[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617957,"mediaKeyId","2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003","parentId",2838563,"title","Fighting Creek Landfill near completion of Phase E3; county pursues South Cell permit and considers adjacent land purchase","audioSeconds",383,"startMs",354000,"endMs",737000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003&start=354&end=737","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003/thumbnail_354000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617957/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Fighting-Creek-Landfill-near-completion-of-Phase-E3-county-pursues-South-Cell-permit-and-considers-adjacent-land-purchase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617957-30ad7c0fe131b139e7753d34238cd488/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185178&Signature=jeMct38Y310sqr0c-jRQGglsQWj1BHZL4twiiob4X-xouHQB~K-66abFpFeQSjryJRgjfnbsoR7WkjSicFZQnbrkP5ecG3~JN1RU0KTm37Wq-GSWTKIWdJE4RAJy30g42CgAgkFj~2spgapRhcTlvtHbFD4EmoRyngYnjtyy2AyvuGrRFphJ79qO2Y5TDYl1VLyShMZscMWCb1y72YQqZF77StlIO6906aAmxwQzFcwIau4crb86b4gcs0dFiMpIAgcA7xnlIssdHOSt9HyZDXsmuho1y8I47AaSbf3-Gh46MA0qEUImFSgsheSDvIoj-jTtJlBmf1e2KX3HQqK72A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kootenai County","date","2025-04-01T19:18:08.693Z","article","John Phillips, Kootenai County Solid Waste director, told commissioners on April 1 that construction on the landfill's Phase E3 expansion is nearly finished and that staff are moving ahead with permitting and other planning to extend landfill capacity.

Phase E3 status: Phillips said Cell and Construction (the contractor) completed \"approximately 99% of the job\" after a final walkthrough in January 2025. Remaining items are electronic programming for a leachate pump station and operator training. Phillips said some erosion-control and hydroseeding work deferred by wet conditions will be completed this month. He told commissioners he expects the project closeout in April 2025.

South Cell permitting and landfill life: The department continues to work with Jacobs Engineering, Community Development and local regulators to pursue permitting for a South Cell at the Fighting Creek Landfill. Phillips said the South Cell has been planned for more than a decade and that the county's current estimate is the new area would extend the landfill’s life by \"approximately 10 years\" based on a 5.5% growth projection; he also noted that historical growth patterns make a longer life likely. Phillips characterized the estimate as contingent on growth assumptions and engineering design.

Leachate, gas and energy: Phillips reiterated that the county collected about 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of landfill gas and that roughly 1,000 scfm is being used by the onsite gas-to-energy plant; the balance is combusted via flares. Kootenai Renewable Energy, which owns the gas-to-energy plant, has indicated interest in adding another generator and asked the county to re-open its contract. Phillips said he contacted Paragon Engineering and Consulting to evaluate whether the proposal merits reopening the contract and said he would bring findings back to his BOCC liaison and, if appropriate, to the Board of County Commissioners.

Property purchase under consideration: Phillips said Kootenai Electric approached the county about selling an 8.08-acre triangular parcel directly across from the landfill's main entrance on Highway 95. The seller's appraised value is roughly $32,550 per acre, or about $263,000 total. Phillips said the parcel once owned by the county served as a buffer and that repurchasing it could reduce future noise or headlight complaints from a nearby home if the land were developed. He said closure funds are in the department’s budget and that the solid waste fund balance could cover the purchase; he plans to pursue the matter further and bring it back to the board.

Tonnage and operations: Phillips reported that daily landfill receipts remain in the roughly 550–800 tons-per-day range and that overall garbage volumes are slightly below expectations for the time of year. He praised crews and environmental technicians for operations and for minimizing odors. Phillips also noted that 665 tons of tonnage in the reported period were hauled directly to the landfill by contractors handling large construction loads.

Next steps and board action: Phillips said he will follow up on Paragon's evaluation of the generator proposal, pursue the potential land purchase and return to the BOCC for direction. No formal procurement or purchase was approved during the update.

Ending: Commissioners expressed support for Phillips's judgment and asked staff to return with additional details on permitting, engineering and the potential property acquisition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/1/2025 Board of County Commissioners: Solid Waste","oneSentenceSummary","Kootenai County reported Phase E3 construction at Fighting Creek Landfill is about 99% complete with punch-list items remaining; staff are pursuing a Conditional Use Permit for a South Cell that could extend landfill life, and the department is considering purchasing an 8.08-acre parcel across the entrance for buffer for roughly $263,000.","taxTitle","Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",3567,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617962,"Kootenai County previews Ramsey transfer station small-load drop-off, cites spring maintenance and staffing gains",89,130000,219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003&start=130&end=219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6617962/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Kootenai-County-previews-Ramsey-transfer-station-small-load-drop-off-cites-spring-maintenance-and-staffing-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617962-9bb63359a19585d008137231f2b3498e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185178&Signature=n-z6lHFHVVWAI6w1lpiGFk9MXy-1HX1mR6SWdidsN0TA9soCgwvBlbcOQ5cjYSwSxlkIi2HKEUY-mdXLboGf5sMEyEvrD8cHZMPbuE~4UVvNYR9byNGPES6NwFAQpbKRQD~GytTLColRFebVeiAT6JzJwtnCmwCw8xYHlOs6LSt~vuzIo9As6tZbXKUtaPK9OECl61jYxDeeOzxILem3woJDI1H8uO5wsvmKMzAh2JMay8HNl1Fr6oCpwXDO6~u8UZ7EAuZyhA8vxJyVfE-1ZTcrAQxlc~xhE8NE4n0RdvLuKiQEPnRGHOne6xX4NK~SwNouS3Q6v3AjYwWM9PknYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Phillips, Kootenai County Solid Waste director, told commissioners on April 1 that the county’s new public drop-off area for small loads at the Ramsey Transfer Station is largely complete and could open in April, though May is possible.

The design and layout for the small-load drop-off were finalized with Jacobs Engineering, and Central Premix delivered rock for construction. Phillips said county crews built the site, topsoil and seed applied last fall are showing grass establishment in the erosion-control areas, and nearly all road signs and traffic-control devices are installed. \"I'd love it to be open in April and I'm really optimistic that we can pull that off,\" Phillips said, while noting that a May opening remains possible.

Operational details: 35 dumpsters ordered for the site have been delivered and placed; Phillips said about five remain to be located in their final positions. A used garbage truck approved by the board has arrived and is on-site and ready for use. The drop-off area is intended to let customers drop a few bags or containerized waste without driving through the full transfer-station route or using the scale, which Phillips said should streamline operations.

Transfer-station operations and public issues: Phillips reported that traffic and waste volumes are slightly below normal for the first two months of the year. The county received a complaint about screws on the asphalt near the commercial drop-off area at Ramsey; in response, staff have increased magnet runs and street-sweeper activity and are documenting the work in daily logs.

Rural collection sites and Wolf Lodge Bay: Phillips praised Sunshine Recycling for hauling refuse from rural collection sites and said gravel-lot sites are scheduled for spring maintenance and pothole repairs. Dust-control application is scheduled for May 2025 at gravel rural sites. He also reported the county’s ongoing work on a future staffed rural collection site at property purchased in the Wolf Lodge Bay area. JUB Engineering prepared a design and a special-notice permit application through community development was deemed sufficient in late December 2024.

Staffing: Phillips said all full-time positions are currently filled and that the county is retaining employees; only seasonal positions remain open. He credited the county pay plan for improved recruitment and retention.

Public guidance and next steps: Phillips asked residents to avoid placing items outside containers at rural sites and noted that large items such as furniture and appliances should be taken to transfer stations, where disposal is often free. He said the department will continue spring maintenance and dust-control scheduling and will report back on the Ramsey site opening date.","Director John Phillips said the new Ramsey Transfer Station small-load public drop-off area is largely built and could open in April or May; rural collection sites will get spring maintenance and the county reports improved staff retention after a pay plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617967,"Kootenai County to start Dynatech leachate-treatment pilot to address PFAS concerns",96,233000,329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003&start=233&end=329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838563-b97a904d632d68d36419794137829003/thumbnail_233000.jpg","/articles/6617967/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Kootenai-County-to-start-Dynatech-leachate-treatment-pilot-to-address-PFAS-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617967-fc398f5c6ce329c41f33ad3a251c8175/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185178&Signature=frFm6POqt3de8NJBLCTsW0J7CuUxOTX22C-YPkxZ4M~82lMflevAY8Q9ecuJYdYh2gNPka6p13K7AfT6wQ5Nt14I9lSSDBjDMLJ1gPRM60xRP3ud9dCxt1KUHJSPVjhKi2TrtC5Vez64fE0LjjaqszLDOngNH6aAJkKBqsNB9rno0g3A6cyWnYbeePMQ~E6x694yEwzeBrvqTZSKTGTuBqeyzsizjBo31L44Vy2b6p56MRY1yaSgju54DlHGBiFphxlEUYj2~Ih19jXtFkeYdbwSQl0Jz4WYuGPp3V4ZrcQ7nsBG33uMWTUBddJ0J0Mdac~nOf~KuTQgcmDX1IDs4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Phillips, Kootenai County Solid Waste director, told county commissioners on April 1 that the department will start up a Dynatech pilot system to treat landfill leachate after a bench-scale test showed promising results.

The pilot follows notice in late 2022 that the regional publicly owned treatment works (POTW) would not continue accepting the county's untreated excess leachate unless constituents such as PFAS, total dissolved solids and potential PCBs were removed. \"We ended up selecting a company called Dynatech out in New Jersey who arguably has more treatment experience than anybody in the country, with treating things like PFAS,\" Phillips said during the quarterly solid waste update.

Why it matters: Landfill leachate is wastewater that can contain a mix of industrial and household contaminants. Without on-site treatment to remove regulated constituents, the county’s wastewater would be rejected by regional treatment plants, forcing the solid waste department to find alternative disposal routes or treatment options.

What Phillips reported:
- A Dynatech bench-scale treatability test of Fighting Creek Landfill leachate appeared successful, and a purchase order for a full pilot system was issued in May 2024.
- Supply-chain delays pushed delivery of the full pilot into winter; the county built a lined pad and purchased insulated shipping containers to protect reverse-osmosis membranes and other equipment from freezing.
- Electrical and plumbing connections for the pilot are in place. A Dynatech representative is scheduled to assist with startup and train county staff on operation.
- \"Once everything's working well, and the effluent quality meets [regional POTW] standards, we're gonna begin hauling that treated wastewater\" to the regional plant, Phillips said.

Details and next steps: Phillips said the pilot was delivered late because of supply-chain issues and that staff will not begin hauling treated effluent to the POTW until the pilot meets the plant’s acceptance criteria. He described the system as reverse-osmosis–based and housed in insulated containers to protect sensitive components during winter operation. Training of county personnel by the vendor is planned at startup.

What remains unclear from the meeting: Phillips did not provide specific target effluent concentrations, the name of the receiving POTW, nor an operational schedule beyond \"this month\" for vendor start-up and staff training. The county has not yet reported a timeline for evaluating pilot results or the criteria it will use to decide on permanent treatment procurement.

Direction: Phillips said staff will proceed with startup and training and will begin hauling treated effluent to the regional POTW only if effluent meets that plant’s standards; he did not state a formal timeline for a decision about a permanent system.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the pilot during the update; Phillips said he would return with additional information as the pilot progresses.","Solid Waste Director John Phillips said a Dynatech pilot system will be started at Fighting Creek Landfill after bench testing showed promise; startup and staff training are scheduled and treated effluent will be sent to a regional POTW if it meets discharge standards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fighting Creek Landfill near completion of Phase E3; county pursues South Cell permit and considers adjacent land purchase

Kootenai County previews Ramsey transfer station small-load drop-off, cites spring maintenance and staffing gains

Kootenai County to start Dynatech leachate-treatment pilot to address PFAS concerns