Month: May 2025
THE DIRT: Work begins throughout the CDA Basin
With our pleasant early spring weather, construction season is well underway in the Silver Valley. The Coeur d’Alene Trust (CDA Trust), under the direction of the Environmental Protection Agency, has several projects taking place in the Coeur d’Alene Basin this season. In the Upper and Lower Basins, cleanup work will continue to address contamination, reduce exposure to people and wildlife, and improve water quality.
All Ninemile Creek basin priority cleanups were completed in 2024. Mine waste from the completed cleanup projects was deposited in the East Fork Ninemile Waste Consolidation Area (WCA). Construction of the final cover system for the WCA will begin in 2025 and will be complete in 2026.
Cleanup work continues at the Star Complex near the community of Burke and at the Tamarack No. 7 site near the community of Black Bear. Work will include excavating and hauling mine waste materials to the Canyon Complex Repository/WCA. Following mine waste removals, clean backfill materials will be placed at the sites, disturbed areas will be revegetated, and portions of Canyon Creek will be reconstructed. Work at the Star and Tamarack No. 7 sites is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026.
Work will also be taking place in the Pine Creek basin at the Douglas Complex, located approximately six miles south of Pinehurst along East Fork Pine Creek Road. Cleanup will include re-grading and capping of mine wastes, and placement of clean backfill materials. Cleanup is anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2025.
In the Lower Basin, work continues at Gray’s Meadow to finish a 700-acre wetland remediation and restoration project. The remaining soil excavation, construction of habitat features, and revegetation will be completed by fall of 2025.
Beyond these cleanup projects, the Lower Burke Canyon Repository, Big Creek Repository, and East Mission Flats Repository will be operated to accept contaminated materials from a variety of projects.
We look forward to a safe and successful 2025 construction season. CDA Trust projects support local businesses, suppliers, and contractors.
The Dirt is a series of informative articles focused on all aspects of cleanup efforts associated with the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Our goal is to promote community awareness of contamination issues, to provide tools for protecting public health, and to keep the community informed of current and future cleanup projects. The Dirt is a group of committed and local experts from multiple agencies including the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Panhandle Health District, Shoshone County, Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
THE DIRT: Recreating Safely in the Bunker Hill Superfund Site
The Bunker Hill Superfund Site in North Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene River (CDA) Basin has a history of mining-related contamination. While the region offers hiking, biking, fishing, and ATV/side by side/Motorcycle riding, these activities should be approached with caution due to lead and other heavy metals in the soil and water. To promote safe recreation, the Recreation Sites Program was established in 2016 to assess and manage health risks.
Developed in collaboration with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Panhandle Health District (PHD), this program provides strategies for mitigating exposure risks. A key initiative is the Basin Recreational Sites Strategy, which outlines methods for identifying and managing contaminated areas, conducting outreach, and gathering public input. A similar strategy is being developed for the Box region, with finalization expected in 2025.
Addressing contamination at recreation sites is challenging due to recurring recontamination from flooding events. Unlike standard cleanups that replace contaminated soil, many recreation sites require ongoing management. Trails, dispersed camping sites, and ATV areas present additional cleanup difficulties due to remote and rugged terrain, requiring tailored approaches.
Public education is vital for safe recreation. The outreach efforts inform visitors about health risks and safe practices. Individuals are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, avoiding soil contact, and follow posted guidelines to avoid recreational exposure to lead and other heavy metals. These efforts continue to expand.
In 2025, the Recreation Sites Program team will meet biannually to evaluate progress. The CDA Trust will monitor completed projects, update signage, and assess cleanup options for recreation areas in the CDA Basin. In the Box, DEQ and PHD will update signage and improve access controls at key recreation sites.
To engage the community, a Citizens Coordinating Council (CCC) Educational Brown Bag Community Meeting is planned for May 21st from noon to 1:00 PM at the Fernan Forest Service Building (2502 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814). The meeting is open to the public and will also be available virtually via Microsoft Teams. The session will cover how to safely recreate in the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, with presentations from EPA and PHD. Attendees joining in person should bring their own lunch, and a special election for a new CCC Chair will also take place. This is a great opportunity for residents to learn more, ask questions, and become involved.
By balancing remediation with public awareness, the Recreation Sites Program ensures residents and visitors can enjoy the CDA Basin safely while reducing health risks from legacy contamination.
The Dirt is a series of informative articles focused on all aspects of cleanup efforts associated with the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Our goal is to promote community awareness of contamination issues, to provide tools for protecting public health, and to keep the community informed of current and future cleanup projects. The Dirt is a group of committed and local experts from multiple agencies including the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Panhandle Health District, Shoshone County, Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
