OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 

STATE OF MONTANA 

BRIAN 	SCHWEITZER JOHN BOHLINGER 

GOVF:RNOR 	 LT. GOVERNOR 

December 17, 2012 

James B. Martin, Regional Administrator 

US Environmental Protection Agency 

Region 8 


1595 Wyncoop Street 


Denver, CO 80202-8917 

Re: 	 Superfund National Priority List - Former Smurfit-Stone Mill site, Frenchtown, 


Montana 


Dear Mr. Martin: 

I write to offer my support for listing the former 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 that the historical paper manufacturing 


and other industrial activities at the site have contaminated portions of the floodplain 


adjacent to the Clark Fork River. The contamination is serious enough to indicate 


potential long-term risks to the health of the community and the Clark Fork River 


downstream from the site. 


Although the nature and extent of contamination is not fully characterized, we know 

there is sufficient data to justify an NPL listing. The next issue to address is what 

approach the community believes is the best way to tackle the cleanup. I have seen 

widespread local support for listing of the 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 County Water Quality Advisory Council, Missoula CityCounty Board of Health 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 offer the following suggestions of how I believe EPA should proceed if this 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.GOV 

James B. Martin 

December 17, 2012 

Page 2 of 2 

cleanup, especially in the development of cleanup levels of pollutants like dioxins 

and furans. 

• 	 Encourage community involvement and coordination with Missoula County 

throughout the process. 

• 	 Based on concerns we have heard from local resident about dust emissions from 

contaminated soil, I encourage EPA to evaluate this potential exposure pathway 

before summer and implement dust suppression measures, if appropriate. 

• 	 Where possible, use contractors that can maximize the potential for local 

employment in the cleanup process. 

• 	 Facilitate redevelopment of the site in ways that support the types of green 

industries being proposed by the current facility owners. 

I have directed the Montana DEQ to provide assistance to and full cooperation with EPA 

as it proceeds with the listing process, site characterization, development of cleanup 

plans, and the cleanup itself. As always, I urge you to oversee a process that is timely, 

transparent, and cost-effective. Please work with Richard Opper, Director of the 

Montana DEQ, and his staff to 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, Chief Administrator Officer, Missoula County 

Martin Hestmark, Assistant Regional Administrator, EPA Region 8 

James Woolford, Director, EPA Headquarters Office of Superfund Remediation