The area inspected is in Libby, Montana along the banks of Libby Creek which is a tributary of the Kootenai River. The initial seep complaint was located on the east side bank of Libby Creek. Upon further investigation a second similar seep was observed approximately 150 yards downstream on the west side of Libby Creek. The seeps seem to originate from the banks and the cause of the seep is unknown at this time. A historical landfill is identified on the east side of Libby Creek and a former lumber mill on the west side of Libby Creek. The seep location is adjacent to the Libby Groundwater Contamination NPL Site being addressed through federal, state and potentially responsible party actions.

1. Evaluate and characterize seep and seep locations. 
2. Conduct a Removal Site Evaluation to assess if there is a need for an EPA Removal Action.
3. Keep stakeholders informed of any potential response actions. 

US EPA Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor deployed to the Site location on January 29, 2021 to collect surface water and sediment samples and document site conditions. START member met with EPA Remedial Project Manager (RPM) who directed START to the seep locations for sample collection. Samples were analyzed on Saturday, January 30, 2021 (full analytical report maybe found in START trip Report).

Analytes included:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOC),
• Gasoline range organics,
• Diesel range organics,
• Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC),
• Pesticides,
• Ammonia,
• Nitrate,
• Target analyte list metals, and
• pH 

Analytes were screened against EPA removal management levels (RMLs, November 2020), regional screening levels (RSLs, November 2020), and Montana risk-based screening levels (RBSLs, May 2018). This initial screening criteria identified Arsenic and Iron as potential contaminants of concern. Field observations of the sheen indicated a biological sheen versus an oil based sheen, which was validated by sampling results for surface water samples. 

As the concentrations of both Arsenic and Iron are above initial screening levels, it was determined that the levels did not constitute an EPA Removal Action at this time. Decision was made to provide full analytical data and refer the Site to the EPA Remedial program and State partners for further investigation and potential action.