U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other parties reached a cleanup agreement for the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund site after requests from Daines to prioritize the site. The Butte Superfund site is one of the largest in the country.
“This is an important development for the Butte Superfund site,” said Daines. “The people of Butte have waited long enough for this milestone. I will continue fighting to ensure Montana Superfund sites make the progress they need.
Daines’ Actions to Prioritize Montana Superfund Sites:
On January 17, 2018, the EPA met Daines’ request to include the Libby Asbestos and Libby Groundwater Superfund sites in Libby in its list of sites that Administrator Pruitt is targeting for immediate and intense attention.
On December 8, 2017, the EPA met Daines’ request to include both Montana’s Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area and Anaconda Co. Smelter Superfund sites in its list of sites that Administrator Pruitt targeted for immediate and intense attention.
On December 4, 2017, Daines sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt urging him to ensure Montana is represented in the Administrator’s new list of Superfund sites to receive the Administrator’s utmost attention.
On July 25, 2017, the EPA met Daines’ requests in its Superfund Task Force report, incorporating his recommendations.
On June 27, 2017, Daines sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt that included recommendations for improvements to the Superfund program.
On February 17, 2017, after Administrator Pruitt’s confirmation, Daines sent him a letter, underscoring the EPA’s responsibility in the environmental cleanup for National Priority List Superfund sites and invited Pruitt to tour a Montana Superfund site and assess the challenges and needs associated with cleanup.
###