Anaconda, Mont. (August 21, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced deletion of the Anaconda Co. Smelter site from Superfund’s National Priorities List (NPL), benefitting the environment, the community of Anaconda and the people of Montana.

This deletion includes operable unit (OU15) of the site. NPL site deletion helps communities move forward in reusing and redeveloping properties by making it clear that cleanup is complete.

“EPA has worked hard to ensure Anaconda and surrounding areas are safe for people, the environment and beneficial reuse,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “This deletion represents a major milestone in the transformation of the Superfund site. The agency will conduct five-year reviews of the property to ensure that completed cleanup and response actions remain protective.”

EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) determined that no further response is necessary at OU15, which includes a total of 160 acres of surface and subsurface soils. This area includes the former Mill Creek subdivision and 70 acres formerly owned by the Anaconda Minerals Co. After completion of the permanent relocation of residents, most of this area was transferred by Atlantic Richfield to Anaconda Deer Lodge County for commercial and industrial use. All response activities at OU15 are complete, and the Operable Unit poses no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Therefore, the EPA and Montana DEQ have determined that no further response is necessary at OU15. 

EPA deletes sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment. This important milestone indicates that cleanup is complete and that sites are protective of human health and the environment. EPA and Montana DEQ will continue to monitor, evaluate and ensure the protectiveness of completed actions through operations and maintenance activities, including annual inspections and five-year reviews. 

More information on the Anaconda Co. Smelter Superfund site is available on the EPA Anaconda Co. Smelter webpage. Additional information about EPA’s NPL deletions and information about these and other NPL sites are available online.