The Bunker Hill Superfund Site (BHSS) has a long and complicated history. Clearance of legacy mine waste throughout the site began in the late 80’s and continues today. But cleaning up the BHSS was not so easy. Several factors limit the types of remediation options available here. Factors such as the sheer volume and widespread distribution of contaminated materials, where these materials are located and how deep they extend make complete removal of all waste an impossible feat. Therefore, it was decided that the best and most practical approach was partial removal and replacement. In communities and residential areas, contaminated material is typically removed to a depth of between 6 and 12 inches, and a protective “clean” barrier is installed over the remaining contamination. Over 7,000 properties have been repaired to date, and although fragile, this barrier system has proven effective when given proper supervision. The Panhandle Health District (PHD) Institutional Control Plan (ICP) has successfully provided this on-site service since 1995.
The ICP is a set of locally enforced rules and regulations designed to ensure the integrity of the protective barrier of clean soil, gravel and other overlying contaminants. The ICP is based outside the Kellogg PHD offices. To ensure the barrier is properly managed and protected, the ICP offers educational workshops for the community, certifies contractors in the community, and issues excavation permits to anyone grading, grading, or performing any type of excavation. The goal is to ensure that cleaning barriers are properly protected, maintained, and then reinstalled after work is complete to ensure protection of human health throughout the duration of the project. To help homeowners with small projects, ICP can provide free soil or gravel for barrier maintenance and repairs, free collection of contaminated soil, and free use of permanent disposal sites. The fundamental purpose of the ICP is to protect public health and facilitate land transactions on site.
Today, as you travel through the Silver Valley and Coeur d’Alene River Valley, it’s hard to imagine that this beautiful region still harbors pollutants. Significant progress has been made in cleaning up and stabilizing pollution across the region. However, hidden dangers still exist. Exposure to lead and other heavy metals can have a variety of adverse health effects, especially in young children and pregnant women, where even low-level exposures have been found to be damaging. In addition to administering the ICP, the Kellogg PHD Office runs a Primary Health Intervention Program (LHIP). The goal of LHIP is to provide outreach and education about these remaining hazards. LHIP services include one year of free blood lead testing for anyone who lives, works or plays on site; at-home consultations; free loaner vacuums with HEPA filters for house cleaning; and other appropriate protections to use while working on construction projects equipment. LHIP staff visit local schools annually to hold health education classes, hold booths at numerous community events, organize community-wide environmental tech expos, and are available to give presentations on a variety of on-site topics. If you would like more information, please visit https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/institutional-controls-program/ or contact Mary Rehnborg in the Panhandle Health District Kellogg Office: 208-783-0707 or mrehnborg@phd1.idaho.gov
Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative is a team of dedicated and enthusiastic professionals dedicated to protecting lake health and preserving water quality by increasing community awareness of local water resources through education, outreach and stewardship. Our gem includes local experts from the University of Idaho Community Water Center, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Coeurtenai Area Chamber of Commerce, Kootenai County, and CDA 2030.
