former vermiculite mine. Agencies are working on updates to the Libby Asbestos Response Plan (LARP) outlining the agencies commitment to public communication during a wildfire in or near the former mine. This plan details how agencies will collaborate during a fire. Following Lincoln County EMA on Facebook and signing up for Code Red will ensure you get fire related emergency notifications. Did you know that taking steps to protect yourself from particulate matter exposure will also protect you from Libby Amphibole Asbestos? Learn about the best practices experts recommend in the fact sheets below. Risks from Wildfires Near Former Mine Area Fact Sheet (pdf) (2 pp, 890 KB) Frequently Asked Questions about Wildfires in OU3 (pdf) (2 pp, 814 KB)

Asbestos Resource Program

Even though EPA has finished cleaning the residential and commercial areas in Libby and Troy (operable units 4 and 7 respectively), the Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program remains your local asbestos resource. Before beginning a renovation or digging at a property, contact the Asbestos Resource Program at (406) 291-5335. They can provide property information, best practices and can request funding for necessary sampling or abatement.

Operable Units Summary

When operable units are partially deleted, they are delisted from the National Priorities List. After a partial deletion, the operable units stay in “operations and maintenance” to ensure the remedy remains protective. The operations and maintenance program for OU6 is led by BNSF. All other operations and maintenance programs for OUs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are run by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Operable Unit 3 is currently in the feasibility study process. This means EPA and partners  are reviewing cleanup technologies to ensure they are effective and practical.

Questions?

Contact EPA's Beth Archer at (720) 512-1917 or archer.elizabeth@epa.gov.