Smurfit-Stone Mill Site Cleanup

Let us know your questions on the Smurfit-Stone Mill site cleanup process, and share a story you might have about your personal experiences connected to the site.

The Smurfit-Stone Mill was a pulp mill located west of Missoula near Frenchtown that operated from 1957 to 2010. The production of pulp for kraft paper products onsite resulted in various hazardous substances, and since its closure, the Environmental Protection Agency, with input from Missoula County, state agencies and community organizations, has conducted remedial investigations of the site to create a plan for cleanup and eventual re-use.

This site has a long history, with connections to the logging industry that once boomed in Missoula County. Its cleanup is anything but simple, with varying types and distributions of contaminants throughout the 3,200-acre site. Sampling has been insufficient in representing the area or site as a whole.

Read “The Smurfit-Stone Story” section, browse the FAQs and listen to the Tip of the Spear episode to learn more about the Smurfit-Stone site cleanup and how Missoula County is involved. Let us know your questions, and share a story you might have about your personal experiences connected to the site.

This project is huge, and though Missoula County has little control over the cleanup, we want to recognize and learn more from the community on how this site has impacted the lives of our residents so we can help advocate for you and your health. You can also learn more by following the Frenchtown Smurfit-Stone Community Advisory Group on Facebook.

Photos courtesy of Peter Nielsen