Archive for category: East Helena News

EAST HELENA, MT (October 30, 2024) – The community is invited to a public meeting November 6 and a drop-in information session November 7 to learn about the status of the cleanup, groundwater quality, and redevelopment at the former ASARCO East Helena Smelter Site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Montana Environmental Trust Group (METG), Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust, are hosting the meeting and drop-in session.

Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 6:30–8 p.m., in person and virtual
METG Office, 324 Manlove Avenue

 Join meeting online or by phone
Use this Zoom link or https://tinyurl.com/METGmeetings

Call 646-876-9923. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode 664564. 

Drop-in Information Session
Thursday, November 7, 2024, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., in person only
METG Office, 324 Manlove Avenue

Refreshments will be available at the meeting and the drop-in session.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Flyer for November 6 meeting and November 7 drop-in session
• The METG website
• The EPA website

MAPS: Download East Helena maps of METG lands, redevelopment projects, and land sales effective 10-30-2024. See map information below.

SITE BACKGROUND
More than a century of lead smelting left extensive contamination in soil and groundwater at the former ASARCO smelter in East Helena (Site). Soils contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other metals posed a threat to people, migratory birds and other direct-contact receptors. Precipitation leached contaminants from smelter soils into groundwater, and mobilized surface soil contaminants into stormwater runoff. Surface waters from Prickly Pear Creek and two manmade lakes raised groundwater levels under the Site, pushing groundwater through impacted soils and adding contaminants to groundwater, resulting in plumes of arsenic and selenium migrating off-site.

METG
In 2009, the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust was created as part of the ASARCO bankruptcy settlement, with the Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG) appointed Trustee. METG is responsible for remediating former ASARCO lands in East Helena and facilitating their safe reuse, under EPA oversight and for the benefit of the United States and State of Montana. Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc. is the parent company of METG.

CLEANUP
METG has been managing remedial actions that have included replacing dilapidated smelter buildings with a 62-acre vegetated, sustainable evapotranspiration cover—one of the nation’s largest of its type. Relocating Prickly Pear Creek away from the former smelter and slag pile and draining manmade lakes have lowered groundwater levels at the Site. These corrective measures, together with the excavation of tons of highly contaminated soil, have reduced arsenic and selenium concentrations in groundwater by more than 50 percent since 2016. The new floodplain mitigates downstream flooding and, along with enhanced wetlands, supports diverse wildlife.

REDEVELOPMENT
METG has been facilitating the sale and the safe, productive, community-supported redevelopment of approximately 2,000 former ASARCO acres in East Helena. Of that acreage, 1,663 acres have been sold or donated as of October 30, 2024.

So far, redevelopments completed to date include: 2 public schools (Prickly Pear Elementary School and East Helena High School); a community health center; the 26,000-square-foot Town Pump store; significant portions of the 319-home Highland Meadows subdivision; the 8-mile-long Greenway Trail; an intermodal transportation center; an expanded manufacturing center; the new East Helena Valley Rodeo Association rodeo arena; and improved City of East Helena infrastructure. See Redevelopment Projects Implemented to Date on Former ASARCO–METG Lands.

Developments proposed for other sold land include: 2 mixed-use projects that include more than 3,257 new homes (including affordable and low-income housing); a new rail-serviced, light industrial center; a new office building and warehouse; a 70-acre commercial center expected to include restaurants, full-service grocery, banks, and other retail; and parks and open space. Additionally, 136 acres currently under contract are proposed for development as ±1,712 mixed-income housing units, commercial and industrial (incubator) uses, a new elementary school, and parks and open space. Only 20 former ASARCO acres remain available for sale in East Helena. See Current and Former METG Lands South of Highway 12.

PHOTOS: Visit  East Helena Site Photos and Map 11-2023 to download a map of METG land sales in East Helena, and photos of the slag pile, restored wetlands and floodplain along Prickly Pear Creek, and redevelopment of former ASARCO lands.

INTERVIEWS: METG Managing Principal Cindy Brooks is available for phone interviews on Mon., Nov. 13 (12 noon–5 p.m. MT) and Tues., Nov. 14 (after 2 p.m. MT); and for in-person interviews at the former Smelter Site (METG modular office, 324 Manlove Avenue) on Wed., Nov. 15, 1–4 p.m. MT. For scheduling assistance, contact Christine Amrhine, 540-846-3163, ca@g-etg.com.

EAST HELENA, MT (November 10, 2023) – The Montana Environmental Trust Group, Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting to share updates about the cleanup status and redevelopment progress at the former ASARCO East Helena Smelter Site on Wednesday, November 15.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 6 p.m.
WHERE: METG Office, 324 Manlove Avenue, East Helena

The community will have the opportunity to hear updates and ask questions about various topics such as:

• Site cleanup: METG will provide an update on groundwater quality improvements. Also, the removal of up to 2 million tons of unfumed slag from the 16-million-ton slag pile and its shipment for recycling to South Korea continued in 2023. See Rail cars and slag pile and Slag pile. Restoration of wetlands and floodplain along Prickly Pear Creek was finished in 2023, marking completion of one of the last cleanup actions at the Site. See Prickly Pear Creek restored wetlands and floodplain.
• Redevelopment: In 2023, METG sold ±900 acres of former ASARCO lands to 4 purchasers for future uses that include an office building, a light-manufacturing center, a warehouse, hundreds of single- and multi-family homes, shopping areas, and parks. In all, ±1,663 former ASARCO acres have been sold or donated by METG (see East Helena land sales map 11-9-2023) for such projects as East Helena High School (see EH High School and EH High School), Prickly Pear Elementary School (see Prickly Pear Elementary School and Prickly Pear Elementary School), the Town Pump mixed-use development (see Town Pump), the Highland Meadows residential subdivision (see Highland Meadows residential subdivision), expanded manufacturing, and the 322-acre Prickly Pear Creek Greenway. METG’s project partners, including Prickly Pear Land Trust, Habitat for Humanity, and Oakland Companies, will share redevelopment progress and plans at the meeting.

Other meeting topics will include: EPA’s residential yard cleanup activities, and Lewis & Clark Public Health’s Lead Education and Assistance Program (LEAP).

The public meeting will start with a presentation, and a question-and-answer period will follow. Light refreshments will be provided.

JOIN VIRTUALLY:

• Online: Use this Zoom link or https://tinyurl.com/METGmeetings
• Phone: Call 646-876-9923. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode 664564.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Flyer for November 15 meeting
• The METG website
• The EPA website

SITE BACKGROUND:

More than a century of lead smelting extensively contaminated soil and groundwater at the former ASARCO Smelter Site in East Helena (Site). Soils contaminated with lead, arsenic and other metals posed a threat to people, migratory birds and other organisms that could come into contact with the soil. Precipitation leached through contaminated soils, releasing contaminants into groundwater and stormwater runoff. Surface waters from Prickly Pear Creek and two manmade lakes raised groundwater levels under the former plant and slag pile, driving groundwater through impacted soils and adding contaminants to groundwater that resulted in plumes of arsenic and selenium migrating off-site.

MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST GROUP:

In 2009, the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust was created as part of the ASARCO bankruptcy settlement, and the Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG) was appointed Trustee. METG is responsible for remediating the former ASARCO Smelter Site and surrounding East Helena lands and facilitating safe reuse, under U.S. EPA oversight and for the benefit of the United States and State of Montana. METG has been managing remedial actions that have included construction of a 62-acre sustainable cover system—the nation’s largest of its type—and excavating tons of contaminated material, and relocating Prickly Pear Creek. Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc. is the parent company of METG.

Media Contact: Christine Amrhine, Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG), 540-846-3163, ca@g-etg.com

EAST HELENA, MT (December 8, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Montana Environmental Trust Group (METG), Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust, will host a public meeting on Tuesday, December 13 at 6 p.m. to discuss cleanup and redevelopment progress and plans at the former ASARCO East Helena Smelter Site (the Site).

The meeting will provide the community an opportunity to hear updates and ask questions about various topics including:

• Remediation and restoration of an 80-acre parcel along Prickly Pear Creek (east of Wylie Drive) was recently completed to enhance migratory bird habitat and pave the way for opening the Greenway Trail. See photos 1 and 2.
• The removal of the temporary bypass channel used to relocate Prickly Pear Creek was substantially completed in 2022 as part of the last remaining cleanup measures at the Site. See photos 3 and 4.
• The removal and shipment of unfumed slag from the 16-million-ton slag pile for recycling in South Korea continued in 2022 and will be followed by grading and capping of the slag pile as part of final corrective measures to address groundwater contamination. See photos 5, 6 and 7.
• The sale of more than 900 acres of former ASARCO lands is now in the planning stages, and is expected to culminate with the transfer of at least 880 acres in 2023. See photo (map) 8. So far, 777 acres formerly owned by ASARCO have already been sold or donated for public and private projects, including two public schools, a mixed-used development, a subdivision, expanded manufacturing, and the 322-acre Greenway Trail.

Visit East Helena 2022 photos to find photos of: the recent remediation and restoration of an 80-acre parcel along Prickly Pear Creek near Prickly Pear Elementary School; recent construction near Prickly Pear Creek, including removal of the Temporary Bypass Channel and bridge at the Site; and the ongoing slag removal project.

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – 6 p.m.

WHERE:
METG Office, 324 Manlove Avenue, East Helena

The public meeting will start with a presentation, and a question-and-answer period will follow. Refreshments will be provided.

JOIN VIRTUALLY:

• Online: Use this Zoom link or enter https://tinyurl.com/METGmeetings in your browser. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode B8U7EX
• Phone: Call 646-876-9923. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode 664564.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Notice of December 13 Meeting includes directions to METG Office
• East Helena Update Fact Sheet, December 2022
• The METG website
• The EPA website

SITE BACKGROUND:
More than a century of lead smelting left extensive contamination in soil and groundwater at the former ASARCO Smelter Site in East Helena (the Site). Soils contaminated with lead, arsenic and other metals posed a threat to people, migratory birds and other organisms that could come into contact with the soil. Precipitation leached contaminants from smelter soils into groundwater and mobilized surface soil contaminants into stormwater runoff. Surface waters from Prickly Pear Creek and two manmade lakes raised groundwater levels under the former smelter and slag pile, driving groundwater through impacted soils and adding contaminants to groundwater that resulted in plumes of arsenic and selenium migrating off-site.

MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST GROUP:
The Montana Environmental Custodial Trust (Custodial Trust) was established in 2009 as part of the ASARCO bankruptcy settlement, and the Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG) was appointed Trustee of the Custodial Trust. METG is responsible for remediating and facilitating safe reuse of the former ASARCO Smelter and surrounding East Helena lands under the oversight of EPA and for the benefit of the United States and the State of Montana.

Contamination at the former smelter has largely been addressed during the last 11 years, as METG has managed remedial actions that have included construction of a 62-acre sustainable cover system—the largest of its type in the country—and excavation of tons of contaminated material. Moving Prickly Pear Creek away from the smelter and the slag pile and draining the manmade lakes have lowered groundwater levels under the former plant.  These measures dramatically reduced the volume of groundwater flowing through contaminated soils, preventing its contamination. Groundwater contamination has been further reduced by removing select areas of highly contaminated soils that were a source of contamination to groundwater.

Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc. is the parent company of METG.

Media Contact: Christine Amrhine, Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG), 540-846-3163, ca@g-etg.com

 

East Helena, MT (December 2, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the MontanaEnvironmental Trust Group (METG), Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust, will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 to update the community on cleanup and redevelopment progress at the former ASARCO East Helena Smelter Facility.

The meeting will provide the public with an important opportunity to hear updates and ask questions about improvements in groundwater quality, water infrastructure projects, remediation and restoration of areas along Prickly Pear Creek, the East Helena slag removal project, and property development activities.

Who:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG), Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust (the Custodial Trust)

When:
Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Where:
Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and by phone.

Join Online:
Use this Zoom link
or enter http://tinyurl.com/EastHelenaMeeting into your browser

Join by Phone:
Call 646-876-9923
Enter meeting ID 816 5567 5621# and passcode 781655#

Please see the notice linked here for more information on joining the virtual meeting.

For More Information

• Cleanup and Redevelopment Progress Fact Sheet
• Unfumed Slag Removal Project Fact Sheet
• The METG website https://www.mtenvironmentaltrust.org/
• The EPA website

About the Montana Environmental Trust Group

The Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG) is trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust (the Custodial Trust), which was established in 2009 as part of the global ASARCO bankruptcy settlement.

METG, as trustee of the Custodial Trust, has responsibility for owning, administering and remediating two federal and two state hazardous waste sites in Montana: the 2,000-acre East Helena RCRA Corrective Action and Superfund Site as well as mine-scarred lands at the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex/Mike Horse Mine, the Black Pine Mine and the Iron Mountain/Flat Creek mining area. In 2009, the Custodial Trust received $138 million to remediate and facilitate reuse of the four Montana sites that were previously owned by ASARCO. The Custodial Trust has been managing remedial actions that have included construction of a sustainable cover system—the largest of its type in the country—and excavation of tons of contaminated material, as well as relocation of Prickly Pear Creek.

The Custodial Trust’s primary role is to protect human health and the environment in partnership with its beneficiaries—the United States (acting through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Interior) and the State of Montana (acting through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Montana Department of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program)—and with community stakeholders.

Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc. is the parent company of METG.

Media Contact: Christine Amrhine, Montana Environmental Trust Group, LLC (METG), Trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust (Custodial Trust), 540-846-3163, ca@g-etg.com