CFAC opposes Superfund listing

The former external affairs spokesman for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., Haley Beaudry, issued a press release on Dec. 19 saying the company “favors a speedy and thorough investigation and analysis” of the smelter site but opposes placing the site on the federal Superfund’s National Priorities List.

The plant, which was purchased by Swiss commodities trader Glencore in 1999, has been closed since 2009. In August, Glencore told Montana Department of Environmental Quality officials that further plant cleanup negotiations need to be done with CFAC, not Glencore. Then in December, CFAC broke off cleanup talks with DEQ.

Beaudry said CFAC wants Roux Associates, an environmental consulting firm hired by Glencore, to proceed with drafting of a remedial investigation feasibility study for the plant site.

“Roux is a nationally recognized, highly regarded environmental consulting firm experienced with aluminum facilities,” Beaudry said.

In the press release, Beaudry described the poor record for Superfund projects in Montana over the past 31 years.

“None of the 18 Superfund sites in Montana has ever been removed from the list,” he said. “In other words, no project has ever been fully completed.”

In a follow-up interview with the Daily Inter Lake, Beaudry said the press release was circulated in response to a recent community meeting in Columbia Falls hosted by DEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency, which has now taken the lead position on a cleanup.

Beaudry said DEQ and EPA representatives urged people at the meeting to write letters to Gov. Steve Bullock and the DEQ requesting that the CFAC site be put on the National Priorities List. CFAC opposes taking that step, he said.

“First we have to do the assessment,” Beaudry said. “Right now everybody is assuming there is some cleanup to do, but we don’t know that. I’m reluctant to put the cart before the horse.”

Beaudry said Superfund listing is “not necessarily the best thing for the Flathead.” In addition to delays, the listing could give the property a bad name and scare off potential developers, thereby limiting economic growth, he said.

“While we understand the interest that some in the community and at DEQ have in gaining access to federal cleanup funds, we believe listing on the National Priorities List and designating the site as a Superfund site will unnecessarily delay the entire effort and become a detriment to economic development in the Flathead.”

Asked whether Glencore stands ready to pay for any needed cleanup, Beaudry said he couldn’t answer that question until an investigation determines who the “potentially responsible parties” are — including past owners.