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Valley County approves geotechnical study for public-works sand shed; DEQ meeting set on shop contamination
Summary
Commissioners authorized a $4,100 geotechnical services contract to locate a sand shed for the new public-works facility and heard that county staff will meet with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to evaluate lead contamination at the Gold Dust shop site.
Valley County commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a $4,100 consulting agreement with Atlas Technical Consultants to perform soils and capacity evaluations for a proposed sand shed at the county's new public-works site, and public-works staff said they will meet with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to determine whether firing-range lead has contaminated soil or groundwater at the Gold Dust shop site.
Dan (public works engineer) told commissioners the county needs a soil investigation before deciding where to locate a covered sand storage structure and that the consultant the county regularly uses quoted about $4,000 for the work. "So that's essentially what the first agreement is, is to have a consultant to evaluate the soil conditions out there for us," he said.
The contract was moved and seconded at the meeting and approved by voice vote. Commissioners did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes; staff said the agreement will allow the county to proceed with site selection and final construction drawings.
Why it matters: the sand shed is part of the broader public-works building project intended to improve winter maintenance operations and material handling at the county site. A geotechnical report will show whether the chosen locations can support the weight of stored sand without additional ground work, and it is a required step before construction documents and bidding.
Staff also briefed commissioners on an environmental review tied to the Gold Dust shop site. Dan said he will meet with DEQ this week "in regards to the environmental investigation that, Idaho Power did. I'm trying to confirm what, what we need to do to remedy, any contaminants." He identified lead from the on-site firing range as a possible contaminant that may have affected surface water or groundwater near the shop.
Commissioners discussed interim precautions. The well at the site has not been tested for potable use, staff said, and the county currently trucks in potable water; a commissioner suggested adding a visible "not potable" notice at the site until testing and remediation are complete. Dan also said bridge jacks and other structural details are under review for the building; staff will return with construction drawings and a separate warranty-extension item for signature at a future meeting.
The county will advance the Atlas geotechnical work and report results to commissioners; the DEQ meeting and any subsequent remediation steps for the Gold Dust site will be scheduled as staff receives guidance from the agency.
Actions recorded at the meeting included the Atlas Technical Consultants services agreement; staff said the contract fits the department budget and will let the county proceed to final design.
