This paper discusses lessons learned from dealings with residents whose properties were directly affected by remediation at mining-related Superfund sites in Montana. Remedial actions frequently require activities on residential properties. Minor work, such as sampling or limited exterior removals, may only slightly inconvenience occupants. However, more intrusive activities, such as interior removals, can be very disruptive and may require residents to be relocated. In either case, successful projects include plans for communicating with residents and mitigating disruption to their lives. These plans must address residential education, scheduling and sequencing, temporary relocation (in compliance with reimbursement policies), communication with residents during work, measurement of success, and identification and resolution of potential pitfalls.
The perils of working at residential properties without proper planning and implementation are great. Frustrated residents or community groups can cause costly delays or even bring a project to a halt. Failure to comply with federal regulations governing relocation may prevent reimbursement of those expenses.
Proven outreach tools are available to help project managers avoid or mitigate problems. This paper shares the authors’ experiences in developing and implementing outreach programs to help ensure that residents are engaged in cooperative relationships that enable managers to keep remedial actions on schedule and budget. The authors’ experience was gained primarily at four mining-related Superfund sites in Montana (Town of Basin, Upper Tenmile Creek Watershed, Carpenter/Snow Creek, and Libby Asbestos) where CDM was the primary contractor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Communities at these sites range in size from 80 to 4,000 people. At the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site, over 850 residential/commercial properties have been remediated to date. The  techniques used successfully at these sites can be easily incorporated into other projects and are most effective when they are fully integrated into the overall project, with adequate funding, planning, and documentation.