2202T_ROSCANS_1996

RESPONSIBLE AGENCY:
CONTACT PERSON:
JOELL. STORROW, P.E.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION
CLAY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Division of Solid Waste Management
Mr. Paul Crissman
Division of Solid Waste Management
North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Post Office Box 27687
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605
McGILL ASSOCIATES, P.A.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
96173
Revised
May, 1996
I. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
The proposed Solid Waste Transfer Station is located on property owned by Clay County.
This property is also the location of the closed Clay County Sanitary Landfill. It is located
approximately two (2) miles southeast of the town limits of Hayesville on Hinton Road (SR
1148). A USGS map showing the location of the transfer station is included. A preliminary
site plan is also included. Clay County's existing recycling center is also located on this
property. The proposed transfer station will be located on the eastern side of the old
construction/demolition landfill and to the northeast of the older section of the closed landfill.
The transfer station will not disturb the boundaries of either landfill. The topography of this
site is gradual sloping with intermediate flat areas and the vegetation is grasses with some
trees. The trees located on the site are all second growth trees which are smaller than four
(4) inches in diameter. Clearing of trees during construction on the site would not involve
more than ten(10) trees being removed. The trees that are removed will be chipped. and
recycled as mulch.
II. NEED FOR THE PROJECT
Clay County currently has an agreement for Cherokee County to accept and dispose of its
solid waste. This agreement expires on June 30, 1996. Once this agreement expires, the
County plans to contract with a private hauler and landfill operator to transport' and dispose
the solid waste in a subtitle D landfill in Georgia. The County will make a decision between
two prospective private contractors on May 6th. The solid waste will be taken to the Sanifill
Landfill in Cherokee County, Georgia or the Chambers Landfill in Banks County, Georgia. The
proposed transfer station will offer a convenient location for Clay County and it's citizens to
facilitate the disposal of the solid waste under this arrangement.
Ill. ALTERNATIVEANALVSIS
1. ALTERNATIVE LOCATION
The fact that Clay County currently owns this property and that the existing recycling
center is located at the site makes this the most ideal location for the proposed solid
waste transfer station.
Page 1
2. DISPOSAL OPTIONS
The alternative means of solid waste disposal would be for Clay County to construct a
new solid waste landfill. Due to environmental impact, the availability of appropriate
sites, time frame, costs, and regulations involved with _constructing a new solid waste
landfill; hauling the solid waste to an existing facility is by far the most feasible, cost-
effective means for Clay County to dispose of its solid waste.
3. NO-ACTION
No action is not an alternative, solely from a public health standpoint.
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
A. CHANGES IN LAND USE
The project will not cause any changes in land use in Clay County.
B. WETLANDS
The proposed solid waste transfer station will not impact any wetlands.
C. PRIME OR UNIQUE AGRICULTURAL LANDS
The project is located completely on County-owned property and will not impact any
prime or unique agricultural lands.
D. PUBLIC LANDS
The project will not impact any previously developed public lands and is consistent
with long term usage planned for This County-owned property.
E. SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL AREAS
No scenic and recreational areas will be impacted by the project.
F. ARCHEOLOGICAL OR HISTORICAL AREAS
A review of the National Register of Historic Places concluded that no listed
properties are located with the project site.
Page 2
I
G. AIR QUALITY
Air quality standards for the State of North Carolina were established in 1972 under
the direction of the Office of Air Quality with the State Division of Environmental
Management. There are not special standards for Clay County, therefore the state
standards apply. There are no topographical or meteorological conditions present at or
around the project site that hinder or affects the disposal of air emissions.
H. GROUNDWATER QUALITY
There are no changes in waste disposal practices expected as a result of this project.
No impacts to groundwater in the area will result.
I. NOISE LEVELS
No increase over current levels based on existing usage. A minimal amount of noise
will be created by equipment during the construction process.
J. WATER SUPPLIES
No water supplies will be affected by the project.
K. FISH HABITAT
The project will have no impact on fish habitat.
L. WILDLIFE HABITAT
There will be no impact to wildlife habitat due to the project and there are no
endangered or threatened species in the project area or its immediate vicinity.
M. TOXIC SUBSTANCES
No toxic, hazardous, or radio active substances are anticipated to be utilized or
produced by the project facilities.
N. EUTROPHICATION
No new or increased discharges are expected as a result of this project. No
eutrophication of receiving water will occur.
Page 3
I Mil(
--::.:3 =--=-'--;(~;-~~
··--·i
r:·n~r..·:·i::: r-:
"ON. VIRGINIA 22092
HAYESVI · LLE N.C.
) ,-
j
J
(
)
')
NOlNIH
I s~1LES I
/
\
\
\
\
" " \ \ I
'-\/
' " , I '-"I '-
'-" ) '-'-
" J
' \
\
\
" -J
" " \ "
\ \ "
\ " \ \ I " \,
\ " " \/ " \
\J
FAX COVER SHEET
DIVISION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
SOLID WASTE SECTION
DATE:March 25, 1996
TO: Mr. Paul Jordan, Chairman, Clay County Commissioners
FAX NO: 704-389-9749
FROM: Ed Mussle(l
PAGES (INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET) 1
Dear Mr. Jordan,
I have looked into your questions concerning permitting a transfer station. Section . 0400 of the
rules is the appropriate reference. Transfer Station Permits are reviewed by the Regional
Engineers, and currently Mr. Jim Barber would review the application (910-486-1191). It does
not appear to be a very complicated or deatiled process, although the level of detail on the
various transfer stations varied depending upon the size and complexity of the facility. An
Environmental Assessment is required, pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 113 of the North
Carolina General Statutes. However, this appears to be a very minor slep, and most of the
submittals are only four or five pages. Mr Paul Crissman receives the EA' s. (Raleigh, 919-
733-0692 ext 254). I have not yet received an answer on handling of any water from the
facility. The best case would be an on-site septic system, the worst case would be that the
water would have to be collected, stored and pumped and then hauled to a sewage treatment
plant for final disposal. I will contact you as soon as I get a firm answer.
I hope this helps, please contact us if there are any additional questions.
Sincerely _ _ . oseb
Ed Mussler .:::r.· M ~ ~zbe..r t S. Supp
c~~, JulianFoscue -0 ,.__,...::-,.(\ Y00 -
Jim Barber Jim Coffee
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED AIL OF THE PAGES INDICATED, OR IF THE
TRANSMISSION IS INCOMPLETE,PLEASE CAIL [phone].
FAX RESPONSE NUMBER-[phone]
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Leesha Fuller, Regional Manager
AW __ ~~
DEHNR
August 7, 1996
Terry Dailey, County Manager
Clay County
P.O. Box 118
Hayesville, NC 28904
Subject: Transfer Facility
Permit 22-02-T
Clay County, Hayesville, NC
Dear Mr. Dailey:
Enclosed is a solid waste permit and the accompanying conditions for the above referenced site.
Please· review the conditions of permit carefully and contact us if they are unclear to you.
Please note Condition of Construction No. 3, which establish the pre-operative requirements of the
site. You may contact the waste management specialist for this facility to perform the pre-operative
inspection, or to answer questions about the operational aspects of the facility . The specialist's name
is Jim Patterson, and he may be reached in our Asheville Regional Office at [phone].
If you have questions about this permit, please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely, ~'-.... ~cia.::n:
Matthew E. Gantt, P.E.
Western Area Engineer
Solid Waste Section
cc: Jim Coffey
Julian Foscue
Jim Patterson
Joel Starrow, P.E.
585 Waughtown Street. Winston-Salem. North Carolina 27107-2241 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
SOLID WASTE PERMIT
Clay County
Solid Waste Transfer Facility
CONDITIONS OF PERMIT# 22-02-T
ISSUED 7 AUGUST 1996
GENERAL
1. This facility is permitted to receive solid waste as defined in ISA NCAC 138 .0101(36),
except that hazardous and liquid wastes are prohibited from acceptance at this facility.
2. This permit shall be reviewed every five (5) years. Modifications shall be in accordance with
the Rules in effect at the time of review.
CONSTRUCTION
I. This permit is for construction of the transfer facility in accordance with the approved plans.
Major revisions or additions to these plans shall be approved by the NC Solid Waste Section
(the Section).
2. All sedimentation and erosion control activities shall be conducted in accordance with the
Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act, 1 SA NCAC 4 and all applicable permits secured
prior to construction.
3. The following requirements shall be met before operations may begin:
a) Site inspection shall be made by a representative of the Section.
b) Information shall be submitted to the Section which documents that construction has
occurred in accordance with the approved plan.
c) The permit number and the words, "No hazardous or liquid wastes accepted" shall be
posted on a sign at the entrance.
OPERATIONAL
1. Operation of the facility shall occur in accordance with I SA NCAC 138 .0402, "Operational
Requirements for Transfer Facilities", and these additional requirements:
Page Two
Conditions of Permit# 22-02-T
August 7, 1996
a) This facility may receive solid waste that is generated within the boundaries of Clay
County.
b) This facility shall be operated in a manner which is consistent with the State solid
waste management plan and with the solid waste management plans that have been
adopted by those units oflocal government served by the facility and approved by the
Division.
c) This facility shall be operated in accordance with the approved operational plan.
d) On or before l August 1993 and each year thereafter, the owner or operator shall
report to the NC Solid Waste Section, for the previous year beginning I July and
ending 30 June, the amount by weight of the solid waste that was received at the
facility and disposed of in a landfill, incinerated, or converted to fuel. To the
maximum extent practicable, such reports shall indicate by weight the county of origin
of all solid waste. The owner or operator shall transmit a copy of the report to the
county in which the facility is located and to each county from which waste
originated.
Page Three
Conditions of Permit #22-02-T
August 7, 1996
APPENDIX 1
APPROVED SERVICE AREA
CLAY COUNTY
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER ST A TION
The following counties are included in the service area for the referenced facility:
1. Clay.
North Carolina
Department of Administration
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
August 6, 1996
Mr. Paul Crissman
N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and
Natural Resources
Division of Solid Waste Management
401 Oberlin Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
Dear Mr. Crissman:
Katie G. Dorsett, Secretary
Re: SCH File #96-E-4300-0815; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Proposed Solid Waste Transfer Station to be Located
at the Clay County Landfill Site
The above referenced environmental impact information has been reviewed through the State
Clearinghouse under the provisions of the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act. No
comments were made by any state/local agencies in the course of this review. Therefore, no
further environmental review action on your part is required for the compliance with the Act.
Best regards.
CB/jf
cc: Region A
Sincerely,
C/UtjJ p7--;7T
Ms. Chrys Baggett, Director
State Clearinghouse
116 West Jones Street• Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-8003 • Telephone [phone]
State Courier 51-01-00
An Equal Opportunity I Affirmative Action Employer
OPERATION PLAN
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION
CLAY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
JOELL. STORROW, P.E.
Engineering • Planning • Finance
Post Offtc_e Box 2259
Asheville, North Carolina 28802
96173
Revised
June,1996
I. INTRODUCTION
OPERATION PLAN
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION
CLAY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
AUGUST, 1996
A. Purpose of Plan
This operation plan has been developed for the proposed Solid Waste
Transfer Station located in Clay County, North Carolina. This plan has
been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR),
Division of Solid Waste Management, Solid Waste Rules (15A NCAC
13B).
The purpose of this plan is to provide the owner and operator with a
reference manual that includes necessary information and procedures for
properly operating the transfer station and complying with the applicable
rules concerning the operation of transfer stations. All personnel involved
with the management or supervision of the facility operations will be
required to review the Operation Plan and to maintain the facility in
conformance with applicable requirements. A copy of the Operation Plan
will be kept in the vicinity of the transfer station at all times.
B. Facility Location
The transfer station is located approximately two (2) miles southeast of the
town limits of Hayesville on Hinton Road (SR 1148). This land is part of
the closed Clay County Landfill.
C. Service Area
The transfer station will service the residents and businesses located in
Clay County.
II. OPERA TIO NS
A. Overview
The transfer station will consist of a pre-engineered metal building with a
single loading bay. Incoming waste collection vehicles will deposit
municipal solid waste (MSW) directly into an open-top trailer. These
trailers will be provided by Sanifill, a private hauler, who will haul the
1
MSW to a Subtitle D Landfill in Cherokee County, Georgia. In
accordance with DEHNR Solid Waste Management Regulations, no
putrescible wastes are allowed to remain at the transfer station at the end
of the working day unless it is stored in containers designed for waste
storage. Refuse too large or otherwise not suitable for storage in
containers shall be stored in a nuisance free manner consistent with
requirements of Clay County.
Normal working hours for the transfer station are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and from 8:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Note that should unexpectedly heavy volumes
occur, facility personnel will continue to load trailers after the regularly
scheduled hours. The facility is closed on Sunday and the following
holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. 's Birthday,
President's Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday,
and two (2) or three (3) days for Christmas, depending on what day of the
week Christmas falls upon.
B. Personnel
The facility is owned and operated by Clay County; A minimum of two
(2) staff employees are required for the daily operation of the transfer
station. These employees are properly trained in safety procedures and
the inspection of incoming wastes (refer to section C, "Inspection of
Wastes"). Training material published by the Solid Waste Association of
North America (SWANA),is utilized for initial training of on-site
personnel and for continuing education. The transfer station employees
also direct and coordinate the movement of collection vehicles into and
out of the transfer station.
C. Inspection of Wastes
Access to the transfer station is controlled by properly trained employees,
located at the entrance of the facility. As the contents of the collection
vehicles are emptied into the open-top trailer, an employee will conduct
periodic visual inspections of the waste materials. If unacceptable waste
is found, the driver of the appropriate vehicle will be instructed to
terminate dumping and the unacceptable waste will be reloaded onto the
vehicle for removal from the site. Examples of unacceptable wastes
include large containers of liquid waste, sludges, drums that have not been
emptied and crushed prior to delivery, and containers either smoking or
emitting noxious vapors. Waste collection agreements on file for each of
the waste delivery accounts allows the transfer station operator to maintain
accountability for the different haulers using the facility. If any hauler
2
using the transfer station develops a pattern of deceptive waste
identification in order to circumvent proper regulation, the Asheville
regional office of DEHNR will be notified within 24 hours of attempted
disposal and informed as to the type of material and the hauler so that
follow-up investigations can be conducted, if necessary.
If hazardous waste is identified during vehicle dumping, transfer station
personnel will immediately notify the driver and if necessary, contact
DEHNR and the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team. The
appropriate information concerning the waste will be provided to those
officials and the recommended steps will be taken until properly trained
handlers of hazardous waste arrive on-site.
Infectious or medical waste haulers are advised that the transfer station
does not accept such wastes and that the hauler will have to transport the
infectious wastes to an approved facility for disposal.
Should a "hot load" occur in a vehicle using the facility, the attendant will
not permit the load to be discharged onto the tipping floor. The vehicle
operator will be advised to move the vehicle to a gravel area located
behind the transfer station where the load will be discharged. The local
fire department will be notified prior to discharge to identify the cause of
the problem and extinguish the load fire. Once the load has been
distinguished and the cause determined, the load will be placed into the
trailer for disposal. No asbestos will be accepted at the facility and no
large loads of animal wastes will be accepted at the facility.
The above limitations on the types of wastes that will be accepted do not
circumvent the incidental wastes that may be found in the residential waste
stream that is expected at the facility.
D. Traffic Control
Access to the transfer station is controlled by site personnel. As vehicles
arrive at the transfer station, site personnel will direct the driver to
position the vehicle at the correct unloading location once there is
sufficient room to maneuver on the concrete floor. When the contents of
the vehicle are emptied, the driver is instructed to µiove the vehicle away
from the tipping floor and exit the transfer station. Directional signs
located at the facility will aid traffic control. At no time will waiting
trucks be allowed to sit idle on Hinton Road.
During times when more than one vehicle is at the transfer station, haulers
are instructed to wait at the scalehouse area, which is above the transfer
station. If several vehicles were to arrive at the facility at one time,
3
trucks would have to temporarily park in the trailer staging area behind
the transfer station. The tipping area will allow for two trucks to dump
simultaneously.
E. Housekeeping, Litter, and vector Control
Incoming wastes will be transported to the transfer station in covered or
enclosed vehicles. Outgoing transfer trailers are also covered or enclosed.
Throughout the day and at the end of each working day, facility personnel
police the building and surrounding site for litter. Collected litter is
placed in containers for proper disposal. A yard hydrant will be used to
wash down the concrete tipping floor and adjacent equipment areas. The
equipment used for pushing trash on the tipping floor will also have a
bucket equipped with a squeegee. The wash water flows into a drain
located in the center of the floor where the open-top trailers are parked.
The drain will be covered by a metal grate, to block large debris which
might get into the drain. The metal grate is raked periodically and the
collected trash is placed into containers for proper disposal. The drain is
connected to a 1,500 gallon septic tank for temporary storage. Water
levels in the tank are monitored by site personnel, and pumped as needed.
A pump and haul permit will be secured by Clay County from the North
Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), for ultimate
disposal at the local Wastewater Treatment Plant, owned and operated by
the Clay County Water and Sewer District.
Odors are controlled by prompt unloading and transfer of all delivered
wastes at the transfer station. Since access to the tipping floor is
completely open, adequate fresh air exchange is ensured. Due to a
relatively small wastestream, Clay County will only produce enough
waste to fill a transfer trailer approximately every two (2) days. Waste
could remain on site for a period as long as 72 hours, due to weekends or
holidays. In such cases waste will be stored in covered transfer trailers in
accordance with DEHNR Solid Waste Management Regulations.
The daily removal of solid waste in conjunction with daily housekeeping
procedures effectively controls the development of vector related
problems. The tipping floor and trailer parking areas are constructed of
concrete, which is a relatively impervious, readily cleanly material. Floor
and equipment wash-downs at the transfer station will also reduce both
odor and vector problems. As described previously, wash water will be
diverted into a 1,500 gallon holding tank behind the building. Licensed
exterminators will also be available to visit the transfer station as needed.
F. Dust and Fire Control
4
Since collection and transfer vehicles travel at low speeds on paved roads,
dust generation is not a problem. Furthermore, periodic washdown of the
tipping floor and equipment will also prevent excessive build-up of dirt
and dust at the facility.
Fire control is provided by portable hand-held fire extinguishers. Fire
protection will be provided by the local fire department, which is aware of
the fire control needs for the facility. In the event that a fire occurs, the
local authorities will be notified immediately. The telephone numbers of
local fire, police, ambulance and hospital facilities are posted in and
around the facility at all times. Should a fire occur at the facility the
DEHNR will be notified within 24 hours and written notification will be
submitted within 15 days.
G. Wastewater Collection
Wastewater generation is minimized by the metal roof building which
covers the tipping floor and loading bay. Wastewater flow at the transfer
station will consist of wash-down water and minor volumes of septage for
the incoming MSW. These sources of wastewater are directed into a
drain pipe located in the center of the loading bay. This drain empties
into the 1,500 gallon holding tank behind the transfer station. The
wastewater that accumulates in the holding tank will be pumped and
disposed of as needed. The holding tank will be pumped by Henson's
Septic Tank Pumping Service and disposed of at the Clay County
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Refer to Appendix for pump and haul
agreement, and a letter from the county agreeing to accept the wastewater
from the transfer station.
H. Stormwater Management and Erosion Control
Areas adjacent to the transfer station are graded away from the facility. A
trench drain will also be placed at the entrance to the recessed, loading
bay area in order to keep stormwater from reaching the leachate storage
tank. The loading bay floor will be sloped toward the interior drain,
which will assure that leachate or wash water cannot reach the trench
drain. Gutters and downspouts will also be positioned on the building to
divert discharge of stormwater down-gradient of the transfer station.
Due to the construction site being smaller than one acre in size, an erosion
control permit was not required. However, standard erosion control
practices, such as silt fencing, vegetating slopes, and deversion ditches
will be utilized at the site. Due to these measures, mixing of stormwater
and wastewater at the facility will be minimized.
5
I. Zoning
The transfer station site is not currently zoned. Refer to Appendix for a
letter from the county where this is indicated.
J. Facility Inspections
Regular maintenance inspections of the facility will be conducted. The
inspections will be conducted by site personnel who are familiar with the
buildings and equipment at the site, as well as operations of the facility.
Monthly inspections, at a minimum, will include inspections of the
following:
1. Transfer trailers
2. Building and foundations
3. Retaining wall and push walls
4. Fire extinguishers
5. Electrical systems
6. Floor drains and yard hydrant
7. Leachate holding tank
If unsatisfactory conditions are noted during the inspection, or by transfer
station personnel at any other time, the concerns will be reported to the
Clay County Manager. If a threat to safety or to the environment is
identified, immediate action will be taken to correct the situation. If
necessary, operations at the transfer station will be suspended temporarily
until the proper corrective actions have been taken. In the unlikely event
of a severe accident, the proper authorities will ·be notified and off-site
support requested.
6
APPENDIX
June 20, 1996
Clay County Transfer Station
PO Box 118
Hayesville, NC 28904
To whom it may concern:
Henson's Septic Tank Pumping Setvice agrees to provide setvice to the Clay County
transfer station as needed for a peroid of one year from the date of this letter. This setvice
being pumping and hauling any liquids accumulated in the septic system at the transfer
station and then disposing ofit into the Clay County Waste Water treatment plant.
\:ccJeM~ £)~)
Terry DailCounty Manager)O
' .,
June 20, 1996
Kerry Becker
Clay County Water & Sewer District
P.O. Box 838
Hayesville, North Carolina 28904
[phone]
NC Division of Enviromental Management
To whom it may concern:
The Clay County Water and Sewer District will accept any liquids accumulated from the
Clay County Transfer Station septic system and the liquids will be treated by the Clay
County waste water treatment facility.
Directors: Paul Jordan, Harold Worley, Kenneth Burrell
CLAY COUNTI
P.O. Box 118 • Hayesville, North Carolina 28904 • [phone]
June 27, 1996
Matt Gantt
NC Division of Solid
Waste Management
To whom it may concern:
This is a letter verifying there is no zoning in place of any kind on a certain parcel of land
located on Church Road owned by Clay County, a Municipal Corporation ( Deed Book
137, Page 31).
Commissioner: Paul Jordan • Chairman: Harold Worley -Ken Burrell