BUTTE — A cleanup effort on lower Silver Bow Creek is now complete with the removal of 5.8 million cubic yards of tailings and contaminated dirt.
The Montana Standard reports Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality diverted 26 miles of the creek to begin work on the streambed and bank with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency. Gov. Steve Bullock and other officials toured the area Wednesday.
Natural Resource Damage Council environmental science specialist Greg Mullen says it’s a remarkable how fast the area has come back. He said lower Silver Bow Creek was devoid of bugs and fish before restoration work began in 1999.
Project manager Joel Chavez says part of the remaining $45 million in the clean-up budget will be used to maintain the lower portion of the creek.