Transfer stations are facilities where solid wastes are transferred from a vehicle or container and then transported off-site to another facility. Rural drop-boxes and other storage facilities where individual wastes are stored are not considered transfer stations, although waste tire collection sites are included.

Under Idaho's Solid Waste Management Rules (pdf on Department of Administration Web site), transfer stations are classified as Tier II facilities and must comply with basic Tier II regulations and deadlines and meet certain specific additional design, operating, and closure requirements.

Basic Tier II regulations cover five areas: location, operation, design, closure, and post-closure care. For example, siting of Tier II facilities near airports, critical habitat areas, and floodplains is restricted, and all TIer II facilities must develop and implement operating, odor management, and closure plans. All of these regulations are designed to assure that Tier II facilities are constructed and operated in a manner protective of public health and the environment. Transfer stations must also meet certain specific additional design, operating, and closure requirements such as construction of a durable and impermeable tipping floor and maintenance of sanitary conditions.

For a complete listing of Tier II facility requirements, refer to Section 012 of Idaho's Solid Waste Management Rules (pdf on Department of Administration Web site).

All Tier II and III facilities, including transfer stations, that were in operation before April 26, 2002, were required submit an operating plan to the local public health district by April 27, 2004. If you are uncertain whether your operation is in compliance, check with your local public health district. The next compliance reporting deadline is April 26, 2007, when all Tier II and Tier III facilities must submit documentation to DEQ demonstrating compliance with siting and design requirements and applicable restrictions.

Link to reporting forms on this Web site.

Transfer stations may be classified as Tier III facilities if they are determined by DEQ to be managing solid waste in a manner or volume that will form toxic leachate or gas or are likely to pose a substantial risk to human health or the environment. If so, they are subject to Tier III regulations and deadlines.

Tier III regulations also cover six areas: location, operation, design, ground water monitoring, closure, and post-closure care. Of particular note is required installation of a ground water monitoring system.

For a complete listing of Tier III facility requirements, refer to Section 013 of Idaho's Solid Waste Management Rules (pdf on Department of Administration Web site).

As noted above, all Tier II and III facilities must meet certain reporting deadlines. The next compliance reporting deadline is April 26, 2007, when all Tier II and Tier III facilities must submit documentation to DEQ demonstrating compliance with siting and design requirements and applicable restrictions.

Link to reporting forms on this Web site.