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July 17, 2024 2:50 p.m.

Going deep on CFAC

Going deep is an essential next step in order for Columbia Falls and Flathead County residents to begin to really understand and raise meaningful questions about the proposed leave-the-toxic waste-in-place cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Superfund site.

August 14, 2024 8:05 a.m.

Coalition announces meetings

The Coalition For A Clean CFAC will be hosting public meetings on Aug. 20 and 21. These meetings invite the public’s input regarding the proposed Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Superfund cleanup plan. The August presentation and discussion sessions will focus on the barriers and opportunities to removing some or all of the waste from the CFAC Superfund site. Karmen King, as an independent expert and consultant on Superfund site cleanup projects around the country, will be part of the presentation.

Coalition unhappy with county, city calls to release CFAC plan
July 31, 2024 7:35 a.m.

Coalition unhappy with county, city calls to release CFAC plan

The Coalition for a Clean CFAC expressed disappointment in a recent Flathead County Commissioner letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with a Record of Decision on a cleanup plan for the defunct aluminum plant.

January 15, 2025 9 a.m.

Coalition says EPA has failed us

While the EPA’s Record of Decision (ROD) recently issued for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site is dismaying, EPA leadership’s failure to do so without actionably taking into account public and community concerns and numerous technical issues raised but repeatedly dismissed, is quite appalling.

City joins county in urging CFAC cleanup plan release
August 14, 2024 7:20 a.m.

City joins county in urging CFAC cleanup plan release

The Columbia Falls City Council voted 5-1 on last week to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to release a record of decision on the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund cleanup.

CFAC damage assessment could reap rewards; But residents raise a host of concerns, including forever chemicals
June 25, 2025 8:35 a.m.

CFAC damage assessment could reap rewards; But residents raise a host of concerns, including forever chemicals

Forever chemicals. Concerns about future residents and development, and plenty of “what ifs?”

With CFAC decision, Ruis poised to buy property
January 15, 2025 7:50 a.m.

With CFAC decision, Ruis poised to buy property

The Environmental Protection Agency Friday released its record of decision for cleaning up the defunct Columbia Falls Aluminum Co plant, which paves the way for Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis to buy most of the property, save for the landfills themselves.

June 25, 2025 8:30 a.m.

Urges people to get involved with CFAC damage program

The May 28th Hungry Horse News included an informative story about the Natural Resource Damage Program and Assessment Plan in regard to the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant. As stated, the Natural Resource Damage Program is part of the Superfund law but is a separate program, actually a state program housed in the Montana Dept. of Justice. While the Superfund cleanup plan deals with remediation of the toxic waste, the NRDP focuses on restoration of the natural resources damaged by the operation of the Plant.

CFAC damage assessment available for public comment
May 28, 2025 8:20 a.m.

CFAC damage assessment available for public comment

A draft Natural Resources Damage Assessment Plan for the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant has been released.

Update: EPA will have office hours on CFAC remotely
February 18, 2025 9:55 a.m.

Update: EPA will have office hours on CFAC remotely

The Environmental Protection Agency will host office hours in Columbia Falls from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 19.

Yesterdays: Salk vaccine coming soon
April 16, 2025 7:50 a.m.

Yesterdays: Salk vaccine coming soon

The Salk vaccine, which prevented polio, would soon be available in the Flathead Valley. It would be given to most first and second graders. Polio caused childhood paralysis and other deformities. The use of the vaccine, designed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was welcome and Salk was considered a national hero.

Top stories of 2024
January 2, 2025 8 a.m.

Top stories of 2024

The year 2024 will go down in history as the year of incessant political campaigns as millions of dollars poured into the state in the race for the U.S. Senate that pitted Republican challenger Tim Sheehy against incumbent Jon Tester.

Ruis going full steam ahead on CFAC property
March 12, 2025 6:20 a.m.

Ruis going full steam ahead on CFAC property

Developer Mick Ruis said he’s already been hosting potential businesses interested in developing at least part of the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site.

CFAC information sessions coming up
July 3, 2024 6:10 a.m.

CFAC information sessions coming up

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency), and Montana Department of Environmental Quality), will host an informational open house on Wednesday, July 17 in Columbia Falls.

March 26, 2025 8:25 a.m.

Dam nameplate not true output

Regarding the March 12, 2025 story in the Hungry Horse News about Mick Ruis’ plans for CFAC land and the possibility of huge cryptocurrency server farms, the public should know there is a difference between total nameplate generating capacity of a hydroelectric dam and expected average output.

June 4, 2025 8:15 a.m.

Community events: Free youth camps and a CFAC meeting coming up

Farming for the Future Academy at the Montana Veterans Home Garden will offer several free Science, Technology and Engineering camps for youths this summer.

June 4, 2025 midnight

Legals for June, 4 2025

June 11, 2025 midnight

Legals for June, 11 2025

River cleanup coming up, with prizes
July 31, 2024 7:40 a.m.

River cleanup coming up, with prizes

The 2024 Flathead Waters Cleanup event returns Saturday, Aug.10. This Flathead Basin-Wide event hosted by Flathead Rivers Alliance, Flathead Conservation District, Western Montana Conservation Commission, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County Conservation District and Flathead Lakers brings together agencies, organizations, and community members in an all day volunteer event to not only cleanup trash, but celebrate the region’s incredible waterways.

Park Side celebrates new Columbia Falls branch
June 25, 2025 8:20 a.m.

Park Side celebrates new Columbia Falls branch

The new branch of Park Side Credit Union in Columbia Falls had its ribbon cutting last week. The bright and spacious new building replaces the credit union’s old home on Highway 2 about a half mile to the east.