The Montana Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) has fulfilled its commitments under the 2008 Clark Fork River Consent Decree. The completion of remediation on State-owned lands at Stucky Ridge and Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area near Anaconda was confirmed by a joint certification filed on April 4, 2023. This certification involved the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NRDP, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Governor Greg Gianforte remarked on this achievement: “Working with local, federal, nonprofit, and private partners, we’ve achieved a significant milestone in remediating injured natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin.” He emphasized ongoing efforts to restore lands and waters for community benefit.
In 2008, a Consent Decree was established between the State of Montana and the United States with Atlantic Richfield Company. Under this decree, $13.3 million was allocated to NRDP for remediation efforts at the Anaconda Company Smelter National Priorities List Site.
At Stucky Ridge, remedial actions included soil treatment with lime and fertilizer over 400 acres followed by planting native vegetation. Additional measures involved tree planting on slopes, weed control, erosion management, and protective fencing.
For Mount Haggin, techniques were applied to prevent contaminants from entering streams and groundwater. Restoration activities included building structures similar to beaver dams to trap sediment and promote riparian growth. NRDP collaborated with EPA, DEQ, FWP, and contractors to integrate engineering solutions with ecological methods for erosion control.
Charlie Coleman from EPA highlighted: “Coordinating superfund cleanup with restoration has achieved both programs’ goals in an efficient and cost-effective manner.” He noted that techniques developed by NRDP are now used in other areas of the Anaconda Smelter site.
NRDP will continue collaborating with FWP on restoring habitat across approximately 57,581 acres at Mount Haggin WMA as per the Draft Conceptual Smelter Hill Area Uplands Resources Restoration Plan (2007). Future plans include restoration work on County-owned lands within the Anaconda Smelter Site in partnership with Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. Public meetings will be held for feedback before finalizing any restoration plan amendments.
About NRDP: The Montana Natural Resource Damage Program aims to recover damages for natural resources affected by hazardous substances or oil releases while working towards restoring or replacing these resources.
Contact:
Doug Martin
NRDP Restoration Program Chief
Phone: 406-444-0234
Email: [email protected]