 Clark Fork River Landowners attend Superfund Cleanup MeetingApril 21, 2011The Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee (CFRTAC) hosted an informational meeting for landowners on the Clark Fork River regarding the Clark Fork River cleanupThursday night, April 21, thirty-three people met at the Racetrack Community Center, most of whom are concerned landowners on the Clark Fork River.There were also representatives on hand from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), (EPA), Montana Natural Resources Damage Program (NRDP), Powell County, Anaconda – Deer Lodge County and CFRTAC. Darryl Barton, CFRTAC Coordinator, moderated the discussion and lead off with a presentation discussing the Landowner Guide (pdf) produced by CFRTAC. He also presented a slide show that addressed the history of the Clark Fork River Superfund site and the current problems on the river. Brian Bartkowiak, DEQ Clark Fork Project Manager, presented plans for cleanup this year and beyond. Deer Lodge’s Bum Bridge Area (Trestle Area) is scheduled for cleanup this year. DEQ will also finish removal of contaminants in Deer Lodge residential areas. Much sampling work has been done upstream on the Clark Fork. A design is being finalized and remediation is scheduled for 2012. Work on the river will begin downstream of the Warm Springs Ponds in an area dubbed Phase 1 by DEQ. Work will continue in subsequent years downstream towards Deer Lodge. Many landowners on the Clark Fork had excellent questions and provided lively discussion about the Clark Fork River Superfund cleanup.The overwhelming theme is that remediation work is overdue and must begin as soon as possible.Bartkowiak admitted that progress has been slow but that the agencies responsible for the cleanup want to assure that the work is of high quality.A high quality design for the river cleanup is complex and important. A copy of the CFRTAC Landowner Guide is available here (pdf). For more information regarding the Clark Fork River Superfund cleanup please visit the CFRTAC website at http://www.cfrtac.org.Or contact: Darryl Barton, CFRTAC, 529 Main Street, Deer Lodge, 846 - 1628. |
May 22, 2013
