The CARD Clinic in Libby is finished — probably forever. The clinic was set up to screen and provide services to those affected by asbestos operations in the area over the years. The Courts held BNSF Railways responsible for some of the pollution from hauling the toxic materials through town.
Then, two years ago BNSF prevailed in a lawsuit claiming the clinic committed fraud. Lincoln County District Court granted BNSF a $3.1-million judgement.
The Clinic was unable to pay the judgement and so the Court ordered the Sheriff to shut down the facility and seize the assets, which they did last week.
The problems with asbestos has plagued the Libby area for decades, beginning with the Zonolite Company in the 1920s, purchased by WR Grace in 1963. The area has been a Superfund site for the past two decades, and remains so today.
