76-04_INSP_20231102

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: Randolph
Closed MSWLF HHW White goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 76-04
CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: November 2, 2023 Date of Last Inspection: November 17, 2022
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
North Carolina Zoological Park – Small Type 3 SWC Facility 4401 Zoo Parkway
Asheboro, NC 27205 GPS COORDINATES: Lat.: 35.61908 Long.: -79.74874 FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Jody Stancil, Curator of Exterior Horticulture w. 336-879-7420
[e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
North Carolina Zoological Park
Jody Stancil, Curator of Exterior Horticulture 4401 Zoo Parkway
Asheboro, NC 27205
PARTICIPANTS: Chuck Kirchner, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (SWS) Chris Hollinger, Compliance Officer – Solid Waste Section (SWS)
Kim Sue, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (SWS) Amanda Thompson, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (SWS)
Tim Davis, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (SWS) David Powell, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (SWS) Jody Stancil, Curator of Exterior Horticulture - North Carolina Zoological Park John Ledbetter, Supervisor II - North Carolina Zoological Park
George Adams, Grounds Worker II - North Carolina Zoological Park
STATUS OF PERMIT: Permit To Operate (PTO) issued May 23, 2016
PTO renewal application submitted on May 27, 2020 is currently under review.
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT: Comprehensive Inspection STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS: None OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
None
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 2 of 4

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
On November 2, 2023, Chuck Kirchner, Kim Sue, Chris Hollinger, Amanda Thompson, Tim Davis and David Powell met with Jody Stancil, John Ledbetter and George Adams to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the North Carolina Zoological Park – Small Type 3 Solid Waste Compost Facility located at the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, Randolph County. 1. The facility is a Small Type 3 Solid Waste Compost (SWC) operation located at the North Carolina Zoological Park. 2. The facility permit, site plan, and operations plan were discussed. 3. The facility is not accessible to the public. Only zoo personnel have access to the facility.
4. The facility is in operation from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, weekdays. 5. Material composted originates at the North Carolina Zoological Park. The facility produces compost from the following feedstocks: animal manure, animal bedding, food waste, and yard waste. The following may also be
added to the compost mix: paper, cardboard, compostable utensils, dredged soil from the compost site sediment basin, and animal incinerator ash. 6. The compost site is accessed from a gravel road behind the greenhouses south of the administrative/maintenance
buildings located off the Panther Creek Road service entrance. 7. Material brought to the compost area from different areas around the zoo is recorded in a logbook located at an entrance booth at the compost site. Zoo personnel designate if the material is animal waste, horticulture waste or food waste. Zoo personnel indicate how much waste was brought to the compost site by indicating what type of vehicle the waste was delivered in and how many loads were brought on site. The zoo personnel then initial their entry. This data is collected into a spreadsheet by Mr. Adams to keep track of how much material is received at the compost facility. 8. The compost created is used at the North Carolina Zoological Park in public areas, construction sites within the zoo, non-public areas and in animal exhibits. A new Asia exhibit is still under construction and is expected to be completed around July of 2024. 9. The amount of compost material is not expected to significantly increase with the completion of the Asia exhibit
according to Mr. Stancil. 10. Mr. John Ledbetter completed the 40-hour Compost Operations Training Course in September of 2021 offered by the Compost Research and Education Foundation.
11. Incoming material is stored in a pile until enough is obtained to create a windrow. A new windrow is generally formed monthly according to Mr. Adams. 12. The current incoming material area is approximately three weeks old and probably will be made into a new
windrow the day after this inspection according to Mr. Adams. 13. The active compost area currently has several small active windrows/piles. 14. The windrows are rotated from the front of the active compost area to the rear southeast corner.
15. Once an active windrow temperature comes down to ~110℉ it is moved into a completed windrow pile. Once six completed windrows are gathered the compost pile is tested for heavy metals and fecal coliform. 16. Once the finished compost testing comes back within limits the finished compost is then screened to remove any large material and moved to the finished product stockpile and is ready for use within the zoo as needed.
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 3 of 4

17. Mr. Adams stated that the Compost Facility currently has approximately 4,169 tons of finished compost on site. 18. Composting regulations Small Type 3 Compost Facilities requires that temperature data is recorded for at least 15 days maintained at 131°F or greater. Windrows shall be turned at least 5 times during the high temperature
recordation period. 19. The facility maintains windrow temperature records in a logbook at the compost facility booth. Records were
observed for windrow temperatures obtained November 14, 2022 through November 1, 2023. Records also document the windrow turning requirements. 20. The facility uses a long stem stainless steel thermometer to obtain temperature readings from the compost
windrows. 21. Records were observed for compost temperature probe calibration. Thermometer calibration was last conducted on June 27, 2023. The facility calibrates the thermometer two times per year. Calibration records should indicate any adjustments made to the thermometer and include the initials of the personnel conducting the calibration. 22. Mr. Adams stated that windrow temperatures are obtained soon after [windrow] construction and that temperatures and windrow turning are recorded throughout the high temperature period and thereafter. 23. The facility considers active composting to be complete in ~ 4 months. Cured compost is obtained in ~ 10 months/an additional 6 months after the completion of active composting. 24. Material to be cured is brought to the compost storage area located at the north side of the facility.
25. Additional equipment from other parts of the zoo is available for use if the Komatsu Loader used at the compost facility breaks down. 26. Adequate fire lanes were observed around all windrows and stockpiles. It appears fire equipment can access all
sides of combustible material in the event of a fire. 27. Mr. Ledbetter stated that parasitic wasps are still being used on site for fly reduction. Wasp eggs are sprinkled on
the compost pile from May through October. The wasps eat fly larva in the compost. 28. The facility annual report (FAR) was received by the SWS dated July 19, 2023. Material received for July 2022 through June 2023 is 1,641tons. The amount of compost created is 685 tons, the amount used is 685 tons, and no
amount of compost was stockpiled. 29. Compost shall be analyzed at intervals of every 20,000 tons or every six months, whichever comes first. Mr. Adams stated that the compost is analyzed every six months. 30. No odors were observed on site during the inspection. 31. No odor complaint has been received at this facility. 32. No dust was observed on site during the inspection. 33. Manmade inerts screening records were observed. 34. Metals concentration testing is conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services -Agronomic Services Division. Record observed for June 22, 2023 indicated metals concentrations below limits. 35. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the facility has never had any problems with elevated heavy metal results, however, if there were unacceptable heavy metal levels the facility plans to dispose of the compost at an appropriate waste management site.
36. Fecal Coliform testing conducted by Meritech, Inc. in Reidsville, NC observed for January 6, 2023 and June 16, 2023. Records indicate concentrations below limits.
37. Mr. Ledbetter previously stated that any compost that tested positive for fecal coliform would be tested a second
time to confirm the results. After the second testing, the compost would be introduced into new feedstock and go through the PFRP process again.
38. The facility is maintained to prevent the accumulation of stormwater and leachate on composting areas, storage areas, and roads. All areas observed during this inspection appeared to have positive flow to the basin. No standing water observed in this inspection. 39. The sediment basin has a non-discharge pump piped to the City of Asheboro Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is covered under the City of Asheboro Industrial User Permit #6084, expiration date of July 29, 2027. 40. The sediment basin has a riser pipe that drains to an adjacent spillway. The non-discharge pump continually maintains the sediment basin freeboard at 24” below the riser pipe.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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41. The East Side Fire Department can be contacted to address an emergency at the facility. 42. Fire lanes are maintained. 43. Access roads are of all-weather construction.
44. The facility is secured by a locked gate. 45. The facility has proper signage.
46. The PTO expiration date was June 23, 2020. 47. The PTO renewal application was submitted to the SWS on May 27, 2020. 48. Permit renewal is currently under review.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report. ________________________________________ Phone: [phone] _ Chuck Kirchner
Environmental Senior Specialist Regional Representative
Sent on: November 6, 2023 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 John Ledbetter, Horticulture Technician – NC Zoo