Rural Systems

Kootenai County operates a rural system for the collection of household refuse from our county's rural customers. The intention of the rural system is to provide service to those rural residential areas of the county that do not have private collection or other disposal facilities available locally. We do encourage collection for your convenience and have found it to be at a very reasonable cost.

This system is designed and contracted to collect only household refuse. It is not intended for the collection of other materials such as tires, wood, construction debris (sheet rock, concrete, etc.) appliances, furniture, hazardous waste and large bulky items. We ask that you dispose of these materials at the Ramsey Transfer Station.

The rural system is not for disposal of commercial or business generated waste. Homeowner's solid waste fees are being used every time a commercial business uses the rural system for disposal.

If you witness a violation of the posted regulations, including commercial disposal, please contact the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department at (208) 446-1300. If you can provide a description of the vehicle and a license plate number, there is a better chance of finding the violator.

The County does not provide bins at the rural sites for recycling. You may bring your recyclables to the Ramsey Transfer Station or to your local public school. The schools receive all the proceeds from the materials recycled at their location.

The Rural Collection System is broken down into three Categories:

Northern Route: All North sites are currently staffed seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Twin Lakes: Site is located at mile post 13 on Highway 41 between Twin Lakes and Spirit Lake
• Garwood: Corner of State Highway 53 and Old Highway 95
• Athol: Howard Road, North of State Highway 54 east of Athol

Southwest Route

• Mica Flats: Kidd Island Rd. adjacent to Worley Highway District Shop
• Rockford Bay: Rockford Bay Rd east of Rockford Bay Resort
• Sun-up Bay Road: Adjacent to Alexandria Rest Stop
• Cave Bay Road: 1/4 mile East of Worley

Southeast Route

• Blue Creek Bay: Intersection of Yellowstone Trail Rd & Blue Creek Rd.
• Wolf Lodge: Intersection of Wolf Lodge Rd & I-90
• Rose Lake Junction: Intersection of State Highway 3 & I-90
• Rose Lake: On State Highway 3 at Rose Lake Village
• Valley Mart: On State Highway 3 at Valley Mart Store
• Harrison Junction: State Highway 97 on North side of Cd'A River
• Carlin Bay: Carlin Creek Rd 1/2 mile east of State Highway 97
• Beauty Bay: Beauty Rd & State Highway 97, west of USFS rest stop - BEAUTY BAY Site will close October 1, 2006 - looking for alternative site.

Kootenai County Ordinance No. 350, Section 15

SECTION 15: IMPROPER DISPOSAL AT AN APPROVED SATELLITE OR RURAL DISPOSAL SITE

A. The County maintains satellite or rural collection sites solely for the use of Kootenai County's residential citizens who reside on properties that have paid the Kootenai County Solid Waste Fee, as defined in the current Fee Resolution.

B. Satellite or rural collection sites are for garbage generated from residential dwellings. Prohibited are any commercial waste, yard waste (greater than four-32 gallon cans or equivalent volume), tires, batteries, construction materials, appliances, furniture, carpet, large bulky items, liquid waste, wood or wood products, petroleum products or any other hazardous material (as defined in Federal Code and/or on the label of the container).

C. Any person who deposits or disposes of any hazardous or otherwise dangerous waste matter at, or provides for delivery of same to an approved solid waste rural or satellite disposal site, transfer station or landfill, shall be liable for the full costs of controlling or eliminating any posed health hazard and/or properly disposing of said dangerous materials, as may be incurred by Kootenai County or any other public agency.

D. Persons shall comply with all signs posted by Kootenai County at satellite or rural collection facilities, transfer stations and landfills. E. Any person, commercial or industrial entity, or commercial hauler who deposits or disposes of any waste that is prohibited, as defined herein, at, or provides for delivery of same to an approved satellite or rural residential solid waste collection site, shall be liable for the penalties articulated below, as well as a $300.00 fine.