Butte Silver Bow Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - October 22, 2025

The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners held a Committee of the Whole meeting on October 22, 2025, to receive updates on the Montana Pole Superfund site and the Blacktail Creek Remedial Design, address bid scheduling, and review land purchase requests. The meeting featured presentations from DEQ representatives Jacob Wheeling and Alex Ruzovich, who discussed the status, future scope, and challenges of ongoing environmental remediation projects within the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BIPSU).

Consent Calendar

• Bid Opening (Comm 25-471): The bid opening for the "Silver Lake Industrial Water System Improvement" was removed from tonight's agenda and rescheduled. A motion to place Communication 25-471 on file and cross-reference it with Communication 25-500 passed unanimously (10 yay, 0 nay).
• Presentation Authorization (Comm 25-472): The communication requesting authorization for the Montana Pole and Blacktail Creek presentations was addressed after the fact; a motion to place Communication 25-472 on file passed unanimously (10 yay, 0 nay).
• Deferred Items: Communications regarding land sales (Patty and Chris Salmanson; Marlowe and Nicole Carroll; Thomas Kanicke; Steve Maloney) and future public hearings (Fire Department budget, Sulzer parts sole sourcing, Skyland Park trees) were all placed in abeyance pending recommendations from the Land Sales Committee or scheduled hearings on November 5th.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Griffin (Citizens Technical Environmental Committee President): Expressed full support for the DEQ's efforts and the council's request for Superfund updates. He invited commissioners to attend CTEC meetings for more information but did not state an opposition or specific stance against current progress.
• Commissioner Thatcher: Expressed deep respect and well wishes to the family of the late David Bauer, acknowledging his legacy and service to the community regarding these environmental subjects.
• Commissioner Fisher: Shared historical context and personal observations regarding the site's degradation (dead animals, dust) versus current remediation efforts. He voiced a concern regarding the perceived public priority of smaller, more scenic projects versus larger, more critical contamination zones (like Digging East), suggesting public perception drives project sequencing.

Discussion Items

• Montana Pole Superfund Site (Presented by Jacob Wheeling, DEQ Project Manager):

  • CAMU Status: The Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) is complete; DEQ will retain control of the CAMU and red parcels in perpetuity. The rest of the site is clean for recreational and light industrial use.
  • Vegetation Concerns: Commissioner Callahan expressed concern regarding vegetation washout risks following the 2023 storm. Mr. Wheeling responded that while vegetation has only had one growing season, they are confident it will improve, and plans are in place to water or hand-seed bare spots.
  • Groundwater & Water Treatment: The water treatment plant is projected to run in perpetuity unless Phase 5 (chemical oxidation of source areas under the freeway) is highly effective. Mr. Wheeling noted the settlement fund has $19 million, with operations funded by interest.
  • Future Redevelopment: Discussions touched on potential land transfer to Butte Silver Bow after CAMU closure and the impact of a new high-pressure gas pipeline on remediation opportunities for the abandoned gas line corridor.
  • Wildlife: Mr. Wheeling confirmed a herd of mule deer now inhabits the site, noting the recovery of wildlife compared to the "moonscape" of the 1980s.

• Blacktail Creek Riparian Actions (Presented by Alex Ruzovich, DEQ):

  • Project Scope: The project involves dewatering, excavating ~135,000 cubic yards of mine tailings and waste, and reconstructing the creek channel to restore a wetland ecosystem.
  • Sequencing: Construction of Blacktail Creek is dependent on the completion of upstream projects (Digging East, North Side Tailings, Buffalo Gulch) to prevent re-contamination.
  • Public Concerns: Commissioner O'Leary asked about visual screening for the drying pad near the interstate; DEQ confirmed traffic control and decontamination measures will be implemented.
  • Public Perception: Commissioner Fisher questioned why Blacktail Creek was prioritized over more visibly contaminated sites. Director Hassler explained it was chosen as a smaller, less technical project to test processes for larger, more complex future works.
  • Repository Selection: Director Hassler indicated the repository location is currently down to two options (Berkeley or Expanded Mine Waste Repository), with the citing committee finalizing the transport mechanism.

Key Outcomes

• Motion Passed: Placed Communication 25-471 (Bid Opening for Silver Lake System) on file and cross-referenced with 25-500. Vote: 10-0.
• Motion Passed: Placed Communication 25-472 (Authorization for Superfund Presentations) on file. Vote: 10-0.
• Action Items:
  • DEQ will send plume maps for the Montana Pole site and the Blacktail Creek presentation materials to the commissioners.
  • DEQ will coordinate a site tour for the commissioners upon request.
  • Land sales communications (2025-249, 25-437, 25-460, etc.) remain in abeyance.
  • Bid opening for Silver Lake Industrial Water System is rescheduled for November 5, 2025.
  • Public hearings for Fire Budget, Sulzer parts, and Skyland Park trees are scheduled for November 5, 2025.
• Meeting Adjourned: No further public comments were received, and the meeting adjourned.