INCOME TAXES (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Workers compensation and other claims related accruals	$ 1,069	$ 15,316
Provision for doubtful accounts	11,189	12,654
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities	40,829	37,407
Accrued expenses	18,757	12,455
Accrued compensation	2,747	5,425
Net operating loss carryforwards	46,752	41,191
Tax credit carryforwards	25,348	25,040
Uncertain tax positions accrued interest and federal benefit	1,241	1,219
Stock-based compensation	1,993	615
Other	555	7,421
Total deferred tax assets	150,480	158,743
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(207,799)	(221,969)
Permits and other intangible assets	(161,295)	(159,698)
Prepaids	(11,030)	0
Total deferred tax liabilities	(380,124)	(381,667)
Total net deferred tax liability before valuation allowance	(229,644)	(222,924)
Less valuation allowance	(55,189)	(30,916)
Total net deferred tax liability before valuation allowance	(284,833)	$ (253,840)
State and local operating loss carryforwards	189,000
Federal operating loss carryforwards	62,900
Foreign operating loss carryforwards	50,500
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 25,000