IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Updates about Cleanup, Groundwater Quality, and Redevelopment Progress at Former Smelter Site in East Helena to Be Shared at Public Meeting Nov. 6 and Drop-in Session Nov. 7

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 the nearly 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.