Butte City Council Discusses Superfund Site Progress and Community Outreach Initiatives

The City of Butte-Silver Bow held a regular meeting on July 16, 2025, focusing on community updates and environmental issues, particularly concerning the Superfund site in the area. Chief Executive Gallagher provided a report highlighting recent community events, including the successful Folk Festival and the achievements of local baseball teams reaching the Western Regionals. He also mentioned the upcoming meeting of the Animal Service Board on July 22.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates on the Superfund site, with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presenting on the status of various operable units within the Silver Bow Creek Butte Superfund site. The presentation included details on the Butte Mine Flooding, Westside Soils, and Butte Priority Soils operable units, emphasizing ongoing remediation efforts and community outreach initiatives.

The EPA representatives explained the Superfund process, which involves assessing contamination, selecting cleanup remedies, and implementing those plans. They reported that the Westside Soils operable unit is currently in the characterization phase, while the Butte Priority Soils unit is in the cleanup phase, with several projects underway to address contamination from mining activities.

Community engagement was a key theme, with efforts to improve communication and outreach to residents, particularly families with young children. The EPA plans to participate in local events and distribute educational materials to raise awareness about environmental health and safety.

Commissioners expressed appreciation for the updates and progress made in the Superfund remediation efforts. They raised questions about specific areas of concern, including the status of residential well testing and the timeline for selecting a repository site for contaminated materials. The EPA representatives assured the council that they are working diligently to address these issues and will continue to keep the community informed.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration between the city, the EPA, and community members to ensure the health and safety of Butte-Silver Bow residents as remediation efforts continue.