New ARP director takes over as role changes

A new director is taking over the Asbestos Resource Program as the control of the superfund site is transferred from the federal to state level.

Virginia Kocieda, director of ARP, will be creating a plan to finish cleanup of the site.

“There’s progress being made,” she said. It is really exciting.

Kocieda’s main goals are to support the community as best as possible while keeping people informed.

“I’m really green right now, but things are still moving along,” she said.

The transition to the new position is going pretty well, she said. She trained for two weeks with the previous ARP manager, Noah Pyle.

Pyle said he is really excited Kocieda is leading ARP in her new role.

“We are extremely lucky to have Virginia,” he said.

Previously in her role at the EPA and as a medical researcher, Kocieda worked with both scientists and policy makers, he said. She can speak both languages.

In her new role, she will be working as a liaison between the state, county and EPA.

As she continues to learn, Kocieda is thankful for everyone’s patience.

Her job will involve helping to educate and update community members of progress as well as going to site inspections when needed.

Kocieda will be reporting her progress to the City-County Board of Health, the ARP, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Operations and Maintenance Committee.

At the moment, she is working with the DEQ and the EPA to get some kind of formal language for moving into the O&M stage.

As director, Kocieda will be parallel with the department of health, but will still report to the Board of Health, he said.

The new position is just a more streamlined approach to responsibility, one less person between Kocieda and the Board of Health, he said.

Kocieda said it is a very impactul job to have, “I’m just really excited to put a mark on Libby in a good way.”

Lincoln County commissioner Mark Peck said the county is blessed to have someone as well fit for the job as Kocieda.

“She’s just super bright and we’re lucky to have her,” he said.

Kocieda is not only willing to work here but is also excited about it, he said. Even after two weeks, Kocieda is already on top of her job.

“She’s hit the ground running,” he said.

As Pyle transitioned out, it was time to update the ARP position and duties, said Peck. Kocieda’s newly-created director position allows her to work more directly with the DEQ and to not be under the umbrella of the Health Department.

The new role is working just like it is supposed to, he said.