Lincoln County outlines scaled debris-removal plan, flags asbestos testing and permitting hurdles

Lincoln County officials convened contractors, consultants and agency representatives to review plans for debris removal and monitoring after an atmospheric-river storm and a separate wind event on Dec. 10–11 that officials estimated dumped roughly 5–7 inches of rain in parts of the county.

Commissioner Brent Tesky opened the meeting by describing the scale of damage to roads, bridges and private property and said county, state and city officials have declared emergencies while a FEMA declaration remained pending. "We got an atmospheric river that was predicted to only drop 1 to 3 in of rain... it dumped 5 to seven inches of rain," Tesky said, noting that saturated ground made the later wind event especially damaging.

Why it matters: county staff said streams and creeks are clogged with woody debris, asphalt and other materials that can divert channels and threaten adjacent infrastructure. Officials identified primary impact areas around Libby and Troy and a significant washout on West Fisher Creek Road that removed about a quarter-mile of roadway.

Permitting and scope: several speakers warned that what contractors may remove will be constrained by permitting. "What we're going to be allowed to do... we haven't yet because it's going to take an assessment period where... whoever gets awarded the bid goes out and looks and and finds out what's allowable," Tesky said. County planning staff and permitting agencies are coordinating using a joint application process that routes proposals to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (404 review), DEQ and the State Historic Preservation Office.

Asbestos/vermiculite concerns: speakers repeatedly flagged Libby’s legacy of vermiculite mining and asbestos contamination as a complicating factor that requires sampling and specialized handling. County officials said the local Asbestos Resource Program (ARP), DEQ and EPA will be involved and that exposed soils must be sampled before disturbance. "As banks eroded... there was... vermiculite that tested asbestos," Tesky said, explaining why additional sampling and ARP certification are needed prior to transport and disposal.

Monitoring, training and RFP clarifications: the county said existing drone mapping (described in a ~630-page document) is available to proposers and asked bidders to price optional drone work. Training levels for asbestos identification will be set by ARP/DEQ and vary by role; the county will confirm whether there is an out-of-pocket cost. Contractors raised questions about RFP payment language that appeared to condition payment on federal approval; Vanessa (ER Assist) said the RFP will be amended to reference the PA administrator and the local finance department instead.

Disposal logistics: officials said vegetative debris that ARP certifies as clear can be processed at the county landfill, while contaminated material would go to a designated asbestos cell. The county expects most debris to be hauled to the primary landfill; temporary debris management sites (TDMS) or on-site grinding may be used if quantities exceed capacity. Distances from debris locations to the landfill range from under a mile to more than 20 miles depending on the site.

Access and rights-of-entry: speakers noted many waterways cross private property; the awarded contractor is likely to prepare permit packages and right-of-entry documentation, but the county said this remains to be finalized. County officials indicated they plan to scale work initially to a small number of private-property owners (est. three to four) to limit complexity.

Next steps: the county will issue an RFP addendum clarifying payment terms and any position titles to be added to the cost form, provide ARP/DEQ guidance on required training and arrange site visits for interested proposers. The county emphasized interagency coordination and weekly permitting meetings as key to proceeding.

The county did not take formal votes at the meeting; decisions about specific removal reaches and contractor responsibilities will follow permit reviews and further staff follow-up.