5704_ROSCANS_2011

Macon County Department of Solid Waste Management
January 24, 2011
Mr.Troy Harrison
Environmental Senior Specialist
NCDENR —DWM
Solid Waste Section
2090 US Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Mr. Harrison:
109 Sierra Drive, Franklin, North Carolina 28734
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Email: cstahl a,maconnc.org �: I
SOLID WASTE SECTION
ASHEVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
RECEIVED
9AA 21. If#
SOLID WASTE SECTION
ASHEVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
The following letter is issued in response to three Facility Compliance Audit Reports delivered to this
office via email on December 6, 2010, as conveyed from your inspection of various solid waste
facilities located at 1080 Rich Gap Road, Highlands, NC, on November 18, 2010. I am sorry of the
delay in this response, but the holidays and recent winter weather have taken more of my time than I
would have liked. The purpose of this letter is twofold: First, to request extension of 90 days for
completion of repairs/improvements to areas outlined in your audits, and: Second, to outline intended
actions with regard to all items of concern listed on FCAR for permits 57-02; 57-04; 57-04T.
The request for extension is based solely on seasonal weather considerations. Over the past thirty days,
we have experienced a great deal of precipitation, including three snowfall events. This pattern may be
expected to continue for the remainder of the winter season. We would prefer to delay extensive wash
repairs and vegetative removal during this time, as our correction efforts will almost definitely create
more cap integrity issues than currently exist. This request will in no way delay emergent emergency
repair measures to ensure that no waste wash or rill is allowed to degrade the cap down to waste, or that
silt ponds and impoundments will not be maintained so as to allow sediment to be released outside of
containment areas. Additionally, the extension request will allow us to enter into the spring planting
season. Seeding and stabilization of the disturbed areas will be performed in conjunction with any and
all ground disturbance in the repair areas.
Outline of planned and existing action items:
Permit No. 57-04T:
Items 9 and 21: 1 have and will continue to stress the importance of adhering to proper operating
procedures with the transfer station operators. I believe that the operators understand the issues and are
very conscientious in their duties. Therefore, I trust that this type of deficiency will not recur.
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Permit No. 57-04:
Item 4: These areas have received attention, but, as listed above, we will go back over all of these areas
for repair during the spring planting season.
Item 5: I have completed an audit of all well casings and locks at all four landfills. All disabled and
missing locks will be replaced, and rusted hinges repaired during the extension period.
Item 6: On December 3, 2010, I sampled MW-A and MW-B for the presence of methane according to
procedures developed for monitoring landfill gas at the MSW Landfill. Neither well exhibited any
detection of methane. I will return during the extension period and re -sample each well, and sample
various bar -punch locations along the northern and western property boundaries. A summary of my
finding will be forwarded to you under a separate cover.
Permit No. 57-02:
Item 5: The areas of ponding water will be repaired so as not to inhibit proper drainage away from the
cap. Additionally, a visual inspection of the remainder of the cap will be made, and impounding areas
repaired and seeded.
Item 6: Small trees in the vicinity of the sediment pond will be removed and the area seeded. In a
second location along the northern slope of the Old Highlands landfill, some trees will be removed. A
portion of the cap in that area is on a very steep grade; upon closer inspection, it may be viewed as
more detrimental to the slope stability to remove trees in that area. If such a determination is made, I
will appeal to the Section to leave some of the trees in that area. Again, I do not want to extensively
disturb either of these areas until seasonal conditions improve.
If you require additional information or have questions regarding this request, please contact me at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
M. Chris Stahl
Director of Solid Waste Management
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