Tuesday, July 15, 2025
63.0°F

All results /

DEQ notes that potliner removal at old CFAC site is now complete
September 26, 2018 8:39 a.m.

DEQ notes that potliner removal at old CFAC site is now complete

One small piece of what promises to be a prolonged and extensive cleanup of contamination at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site has been resolved, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

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.

December 10, 2014 7:48 a.m.

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.

August 19, 2015 7:41 a.m.

More details emerge from CFAC, EPA talks

Representatives from Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency met in person Aug. 5 to analyze the administrative order of consent. The 33-page document is a legal agreement that sets cleanup actions for the plant.

September 18, 2015 8:20 a.m.

CFAC, EPA talks keep progressing

Talks between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant continue methodically. They discussed the terms and conditions of the administrative order on consent at a conference call Aug. 25, John Stroiazzo, Glencore project manager, said at the community liaison panel meeting last Thursday. The AOC is a legal contract between the EPA and CFAC that determines the rules of the aluminum plant cleanup. They will continue negotiating at another conference call Sept. 21. Mike Cirian, EPA remedial project manager, is on vacation, but this has not slowed the progress of discussions, Stroiazzo said.

EPA expects proposed action on CFAC cleanup this fall
July 6, 2021 7:45 a.m.

EPA expects proposed action on CFAC cleanup this fall

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund timeline will enter a new phase in the coming months, project manager Ken Champagne of the Environmental Protection Agency said last week.

CFAC will get Superfund designation, EPA announces
September 7, 2016 5:11 p.m.

CFAC will get Superfund designation, EPA announces

The Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced it is adding the defunct Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. smelter to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List.

June 17, 2015 5:56 a.m.

EPA begins talks with CFAC

More details emerged last week on the cleanup of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. The Environmental Protection Agency on June 10 sent the company and former owner ARCO a draft administrative order on consent. The order is a legal agreement signed by the EPA, ARCO and CFAC that sets required corrective or cleanup actions for the plant. In short, it's a contract between the EPA and the companies, noted Michael Cirian, an environmental engineer for the EPA.

CFAC, ARCO continue to dispute who should clean up plant site
April 24, 2019 6:54 a.m.

CFAC, ARCO continue to dispute who should clean up plant site

A federal judge ruled earlier this month ruled the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.’s lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Co. should move forward.

CFAC cleanup plan expected this spring; lawsuit delayed
December 9, 2020 12:15 a.m.

CFAC cleanup plan expected this spring; lawsuit delayed

Meanwhile, a draft feasibility study was completed by the company in October and is currently being reviewed by the EPA and the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Another round of CFAC meetings planned for next week
April 17, 2024 2 a.m.

Another round of CFAC meetings planned for next week

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, in partnership with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency, will offer two public engagement and information sessions on April 24 and 25.

February 24, 2015 1:58 p.m.

CFAC outlines reasons against Superfund listing

The following letter was sent to Gov. Steve Bullock on Dec. 12, 2014.

CFAC a boneyard for Sebree?
December 11, 2013 8:11 a.m.

CFAC a boneyard for Sebree?

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.

March 25, 2015 7:54 a.m.

DEQ responds to CFAC, Zinke comments

The following e-mail from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality was sent to the Hungry Horse News in response to the comments made by Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. spokesman Haley Beaudry and Rep. Ryan Zinke that none of the 18 Superfund sites in Montana have ever been removed from the National Priority List.

Community will get representative for CFAC cleanup
February 22, 2023 2 a.m.

Community will get representative for CFAC cleanup

The community will get a third set of eyes and ears on the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund cleanup.

June 5, 2015 2:15 p.m.

CFAC presents its case against Superfund listing

The 60-day public comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to put the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site on the federal Superfund’s National Priorities List ended May 25.