Brownfields in Idaho

A brownfields site is a vacant or underutilized property where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination.

Eligible sites may include former gas stations, mine sites, timber mill sites, bulk fuel storage and distribution sites, landfills, and generally any commercial or industrial site that may be contaminated with hazardous substances.

Not all sites are eligible for brownfields determination:

Properties listed on EPA’s National Priorities List.
Sites that are the subject of an ongoing state or federal enforcement action related to site cleanup.
Properties where the contamination is known to present a high risk to public health.
Properties subject to an ongoing Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) removal action.
Properties subject to enforcement under certain federal hazardous waste laws.

Success Stories

Read about the success stories in our interactive Storymap.

Location	Brownfields Site
Boise	Adare Manor This new affordable and workforce housing development opened on October 29, 2019. This five-story, 134-unit apartment complex was a success because of the dedication by Northwest Integrity Housing Co., The Pacific Companies, and Thomas Development Co. The project cost $28 million and is home to income-eligible individuals and families. There are 72 one-bedroom units, 55 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units. 121 units are subsidized.
Boise	American Linen Property An assessment was conducted at the site, and it was concluded that there is no unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. The site has been purchased, and redevelopment is moving ahead.
Boise	Barber Wastewater Lagoons Multiple site investigations were conducted on the property. The Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands purchased the property and hopes to make the site an open space/park space for public use.
Boise	Jack’s Urban Meeting Place To assist with contingency planning for proper soil and water management during construction activities, an assessment was conducted on areas proposed for excavation and human occupancy. J.R. Simplot Company corporate headquarters and a creative center and community meeting place are being built on the site. The project is set for completion in 2015.
Boise	Pre Funk Beer Bar This property was a gas and service station for 30 years. Site assessments and a risk evaluation found a risk to human health for certain site conditions and property uses. Results revealed that additional sampling would be needed if the location were to be developed for residential use. The beer bar and growler fill station opened in 2013.
Burley	Ray’s Car Care An assessment revealed only a stigma of contamination and no contaminants. The property was sold and is now a car dealership.
Canyon	Former Mahaffey Oil Petroleum contamination was found at the property boundary in soils and ground water but not in the downgradient, offsite wells. The cleanup is complete. The land was purchased by onion packing and distributor, J.C. Watson Packing.
Cascade	Boise Cascade Mill, South 40-Acre Log Yard An environmental site assessment was conducted and soil samples collected. Cleanup, which began in late 2004, is complete. The former mill property has been transformed into an area of recreational opportunities, including a whitewater park, a future recreation center, and walking and biking trails.
Custer County	Bayhorse Mining District Based on the assessment reports for the site, it was concluded that additional risk evaluation efforts were needed to make a final determination regarding the risks associated with the site. The Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation purchased the properties to develop Idaho’s newest state park. Some of the sites have been redeveloped and are open for public use. Two others will begin cleanup during the 2012 field season.
Emmett	Jim’s Amoco Service A ground-penetrating radar survey and a site assessment were conducted, followed by additional sampling and development of a risk assessment. The site is currently for sale.
Idaho Falls	Snake River Animal Shelter A limited environmental assessment was conducted, and the results were favorable. Development of the animal shelter facility will begin in 2013.
McCall	McCall Riverside Park Assessments were conducted at the site, and no contamination was discovered. The site is ready for redevelopment.
Meridian	Meridian Creamery A site assessment was conducted, and results confirmed that the property was ready for revitalization. Demolition of the creamery was completed in November 2006, and the site was redeveloped into Meridian City Hall—a $25 million LEED-certified building complex.
Nampa	Lakeshore Market Site assessments were conducted and results revealed ground water petroleum contamination. A remediation plan was approved in May 2011, and improvements were made to the building and property.
Nampa	Former Nampa Realty Site assessments were conducted at the site, which revealed petroleum contamination in the soil. An Einstein’s Oilery was built on the property.
New Plymouth	Rural Fire Board Station Assessments were conducted at the site, and no contamination was discovered. The Rural Fire Board completed the construction of a 6,500 square foot fire station in 2012.
Parma	Bruce and Rod’s Tire Factory/Dean’s Tires An assessment was conducted at the site, which revealed soil and ground water petroleum contamination. The contaminated soils were removed, eliminating the source of ground water contamination. The site has been purchased and is operating five commercial businesses on the property.
Pocatello
Priest River	Former City Dump Site assessments were conducted, and the site may have potential human health and environmental impacts. The restoration project was complete in August 2011, and the next phase could be Priest River waterfront access through a nature park.
Salmon	Former River City Auto/Beasley’s Ground water and soil samples were collected, a risk assessment was performed, and results are pending. Cleanup, which began in late 2006, is complete, and a report should be finalized in early 2012. After the site poses no risk to human health or the environment, it will be redeveloped into a Town Square Park, office buildings, and tentatively, a library.
Sandpoint	Sandpoint Charter High School An assessment revealed that site conditions were suitable for the construction of the high school. The new school opened in September 2010 and was awarded LEED Silver certification in February 2011.
Smelterville	USTfields Pilot Project As a predecessor to Brownfields, EPA’s USTfields Initiative funded states and tribes to conduct pilot projects in Brownfields communities to assess and clean up petroleum contamination from underground storage tanks (USTs) at abandoned commercial properties. The City of Smelterville Pilot Project is Idaho’s only UST field.
St. Anthony	Cougar Corner Site assessments were completed. The site does not need cleanup but does have a deed restriction to prevent ground water extraction.
Twin Falls	Mr. A’s Dry Cleaners After site assessments cleanup is underway. The property has been purchased, redeveloped, and Don Aslett’s Cleaning Center is open for business.
Twin Falls	Super Quik Gas Station After many assessments since 1995, cleanup is underway and consists of removing free products and treating contaminated ground water via chemical oxidation.
Weiser	Mike’s Cleaners An investigation of the soil and ground water contamination was conducted. Soil vapor samples were also collected. After receiving results of the soil vapor sampling, a risk assessment was conducted and concluded that contamination was degraded to the point where it did not pose an unacceptable risk to human health. The site has been purchased.
Weiser	Weiser Livestock Sale Yard Site assessments were conducted at the site, and concentrations of contaminants were too low to require cleanup or land-use restrictions. The site is being considered as part of the Bridge-to-Bridge community development project.
Wilder	Canyon Owyhee School Services Agency (COSSA) Parking Lot An assessment identified potential chemicals of concern related to the site’s former use as a farmstead, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds, and herbicides and pesticides. Additionally, the farmstead structures may have contained asbestos and lead-based paint. The parking lot was completed by the end of March 2016.

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Idaho's Brownfields Revitalization Program

Brownfields revitalization is a process by which contamination is addressed so that the sites can be redeveloped. Some brownfields properties are usable but have not been targeted for redevelopment. Most, however, have some form of contamination that needs to be addressed before the land can be used.

Cleanup efforts can include actively removing contaminants or restricting certain uses like extraction of ground water or excavation restrictions.

Revitalizing Idaho’s Brownfields flyer

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Revitalization of brownfields properties can reduce the release of harmful contaminants into the environment, improve public health, and support plant and animal life. Brownfields development also ensures that land is fully utilized rather than developing undisturbed land.

Developing brownfields can also increase property values by improving neighborhoods, supporting community development, spurring job creation, and providing land resources for projects like parks or community gardens.

Brownfields Assessment

To propose a property for consideration of a brownfields assessment, complete and submit a Proposed Brownfield Site form via email, fax, or mail.

For planning and development purposes, it is helpful for communities to complete their own brownfields inventories by identifying vacant abandoned, and/or underutilized properties due to perceived or actual contamination that could be redeveloped to produce jobs, generate revenue, or support community open spaces.

After the properties are identified, communities may choose properties to take further action by requesting and possibly securing environmental assessment and/or cleanup funds (if necessary) from DEQ and/or EPA, often at no cost to the applicant. Once environmental or potential environmental issues have been resolved, the property will be ready for redevelopment.

Success Stories

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