Libby cleanup project reaches milestone during 12th year

Sometimes, it just pays to be lucky.

Doug Lauer, a dump-truck driver for Environmental Services was the lucky operator whose load Thursday happened to carry the 1-millionth cubic yard of contaminated soil from Libby up the mine amphitheater for relocation.

On this day, Lauer was one of 12 Environmental Restoration trucks hauling contaminated soil back up to the original source, the old W.R. Grace mine.

At 2:18 p.m., Lauer’s big maroon-colored truck passed the threshold at the pass gate to the entrance of the old open-pit mine carrying the milestone mix of dirt and vermiculite from the Operable Unit Site No. 1, from Riverfront Park boat ramp.

Lauer, who has been driving the massive trucks for four years, was surprised when asked by supervisor Harvey Fowler to step out of his truck after dumping his load.

“I thought, ‘what the heck have I done now,”’ said Lauer, 69.

Soon, the reason for the stoppage of Lauer’s work became apparent, as Fowler placed a yellow and purple lei around his neck, placed a special hard-hat commemorating the achievement on his head, presented an envelope containing cash and a specially made coffee cup also recognizing the event that read: “I hauled the millionth cubic yard on the Libby Asbestos Project and all Mike Cirian gave me was this lousy cup.”

Cirian is the on-site remedial manager for the Environmental Protection Agency on the project.

Lauer was a reluctant recipient of all the fanfare, peering into the envelope containing cash and said, “It’s a lot of money.”

Asked about all the attention, Lauer said, “It feels great, I guess.”

Pausing for a moment, Lauer thought about the achievement.

“That’s a million yards of dirt, all hauled without an accident,” he said. “That’s amazing when you consider all the driving on California Avenue.  All those ladies stepping out of their cars, opening those doors in front of us. It’s amazing.”

Said Rob Burton, the Project Resource Inc. Environmental Restoration Joint Venture (PRIER) Trucking Coordinator, who was on hand for the milestone: “That’s no accidents and only a few violations.”

After congratulations from Fowler, Burton and gatekeeper Lana Johanson, Lauer, who seemed almost embarrassed by all the attention, asked for just one thing.

“Can I get back to work now?”

After unchocking his massive truck, Lauer climbed back into the cab and drove away, back for his next load.

The 1-millionth cubic yard represents about 100,000 truckloads of soil removed from Libby and taken up to the area referred to as the mine amphitheater. On Thursday, Lauer was the 54th truck to pass through the gate threshold. 

The most truckloads hauled in a single day was 240, which was achieved last October.

Cirian explained the 1-millionth truckload actually represents 2 million loads of dirt hauled, as for every dirt hauled away, another, non-contaminated load takes its place on properties in and around Libby.

The milestone was reached in 12 years, as hauling began early in 2000.

“I’m glad it turned out to be Doug,” said Johanson, the gatekeeper. “He’s one of our best drivers.”