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Montana's First Lady Works with High School Students to Clean Up Polluted Site

Montana's First Lady Works with High School Students to Clean Up Polluted Site

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Apr 21, 2009 at 3:30 PM MST

Story Updated: Apr 22, 2009 at 12:22 PM MST

The planting of the trees completed the Toston Smelter Site clean up that started back in September and advanced the Governor and First Lady's math and science initiative.

The First Lady said this project is a great way to get students involved, "Its a beautiful day, it's a way to honor the earth for Earth Day. Its also a great opportunity to meet with the kids and students and help them learn how fun math and science can be and learning it hands on."


The students were volunteers from Broadwater County high school in Townsend and the Project for Alternative Learning in Helena. Many of the students say they are taking away a sense of accomplishment from this project.

Hanna Phipps of PAL said she's really enjoying the project, "Its really awesome cuz I actually like the environment. I've been in environmental groups before and I feel a sense of happiness knowing that theres gonna be more trees here and its gonna be better, nicer outside."

Austin Hash agreed, "I think this is gonna be a pretty big thing. It'll stay here a long time and you'll always know you had a part in it and its just something that'll make you feel good."

The contamination in the area from arsenic and lead posed a threat to human health and the environment.

In all, about 300,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and sealed in a nearby repository.

"I think they're gonna know they make a difference. That each kid, each person can make a difference in what they choose to do with their lives and this is a project they can watch grow."

Funding for the $700,000 reclamation project was provided through a federal grant.

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