9504_INSP_20190627

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Watauga
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 9504-COMPOST-2011
CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: June 27, 2019 Date of Last Inspection: June 13, 2018

FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Appalachian State University
Physical Plant – Dale Street
Boone, North Carolina 28608

GPS COORDINATES: Lat.: 36.20597 Long.: -81.65582

FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: David Isaacs, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
Telephone: [phone] x108
Email address: [e-mail]

FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 32105
Boone, North Carolina 32105

PARTICIPANTS:
David Isaacs, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - ASU
Max Alff, Compost Facility Coordinator – ASU
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section

STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate a Small Type III Compost Facility was issued to Appalachian State University on October 13,
2011. This permit expired on October 9, 2016. However, a permit renewal application has been submitted to the Solid
Waste Section and is currently under review.

PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection

STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A

OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
None

The item(s) listed above were observed by Section staff and require action on behalf of the facility in order to come into or maintain compliance
with the Statutes, Rules, and/or other regulatory requirements applicable to this facility. Be advised that pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-22, an
administrative penalty of up to $15,000 per day may be assessed for each violation of the Solid Waste Laws, Regulations, Conditions of a Permit,
or Order under Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the N.C. General Statutes. Further, the facility and/or all responsible parties may also be subject to
enforcement actions including penalties, injunction from operation of a solid waste management facility or a solid waste collection service and any
such further relief as may be necessary to achieve compliance with the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Act and Rules.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 2 of 3

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

1. The facility consists of a Small Type III Compost Facility approved for the composting of pre-consumer and post-
consumer food waste with sawdust and wood chips as bulking agents as detailed in the approved permit
application.
2. The facility utilizes a forced aeration system. Compost is placed in four covered bins with gates. Leachate drains
are provided within trenches located at the front and rear of each bin.
3. During the inspection, bins were in use as follows:
x Bin 1: Contained grass used as feed stock.
x Bin 2: Contained finished compost that has met required temperatures.
x Bin 3: In process compost
x Bin 4: Used to store wood chips and sawdust.
4. As noted on the previous inspection report, the facility now utilizes an industrial compost mixer which is located
on the covered concrete pad adjacent to the compost bins. The mixer is used for mixing feedstocks and breaking
down hard food wastes such as lettuce cores. A conveyor carries product from the mixing unit and deposits it onto
the concrete pad located on the opposite side of a concrete dividing wall where it is then scooped up by a tractor
and placed in one of the compost bins.
x As noted on the previous inspection report, as the new compost process utilizing the compost mixer
varies from what was originally approved and provided on the permit renewal application, it is
requested that the permit application be updated to accurately reflect how the compost operation
has been modified. The additional information should also address how potential leachate will be
controlled from the mixing process located on the covered, concrete pad adjacent to the compost
bins. For questions regarding the permit application, please contact Donna Wilson, Engineering
Project Manager. Ms. Wilson can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].
5. The facility utilizes a leachate collection system consisting of drains located at the front and rear of each compost
bin which deposit into a 1000-gallon below ground collection tank.
x The lid to the leachate tank was closed and locked upon inspection.
x Mr. Isaacs unlocked the lid in order to allow an inspection of the interior of the collection tank. The tank
appeared to be in order and maintained.
6. No objectionable odors were observed.
7. No dust was observed.
8. No flies or vectors were observed.
9. No evidence of scavenging was observed. A noise deterrent system is provided to prevent scavenging by birds.
10. Temperature logs were verified from the period covering operations since the last inspection. Temperature data
was being collected as required and it appeared that proper temperature temperatures were being obtained.
11. Pathogen testing for fecal coliform was last submitted to the Solid Waste Section via email on July 17, 2018 and
was reported below 1,000 MPN/g.
12. The curing area off Bodenheimer Drive waste observed.
x The curing area consists of a concrete pad separated into 4 individual bays. Two bays are used for curing
purposes, one is used for storage of mulch, and one is used for screening operations.
x A small amount of standing water was observed in front of the storage bin designated for storage of mulch.
Please ensure that any areas of prolonged standing water are graded to prevent creation of odors.
x No objectionable odors were observed.
x Continued storage of soil and concrete was observed on site directly across from the curing bins along the
edge of the woodline. Also observed was a piece of plywood, 2 plastic drinking bottles, 2 aluminum cans,
and a small amount of land clearing debris. Temporary storage of broken concrete and soil is not a
concern. However, dumping of all other waste types listed above should be avoided and could lead to
violations of the Solid Waste General Statutes and Administrative Rules. Please ensure that
plywood, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans are removed and properly disposed. Mr. Isaacs stated
that the material was generated from various construction projects around campus and stated that the
unacceptable material would be removed.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 3 of 3

x During the previous inspection of the compost area, it was explained that plans were to move the curing
area from its current location to a new location on the opposite side of Dale Street. Mr. Isaacs and Mr.
Alff explained during this inspection that plans to move the curing area had been delayed, but the goal
would still be to eventually move the curing operation. It is requested that the permit application be
updated to show the proposed new location of the curing operation as the new location must meet all
required setbacks. As previously noted, for questions regarding the permit application, please
contact Donna Wilson, Engineering Project Manager. Ms. Wilson can be reached at [phone]
or [e-mail].

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.

________________________________________ Phone: [phone]
Charles T. Gerstell
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative

Sent on: 7/2/19 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Donna Wilson, Engineering Project Manager – Solid Waste Section
Digitally signed by Charles T. Gerstell
DN: cn=Charles T. Gerstell, o=Divsion of
Waste Management, ou=Solid Waste Section,
email=[e-mail], c=US
Date: 2019.07.02 16:01:26 -04'00'