1806_INSP_20220616

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 1 of 2

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Catawba
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 1806-COMPOST-
CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: June 16, 2022 Date of Last Inspection: May 12, 2021

FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
City of Hickory Compost Facility
702 Cloninger Mill Road
Hickory, North Carolina 28601

GPS COORDINATES (decimal degrees): Lat.: 35.78609 Long.: -81.30431

FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Andrew Ballentine
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 398
Hickory, North Carolina 28603

PARTICIPANTS:
Andrew Ballentine, Solid Waste manger – City of Hickory
Herb Collings, Site Attendant – City of Hickory
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section

STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate a large Type 1 Solid Waste Compost Facility was issued to the City of Hickory on January 3, 2018.
The permit expired on June 8, 2022. 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 2

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

1. The facility consists of a Large Type 1 Solid Waste Compost Facility. Compost is produced from brush, leaves,
limbs, and grass clippings. Mulch is produced from land clearing debris.
2. Gates were provided at each entrance to prevent unauthorized access. Only the eastern gate was open at the time
of inspection. The western gate was closed and locked.
3. The facility had proper signage.
4. The Permit to Operate and the Operations Plan were discussed. A copy of the permit was not on site at the time of
the inspection, although a copy was present during the previous inspection. Please ensure a copy of the current
permit is maintained on site.
5. Temperature records were submitted by Mr. Ballentine via e-mail on June 16, 2022. It appeared temperature
requirements were being met.
6. One large stockpile of finished compost, one stockpile of double-ground mulch and a stockpile of unground land
clearing debris were on site at the time of inspection.
7. No active compost windrows were on site at the time of inspection.
8. No standing water was observed.
9. No offensive odors were observed.
10. No dust was observed during the inspection.
11. No unacceptable waste streams were observed. A waste can is provided on site for collection of observed waste
streams.
12. A rip rap filter ring was provided around the storm inlet located on the western portion of the site. A portion of
stone on the west side of the filter ring had been washed and was in need of repair. Please ensure the device is
repaired to original design to ensure proper function.
13. The facility access road was of all-weather construction and well maintained.
14. Adequate access was provided around stockpiles of processed and unprocessed material to allow for access by
firefighting equipment.
15. Please ensure that all stockpiles of processed material meet the maximum allowable dimensions of 30-feet high
and 50-feet wide.
16. It appeared that all required setbacks were being maintained.
x Please pay special attention to the setback between compost areas and residences on the east side of the
facilities. Residences are closest to facility operations on the east side. Please ensure a 200-foot buffer is
maintained between compost areas and all residences.

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: 6/28/22 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - 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: 2022.06.28 10:23:59 -04'00'