Month: June 2025
THE DIRT: 2025 Construction Season
Summer arrived early in the Silver Valley this year. The trees have already bloomed, and the snow has melted off the Alhambra Slide. Flowers have been planted, and preparation for summer vacation has begun. Summer also marks the beginning of the construction season, and much is planned within the Bunker Hill Superfund site. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through funding provided by the EPA, has several projects within the Box, the 21-square-mile area surrounding the historic smelter area, to remediate and upgrade existing barriers to protect public health.
If you or your children attended or currently attend Pinehurst Elementary School, you’re probably aware of its dreaded paved playground that ices over each winter, leading to numerous injuries and a few broken bones. Due to its age and current drainage conditions, the asphalt has begun to deteriorate, increasing the potential for underlying contamination to come to the surface. This project involves removing existing asphalt and concrete barriers and existing playground surface coverings. Clean surface and subsurface materials, asphalt, concrete, turf and flexi-pave will then be used as new barriers, covering up contaminated soil across the entire project area and creating a beautiful and safe new playground
For the past 30 years, a large sludge pond on top of the Central Impoundment Area (CIA) has been used to store sludge waste produced during the treatment of contaminated mine waters at the Central Treatment Plant (CTP) in Kellogg. The pond reached capacity in June of 2023 and has been replaced by three new, lined sludge impoundments that were constructed as part of the recent CTP upgrades. The old sludge pond area will be capped with a cover system and clean materials that will tie into the existing CIA cap and meet the same performance standards as the existing cover on the CIA.
The Airport Riverwalk is a system of walking trails in Smelterville, primarily north of the airport. Last year, DEQ made improvements to the trail systems by adding additional clean gravel to help maintain the remediated barriers throughout the site. This year, DEQ will install a concrete pad just west of the parking lot area for a shade structure that is being supplied by the Kootenai Realtor’s Association. This new shaded area will provide a clean spot for trail users to take a break or have a picnic.
Also in Smelterville, just east of the old drive-in theater, additional work will be taking place. Last fall, Phase I of the East Smelterville Flats project was completed with the installation of fencing and clean gravel access areas. Phase II will begin this summer, with the installation of a new clean 12-inch deep soil cap and overlying vegetative barrier. In addition, concrete pads will be placed throughout the site for the future installation of shade structures and picnic tables. Work is anticipated to be completed this fall.
The Uptown Kellogg Barrier Enhancement project is located on the south side of Kellogg, locally known as Uptown Kellogg. This project targets the blocks between McKinley Avenue and the intersection of Upper Third Street and South Division Street. The sidewalks in this area and two other sections of the city were previously evaluated for signs of deterioration and exposed sub-base materials. This project will replace the old sidewalks with new, durable concrete barriers to protect the public from exposure to heavy metals contained in the underlying contaminated soils. It will also protect against recontamination of adjacent clean barriers and will eliminate the spread of contaminated dust and tracking of contaminated material. This project also protects surface water quality by preventing contaminated sediments from washing into the city’s stormwater system and into the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
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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: Recreate safely in the Bunker Hill Superfund Site
If you plan to explore the great outdoors this summer, it is important to learn more about the risks of lead and metals exposures within the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Beginning in the late 1800s, mining shaped the lives of those living in the Silver Valley. This legacy of mining resulted in contaminants on shorelines, floodplain deposits, hillsides, and at historic mine and mill sites. You may encounter exposure to contaminants at many popular areas for hiking, dirt bike and ATV riding, fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. During recreational activities, contaminated dust can accumulate on shoes, clothing, and equipment. This dust can be transported home with you, resulting in additional lead exposure once you return home.
During outdoor recreational activities, contaminated dust can enter your body through your mouth and nose while eating or breathing. Lead accumulates in your body and has been found to cause numerous health effects in children and adults. Fortunately, by following a few simple recommendations, you can reduce your family’s exposures to contaminated dirt and dust.
During any outdoor activity, bring clean water to drink and wash your hands. Recreating, swimming, camping, and picnicking in grassy areas is always recommended to limit contact with contaminated dirt, dust, and sand. Follow all fish consumption advisories by visiting: fishadvisory.dhw.idaho.gov. Avoid recreating in or near historic mine and mill sites.
Remove shoes and dirty clothing before entering your camper or tent to avoid tracking dust inside. Keep all surfaces dust free, especially those used to prepare food or eat. Remove dust and dirt from all recreational equipment, swimming towels, and clothing before you go home. If a washing station is provided where you recreate, use it to clean your equipment. When you return home, wash your pets and equipment to remove any dust and dirt that remains. All clothing should be washed separately from regular household laundry to avoid cross contamination.
To learn more about lead exposures and the resources available to keep your family safe, please visit our new website: cdabasin.idaho.gov or contact Panhandle Health District at 208-783-0707.
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.
