Water Quality District
Milltown Dam: Who's in Charge?
- The Environmental Protection Agency is the lead agency for
remediation. Under federal Superfund law, British Petroleum (which
acquired ARCO) bears the responsibility for paying the cost.
NorthWestern Energy is also responsible for costs associated with dam
removal. The EPA heads up the Design review Team for remediation.
- The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is the lead support
agency for remediation, is a member of the Design Review Team for
remediation and restoration, and must be consulted by EPA for design and
construction oversight decisions.
- The Montana Natural Resource Damage Program is the lead agency for
the site restoration plan, and heads up the design review team for
restoration. The Natural Resource Damage Program will provide the
majority of funding for site restoration through a fund established as a
result of a settlement of litigation with the Atlantic Richfield
Company. The program also administers a grant program through which
several Milltown related projects are proposed for funding.
- The US Fish and Wildlife Service is in charge of
recovering bull trout and consults with the EPA. The Fish and
Wildlife Service is one of the agencies known as Natural Resource
Trustees due to its federal responsibilities for threatened and
endangered species, and is consulted by the State in preparation of the
restoration plan.
- The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has leadership
responsibilities for the state restoration plan, is a member of the
design review teams for remediation and restoration, and is responsible
for fishery monitoring during the project.
- The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are a Natural Resource
Trustee agency due to the hunting and fishing rights granted to the
tribes under he 1855 Hellgate Treaty. The Tribes are actively involved
with the site restoration plan, and are members of the remediation and
restoration design review teams.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a contractor to the EPA for
engineering and design services. The Corps is assisting with project
oversight and bridge mitigation.
- The Atlantic Richfield Company (Arco) is the primary responsible
party under federal Superfund law, and is responsible for paying the
majority of remediation costs. Arco has hired Missoula-based Envirocon
to implement the remedial action at the site.
- NorthWestern Corporation, through its subsidiary Blackfoot and Clark
Fork LLC, was the owner of the Milltown Dam, and was responsible for
operating the facility until it was removed. NorthWestern is responsible
for paying a portion of site restoration costs under the Consent Decree.
Lands owned by NorthWestern are being acquired by the State of Montana.
- Missoula County is a member of the design review teams for
remediation and restoration, conducts domestic well monitoring during
the project, and coordinates the Milltown Redevelopment Working Group.
Missoula County is the owner of the pedestrian bridge on the Blackfoot
River, which was replaced in 2008. Missoula County is also coordinating design and construction
of pedestrian trails near the reservoir for public safety during
construction, and to enhance recreational resources.
- The Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee is funded by EPA
through a Technical Assistance Grant, and is responsible for assisting
with public information and involvement. CFRTAC is a member of the
remediation and restoration design review teams, and the redevelopment
working group. The group manages a website to keep the public updated on
the project, and publishes a periodic newsletter.
- The Milltown Redevelopment Working Group is
appointed by the County Commissioners to propose plans for site
improvements following cleanup and restoration. The group has obtained
funding for pedestrian trails and bridge projects, and historic
preservation. The group conducted a park design workshop in 2007 and is
now seeking funds for development of public access and pedestrian trail
facilities at the site.
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Milltown Design Review Team Members
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