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EPA says cleaned Libby operable units remain protective; commissioners press for clearer public outreach on partial deletions
Summary
EPA told Lincoln County commissioners its third five‑year review found cleaned operable units protective of human health, but officials and residents want clearer explanations of what partial deletion means and more public outreach; EPA will consult ATSDR and return in the fall with data updates.
EPA project manager Daniel Zenner told Lincoln County commissioners at their July 16 meeting that the agency’s third five‑year review found current data indicate the site’s cleaned operable units remain protective of human health and the environment. "Based on our current data ... we believe EPA believes that all operable units are protective of human health and the environment," Zenner said during the presentation.
Zenner and EPA community involvement coordinator Beth Archer and state DEQ project manager Melody Carlds reviewed the site map and status: five of eight operable units have been partially deleted or delisted from the National Priorities List, OU3 (the former vermiculite/mine property owned by WR Grace) remains in feasibility study, and OUs 4 and 7 (areas near Libby and Troy) are eligible for partial deletion. EPA stressed that partial deletion is a regulatory milestone that does not end operation‑and‑maintenance or five‑year reviews and that the public‑health emergency declaration will not be lifted until OU3 remedial action is completed and state and federal health agencies concur.
EPA said it is consulting the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to analyze clinic and public‑health data from roughly 2000–2025 to look for trends in asbestos‑related disease and autoimmune conditions; Zenner said preliminary results may be available this fall and that EPA will plan further community briefings. He also outlined the difference between risk assessment (a technical, data‑driven process that can update toxicity values if new dose–response evidence exists) and risk management (education, ARP outreach, realtor training and other measures to reduce exposure). "We can do more community awareness, realtor trainings ... and we can go down that risk management path," Zenner said.
Commissioners and members of the public pressed EPA to produce plain‑language materials explaining what "partial deletion" means for residents, funding and ongoing protections. County officials asked for a fact sheet and other targeted outreach (farmers market, town meetings) so residents do not conflate milestone delisting with an end to safeguards. EPA agreed to prepare more targeted public information and return with ATSDR findings and additional briefings in the fall.
Next steps: EPA will consult ATSDR, continue five‑year reviews and operation‑and‑maintenance activities, and meet again with the county and community to explain potential partial deletions and remediation options for OU3.
