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Resident alleges Port wells spread carcinogens; commissioners say monitoring wells separate plume
Summary
At the Sept. 17 Lincoln County commissioners meeting a resident identified as 'DC' alleged two Port Authority industrial wells pumped 'tens of thousands of gallons' and spread a carcinogenic contaminant; county officials said the wells lie outside the plume, monitoring wells exist between the sites and the plume, and staff will explore testing options.
A Libby resident who identified himself as DC on Sept. 17 told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners that industrial wells on former Port Authority property had pumped "tens of thousands of gallons" and that contaminated water and truck runoff may have spread a carcinogenic contaminant around town.
"If you guys have exposed us to carcinogenic contaminant of concern, we need to know what happens next," DC said during the public-comment period, and said he had not received satisfactory answers from a named contact (appearing in the record as Jason RPY and once as "Jason Rafley"). DC said he believes the Port was operating without sufficient public notice and warned residents and the county might pursue legal action.
Commissioners and staff responded that the two Port wells are located outside the documented plume area and that monitoring wells lie between those wells and the plume. Officials said the wells in question are treated as exempted wells (described in the discussion as "35 gallons a minute or less"). County representatives said they had asked an EPA contact to look into whether the agency can mandate testing and asked county staff, including Health Department contacts, to consider how to test the wells and monitor potential movement of contamination.
County staff said they have a packet of written questions and responses supplied by the person DC named; officials said those responses covered many overlapping questions, and they are following up with the health board and with Miss Hooper to determine what additional testing or monitoring is appropriate. No formal enforcement action or order was announced at the meeting.
Why it matters: DC's comments put public focus on groundwater and possible exposures tied to Port operations, a longstanding local concern tied to the site's five-year review. County officials said they will examine monitoring and testing options but did not announce a formal investigation or order at the meeting.
What comes next: Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the health board and with the EPA contact and to report back; no vote or directive beyond that follow-up was recorded in the meeting minutes.
