East Helena Lead Superfund Site is an EPA Remedial site addressing the contamination from a historic smelter that operated for over 100 years (1888 to 2001). The lead and zinc smelter operated on the southern edge of town. The operation led to the deposition of heavy metal contamination throughout East Helena. A Superfund Site Investigation (SSI) was completed in 1981 and the site was listed on the National Priority List (NPL) in 1984. EPA’s Remedial team has completed multiple phases of remediation work, including groundwater clean up and some residential yard clean ups. Currently the main problem area is lead contaminated soils with exposure pathways to sensitive demographics.

In a sampling event completed by EPA's Remedial team in 2023, several unaddressed properties were found with high concern of exposure. These homes are occupied by highly sensitive demographics (children and women of children bearing ages) and have high concentrations of lead in their yards. In some cases, the children at these properties have shown elevated blood lead levels. EPA’s Remedial Team asked that the Removal team address these prioritized properties in 2024 ahead of Remedial's planned actions in 2025. The properties include six residential yards and one school playground.

EPA personnel and contractors will be primarily cautious with slips, trips and falls. Heat stress and weather related events will be carefully monitored.

Safety protocols are set in place for operating heavy machinery and navigating around active heavy machinery, including radio for each piece of equipment and each person in the designated hot zone.

All workers will be in proper personal protective equipment, and have a baseline blood lead level test done to ensure no lead exposure occurs.

All workers have stop work authority for safety issues recognized on site.

Over the course of the removal action, the team will mitigate lead exposure at affected properties by replacing contaminated soils with clean soils and capping with sod. This will be done safely and efficiently while being in open communication with property owners and the community of East Helena at large.

During the operational period of May 30- June 8, the objectives are the following:

1. Mobilize crew and equipment to site

2. Conduct site orientation and staging process

3. Conduct crew blood-level lead screening

4. Excavate contaminated soils from the first property and begin backfilling

5. Begin excavation of contaminated soils from the second property

During this operational period, the removal team:

1. Mobilized to the site

 All personal and equipment safely arrived at the site in a timely fashion.

2. Conducted Site orientation and staging

Personnel was familiarized with the equipment being used, the locations of the properties being addressed, and the repository where contaminated soils will be brought.

3. Conducted Blood Level Screening and addressed site safety concerns

All personnel handling heavy machinery around the site underwent site safety orientation and blood lead level screenings to have a baseline should any exposures happen. Additionally, a safety meeting is held every morning at 7am.

4. Begin work at the first property

The crew began excavating contaminated soils from the first property. Some minor delays occurred involving the homeowners sprinkler system that delayed progress briefly. Prior to excavating, the removal team walked the property with the homeowner to ensure all entities understood the project scope.

5. Property walk at the second and third properties

The removal team walked the next two properties with their respective owners so that when the equipment and crews are ready the team can immediately begin work. The second property is Prickly Pear Elementary School and the third property is residential. 

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At first property:

1. Backfill front and back yard.

2. Re-place items that were temporarily moved from yard including flowerbed plants, sprinkler system, chicken coop.

3. Replace sidewalk in backyard.

4. Place sod.

At Prickly Pear Elementary:

1. Begin excavation & soil removal.

During this operational period, the removal team:

1. Continued work at the first property

The crew backfilled soil, re-placing the sprinkler system, small plants, and chicken coop. The topsoil was added and graded. The crew then set a frame for the backyard sidewalk and filled with cement. Sod was ordered for placement the following week. 

2. Began work at the second property, Prickly Pear Elementary

The crew began excavation at Prickly Pear Elementary. Operators used excavation machinery for large open spaces, while others hand dug around posts anchoring the playground. Signage and fencing was placed in the alleyway between the track and schoolyard, creating a designated space for construction traffic away from school traffic. 

3. Property walk at the the fourth property

The removal team walked the property with the owners so that when the equipment and crews are ready the team can immediately begin work.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At first property:

1. Complete sidewalk in backyard

2. Place sod.

At Prickly Pear Elementary:

1. Complete excavation and soil removal.

At third property:

1. Review the property and site details with the homeowner.

2. Begin excavation of contaminated soil from property.

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Completed work at the first property

The crew removed concrete forms from around the sidewalk, and placed additional topsoil in spaces left by the forms. Sod was delivered, and a landscaping company placed it on the property.

2. Continued work at the second property, Prickly Pear Elementary

The crew completed excavation of the school yard to a consistent depth, removed contaminated soil from the site, and prepared the excavation for backfilling with clean soils. 

3. Began work at the third property

Crews completed an additional site walk with the property owner, and started work in the front and back yards with hand tools. Equipment was brought to the site, and crews began excavation. 

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Prickly Pear Elementary:

1. Complete excavation and soil removal.

At third property:

1.  Complete excavation and removal of contaminated soil from property.

At fourth property:

1. Review logistics of planned activities with the homeowner. 
2. Set up temporary fence in front yard. 

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Continued work at the second property, Prickly Pear Elementary
The crew is nearing completion of backfill at the school yard and has removed all necessary contaminated soil from the site. Preparation for topsoil and sod has begun.

2. Continued work at the third property
The crew is nearing completion of backfill in the front and back yards and has removed all necessary contaminated soil from these areas. Preparation for topsoil and sod has begun. Excavation of contaminated soils from the driveway has begun. 

3. Prepped for work at the fourth property
Crews have set up a temporary fence in the front yard for the homeowner in preparation for excavation in the backyard. Work is expected to begin next Tuesday, July 2nd. 

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Prickly Pear Elementary School:

1. Complete backfill and top soil, as well as the handwork and grading.

2. Complete the trenching to prepare for the sprinkler system to be installed.

At Third Property:

1. Complete backfill and top soil, as well as handwork.

2. Complete final preparations for sod at property.

At Fourth Property:

1. Begin excavation of contaminated soils.

At Fifth Property:

1. Begin and complete excavation of contaminated soils.

2. Begin backfill with clean soils.

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Finished placing backfill and topsoil and Prickly Pear Elementary

The team is approaching the finish for Prickly Pear Elementary, all that remains is installing the sprinkler system and placing the sod.

2. Finished preparing the Third Property for sod installation

The team completed the final tasks in preparation for sod placement at the third property, sod will be laid when enough other properties are ready for sod as well.

3. Began excavating contaminated soils at the Fourth Property

The team started excavation work at the fourth property and has begun preparing top soil and backfill. 

4. Started and finished excavation at the Fifth Property

The team began and finished excavation at the fifth property, then started the backfill process as well. Topsoil preparations are underway.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Prickly Pear Elementary School:

1.Install sprinkler system.

2.Complete preparations for laying sod and property finalization.

At Third Property:

1. Lay sod and finalize property.

At Fourth Property:

1. Finish excavation of contaminated soils.

2. Begin placing backfill and topsoil.

At Fifth Property:

1. Finish placing backfill and top soil.

2. Finish preparations to lay sod.

At Sixth Property:

1. Begin excavating contaminated materials.

At Seventh Property:

1. Begin and finish excavation of contaminated materials.

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Continued preparation work at Prickly Pear Elementary School

The team finished installation of the new sprinkler system, placed wood chip mulch around the swing set, and placed rubber mulch around the playset.

2. Completed sod installation at the Third Property

The team completed sod installation and initiated daily watering cycle of the sod at the Third Property. 

3. Continued excavating contaminated soils at the Fourth Property

The team continued excavation work at the Fourth Property. In addition, the team began hauling non-contaminated materials (i.e., brush, wood fence, bricks) to the landfill for disposal.

4. Finished preparing the Fifth Property for sod installation

The team completed the final tasks in preparation for sod placement at the Fifth Property. In addition, the team addressed a small patch of grass along the north side of the alley (opposite side of Fifth Property) requested by the adjacent property owners.

5. Conducted a walkthrough of the Sixth Property

The team met with the homeowner and conducted a walkthrough of the property to discuss actions to be taken and to address the homeowners' needs. Excavation at the Sixth Property is scheduled to begin the morning of July 15.

6. Started and finished excavation at the Seventh Property

The team began and finished excavation at the Seventh Property, then started and completed the backfill process as well.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Prickly Pear Elementary School:

1.Complete preparations for laying sod and property finalization.

2. Lay sod and finalize property.

At Third Property:

1. Continue to water sod.

At Fourth Property:

1. Complete excavation of contaminated materials.

2. Begin placing backfill and topsoil.

At Fifth Property:

1. Lay sod and finalize property.

At Sixth Property:

1. Begin and complete excavating contaminated materials.

At Seventh Property:

1. Complete backfill and top soil process.

2. Prepare property for sod and finalization.

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Completed final preparations for Prickly Pear Elementary School

The team completed the remaining tasks (backfill and topsoil placements) and prepped the elementary school playground for sod placement. Once sod is in place, the school's new sprinkler system will take care of the watering cycle.

2. Continued to water the Third Property

The team continued it's efforts to water the sod at the third property, this will continue 2-3 times until the sod is able to grow and survive on it's own (typically 2 weeks).

3. Continued excavation activities at the Fourth Property

The team nearly completed excavation of contaminated materials, and was able to begin the placement of clean backfill and topsoil as the contaminated soil was excavated. 

4. Laid sod at the Fifth Property

The team laid sod and began the watering cycle at the Fifth Property. The watering cycle is 2-3 times daily for approximately 2 weeks.

5. Continued excavation activities at the Sixth Property

The team began and completed excavating contaminated materials in the backyard of property, and was able to begin the placement of clean backfill and topsoil as the contaminated soil was excavated. 

6. Laid sod at the Seventh Property

The team completed placing the backfill and top soil in the area of concern at the Seventh Property. This is a gardening area. The crew also laid sod and began the watering cycle to help the sod grow.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Prickly Pear Elementary School:

1. Lay sod and finalize property.

At Third Property:

1. Finish sod watering cycle.

At Fourth Property:

1. Complete excavation of contaminated materials.

2. Complete placing backfill and topsoil.

3. Prepare property for sod.

At Fifth Property:

1. Continue watering sod cycle.

At Sixth Property:

1. Complete placing backfill and topsoil in backyard of property.

2. Begin and complete excavation of contaminated soils from front yard of property.

At Seventh Property:

1.Continue sod watering cycle.

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Finalized removal action at Prickly Pear Elementary School

The team completed field work at the school. The sod was laid and final punch list items were completed. The sod watering cycle is being addressed by the sprinkler system at the property.

2. Finalized removal action at the Third Property

The team completed field work at the Third Property. The sod watering cycle was completed and all remaining items were addressed.

3. Prepared the Fourth Property for sod

The team completed the excavation of contaminated materials and well as placing the clean backfill and topsoil a the Fourth Property. The residence is now ready for sod and finalization. 

4. Continued the watering cycle at the Fifth Property

The team continues to water the fresh sod at the Fifth Property to promote growth and longevity of the new grass. This is typically a 2-3 day watering regimen over the course of 2 weeks.

5. Continued excavation activities at the Sixth Property

The team completed excavation of contaminated soils at the Sixth Property, and completed placing backfill and topsoil in backyard of property. 

6. Continued the watering cycle at the Seventh Property

The team continues to water the fresh sod at the Seventh Property to promote growth and longevity of the new grass. This is typically a 2-3 day watering regimen over the course of 2 weeks.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

At Fourth Property:

1. Lay sod and finalize property

At Fifth Property:

1. Continue watering sod cycle.

At Sixth Property:

1. Lay sod and finalize property

At Seventh Property:

1.Continue sod watering cycle.

Overarching Site Operations:

1. Begin demobilization of crew and project close out

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Finalized removal action at the Fourth Property

The team completed field work at the Fourth Property. The sod was laid and all remaining items were addressed. The team will complete as much of the water cycle as possible while mobilized at the site, and then set up the homeowner with a sprinkler to complete sod watering.

2. Finalized removal action at the Fifth Property

The team completed field work at the Fifth Property. The sod watering cycle was completed and all remaining items were addressed.

3. Finalized removal action at the Sixth Property

The team completed field work at the Sixth Property. The sod was laid and all remaining items were addressed. The team will complete as much of the water cycle as possible while mobilized at the site, and then set up the homeowner with a sprinkler to complete sod watering.

4. Finalized removal action at the Seventh Property

The team completed field work at the Seventh Property. The sod watering cycle was completed and all remaining items were addressed.

5. Began demobilization of crew and equipment and initiated project close out

At the end of this reporting period, the team began to demobilize crew and equipment from the site. This will continue through the next reporting period until all team members and equipment are off site.

The objectives of this operations period are as follows:

Overarching Site Operations:

1.Complete demobilization of crew and equipment

2. Close out project

During this operational period, the removal team: 

1. Demobilized and closed out field work for removal action at the site

The team completed the removal action. This removal action included removing the contaminated soils at 6 residential properties and 1 elementary school playground. After removing the contaminated soils, the yards were backfilled with clean soils and topped with fresh sod. The sod was then put through a watering cycle to promote growth.

This removal action was initiated in response to lead contamination present in East Helena soils as a result of historic lead smelting activities south of town. EPA's Removal team focused this project on particularly sensitive demographics at properties with particularly high lead concentrations. EPA's Remedial team is planning future exposure mitigation efforts for a broader demographic in the years to come.