THE ASARCO SMELTER IS AN OPERATING CUSTOM PRIMARY LEAD SMELTING FACILITY THAT COVERS APPROXIMATELY 80 ACRES OF LAND IN THE TOWN OF EAST HELENA IN LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY, MONTANA. IN 1984, EPA ADDED THE E. HELENA SITE TO ITS NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST OF HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF SOILS, VEGETATION, LIVESTOCK AND SURFACE AND GROUND WATER IN THE VICINITY OF THE PLANT REVEALED ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (INCLUDING HEAVY METALS AND ARSENIC). EPA USED THE FUND TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OVERSIGHT OF THE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY PERFORMED BY ASARCO, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE LEAD SMELTER. EPA IS NOW SEEKING TO RECOVER PAST AND FUTURE RESPONSE COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE. EPA HAS INCURRED A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $2.8 MILLION IN RESPONSE COSTS, AND IS CONTINUING TO INCUR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION. EPA IS ALSO SEEKING TO COMPEL ASARCO TO PERFORM THE SEL SELECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, CONTIGENCY REMEDY FOR THE FIRST OPERABLE UNIT OF THE SITE - THE PROCESS PONDS.