Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Site

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has notified the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company and Calbag Resources, LLC, that the Consent Order signed in 2015 to address hazardous waste located in the Pot Room Building (Building 1) has been satisfied.

Press Release

On July 13, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for June indicate the removal of an additional 639,700 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 7,444,480 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On June 05, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for May indicate the removal of an additional 647,240 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 6,804,780 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On May 08, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for April indicate the removal of an additional 628,180 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 6,157,540 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On April 06, 2018, DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for March indicate the removal of an additional 635,380 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 5,529,360 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On March 07, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for February indicate the removal of an additional 279,760 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 4,893,980 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On February 05, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for December indicate the removal of an additional 363,540 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 4,614,220 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On January 02, 2018 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for December indicate the removal of an additional 84,820 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 4,250,680 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On December 04, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for November indicate the removal of an additional 1,165,740 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 4,165,860 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On November 06, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for October indicate the removal of an additional 989,900 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 3,200,120 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification for Building 1 have been extended through August 31, 2018.

On October 05, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for September indicate the removal of an additional 268,340 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 2,210,220 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification are in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On September 05, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for August indicate the removal of an additional 256,932 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,951,882 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification are in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On August 14, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for July indicate the removal of an additional pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,694,950 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification are in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On July 06, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for June indicate the removal of an additional 87,150 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,690,910 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification are in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On June 03, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for May indicate the removal of an additional 126,740 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,603,760 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

On May 01, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for April indicate the removal of an additional 157,560 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,477,020 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit and demolition notification are in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On April 07, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for February indicate the removal of an additional 127,280 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a "to-date" non-regulated asbestos total of 1,319,460 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On March 08, 2017 DEQ received an update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for February indicate the removal of an additional 37,320 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a "to-date" non-regulated asbestos total of 1,192,180 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place for Building 1 through October of 2017.

On February 07, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for January indicate the removal of an additional 37,420 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,152,860 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place for Building 1.

On January 23, 2017 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since December 05, 2016). The waste disposal receipts for December indicate the removal of an additional 10,820 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,115,440 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, Building 1, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place for Building 1.

On December 05, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (no increase since November 7). The waste disposal receipts for November indicate the removal of an additional 36,600 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,104,620 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier Building and through December for “Change House.” Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building, Building 1 Complex, and Change House.

On November 07, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site. A current cumulative total of 69,900 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (an increase of 1,940 pounds since October 1st). The waste disposal receipts for October indicate the removal of an additional 72,770 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 1,067,960 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, Laboratory, and Change House.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier Building and through December for “Change House.” Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building, Building 1 Complex, and Change House.

On October 10, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site to date. A current cumulative total of 67,960 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility (an increase of 3,480 pounds since September). The waste disposal receipts for September indicate the removal of an additional 109,180 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 995,190 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, and Laboratory.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier building and through October for the Building 1 complex. A project permit application has been received for the “Change House” and is being processed. Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building and Building 1 complex.

On September 7, 2016 the EPA announced that it will add the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site to the National Priority Listing, effective September 9, 2016. Sites on the NPL are often referred to as Superfund sites. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up contamination at sites that pose a risk to human health and the environment.

On September 6, 2016, DEQ received an update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of asbestos material removed from the CFAC site to date. A current cumulative total of 64,480 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility. The waste disposal receipts for August indicate the removal of an additional 87,780 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 886,010 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, and Laboratory.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier building and through October for the Building 1 complex. Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building and Building 1 complex.

On August 02, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of Asbestos material removed from the CFAC site to date. A current cumulative total of 52,420 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility. The waste disposal receipts for July indicate the removal of an additional 28,720 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 798,230 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, and Laboratory.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier building and through October for the Building 1 complex. Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building and Building 1 complex.

On July 6, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from Carl Burnham of IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of asbestos material removed from the CFAC site to date. A current cumulative total of 35,080 pounds of regulated asbestos waste has been removed from the facility. The waste disposal receipts for June, 2016 indicate the removal of an additional 19,420 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to-date” non-regulated asbestos total of 769,510 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, and Laboratory.

An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier building, through July for the Laboratory Building, and through October for the building 1 complex. Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, Laboratory Building and Building 1 complex.

On June 24, DEQ announced the Waste Management Plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Pot Room Building has been approved as required by the Administrative Order on Consent.The Plan covers the removal and disposal of 451 pot liners, which contain a listed hazardous waste known as K088, and any other regulated hazardous waste from the Pot Room Building. It includes an inventory of all hazardous waste and plans for waste tracking, dust management, decontamination, site safety, spills and protection of human health. The final CFAC Waste Management Plan is available here:  /Portals/112/DEQAdmin/CFAC/FINAL_CFAC%20WasteMgmtPlan_June2016.pdf 

On June 13, 2016 DEQ received the most recent update from IRS Environmental regarding the quantity of asbestos material removed from the CFAC site to date. The current cumulative total of 30,820 pounds of regulated asbestos waste remains unchanged. The waste disposal receipts for May 2016 indicate the removal of an additional 1,620 pounds of non-regulated asbestos material, yielding a “to date” non-regulated asbestos total of 750,090 pounds. Structures included in this removal include the West Rectifier, Rod Mill Building, Paste Plant, Quonset Hut, West Aluminum Unloader, Compressor Building, and Laboratory. An asbestos project permit is in place through 2016 for the East Rectifier building, and through July for the Laboratory Building. Demolition notifications remain in place for the East and West Rectifiers, Rod Mill Building, and Laboratory Building.

On May 24, 2016 DEQ received a response to its April comments to Calbag. CFAC has made comments and inserted additional items that will require further DEQ review. DEQ still needs appropriate financial assurance from Calbag.

On April 13, 2016 DEQ provides comments on DRAFT Waste Management Plan.

On March 8, 2016 DEQ receives the Draft Final Waste Management Plan, including financial assurance for removal and disposal of hazardous waste from Building 1.

On January 13, 2016 DEQ approves the CFAC Building 1, Reuse, Re-purpose, and Recyclable Materials Waste Determination Summary Report (12 MB), a portion of the original plan. This approval allows for the recovery of valuable recyclable materials from Building 1.

January 28, DEQ provides comments to Calbag/CFAC on DRAFT WMP.

Calbag submits Draft CFAC, Building 1, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recyclable Materials Waste Determination Summary Report.

Updates are provided by Calbag and CFAC on the DEQ Violation Notice and site demolition work. Calbag halts all demolition work in Building One until the violation can be resolved.

November 20, 2015

CFAC submits A Waste Management Plan and Schedule for Spent Pot Liner Removal, Reuse, and Disposal.

DEQ receives dust and storage complaint on October 6 for carbon anode being stored offsite on U.S. Highway 2 West.  

Calbag discontinues transportation and handling of carbon anode at DEQ request.

DEQ issues a Violation Letter to CFAC and Calbag for moving potentially hazardous material before submitting an approved plan as specified in the AOC. 

DEQ sends Waste Management Plan review letter to CFAC and Calbag.

On August 7, 2015 DEQ receives the DRAFT Waste Management Plan required by the AOC.

On June 10, 2015, DEQ, CFAC, and Calbag sign an Administrative Order on Consent addressing the storage of hazardous waste over 90 days and the removal of hazardous waste in Building 1. The AOC requires a Waste Management Plan (WMP) and schedule.

Calbag provides CFAC a plan for the intended demolition work.

EPA proposes the Site for listing under NPL.

Governor Steve Bullock recommends National Priority Listing.

CFAC ends negotiations with DEQ after DEQ and CFAC are unable to agree on the terms of the AOC.

DEQ provides draft Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) to CFAC for environmental investigation. The AOC would have provided CFAC and Glencore the opportunity to voluntarily work with DEQ to further investigate the site and evaluate cleanup options.

DEQ begins talks with Glencore about the state having authority over the investigation so cleanup can be completed more quickly.

EPA completes assessment and results are communicated to the public.

State Senator Dee Brown initiates EPA Superfund assessment of the CFAC Site.

Last aluminum produced.

Glencore purchases the plant from CFAC.

Montana DEQ Permitting and Compliance Division requires removal of pot diggings material in surface soil.

The Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences requires a groundwater investigation to determine sources of cyanide to the Flathead River.

The Site is evaluated under the Montana Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act (CECRA). The Site is referred from the CECRA List to the DEQ Hazardous Waste Program as a generator of hazardous waste.

ARCO sells the plant to CFAC (Montana Aluminum Investors Corporation).

Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences conducts a Preliminary Site Assessment at the site. Hazardous and solid wastes are found to be generated at the Site.

The Site is registered as a large quantity hazardous waste generator and transporter.

Atlantic Richfield Company Purchases the facility.

Aluminum production starts at the Anaconda Aluminum Reduction Works near Columbia Falls. Spent pot liners are placed in an unlined onsite repository.