The Site was referred to the response program by the US EPA Region 8 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Program. Regional RCRA staff worked with the Crow Tribe Environmental staff and property owner to get the drums properly disposed of. However, at the time of the referral in July of 2020, it has become apparent that the disposition of the drums will not change absent independent action from EPA’s Superfund Response program.
RCRA reports indicate that there are approximately 20 drums in varying states of decay situated approximately 500 feet from the banks of the Little Bighorn River. The property owner has stated that the drums contain only waste oil; however, the label and drum marking information available indicates that the drums once held much more flammable methanol-based racing fuel. Additionally, some of the drums appear to be bulging, which would not necessarily be true of drums containing only waste motor oil. Lastly, there is dark/black soil staining present around the drums, indicating some level of leakage/spillage/release.
Further information will be available in the Notices section as it becomes available.
The drums were sampled and staged for disposal the week of February 22nd, 2021. Disposal occurred in April of 2021. This Site is complete
