OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE OF MONTANA
BRIANSCHWEITZER JOHN BOHLINGER GOVF:RNOR LT. GOVERNOR

December 17, 2012
James B. Martin, Regional Administrator US Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 1595Wyncoop Street Denver, CO 80202-8917 Re: Superfund National Priority List
- Former Smurfit-Stone Mill site, Frenchtown, Montana Dear Mr. Martin: Iwrite to offer my supportfor listing theformer Smurfit-Stone Mill site located near Frenchtown on the Superfund National Priority List (NPL). I appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to investigate the site. Sampling from that investigation has shown thatthe historical paper manufacturing and other industrial activities atthe site have contaminated portions ofthefloodplain adjacentto the Clark Fork River. The contamination is serious enough to indicate potential long-term risks to the health ofthe community and the Clark Fork River downstream from the site. Although the nature and extent ofcontamination is not fully characterized, we know there is sufficient data tojustify an NPL listing. The next issue to address is what approach the community believes is the bestway to tackle the cleanup. I have seen widespread local supportfor listing ofthe site on EPA's NPL. I base this on my conversations with the Missoula County Commissioners, and letters the state has received from the Missoula CountyWater QualityAdvisory Council, Missoula CityCounty Board ofHealth and Water Quality District Board, and Missoula County commissioners in letters of November 13, 15, and 29,2012, respectively (attached). The community clearly wants to tackle the cleanup through a Federal Superfund approach. I offerthe following suggestions ofhow I believe EPA should proceed ifthis site is approved for NPL listing:
• Support and maintain a close working relationship with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as you proceed with the site characterization and

STATE CAPITOL. P.O. Box 200801 • HELENA. MO"<TANA 59620-0801 TELEPHONE: 406-444-3111 • FAX: 406-444-5529 • WEBSITE: WWW.MT.GOVJames B. Martin December 17, 2012 Page 2 of2 cleanup, especially in the developmentofcleanup levels ofpollutants like dioxins and furans.
• Encourage community involvementand coordination with Missoula County throughout the process.
• Based on concerns we have heard from local resident about dust emissions from contaminated soil, Iencourage EPAto evaluatethis potential exposure pathway before summerand implementdustsuppression measures, ifappropriate.
• Where possible, use contractors that can maximize the potentialfor local employment in the cleanup process.
• Facilitate redevelopment ofthe site in ways that supportthe types ofgreen industries being proposed by the currentfacility owners. I have directed the Montana DEQ to provide assistanceto andfull cooperation with EPA as it proceeds with the listing process, site characterization, development ofcleanup plans, and the cleanup itself. As always, I urgeyou to oversee a process that is timely, transparent, and cost-effective. Please work with Richard Opper, Director ofthe Montana DEQ, and his staffto meet our common goals.

Attachments (3) c: Richard Opper, Director, Montana DEQ Bill Carey, Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtis, Missoula County Commissioner Michele Landquist, Missoula County Commissioner Dale Bickell, ChiefAdministrator Officer, Missoula County Martin Hestmark, Assistant Regional Administrator, EPA Region 8 James Woolford, Director, EPA Headquarters Office ofSuperfund Remediation