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Community Conversations

Join EPA and DEQ at Old Bull Brewing Co in Frenchtown on Tuesday, September 9th from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Representatives working on the Smurfit-Stone Mill Site will answer questions from the community and provide updates. 

Smurfit-Stone Mill Background

The 3,200-acre Smurfit-Stone Mill Site, a former paper and pulp mill, is located on the banks of the Clark Fork River in Frenchtown, Montana. Since 2015, the Site has been in the Remedial Investigation (RI) phase of the Superfund process, which is the first phase following initial assessment. This key phase characterizes the nature and extent of contamination, laying the foundation for future cleanup efforts. Since the RI began, EPA has directed the collection of more than 2,000 samples of groundwater, surface water, porewater, soils, sediment, macroinvertebrates, small mammals, and fish, giving EPA, DEQ, and stakeholders a robust picture of risks on site. Risk assessments for human and ecological health were completed in 2021-2022. 

In response to community concerns around Site characterization and the potential presence of PCBs on site, EPA, in consultation with DEQ, directed additional sampling events on the Site in 2023 and 2024. These included groundwater monitoring studies, soil and sediment sampling, and a groundwater-surface water interaction study. The data collected during these additional sampling events will be shared with the community and Site stakeholders and included in the upcoming Remedial Investigation report. Concurrently, EPA and DEQ will begin oversight of the Feasibility Study. During this phase, potential cleanup options will be identified and evaluated. 

EPA will continue proactive communication with partner agencies, organizations, and the general public through this process.

Contaminants of Potential Concern Identified on Site Site teams have identified unacceptable levels of arsenic and manganese in groundwater. The risk is primarily focused on potential future residents at the site consuming the groundwater as drinking water. Note: The groundwater below the site is NOT currently used as a drinking water source. Manganese and dioxins/furans were also identified in surface soils in limited areas associated with the primary wastewater treatment at the Site and contribute a small amount of risk. These findings can be reviewed in risk assessments (link below) completed and shared publicly in 2022. Cleanup plans to address the contamination will be developed through the Feasibility Study.

EPA Resources

Clark Fork River Berm Surveillance & Contingency Plan

Did you know? During spring and summer runoff season, Site teams actively monitor Clark Fork River flow gages and have contingency plans in place to respond to any berm stability issues arising from higher Clark Fork River flows. These documents, including monthly monitoring reports during high-flow months, are available on the Smurfit-Stone Mill website. During summer 2025 inspections, the Site team did not note any major concerns or changes to the Clark Fork River berm.

Understanding the Superfund Process

Want to learn more about the Superfund process but not sure where to start? The EPA has numerous resources to help explain the ins and outs of Superfund. Note: replies to this email are sent to an unmonitored inbox. Please reach out to Mackenzie Meter (meter.mackenzie@epa.gov) with questions or comments.