EPA’s Record of Decision: Understanding the Final Cleanup Plan
Posted: January 10, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued its final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site. This document outlines how the EPA plans to address contamination from 60 years of aluminum production.
What the Record of Decision Means
The ROD is the EPA’s final, legally binding decision on how the CFAC site will be cleaned up. It sets the cleanup plan in motion following years of investigation, public comment, and analysis.
The Selected Remedy
The EPA has selected a containment-based approach:
- Slurry Wall: An underground barrier around the landfills to contain contaminated groundwater
- Capping: Protective covers over contaminated soil and landfills
- Consolidation: Excavation of contaminated soil from certain areas for on-site disposal in existing landfills
- Long-term Monitoring: Regular testing of groundwater and surface water
- Institutional Controls: Land use restrictions and groundwater use prevention
What Remains On-Site:
- Spent potliner (SPL) waste containing cyanide and fluoride
- Wet scrubber sludge
- PAH-contaminated soil
- Metal-contaminated soil and sediment
- Approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of contaminated materials
The Cost
The EPA estimates the remedy will cost $233 million over 30 years, including:
- $186 million in construction costs
- $47 million in long-term operation and monitoring
Timeline
- Remedial Design (2025-2027): Detailed engineering plans
- Construction (Beginning 2027): Implementation of slurry walls, caps, and treatment systems
- Long-Term Monitoring (Ongoing): Regular testing and maintenance
- Five-Year Reviews: EPA assessments of remedy effectiveness
Our Role Moving Forward
The Coalition for a Clean CFAC will continue to monitor the remedial design and construction process through our EPA-funded Technical Assistance Grant (TAG). Our independent Technical Advisor will participate in meetings with EPA, DEQ, and Glencore to ask questions, review technical plans, and help interpret information for the community.
We remain committed to ensuring this cleanup protects community health and the Flathead watershed. We encourage all community members to stay informed and participate in upcoming public meetings during the design phase.
Stay Engaged
The remedial design process will include opportunities for public input. We’ll keep you updated on meetings, milestones, and ways to participate in oversight of this cleanup.