CFAC official explains position on cleanup

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, LLC is committed to assessing soil and groundwater impacts at its Columbia Falls site but has ended discussions with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to enter into an administrative order on consent for the investigation.

After operating nearly continuously since 1955 under various owners, plant operations were idled on Oct. 31, 2009. In late 2012, acting on specific requests, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to evaluate the plant for a second time (based on its first evaluation, the EPA decided the plant did not meet the Superfund criteria) to determine if conditions warrant classifying the CFAC property as a Superfund site.

In April, 2014, EPA published its report, finding that the plant might qualify as a Superfund site. DEQ assumed the role of lead agency on the CFAC project. CFAC, EPA and DEQ met to discuss and set a course of action.

Throughout this process, CFAC has been committed to assessing the environmental conditions at the site and has hired specialty environmental consultant Roux Associates to develop a site assessment plan.

In the early summer of 2014, DEQ undertook the task of writing a “white paper,” which remains undone. Instead, DEQ submitted an administrative order on consent to CFAC and demanded immediate acceptance by CFAC. Under these conditions and after working diligently to establish a joint resolution with DEQ, CFAC is no longer negotiating with DEQ regarding the investigation.

CFAC understands and concurs that it is in the best interest of all to move forward with a thorough assessment of the site conditions and options for addressing any historical impacts. CFAC has assembled a team of professionals to lead the efforts to define and resolve the outstanding issues at the Columbia Falls plant site and remains fully committed to completing the job in a timely and competent manner.

Haley Beaudry is a spokesman for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.