EPA files 140 notices of area property owners refusing access

The Environmental Protection Agency recently filed with the county 140 letters indicating the refusal of property owners to allow the agency any access or continued access for investigations associated with the Libby Asbestos Superfund site.

The letters, called a Notice of Potential Environmental Conditions, were filed Jan. 30 with the Lincoln County Office of the Clerk and Recorder for inclusion with property deeds, EPA Site Manager Mike Cirian said via email.

On the same day, the agency also filed Notices of Environmental Conditions for 20 properties requiring some form of remedial action, Cirian wrote.

Cirian said he anticipates filing at least one more round of approximately 90 letters and perhaps another round at a later date.

“We didn’t want to overwhelm the county staff for filing these,” he wrote. “There will probably be another filing once we are done this year, as I am guessing some (property owners) will change their mind or others will be identified and refuse.”

Cirian noted that more than 8,100 properties were originally identified as requiring investigation for asbestos contamination.