There will be additional tests performed on the wood chip piles and sales or subsequent removal of chips has been halted, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency told Lincoln County Commissioners on Wednesday.

“These tests will determine quantitative numbers,” Michael A. Cirian, the environmental engineer with the local EPA office, told commissioners, an official from each of Sen. Max Baucus’ and Tester’s office.

Cirian was just one of eight EPA officials at the meeting. Among them were Unit Chief Steve R. Wharton, Project Manager Rebecca Thomas, Dr. David Berry, and four other EPA representatives. Victor Ketellapper, who remained in the EPA’s Region 8 office, listened to the meeting via a phone telephone link.

Cirian, Wharton and Thomas sat at the main table across from Commissioners. Cirian and Thomas fielded most of the inquiries from Commissioners.

   It was Cirian who informed Commissioners of the subsequent test. However, it was Dr. Berry who explained the further tests on the wood chips that will require the drying and burning of the chips before an analysis could be determined.

   Asked when the EPA determined additional tests on the wood chips would be performed and Cirian said it was not a recent decision.

   “Oh, I guess about April,” Cirian said.

   Cirian told Commissioners the EPA currently has 30 projects in Libby and more in Troy.

   “This is the busiest week of the year,” Cirian said, indicating there have been 31,000 cubic yards of soil removed.

   For all activity presented, it was Thomas who did most of the talking, indicating testing of water samples of Rainy Creek had begun.

   Thomas said tests revealed 285 million fibers of Libby Asbestos within a liter of water samples from the creek. To put the contamination into perspective, Thomas said allowable detection levels of asbestos for a liter is 7 million fibers or about 40 times the allowable limit.

   To put the contamination into perspective, Cirian said the contamination of Rainy Creek is Libby Asbestos (LA). The allowable levels of asbestos in drinking was is all six varieties of asbestos, some of which are less lethal than LA.

   Then there was a pause, and Libby Commissioner Tony Berget leaned forward in his chair and asked the question on everyone’s minds:

   “Has anyone considered testing the fish, yet?” Berget queried, reminding officials Rainy Creek flows into the Kootenai River, which flows right past Libby.

   Thomas admitted the EPA has yet to do fish analysis, but is considering approaches to perform those analyses.

   She said, in nature, these fibers have a tendency to attach themselves to articles in the stream and because of this they are concerned about accurate readings.

   “It’s a simple surface water (test) of Rainy Creek,” Thomas said.

   Asked about the seriousness of what the contamination means, Cirian offered: “Don’t drink water from Rainy Creek.”

   Thomas said the EPA is moving forward with its approval for renovation plans of Riverfront Park. On Monday, the Libby City Council offered its stamp of approval for the project, which Thomas said could begin in as soon as 10 days.

   “The city was hoping to do some of the renovation so it might be able to do more with the funding, but it appears that’s not going to happen now. We’re just moving forward on our (EPA’s) plans now.”

   The plans include a renovated approach to the park from Route 37, rerouting the road in the park and creating an aesthetic curve, a boat launch parking area, a fishing platform, moving the gazebo from its current location, an Asbestos Memorial and Pavilion, new restrooms and more.

   “We hope to begin the project the project in the July or early August,” Thomas said.