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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCG120023_Compliance Evaluation Inspection Response 20201130CDM Smith 5400 Glenwood Ave, Suite 400 Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 tel: 919 325-3500 fax: 919 781-5730 November 30, 2020 Mr. Brian Lamb North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection NPDES General Stormwater Permit NCG120000 Certificate of Coverage NCG120023 Onslow County Solid Waste Facility Dear Mr. Lamb: CDM Smith Inc. (CDM Smith), on behalf of Onslow County (County), is submitting this letter in response to the stormwater compliance inspection that was completed at the Onslow County Solid Waste Facility (Facility) on June 4, 2020, and the Compliance Inspection Report and letter that was provided on June 25, 2020. Stormwater discharge and outfall monitoring at the Facility is performed in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and General Permit Number NCG12000 (Certificate of Coverage Number: NCG120023). The General Permit was issued on November 1, 2018, and expires on May 31, 2021. A summary of the stormwater monitoring program, Tier One and Two response actions, stormwater improvement plan, and a request to consolidate active erosion control permits is provided below. Background The Facility includes two closed unlined landfills (Permit Number 67-05), an active Subtitle D landfill (Permit Number 67-09), land clearing and inert debris (LCID) landfill (Permit Number 67-05), a materials recycling facility, administrative office, and vehicle and equipment maintenance buildings. Analytical and qualitative monitoring is performed for stormwater runoff from the Subtitle D landfill and vehicle maintenance facility (VMF). Stormwater runoff from the Subtitle D landfill is captured in a perimeter drainage ditch and channeled to three sedimentation basins located on the east and west sides of the landfill. Stormwater in the sedimentation basins is discharged through Outfalls 1 through 3 where it flows to an unnamed tributary of Southwest Creek (Outfalls 1 and 2) or is discharged to a former borrow pit (outfall 3). A VMF outfall was added to the stormwater monitoring program in the fall of 2015 following construction of the VMF. Stormwater from the VMF outfall is discharged to a perimeter ditch around the WATER+ENVIRONMENT+TRANSPORTATION+ENERGY+FACILITIES , csmith Mr. Brian Lamb November 30, 2020 Page 2 southern closed landfill where it is ultimately discharged to an unnamed tributary of Southwest Creek. A site map showing the outfall locations is provided on Figure 1. Representative Outfall Status A compliance inspection was conducted by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on January 23, 2013, to evaluate the County's request to remove Outfall 1 from the monitoring program and to ensure compliance with the General Permit. Outfall 1 discharges stormwater runoff from the partially closed portion of the Subtitle D landfill. The partial closure, from bottom to top, consists of a minimum 12-inch thick intermediate soil cover layer (also serving as the cap liner system subgrade), gas venting geocomposite drainage net (CDN), textured 40-mil linear low density polyethylene geomembrane, stormwater management CDN, a minimum 18-inch thick protective soil cover layer, and a minimum 6-inch vegetative soil cover layer. Based on the inspection results, the County was determined to be in compliance with the General Permit and granted representative outfall status for Outfall 1, which eliminated collecting stormwater samples semi-annually. Qualitative monitoring is currently performed at all outfalls in accordance with the permit conditions. Per the June 25, 2020, Compliance Inspection Letter, the following was requested: responsible party for the General Permit to be updated with the information for the new Solid Waste Director, a Representative Outfall Status Request Form for Outfall 1, and communication with the DWQ regarding sediment loss during Hurricane Dorian. The responsible party information has been updated through the online NPDES SW Permit Affiliation Change Request Form to reflect the current Solid Waste Director, Ms. Melissa Moore. The Representative Outfall Status Request Form for Outfall 1 is provided in Appendix A. An email sent by the Solid Waste Director on September 25, 2019, to Ms. Holly Snider with the DWQ regarding sediment loss was provided in an email dated June 23, 2020. Stormwater Monitoring Stormwater samples are collected from Outfalls 2 and 3 and the VMF outfall in accordance with the General Permit following a measurable storm event. The precipitation received from storm events is measured by a rain gauge located near the administration building and recorded. Samples from Outfalls 2 and 3 are analyzed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), fecal coliform, and total suspended solids (TSS). Samples from the VMF Outfall are analyzed for non -polar oil and grease and TSS. Stormwater pH is measured and recorded at all outfalls when samples are collected. Outfalls 2 and 3 are sampled monthly per Tier Two response action requirements due to consecutive exceedances above the benchmark values. Samples from the VMF outfall are collected semi-annually. Tier Two monitoring at Outfall 2 is required due to consecutive exceedances of COD, fecal coliform, and TSS in semi-annual samples collected in May and July 2018. Samples collected from Outfall 3 during the 2014 semi-annual sampling events had detections of fecal coliform and COD above their respective benchmark value. Sampling results for all outfalls since 2018 are summarized in Table 1. c1 csmith Mr. Brian Lamb November 30, 2020 Page 3 Tier Response Actions Tier One and Two responses have been implemented and documented after receiving sampling results above the benchmark values. The DWQ was also notified once the benchmark values were exceeded on four occasions as required under the previous General Permit. COD benchmark value exceedances at Outfalls 2 and 3 are due to leachate that has migrated to the sedimentation basins via seeps discharging to the perimeter drainage ditch or stormwater eroding the slopes of the Subtitle D landfill and contacting waste. TSS benchmark value exceedances at Outfalls 2 and 3 are from excess sediment in the sedimentation basins that is deposited from slope erosion. The TSS benchmark value exceedance at the VMF outfall in samples collected during the January to June 2018 semi-annual sampling event was due to erosion from a high intensity storm but has not been an issue since. Fecal coliform benchmark value exceedances at Outfalls 2 and 3 are likely from wildlife instead of a release from the landfill. Most of the fecal coliform sampling results since 2018 for both outfalls have been reported at 6,000 colonies per milliliter or less as shown in Table 1. The facility is in the migratory pathway and home to multiple bird species. Birds are always present at the Subtitle D landfill and are routinely seen in the sedimentation basins along with turtles. Increased fecal coliform concentrations when COD is detected above the benchmark value coincide with larger bird populations observed by the County. The Facility is inspected following rain events to identify erosion rills and leachate seeps that may result in a benchmark value exceedance. Response actions to benchmark value exceedances have included backfilling washouts and erosion rills that expose waste with compacted clean fill, repairing leachate seeps, reseeding to stabilize slopes, installing a soil berm at the toe of slope to keep leachate from entering the perimeter Subtitle D landfill drainage ditch, removing soils potentially impacted with leachate from the perimeter ditch and sedimentation basins, and pumping stormwater from the sedimentation basins to the leachate containment system to prevent outfall discharge. Note that the soil berm that was installed at the toe of slope was recently removed in preparation of regrading the slopes and installing new stormwater controls. Erosion rills and leachate seeps are repaired as quickly as possible, but oftentimes the area needs to dry to make the repairs safely and properly. Preemptive actions related to waste disposal operations include placing waste materials that can potentially cause leachate seeps away from the slopes (e.g., shingles, plastic sheeting, or mattresses), grading the plateau area of the active portion of the Subtitle D landfill to drain away from the slopes, and installing a Posi- Shell® or soil cover above the active waste disposal area prior to a storm event. Stormwater Improvement Plan The County recently hired a new Operations Manager and plans to install additional stormwater controls to prevent leachate from migrating to the perimeter ditch. The County is also in the process of obtaining c1 csmith Mr. Brian Lamb November 30, 2020 Page 4 preliminary quotes from contractors to determine if the County or a contractor will install the new stormwater controls. The additional stormwater controls include the following: • Soil berms that will be installed at the top of the plateau of the active disposal area to channel stormwater to slope drains; • Slope drains constructed with high -density polyethylene pipe that will tie-in to the soil berms at the top of the plateau of the active disposal area and the perimeter drainage ditch; • Wattles that will be installed on the slopes to slow stormwater flow; and • A new North Carolina Department of Transportation seed mix that was selected based on soil analyses to establish consistent grass growth on the slopes. The County collected multiple soil samples from the slopes of the Subtitle D landfill in August 2020 that were analyzed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to determine if the appropriate seed mix and amendments were being used to promote and sustain grass growth. The seed mix and amendments were adjusted based on the sampling results. A new Posi-Shell® machine that is capable of hydroseeding with mulch and tackifier was purchased and will be used to apply the new seed mix and amendments to the landfill slopes. Until the slopes of the landfill are stabilized with grass, silt socks may be installed around two open -throat catch basins and drop inlets that are located in the perimeter ditch of the Subtitle D landfill to filter stormwater prior to entering the sedimentation basins. The soils used from the County's older borrow pit to cover waste on the slopes or to backfill washouts and erosion rills have primarily consisted of sandy soils and tend to erode during high intensity storm events. The County is close to depleting the available soils from the older borrow pit and will likely be transitioning to the new borrow pit by the end of the year or early 2021. Test pits completed in the new borrow pit have identified cohesive soils (e.g., clay, silty clay, and sandy clay) that will be used for future erosion or seep repairs on the slopes or for stormwater controls (e.g., berms) to reduce erosion from high intensity storms. Erosion Control Permits The County has four active erosion control permits and per this letter are requesting that the permits be consolidated into one active permit. Please provide guidance on what information is required to be submitted to consolidate the permits. A list of the active erosion control permits is provided below. • ONSLO-2018-007 Onslow County LCID Reclamation & Borrow Pit Expansion • ONSLO-2016-010 Onslow County Subtitle D Landfill Phase 4 • Onslow-2003-260 Onslow County Landfill Borrow Pit Expansion • Onslow-2008-302 Onslow County Subtitle D Landfill Phase III & Borrow Area Expansion 0 csmith Mr. Brian Lamb November 30, 2020 Page 5 These active permits are for the older borrow pit expansions, new borrow pit, the Phase 3 and 4 Subtitle D landfill expansion construction projects, and the pending LCID landfill reclamation project. The active permits listed above are requested to be consolidated under the ONSLO-2018-007 Onslow County LCID Reclamation & Borrow Pit Expansion permit. The County will perform the necessary self -inspections and maintain the appropriate records for the borrow pits and Subtitle D landfill. Inspections will also be completed and documented for the LCID reclamation project once land -disturbance activities begin and erosion control measures are installed. If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (919) 325-3566 or by email at forbesd@cdmsmith.com. Sincerely, Daniel H. Forbes, PMP CDM Smith Inc. cc: Melissa Moore, Onslow County Michael Russell, Onslow County Aaron Weispfenning, CDM Smith Martin Sanford, CDM Smith is Figures North Closed Unlined ,�. Category 1 Landfill „ p y�- .t South Closed Unlined.Landfili. I Legend Outfall Location I® Notes: 1. VMF - Vehicle Maintenance Facility Scale In Feet Figure 1: Outfall Location Map CDM mmmmmmm:::= Onslow County Landfill Smith 0 500 1000 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina Tables Table 1 Outfall Sampling Summary Onslow County Solid Waste Facility Outfall Code Monitoring Period BenchmarkValue January -June 2018 Oxygen Sample Date . . Coliform Solids ,r, r rr 30-May-18 339 6,000 414 July 2018 24-Jul-18 280 60,000 349 -- August 2018 No Discharge September 2018 No Discharge October 2018 No Discharge November 2018 13-Nov-18 L 130 1 6,000 160 -- December 2018 No Discharge January 2019 No Discharge February 2019 13-Feb-19 7,100 6,000 120 - March 2019 21-Mar-19 2,700 1 6,000 350 - April 2019 No Discharge May 2019 No Discharge June 2019 No Discharge July 2019 No Discharge OutfaI1 2 August 2019 19-Aug-19 290NEF 6,000 76 September 2019 No Discharge October 2019 No Discharge November 2019 7-Nov-19 190 6,000 71 -- December 2019 9-Dec-19 150 6,000 26 January 2020 6-Jan-20 170 2,900 23 -- February 2020 10-Feb-20 970 >6,000 150 -- March 2020 26-Mar-20 1,300 -(7) 57 -- April 2020 No Discharge May 2020 7-May-20 "0 600 22 -- June 2020 16-Jun-20 1,900 6,000 100 July 2020 16-Jul-20 810 3,000 32 -- August 2020 5-Aug-20 410 60,000 91 September 2020 10-Sep-20 250 267 5.8 -- October 2020 26-Oct-20 630 21,000 39 January 2018 12-Jan-18 434 >120,000 307 -- February 2018 No Discharge March 2018 7-Mar-18 393 1 6,000 1 61.8 -- April 2018 No Discharge May 2018 30-May-18 265 6,000 1 330 -- June 2018 No Discharge July 2018 24-Jul-18 146 60,000 1 184 - August 2018 No Discharge September 2018 No Discharge October 2018 No Discharge November 2018 13-Nov-18 PE 170 J& 1 6,000 M 1 270 - December 2018 No Discharge January 2019 No Discharge February 2019 13-Feb-19 0 36.0 1 18 - March 2019 21-Mar-19 330 56.0 1 120 - April 2019 No Discharge May 2019 No Discharge OutfaI1 3 June 2019 No Discharge July 2019 No Discharge August 2019 No Discharge September 2019 No Discharge October 2019 No Discharge November 2019 18-Nov-19 220 6,000 120 - December 2019 9-Dec-19 180 6,000 36 January 2020 6-Jan-20 190 1,800 47 -- February 2020 10-Feb-20 220 >6,000 190 -- March 2020 26-Mar-20 310 -(7) 160 -- April 2020 No Discharge May 2020 7-May-20 140 267 19 -- June 2020 16-Jun-20 870 6,000 88 July 2020 16-Jul-20 450 4,000 56 -- August 2020 5-Aug-20 470 60,000 74 -- September 2020 21-Sep-20 600 60,000 94 -- October 2020 26-Oct-20 300 22,000 40 -- Smith Page 1 of 2 Table 1 Outfall Sampling Summary Onslow County Solid Waste Facility Notes: 1. mg/I - Milligrams per liter 2. ml - Milliliters 3. Outfalls 2 and 3 are sampled monthly for chemical oxygen demand, fecal coliform, and total suspended solids. 4. The Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) Outfall is sampled semi-annually for oil and grease and total suspended solids. S. (--) - Not analyzed 6. ND - Non -Detect 7. i)i - Samples were not analyzd for fecal coliform because the laboratory was not accepting fecal coliform at the time the samples were received. 0- Concentration exceeds the Benchmark Value Smith Page 2 of 2 Appendix A Division of Energy, Mineral & Land Resources Stormwater Program M National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Environmental REPRESENTATIVE OUTFALL STATUS (ROS) nunlifii FOR AGENCY USE ONLY Date Received Year Month Day `.------- I IKEVU :a1 rvxlvl If a facility is required to sample multiple discharge locations with very similar stormwater discharges, the permittee may petition the Director for Representative Outfall Status (ROS). DEQ may grant Representative Outfall Status if stormwater discharges from a single outfall are representative of discharges from multiple outfalls. Approved ROS will reduce the number of outfalls where analytical sampling requirements apply. If Representative Outfall Status is granted, ALL outfalls are still subject to the qualitative monitoring requirements of the facility's permit —unless otherwise allowed by the permit (such as NCG020000) and DEQ approval. The approval letter from DEQ must be kept on site with the facility's Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan. The facility must notify DEQ in writing if any changes affect representative status. For questions, please contact the DEQ Regional Office for your area (see page 3). (Please print or type) 1) Enter the permit number to which this ROS request applies: Individual Permit (or) Certificate of Coverage N I C S I I I � ] I N I c G 11 2 0 0 2 2) Facility Information: Owner/Facility Name OnslowCounty/Solid Waste Facility Facility Contact Street Address City County Telephone No. Melissa Moore 415 Meadowview Road Jacksonville Onslow 910 989-2107 State "C E-mail Address Fax: ZIP Code 28540 Melissa_Moore@onslowcountync.gov 3) List the representative outfall(s) information (attach additional sheets if necessary): Outfall(s) 1 is representative of Outfall(s) 2 and 3 Outfalls' drainage areas have the same or similar activities? Outfalls' drainage areas contain the same or similar materials? Outfalls have similar monitoring results? Outfall(s) is representative of Outfall(s) Outfalls' drainage areas have the same or similar activities? Outfalls' drainage areas contain the same or similar materials? Outfalls have similar monitoring results? Outfall(s) is representative of Outfall(s) Outfalls' drainage areas have the same or similar activities? Outfalls' drainage areas contain the same or similar materials? Outfalls have similar monitoring results? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ No data* ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ No data* ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ No data* *Non-compliance with analytical monitoring prior to this request may prevent ROS approval. Specific circumstances will be considered by the Regional Office responsible for review. Page 1 of 3 SWU-ROS-2009 Last revised 12/30/2009 Representative Outfall Status Request 4) Detailed explanation about why the outfalls above should be granted Representative Status: (Or, attach a letter or narrative to discuss this information.) For example, describe how activities and/or materials are similar. A compliance inspection was conducted by the Division of Water Quality on January 23, 2013, to evaluate the County'a request to remove Outfall 1 from the monitoring program and to ensure compliance with the General Permit. Outfall 1 discharges stormwater runoff from the partially closed podian of the Subtitle D landfill. The partial closure, from bottom to top, consists of a minimum 12-inch thick intermediate ,it cover layer (,I,, serving as the cap liner system subgrade), gas venting geocomposite drainage net (CDN), textured 40-mil linear low density polyethylene geomembrane, stormwater management CDN, a minimum 18-inch thick protacto. soil cover layer, and a mirlmum 6-Inch vegetative sail cover layer. Based on the inspection results, the County was determined to be in compliance with the General Permit and granted representative ..Hall status for Outfall 1, which eliminated collecting stormwater samples semi-annually. 5) Certification: North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6 B(i) provides that: Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this Article or a rule implementing this Article; or who knowingly makes a false statement of a material fact in a rulemaking proceeding or contested case under this Article; or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method required to be operated or maintained under this Article or rules of the [Environmental Management] Commission implementing this Article shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor which may include a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). I hereby request Representative Outfall Status for my NPDES Permit. I understand that ALL outfalls are still subject to the qualitative monitoring requirements of the permit, unless otherwise allowed by the permit and regional office approval. I must notify DEQ in writing if any changes to the facility or its operations take place after ROS is granted that may affect this status. If ROS no longer applies, I understand I must resume monitoring of all outfalls as specified in my NPDES permit. I certify that I am familiar with the information contained in this application and that to the best of my knowledge and belief such information is true, complete, and accurate. Printed Name of Person Signing: Melissa Moore Title: Solid Waste Director (Signature of Applicant) (Date Signed) Please note: This application for Representative Outfall Status is subject to approval by the NCDEQ Regional Office. The Regional Office may inspect your facility for compliance with the conditions of the permit prior to that approval. Final Checklist for ROS Request This application should include the following items: ❑ This completed form. ❑ Letter or narrative elaborating on the reasons why specified outfalls should be granted representative status, unless all information can be included in Question 4. ❑ Two (2) copies of a site map of the facility with the location of all outfalls clearly marked, including the drainage areas, industrial activities, and raw materials/finished products within each drainage area. ❑ Summary of results from monitoring conducted at the outfalls listed in Question 3. ❑ Any other supporting documentation. Page 2 of 3 SWU-ROS-2009 Last revised 12/30/2009 Representative Outfall Status Request 4) Detailed explanation about why the outfalls above should be granted Representative Status: (Or, attach a letter or narrative to discuss this information,) For example, describe how activities and/or materials are similar, wmgianmmapaatunvrasmmugen by Insa'nixn of water ouality0l Januaryia,xotI to Is wmglarcex:u Ina moral boost pamarycgsea PMMdNa Subeea y wnoWThe patialmwre, filhabolooW OystaxeSe of a astronomy 12tnch worry as me on, rnorsysem SUISI gas Wnroyr 00brat amounts or (CON), te.tured 4%irol aaarkswdowrypdyenylagardstbarbare, WMASsal Cost, a assessment lyinSs ease saturant sal save boss; aM a obsesses 64sys Wesson a rew m© layer. Balaban Prowlts, be crony was aeleouned lobs InmmPllarlmxtln mecaneral Paornn anb SWISSssngsaao 5) Certification: North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6 B(i) provides that: Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this Article or a rule implementing this Article; or who knowingly makes a false statement of a material fact in a rulemaking proceeding or contested case under this Article; or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method required to be operated or maintained under this Article or rules of the [Environmental Management] Commission implementing this Article shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor which may include a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). I hereby request Representative Outfall Status for my NPDES Permit. I understand that ALL outfalls are still subject to the qualitative monitoring requirements of the permit, unless otherwise allowed by the permit and regional office approval. I must notify DEQ in writing if any changes to the facility or its operations take place after ROS is granted that may affect this status, If ROS no longer applies, I understand I must resume monitoring of all outfalls as specified in my NPDES permit, I certify that I am familiar with the information contained in this application and that to the best of my knowledge and belief such information is true, complete, and accurate, Printed Name of Person Signing: Matisse Moore Title• solo roasts oo-e�tor ar (Signaltu—re of Applicant) (Date Signed) Please note: This application for Representative Outfall Status is subject to approval by the NCDEQ Regional Office. The Regional Office may inspect your facility for compliance with the conditions of the permit prior to that approval Final Checklist for ROS Request This application should include the following items: pd This completed form. yQ Letter or narrative elaborating on the reasons why specified outfalls should be granted representative status, unless all information can be included in Question 4. X Two (2) copies of a site map of the facility with the location of all outfalls clearly marked, including the drainage areas, industrial activities, and raw materials/finished products within each drainage area. X Summary of results from monitoring conducted at the outfalls listed in Question 3, X Any other supporting documentation. Page 2 of 3 SWU-ROS-2009 Last revised 12/30l2009 Representative Outfall Status Request Mail the entire package to: NCDEQ DEMLR at the appropriate Regional Office (See map and addresses below) Notes The submission of this document does not guarantee Representative Outfall Status (ROS) will be granted as requested. Analytical monitoring as per your current permit must be continued, at all outfalls, until written approval of this request is granted by DEQ. Non-compliance with analytical monitoring prior to this request may prevent ROS approval. Specific circumstances will be considered by the Regional Office responsible for review. For questions, please contact the DEQ Regional Office for your area. Asheville Regional Office 2090 U.S. Highway 70 Swannanoa, NC 28778 Washington Regional Office 943 Washington Square Mall Phone (828) 296-4500 Washington, NC 27889 FAX (828) 299-7043 Phone (252) 946-6481 Fayetteville Regional Office FAX (252) 975-3716 Systel Building, 225 Green St., Suite 714 Wilmington Regional Office Fayetteville, NC 28301-5094 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington, NC 28405 Phone (910) 433-3300 FAX 910/ 486-0707 Phone (910) 796-7215 FAX (910) 350-2004 Mooresville Regional Office 610 East Center Ave. Winston-Salem Regional Office Mooresville, NC 28115 585 Waughtown Street Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Phone (704) 663-1699 Phone (336) 771-5000 FAX (704) 663-6040 Water Quality Main FAX (336) 771-4630 Raleigh Regional Office Central Office 1628 Mail Service Center 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1628 Raleigh, NC 27699-1612 Phone (919) 791-4200 Phone (919) 807-6300 FAX (919) 571-4718 FAX (919) 807-6494 Page 3 of 3 SWU-ROS-2009 Last revised 12/30/2009