Department of
Environmental Quality

The Basin Property Remediation Program and anyone performing excavation in contaminated materials generate waste which is high in lead and arsenic and found to be toxic to humans. Private excavation activities not part of the BPRP are governed by the locally administered Institutional Controls Program. This waste requires safe disposal in soil repositories to protect humans and the environment.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

How are contaminated material repositories safer for public health?

Why not locate contaminated soil repositories outside of the Superfund site?

This question was investigated in the 1991 Record of Decision. There are several factors that determined why repositories would be located at the site. Considerations included hauling material over long distances, local availability of a waste site for local activities such as land development and public works projects, and the need to maintain responsible control over the repositories.

Why repositories?

The overall strategy to address human health is by removing contaminated soils, particularly around homes, parks, and businesses. This way, the amount of lead-contaminated soils that can come into homes is greatly reduced. This is important because indoor dust lead concentrations correlate with child blood lead levels more than any other lead source. Yearly tests show that controlling the source of the lead has reduced lead levels inside homes.

There are some occurrences where lead dust levels are still high. Panhandle Health District in Kellogg is available for consultation to help identify sources and ways to reduce lead in homes. You can reach PHD at (208) 783-0707.

EPA continues to evaluate the most effective way to address elevated dust lead concentrations in Box home interiors. Once exterior property cleanups are completed, EPA will evaluate the need for interior cleaning outside of the "Box" in the Basin (as stated in the 2002 Record of Decision).

Page Waste Repository

The Page Repository, located in Page west of Kellogg, accepts waste generated as a part of the Panhandle Health District Institutional Controls Program. The Page soil repository accepted contaminated waste generated from the first phase of remediation occurring in the Bunker Hill Box beginning in the late 1980s. The "Box" is a 21-square-mile area around Kellogg. Learn more.

East Mission Flats Repository

East Mission Flats Repository is located in Cataldo and accepts both ICP and remediation cleanup-generated waste. Learn more.

Big Creek Repository

Big Creek Repository originally opened under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for handling immediate-need contaminated soil during the earliest days of the Basin cleanup for severely affected communities. Since then, the state of Idaho has operated the site to accept wastes from remediation cleanup activities and ICP permit holders. The site is located east of Kellogg and continues to accept both BPRP and ICP-generated waste from the Upper Basin region.

Proposed Repositories: Osburn and Star Tailings Impoundments

A two-year site-selection process with the Technical Leadership Group and Upper Basin citizens resulted in DEQ’s selection of the Osburn Tailings Impoundment in Osburn and Star Tailings Impoundment in Wallace (Burke) as two potential sites. DEQ is taking steps toward development of these sites through land acquisitions, detailed surveys, and draft design. The 30% Design will be released for public viewing and comment, as set forth in the 2002 Record of Decision.

• DEQ/EPA Response to Public Comments for Upper Basin Repository Locations: Osburn and Star Tailings Impoundments, Shoshone County, Idaho (May 17, 2010)