Southern Idaho Phosphate Mining

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Phosphate mining has resulted in some negative ecological consequences due to naturally occurring elements such as selenium, which is found in the overburden removed during mining. In some cases, once these materials are released to the environment, they can pose risks to public health, livestock, and wildlife as they accumulate in soils and vegetation or get flushed into streams and ground water.

Investigations to identify source areas, contaminated media, and cleanup plans at historical mine sites are ongoing with oversight from DEQ, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

DEQ is the lead agency at several sites in the Southern Idaho Phosphate Resource Area and is responsible for directing site investigations, monitoring efforts, and cleanup activities with other supporting agencies. For additional information, contact the Pocatello Regional Office.

Most sites in the Southern Idaho Phosphate Resource Area are on federal land and cleanup activities are managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Forest Service, or US Bureau of Land Management. DEQ acts as a support agency at these sites and ensures that Idaho’s resources are protected and state requirements are met.