Governor Gianforte, EPA Administrator Zeldin Highlight Cleanup Progress at Superfund Site in Columbia Falls

Governor's Office

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to tour a Superfund site in Columbia Falls and highlight cleanup underway and plans for redevelopment and re-use to return the site to productive use.

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin, the federal administration is working closely with states to prioritize the health and safety of our communities," Gov. Gianforte said. "This site was added to the National Priorities List ten years ago. It's great to see cleanup efforts underway to address hazardous contaminants and return this site to productive use."

Gov. Gianforte (center) and Administrator Zeldin (center left) hosting a press conference at an EPA Superfund site in Columbia Falls

The Anaconda Aluminum Co. Columbia Falls Reduction Plant is also known as the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Plant or CFAC. It is located two miles northeast of Columbia Falls. It covers approximately 960 acres north of the Flathead River.

From 1955 to 2009, the CFAC Plant was in operation and created hazardous waste that was a byproduct of the aluminum smelting process. ​​A preliminary assessment of the site was performed in 1984 by the Montana Department of Health and Sciences and found that hazardous waste from the plant was present. In 1988, the EPA conducted a site evaluation that showed groundwater and surface water contained cyanide and fluoride and some soils contained various metals.

Following the assessment, the site of the smelter was placed on the federal Superfund National Priorities List in 2016. After conducting a remedial investigation to identify the nature and extent of the contaminants, EPA in June 2023 released a long-term cleanup proposal to eliminate pollutants. In January 2025, the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) signed a Record of Decision for the site, detailing cleanup plans that will address contamination and hazardous materials.

"Today's visit to the CFAC Superfund site in Columbia Falls, Montana, is yet another example of how advancing cooperative federalism ensures we can provide Montanans with the most pristine air, land, and water," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "With Governor Greg Gianforte's leadership and the hard work of Regional Administrator Cyrus Western representing EPA, our Superfund program will continue delivering successes throughout Montana that protects our environment."

In July 2026, CFAC agreed to cleanup contamination at the site. In addition to performing the work, CFAC agreed to pay $1.8 million in past costs, implement cleanup actions projected to cost $57 million, and also provided financial assurance of should the EPA and DEQ take over remedial action at the site.

On the tour, Gov. Gianforte and Administrator Zeldin visited the main plant and received a briefing on the ongoing remediation and plans for redevelopment and reuse. The remedial strategy for the site includes consolidating and encapsulating contaminant sources to eliminate exposure and prevent contamination of groundwater and the Flathead River.

"DEQ will continue to work closely with the EPA and Flathead County throughout the process to ensure the established remedial action goals are achieved," said DEQ Director Sonja Nowakowski.

"The CFAC site's timely progress highlights a Superfund success story made possible by strong EPA and Montana collaboration and cooperation, effective scientific analysis, efficient decision-making, and results-oriented project management," said EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western.

After the tour, Gov. Gianforte and Administrator Zeldin held a press conference. A recording of the press conference can be viewed here . The CFAC Superfund Site Proposed Cleanup Plan as released by the EPA in June 2023 can be viewed here .

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