(AGENPARL) – mar 27 febbraio 2024 Issued: Feb 27, 2024 (2:58pm EST)
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$40 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding announced for East Helena
yard cleanups
EPA to host March 11 information session and open house to discuss additional
Superfund residential lead cleanups
EAST HELENA, Mont. (February 27, 2024) –Today, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced a third and final wave of more than $1
billion new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for cleanup projects
at more than 100 Superfund sites across the country. As part of today’s
announcement, the East Helena Superfund site will receive $40
million for the cleanup of residential yards contaminated by lead from
the ASARCO smelter formerly located adjacent to the city.  
The funding comes after the recent finalization of an Explanation of
Significant Differences (ESD) document for the Site which amended the
2009 Record of Decision (ROD) to reduce soil-lead cleanup levels in
East Helena from 500 ppm to 400 ppm. The previous cleanup trigger, 1,000
ppm, was also removed in the ESD. With this BIL funding,
alongside an additional $10 million in existing settlement
funds, cleanups in East Helena targeting residential yards with greater than
400 ppm soil-lead contamination will begin this summer.  
“After three rounds of investments, EPA is delivering on President Biden’s
full promise to invest in cleaning up America’s most contaminated Superfund
sites,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “This final round of
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has made it possible for EPA to initiate
clean ups at every single Superfund site where construction work is ready to
begin. This is an incredible milestone in our efforts to clean up and protect
communities, deliver local jobs, enhance economic activity, and improve
people’s lives for years to come.”  
“Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been a game-changer for
so many communities across the United
States,” said EPA Region 8 Administrator KC Becker. “Protecting kids
and families from lead exposure where they live, work and play is a
top EPA priority. With this funding, EPA’s Site team can quickly
mobilize to remove lead from affected yards in East Helena.” 
“Contamination, especially lead contamination, can have a devastating impact
on communities – and I know for a fact that folks in East Helena are
concerned about all the possible contaminants leftover from the old
smelter,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this
funding from my bipartisan infrastructure law, and I’ll continue to work to
ensure this site is cleaned up safely and effectively.”
“The city is excited that the EPA is continuing to show concern for the
residents of East Helena,” said East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris. “East
Helena is a great place to live and to raise a family—we value our people
and our community, and it is great to see more funding and more cleanups on
the way.” 
“Montana DEQ is excited by EPA’s announcement that funding has been secured
for additional residential yard cleanups in East Helena,” said DEQ Waste
Management and Remediation Division Administrator Amy Steinmetz. “This
vital work will have a lasting positive impact on the community.”
Previous cleanup efforts under the 2009 ROD led to the remediation of hundreds
of yards in East Helena, which involved the removal and replacement of
residential soils contaminated by more than one hundred years of smelting
lead, zinc and other metals by the former ASARCO plant.  
Funds directed at East Helena through this BIL disbursement will support new
residential yard cleanups for properties with soil-lead content between 400
ppm and 1,000 ppm which, under previous plans, did not qualify for cleanup.
EPA will host an information session at East Helena City Hall from 9-10 a.m.
on Monday, March 11 to discuss cleanup plans and timelines. Those unable to
attend the morning session are welcome to drop in any time on Monday for open
office hours to discuss cleanup plans and ask questions.  
Today’s investment, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,
delivers $1 billion in funds to more than 100 Superfund sites across the
country to both launch new cleanups and continue existing cleanup efforts.
Previous waves of funding totaled more than $2 billion for cleanup activities
at more than 150 Superfund National Priority List (NPL) in the United States.
Today’s investment is the final wave of funding from the $3.5 billion
allocated for Superfund cleanup work in the President’s Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law.  
EPA is committed to continuing to carry out this work advancing environmental
justice and incorporating equity considerations into all aspects of the
Superfund cleanup process. Thus far, nearly 80% of the funding from the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has gone to sites in communities with potential
environmental justice concerns. Out of the 25 sites to receive funding for new
cleanup projects, more than 75% are in communities with potential
environmental justice concerns based on data from EJSCREEN. 
More information on today’s announcement and sites receiving funding. 
Highlights from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding at Superfund sites. 
More information on the East Helena Superfund site. 
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