W.R. Grace & CO. has agreed to reimburse the Federal Government $250 million in costs incurred during asbestos removal and investigation.  Grace’s vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana has been blamed for the illness and deaths of many residents who suffer from mesothelioma as a result of asbestos contact.  In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency began cleanup of the mine area, and then filed a lawsuit a year later to recover costs.  Grace, which is in Chapter 11 of bankruptcy proceedings, has finally conceded to a $250 million reimbursement plan.  Abatement in Libby has been completed at 954 properties, but 450 remain on a cleanup list.  The work is estimated to take another three to five years.