Columbia Falls — A new housing subdivision is under construction within a federal Superfund site, marking the first use of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) property since its 2009 closure. The 78-acre development, led by Mick Ruis, will introduce over 400 housing units and commercial spaces. Governor Greg Gianforte and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin lauded this initiative as a significant step forward for the formerly blighted area.
“One of the most exciting steps of the Superfund process is being able to delist a project at the end of it, to be able to get an important vision not just started, but completed,” Zeldin stated during a press conference, highlighting the milestone moment for Columbia Falls. The CFAC site, operational since the 1950s, was pivotal in aluminum production but also contributed hazardous waste. In 2016, the area was designated a Superfund site, leading to a $57 million cleanup agreement between its owner, Swiss firm Glencore Ltd., and the federal government.
Zeldin and Gianforte praised Ruis’s work, although the development has sparked controversy due to its location in a wildlife corridor and concerns about city service strain and health risks. Despite local opposition, the project received city approval, with both the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality affirming that no further cleanup is required. For more details, see local reporting.
The cleanup includes a slurry wall to prevent groundwater contamination and lining an overflow ditch. Completion is expected by 2029, with a landfill and long-term monitoring planned. “Our main goal with cleanup is to protect the Flathead River and cut off that clean groundwater from encountering the waste source,” said Superfund Project Manager Allie Archer.
Gianforte emphasized the importance of safeguarding the Flathead River from contamination, noting the signed agreement between the EPA and Montana DEQ. The initiative follows scrutiny by watchdog groups, as detailed here. Montana has nearly 20 Superfund sites, with state DEQ Administrator Sonja Nowakowski reporting progress at most locations.
