CFAC sues ARCO for Superfund cleanup

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has filed suit against the Atlantic Richfield Co. in an attempt recoup costs associated with the cleanup of the old aluminum plant site north of Columbia Falls.

Coalition urges CFAC involvement

CFAC/Glencore representatives will be in Columbia Falls Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and 25. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak up for a brighter future and a more comprehensive cleanup of CFAC’s toxic waste dumps.

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.

CFAC breaks off talks with DEQ on cleanup

The former external affairs manager for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. announced in a Dec. 9 press release that the company “is no longer negotiating” with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality about cleaning up the smelter site on the Flathead River near Columbia Falls.

CFAC concerns from C-Falls citizens

The proposed cleanup plan for the CFAC Superfund site is unacceptable.

Plenty of CFAC questions

News that CFAC/Glencore and Columbia Falls-based developer Mick Ruis have agreed to enter into a buy/sell for some 2,400 acres of CFAC land was big and important news this week.

CFAC explains opposition to Superfund listing

The following statement about Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.’s position on a cleanup at the site was made by former external affairs spokesman Haley Beaudry.

Tester also raises concerns about CFAC cleanup; hopes to get EPA brass here

Montana Sen. Jon Tester said last week that the “waste in place” cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site “was not much of a cleanup plan at all.”

DEQ, CFAC enter partial cleanup plan

From the state side of things, the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality have agreed to at least part of a cleanup plan for the idled plant.

EPA says CFAC cleanup will assure safe water supply for C-Falls

“We will ensure the alternative will protect the city’s drinking water,” Bartlett said.

CFAC cleanup: Who pays?

While the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co, is financing the initial investigation into the cleanup of the defunct aluminum plant, who pays for the actual cleanup could be an entirely different matter, a liaison panel learned last week.

Glencore permanently closes CFAC site

A spokesman for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. announced March 3 that the smelter plant will be permanently closed and demolition of some buildings at the site could take place as part of the closure.

CFAC opposes Superfund listing

The former external affairs spokesman for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., Haley Beaudry, issued a press release on Dec. 19 saying the company “favors a speedy and thorough investigation and analysis” of the smelter site but opposes placing the site on the federal Superfund’s National Priorities List.

Disagrees with request for CFAC listing

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company disagrees with Gov. Steve Bullock’s request to the Environmental Protection Agency to list its plant near Columbia Falls on the National Priorities List. CFAC has begun assessing the site and believes that listing the site on the NPL will unnecessarily slow the cleanup process and any future redevelopment.

CFAC suit shouldn't stall cleanup

A lawsuit filed by the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. against the Atlantic Richfield Co. over cleanup of the old aluminum plant site won’t likely delay the actual cleanup, project manager Mike Cirian of the Environmental Protection Agency said last week.

Tester says he sides with city on CFAC cleanup

Montana Sen. Jon Tester said last week he had the Columbia Falls City Council’s back on concerns it has about the cleanup of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site.

Judge rules ARCO responsible for 35% of CFAC cleanup

A federal judge has ruled the the Atlantic Richfield Co. is at least partially responsible for the cleanup of the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site just north of Columbia Falls.

CFAC cleanup could start after six years of study

Disagree with Zinke on CFAC

We are writing in response to Congressman Ryan Zinke’s latest editorial on the cleanup of the CFAC site outside of Columbia Falls. Zinke continues to push the idea of state control despite the fact that Glencore stopped talking to the state over a year ago. At that point the EPA stepped in and since then Glencore has actually started to take some steps towards a cleanup. We encourage residents of Columbia Falls to question Zinke’s assumptions that a Superfund designation leads to a stigma that hampers growth and property values. 

Record of decision for CFAC cleanup looms, out of city’s hands

In a rush to halt the oncoming record of decision on the EPA’s proposed cleanup plan at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site, members of the community approached Columbia Falls City Council during their Feb. 5 meeting.