Montana

State considers removal of illegal Smurfit Stone outfall pipes

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

State considers removal of illegal Smurfit Stone outfall pipes

MISSOULA — The state of Montana is looking into removing several illegal outfall pipes that jut from the Smurfit Stone mill site into the Clark Fork River.

On Thursday, Ryan Weiss, deputy Trust Lands administrator for the Montana Department of Natural Resources Conservation, told the Legislative Environmental Quality Council that his department needs to do a more thorough investigation of the outfall pipes emanating from the Smurfit Stone mill site before it knows what action to take.

“We’ve done essentially a qualitative assessment; we don’t know what the pipes look like beneath the ground,” Weiss said. “I don’t know if there’s anything being discharged from the pipes.”

The DNRC has determined that it has the authority over the pipes because several of them protrude into the Clark Fork River below the low-water level. Anything below the low-water level of streams and lakes is considered state property.

Weiss said his staff couldn’t find any record of the DNRC or its predecessor, the Department of State Lands, giving anyone authorization to install the pipes on state property, so it’s a matter of illegal trespass. There’s also no record of when the pipes were installed, and no one knows if they’re leaking anything.

According to a Dec. 8 memorandum that DNRC staff sent to Weiss, pipes at two and possibly three locations extend into the Clark Fork River below the low-water line. At Outfall 2, a 3-foot-diameter steel pipe angles about 40 feet from the berm into the river at a point above some of the landfills and sludge ponds. Outfall 1 is slightly upstream, but no pipe is obvious there. The memorandum said relic structures could be buried so more investigation is needed.

Farther downstream near the western end of the site, Outfall 3 has six metal pipes hooked to a diffuser. One is a 3-foot-diameter pipe and the rest have a 1-foot diameter. All extend at least 5 feet into the river.

While the pipes should be removed, Weiss said the DNRC is uncertain how to proceed. It could write a letter of authorization approving removal of the pipes by the potentially responsible parties – three landowners responsible for paying for the site cleanup — although Weiss said it was currently unknown which parties are responsible for the pipes.

Because the DNRC doesn’t have regulatory authority, that’s about all it can do outside of filing a lawsuit, Weiss said. So the DNRC has to work with other state agencies that have regulatory authority such as the Department of Environmental Quality.

Add to that the complications of the Smurfit Stone site being involved in a federal cleanup process.

“We could go the voluntary (cleanup) route or we could look at other legal mechanisms, such as a civil trespass action,” Weiss said. “My concern would be demanding (the pipes) be removed without coordinating with the other agencies to ensure there aren’t inadvertent consequences to water quality or soil disturbance by forcing a removal before we have all the data.”

DNRC staff first did a site visit in November 2019 with Environmental Protection Agency project manager Allie Archer and Montana Natural Resource Damage Program environmental specialist Brian Bartkowiak. At that point, it was known that the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences had issued a Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit for the outfalls in 1995.

DNRC staff conducted a second site visit this past November with the EPA and a consultant for the potentially responsible parties, who would have to pay for removing the pipes. At that point, Archer said the DNRC would have to coordinate with the EPA on any plans or work to remove the pipes, according to the Dec. 8 memorandum.

Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, expressed concern that the pipes wouldn’t be removed if the potentially responsible parties refused to pay.

“For these pipes, which it seems like all sides agree are trespassing, that we expedite the process of compelling removal, hopefully voluntarily, but if not, I don’t think we should just wait for a voluntary action,” Karlen said.

Sen. Pat Flowers, D-Bozeman, urged Weiss to create a DNRC process for assessing penalties.

“Without that, I think you’re encouraging any bad actor to put whatever infrastructure they want on state lands and hope that they don’t get caught,” Flowers said.

Contact reporter Laura Lundquist at lundquist@missoulacurrent.com.

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Related Topics:Featured frenchtown missoula Montana montana department of natural resources and conservation Smurfit Stone

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Jan. 15, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 15, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

03-24-32-39-41, Lucky Ball: 18

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 15 drawing

03-08-30-31, Bonus: 05

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

Montana Morning Headlines: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

WESTERN MONTANA — Here’s a look at Western Montana’s top news stories for Thursday.

Aaron Walker, a mill worker severely burned in a fire at Montana Timberline Firewood Company on Dec. 30, died at a Salt Lake City burn facility on Sunday. Walker’s medical team said they transitioned to comfort care before his death, while officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. (Read the full story)

Political speculation is swirling around University of Montana President Seth Bodnar as a potential challenger to Senator Steve Daines after former Senator Jon Tester sent a text suggesting the possibility. Bodnar declined to comment on the speculation, but did not deny it either. (Read the full story)

The Whitefish School District has started its superintendent search with community meetings to gather input from parents, students and staff about the next leader. McPherson and Jacobson consulting firm will conduct candidate interviews in early March with selection expected by the end of the month. (Read the full story)

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Montana

How to Make the Most of Montana’s Unusually Warm Winter

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

How to Make the Most of Montana’s Unusually Warm Winter

Montana winters have a reputation for being bitterly cold with temperatures that average well-below zero. It’s also one of America’s snowiest states. If you’re a fan of winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, Montana is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

However, this winter is a bit different. Above-average temperatures across the state have broken records on multiple occasions. It may not be the white winter that we all hoped for, but there are some advantages. I’m the type of person that tries to find the silver lining in everything, so here it goes.

I’ve been through quite a few winters in Montana, and this is the warmest it’s ever been this time of year. As someone who commutes a fair distance for work, I’ve really enjoyed not having to deal with snow and ice on the interstate. I haven’t noticed nearly as many people wrecked on the side of the road either.

I haven’t had to put on multiple layers of clothing in order to go outside and hope that my car would actually starting in the morning after scraping an inch of ice my windshield. Not gonna lie, it’s been nice.

The lack of snow also means that you can get to many places that are normally inaccessible by vehicle this time of year. So, if you’re the adventurous type, and want to take a road trip, right now might be a good time to hit the road.

Before you get too crazy, remember that getting too far off the grid in Montana can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. You can easily get stranded, and there’s a lot of places where you can’t get cell service. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.

Look, I know that we need snow, and I really hope a late winter is in the forecast. I’m just trying to make the best of a bad situation.

10 Helpful Montana Weather Terms You Need to Know

Weather in Montana can be unpredictable. Here are 10 weather terms that you need to know.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

THESE ARE THE TOP 20 BEST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN MONTANA

Niche published its ranking of the top public high schools in Montana, considering factors like state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, overall school ratings, student and parent reviews, and data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Gallery Credit: jessejames