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Notices of Public Comment

Current Public Comments:

Name/TitleDeadlineRelated DocumentsPublic Meeting
Libby Asbestos Settlement AgreementMonday, February 13, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. (MST)

The State of Montana is accepting comments on a proposed settlement agreement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware that resolves the remainder of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ’s) amended proof of claim in W.R. Grace & Co.’s (“Grace”) Chapter 11 bankruptcy case for the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site. The proposed settlement would resolve the natural resource damage liability of Grace and other affiliated companies to the State of Montana for the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site. The settlement would also resolve Grace’s liabilities to DEQ regarding hazardous or deleterious substances, with certain limited exceptions. 

The Montana Natural Resource Damage Program, on behalf of the Governor, would receive $18.5 million plus interest over ten years, with the first $5 million due within six months of entry of the settlement agreement. The funds would be used to restore, replace, or rehabilitate injured natural resources in the Lincoln County area, and related costs.

 

Under the settlement, Grace would additionally provide the State of Montana with financial assurance for the operation and maintenance of the Kootenai Development Impoundment Dam for the next 100 years.

 

The State has reserved the right to withdraw or withhold its consent to the Settlement Agreement if comments received disclose facts or considerations that indicate the Settlement Agreement is inappropriate, improper or inadequate.

 

Links to documents are below.  In addition, copies of the settlement are available at the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program (see address below). Information can also be obtained by calling the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program at (406) 444-0205.

Please provide comments via e-mail to [email protected].

The subject line must contain, “Libby Asbestos Settlement Comments.”

 

Or by mail at:

Montana Natural Resource Damage Program

Attn: Libby Asbestos Settlement Comments

P.O. Box 201425

1720 Ninth Avenue

Helena, MT 59620-1425

 

To be considered, comments must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 13, 2023.

None at this time.
2015 Bridger Yellowstone River Oil Spill ScopingFebruary 10, 2023, at 11:59 PM (MST)

The State of Montana Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Trustees, are preparing a restoration plan for the natural resources injured by the 2015 Bridger Yellowstone River Oil Spill. The Trustees are seeking public input from interested individuals and entities on the preparation of the approximately $1.5 million restoration plan and scoping the issues that may be associated with implementation of any proposed restoration projects.

The Trustees have prepared a memorandum that summarizes the purpose and scope of the restoration plan, identifies preliminary restoration project goals, and describes how the public can participate in the presentation of the plan.

Written comments must be sent to the Natural Resource Damage Program, PO Box 201425, Helena, MT 59620-1425, faxed to 406-444-0236, or emailed to [email protected] Please use the subject line "2015 Bridger Yellowstone River Oil Spill Scoping."

6:00 PM on Thursday, January 19, 2023 Glendive Public Library 200 S Kendrick Ave Glendive, MT
Draft 2023 UCFRB Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Restoration Plans, Update, Solicitation of New Restoration Action Concepts and Potential RevisionsFriday, March 3, 2023 at 11:59 PM (MST)

This memorandum describes the process and schedule the State of Montana (State) will use to update and revise the 2019 Upper Clark Fork River Basin Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Restoration Plans, (Restoration Plans), and scope the issues that may be associated with implementation of any proposed restoration projects.  This 2023 Restoration Plans Revision (2023 Revision), is based on the natural resource damage (NRD) provisions in state and federal superfund law and on the requirements of the Final 2012 Upper Clark Fork River Basin Interim Restoration Process Plan, (2012 Process Plan) and the 2012, 2016, and 2019 Restoration Plans.

The State does not propose any changes to the fundamental structure of the Restoration Plans, and is soliciting from the public, including governmental entities, restoration action concepts that would protect or enhance fishery or wildlife resources in Priority 1 and 2 areas or in the aquatic and terrestrial injured resource areas for which the State made restoration claims.  The 2011 Terrestrial Resource and the 2018 Final Aquatic Prioritization Plan provide relevant information on the priority 1 and 2 areas.

Written comments must be submitted by March 3, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Mailed to the Natural Resource Damage Program P.O. Box 201425, Helena, MT 59620-1425;
Faxed to 406-444-0236, or
Emailed to [email protected] Please use the subject line “2023 UCFRB Restoration Plans Revision/Scoping.”

Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Microsoft Teams information in document

Past Public Comments:

Name/TitleRelated Documents
Rock Creek Lease Renewal Funding Recommendation 2022
Stumptown Addition to Garrity Mountain WMA (FWP Public Comment)
    East Helena ASARCO Smelter Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment Checklist
    NRDP Funding Recommendation for Purchase of the Clark Fork River Ranch
    Garrity Mountain WMA Addition – Draft EA (FWP Public Comment)
    NRDP Funding Recommendation for Purchase of Graveley-Warm Springs Conservation Easements
    Proposed Settlement for the Carpenter-Snow Creek Mining District National Priorities List Site (Blue Tee Settlement)
    • response to comments not yet available
    UCFRB Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Restoration Plans 2018 Draft Update
    NRDP Funding Recommendation for Purchase of the Buxbaum-Boulder Creek Conservation Easement
    2018 Restoration Plan Update
    College Park Donation/AcquisitionLink to project information on the BLM ePlanning site
    Parrot Tailings Waste Removal Project Funding Amendments
      Harvey Creek & Helen Johnson Funding Recommendations
      Upper Spotted Dog Creek Restoration Project Draft EAThis public comment is being run by FWP in conjunction with NRDP. Please visit FWP's website for more information and to submit comments.
      Lodged Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BPSOU) Consent DecreePlease go to DEQ's Public comment page for more information and to submit comments.
      2020 UCFRB CFWEP Funding Amendment
      Draft 2020 Revised Restoration Plan for the Clark Fork River Aquatic and Riparian Resources
      Butte Area One Restoration Plan Draft 2020 Amendment
      Cottonwood Islands proposed FAS Environmental Assessment
      Dover Island Checklist Environmental Assessment
      Smurfit-Stone/Frenchtown Mill Site Assessment PlanSmurfit Assessment Plan 2021
      Smurfit Assessment Plan Trustee Response to Comments
      Bridger Pipeline Oil Spill Consent DecreeBridger Pipeline Consent Decree
      Response to Comments on Bridger Pipeline 2015 Yellowstone Oil Spill Consent Decree
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