Page Waste Repository
The Page Waste Repository is located west of Smelterville, Idaho. The repository takes in lead-contaminated soil generated by private and public development in nearby communities. The Page Repository serves as the primary disposal site of wastes generated under the Kellogg Panhandle Health District Institutional Controls Program (ICP). For information about ICP permits, call (208) 783-0707.
Repository Expansion
Over the years, the Page Repository has grown to accommodate both cleanup-generated soil waste and community-generated soil waste.
In 2009, a limited expansion of the facility was completed by the Upstream Mining Group (UMG). The expansion added about two acres to the site’s footprint. Capacity grew by about 75,000 cubic yards.
In 2011, the repository was once again reaching capacity. A 15-acre expansion into the west page swamp and 21-acre expansion in the east page swamp was approved. Expansion will occur in three to five acre phases, as space is needed and will eventually add approximately 1.4 million cubic yards of capacity.
The expansion area occurs on adjacent, already-contaminated soil. Soil was contaminated long ago due to historic mining practices.
Restoration and Reuse
The EPA-approved 36-acre expansion uses wetland area in the west and east Page swamps. To offset the impact of repository expansion, DEQ constructed 18-acres of wetlands adjacent to the repository along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in accordance with EPA’s Clean Water Act requirements. Additional mitigation requirements will be satisfied in other locations.
As part of the wetland creation, DEQ began a short-term project to generate compost on top of the repository. DEQ arranged with Shoshone County to deliver woody-waste to a level 5-acre portion of the completed repository. DEQ then chipped wood waste (destined for a land fill or a long haul cost out of the county). Woodchips were placed in windrows and later used to amend soils in the newly created wetlands. About 20,000 cubic yards of wood waste created more than 10,000 cubic yards of compost.
DEQ also utilizes asphalt regrinds to surface access routes on the repository. More than 5,000 guardrail posts destined for a landfill were intercepted from a nearby highway project. The posts, found to be benign in contaminants after wash-down, were used as fencing to demarcate access routes for ICP users on the repository.