Brownfields funding, DEQ assessments and asbestos concerns flagged for Blaine School and Basin Creek cottage

Kelly Sullivan told the committee that BLDC expects to close a large brownfields loan within the next week and will provide a portion of grant funding tied to the project.

Sullivan discussed two local projects: the Basin Creek caretaker's cottage, which is having work done, and the Blaine School, which recently suffered roof damage and also has suspected interior brownfields issues. "I think it's probably going to be asbestos," Sullivan said of the Blaine School, and she said an assessment has not yet been completed.

Sullivan said BLDC will work with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on assessment funding because DEQ currently has assessment money while BLDC's funding is focused on cleanup. The DEQ process Sullivan described begins with a phase 1 site assessment and a phase 2 if contaminants are detected; cleanup work would follow identification of contaminants.

The discussion noted that brownfields programs address asbestos and lead as well as other contaminants. Sullivan used the Phoenix Building as an example, saying asbestos is present in glazing on many of the building's windows and that the building will receive new windows as part of remediation.

A commissioner asked Sullivan to provide more brownfields details at the next meeting; Sullivan agreed to return with additional information.