EPA Granted Access to W.R. Grace Sites in Libby, Mont.

MISSOULA, Mont. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been granted immediate and unrestricted access to three W.R. Grace & Co. sites in Libby, Mont., to complete its investigation into asbestos contamination there and carry out necessary clean-up missions. United States of America v. W.R. Grace & Company and Kootenai Development Corporation, No. CV-00-167-M-DWM (D. Mont.).

The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana found on March 9 that under 42 U.S.C. § 9604(e)(3)(D), the EPA was entitled to enter the properties to determine whether the asbestos contamination - a result of over 80 years of vermiculite mining …