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Society & Superfund: A Social History of America’s
Largest Superfund Site
Silver
Bow Creek/
Butte Area Site
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Camp/Travona Shaft
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Springs Ponds
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Priority Soils
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Rocker Timber Framing & Treating Plant
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Superfund Contacts
ABOUT CTEC
The Citizens' Technical Environmental Committee (CTEC) is a group
of volunteer citizens who work with the EPA, the state of Montana,
responsible parties, and others to make the Superfund process
and cleanup decisions understandable for all.
Our specific charge from the EPA is to hire independent scientific experts to review documents and provide public outreach and education on behalf of the local community. CTEC also makes available government studies, ARCO studies, and other studies about contaminants in the surface water, ground water, and air, and to promote public involvement in the Superfund process. CTEC also informs local citizens about cleanup options, meetings and how to contact those influential in choosing a course of action.
CTEC also prepares technical comments on the Superfund process. These technical comments are designed to provide decision makers with an independent perspective on current Superfund activities. EPA established technical committees through grants under Superfund to provide technical assistance to local communities in and around Superfund sites. The more than 300 CTEC members make up a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life.
The easiest way to understand the role of a technical assistance committee in Superfund is to think of a triangle with a represented party at each point. In the instance of the Clark Fork Superfund process, the EPA and MDEQ representing the federal and state governments, the PRPs representing their own and investors interests, and CTEC representing the interests of the local community. The goal is for all three parties - U.S. citizens at large (EPA), the PRP Group, and the local citizens to have input into regarding the EPA's final decision with respect to cleanup.
CTEC reviews of science and public information are funded by the Technical Assistance Grant program. This program was created by the federal government in 1986 to help promote local public involvement in the Superfund process. Through this program, CTEC is allowed to apply for grants. Grants are funded through the EPA by the party responsible for the site, in this instance, ARCO.
CTEC operates separately form ARCO or the EPA and serves as an independent group of citizens working for local residents, ensuring that the communities most affected by the EPA's decisions have access to objective information. CTEC presents this information so that basin residents can reach informed opinions and make those opinions known. In addition, CTEC has and will continue to, in cases where appropriate, question or criticize the methods, findings and conclusions of ARCO and/or the EPA.
CTEC has been working on the Butte area Superfund process for more than 10 years. We've reviewed literally hundreds of thousands of pages of scientific data from a variety of sources, including ARCO, the EPA, environmental groups and independent scientists, and condensed them into our comments. Our public information efforts include public meetings when scheduled, this website, and awareness advertising.
If you have questions regarding CTEC's role, or you would like to comment directly to us, please attend one of our meetings. All are open to the public, and we'd be happy to answer your questions. Or, write to P.O. Box 593, Butte, MT 59703. You can also contact us by e-mail at ctec@montana.com or use the button below to send us a message now.
Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program
Under the Superfund law, EPA can award one Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) for each Superfund site. TAGs allow communities to hire an independent expert to help them interpret technical data, understand site hazards, and become more knowledgeable about the different technologies used to clean up sites. Your community group may be eligible for a TAG if you are affected by a Superfund site that is listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) or proposed for listing on the NPL where a response action is underway. More information about TAGS is available from your Regional EPA Community Involvement Coordinator.
At this point, EPA works with local leaders and citizens to prepare a Community Involvement Plan (CIP). The CIP specifies community involvement activities that the lead agency expects to undertake during the remedial response. In addition, EPA informs the community of the establishment of at least one information repository which is usually located at a library or public school and contains the official record of the site, reports, and activities as well as additional site-related information.
Our Mission
To provide technical comments and public outreach on the Superfund
process for Silver Bow Creek and Montana Pole and Treating NPL
sites.
CTEC also provides education services to help young people gain
a better understanding of the environmental issues associated
with Butte-area Superfund sites.
Board Members
Suzzann Nordwick, President
Helen Joyce, Vice President
Elizabeth Erickson, Treasurer
David Williams, Secretary
John Ray, Director
Staff and Support Services
Janice Hogan
CTEC TAG Coordinator
27 W. Park St.
P.O. Box 593
Butte, MT 59703
406-723-6247
ButteCTEC@hotmail.com
KirK Environmental
LLC
Technical Advisors
Scott Payne
P.O. Box 636
Sheridan, MT 59749
406-842-7224
kirkenv@3rivers.net
Join Us!
To
join CTEC, fill out our on-line membership form by clicking here.
Wendy Thomi
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA, Region 8, Montana Office
10 W. 15th St., Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
1-866-457-2690
thomi.wendy@epa.gov
