County Loses Solid Waste Manager Wulf Opened Fighting Creek Landfill, Takes Job Near Spokane

After 10 years of leading Kootenai County’s solid waste department, Steve Wulf leaves Friday with only one monument.

It’s a hill of dirt called “Mount Wulf.”

Each day, crews push dirt from that mound to cover garbage at the Fighting Creek landfill that Wulf helped build and operate.

“The county gave me a great opportunity,” Wulf said. “I really have enjoyed it.”

Commissioner Dick Compton said the county is not yet ready to name Wulf’s replacement, but praised the 39-year-old’s accomplishments.

“He is as honest as the day is long,” Compton said. “He’s just done a terrific job managing solid waste. We didn’t have the career path to move him along. We are delighted for him.”

Wulf is leaving to work as district manager for Waste Management in Washington state.

Wulf said he will supervise and work on permitting and expanding the Graham Road facility in Spokane.

“So I’ll be doing the same sort of work as I have for the county,” he said.

The county promoted Wulf 10 years ago to take over for Kim Yerxa, who was terminated for problems within the department, Wulf said.

Wulf helped the county close the Ramsey Road landfill in Coeur d’Alene and opened the Fighting Creek landfill near Rockford Bay. He also helped the county with other projects, including the renovation of the county administration building. In his latest effort, Wulf tried to get the proper permits to allow the county to build a transfer station near Garwood.

A Kootenai County hearing examiner recently recommended against that plan. The commission won’t make any decisions on that transfer station until after Gus Johnson takes office in January.

The county may have a new option for that transfer station, Wulf said.

“Since I’ve given notice, we have looked at an additional site that has some merit,” Wulf said without giving any more details.

Wulf did recommend that county commissioners hire Roger Saterfiel, who works as director of operations for both the Ramsey Road transfer station and the landfill.

Compton said an announcement on Wulf’s replacement should be made soon.