THE DIRT: Waterfront properties
Idaho waters, including rivers, lakes, and streams, are designated as state property, which is meant to be enjoyed by all and is therefore protected under state and federal regulations, including the Clean Water Act. Owning, leasing, and enjoying waterfront property is a special privilege in North Idaho, but with this privilege also comes key responsibilities. Protecting your property is important, but protecting the water itself is equally important. Construction activities in and around water bodies require permits. These permits ensure construction projects or alterations are completed in a manner that will protect water quality, the environment, and aquatic species such as fish and their spawning habitats. If work is performed without the necessary permits, it can result in profound consequences, including costly fines and extremely expensive restoration work. Violations are taken very seriously, and in recent years, several local landowners have learned this hard lesson. Each individual landowner was fined thousands of dollars for failing to obtain permits and violating sections of the Clean Water Act. In addition to fines, each property owner also had to perform expensive restoration work that required hiring environmental engineers. When working around water bodies, it is in your best interest to follow all permitting procedures and requirements.
Protecting water quality is important everywhere, but has even more importance when working along water bodies within the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Sediments found in and along most local waterways contain hazardous levels of heavy metals, including lead and arsenic. Introducing contaminated sediments into waterways when performing construction activities can be even more damaging to the environment and poses a threat to wildlife and humans. Contaminated sediments from historic mining practices have accumulated along area banks and shores for over one hundred years, altering the nature of our banks, shores, and waterways. These sediments are highly erodible and make riverbanks and lake edges much less stable. These issues often lead to owners performing erosion control and bank stabilization projects to protect their land. Before beginning any of these types of projects, make sure to contact the correct agencies. The health and beauty of our waterways depend on us all doing our part.
When it comes to protecting North Idaho’s water resources, awareness and responsibility go hand in hand, especially in areas like the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, where risks are elevated. Understanding the importance of permits is the first step. But what exactly are the permits you might need, and how do they apply when working near rivers, lakes, or wetlands?
To dive deeper into the specific permits required—particularly when wetlands are involved—read our next article, which will discuss working permits for construction sites near water inside the Coeur d’Alene Basin.
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.
