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.
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Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, LLC favors a speedy and thorough investigation and analysis of its plant site at Columbia Falls. CFAC opposes listing the site on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List and consigning the site to Superfund.
CFAC is now eager to proceed with the additional investigation, the Remedial Investigation Feasibility Study, at the plant site and has approached EPA in discussions to achieve the necessary tasks.
CFAC has retained the services of a highly qualified environmental consulting firm, Roux Associates, to develop a Remedial Investigation Work Plan. Roux is a nationally recognized, highly regarded environmental consulting firm experienced with aluminum facilities.
While we understand the interest that some in the community and at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality have in gaining access to federal cleanup funds, we believe listing on the NPL and designating the site as a Superfund site will unnecessarily delay the entire effort and become a detriment to economic development in the Flathead. Besides the lengthy time frame associated with NPL listing, Superfund stigmatizes properties, inhibiting potential developers and thus limiting economic growth potential.
Based on the schedules and disposition of current and past Superfund sites in Montana, some of which have been in process for 31 years, it appears to CFAC that NPL listing is not likely to result in an efficient assessment or cleanup.
None of the 18 Superfund sites in Montana has ever been removed from the list. In other words, no project has ever been fully completed. We believe it is in the best interest of everyone — MDEQ, EPA, CFAC, Columbia Falls, the Flathead and the people of Montana — to address the site without listing on the NPL and to do the investigation and analysis as expeditiously as possible. CFAC is ready, willing able and eager to begin the site assessment now.