Montana Environmental Trust Group

The American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) declared bankruptcy in 2005, and under a 2009 court-approved settlement, three custodial trusts were created to address environmental cleanup at former ASARCO sites across 13 states. The Montana Environmental Custodial Trust took title to the 4 Montana sites, which together contain ±4,265 acres, and received nearly $138 million to pay for cleanup, restoration, and revitalization.

Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc. was chosen as Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust, and Greenfield’s East Helena, Montana-based subsidiary Montana Environmental Trust Group (METG) was appointed as the Federal District Court Trustee. METG’s primary role is to protect human health and the environment in partnership with beneficiaries—the United States and State of Montana—as well as community stakeholders.

Latest Information

2024 METG Reappointment Framework Report, Oct 2024

The Montana Environmental Trust Group (METG) Reappointment Framework Report, submitted to METG’s beneficiaries October 1, 2024, is available here.

East Helena, Montana

This 2024 progress video provides updates on work at and around the East Helena Site, including the slag pile recycling project, groundwater monitoring, the Manlove Cabin relocation, Prickly Pear Park development, and more. For more information, see our 2024 Site Update fact sheet.

METG’s environmental cleanup actions in East Helena focus on soil, sediment, and groundwater contamination caused by more than a century of smelting lead, zinc, and other metals at the former ASARCO facility. Learn more about site operations and conditions, regulatory history, and redevelopment plans.

Other Sites

Mike Horse

METG is operating the water treatment plant at the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex (UBMC)/Mike Horse Site, which is situated at the headwaters of the Blackfoot River.

Black Pine

In consultation with the US Forest Service, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality is remediating contamination from silver and lead mining at the Black Pine Mine site.

Iron Mountain

The Iron Mountain Site is part of the larger Flat Creek/Iron Mountain & Mill federal Superfund Site that was added to the EPA’s National Priorities List in 2009.