7504T_INSP_20240312

NORTH CARnLINAD_E Q��
o.n.mm.m m c.w.mmen.i a.i�
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
UNIT TYPE:
Lined
LCID
YW
Transfer
X
Compost
SLAS
COUNTY: POLK
MSWLF
PERMIT NO.: 7504T-TRANSFER-2005
Closed
HHW
White
X
Incin
T&P
X
FIRM
MSWLF
goods
FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
CDLF
Tire T&P/
X
Tire
Industrial
DEMO
SDTF
Collection
Monofill
Landfill
Date of Site Inspection: 03/12/2024
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Polk County Transfer Station
322 Landfill Rd
Mill Spring, NC 28756
Date of Last Inspection: 02/07/2023
GPS COORDINATES (decimal degrees): Lat.: 35.3188' Long.:-82.1820'
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Travis Ballard
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
PO Box 308
Columbus, NC 28722
PARTICIPANTS:
Travis Ballard, Polk County
Timmye Cochran, Polk County
Summer Justice, NCDEQ — Solid Waste Section
Lee Hill, NCDEQ — Solid Waste Section
STATUS OF PERMIT:
Life of Site Permit amended March 15, 2022
Permit expires October 13, 2065
Approved Transfer Station Operations Plan dated January 20, 2022
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.
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
D_E Q�� Division of Waste Management
NORTH CAROLINA
OepaNnent W EnvironnreMal puelily
Solid Waste Section
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. All photographs were taken by Lee Hill on March 12, 2024
2. The site was secured by a gate at the entrance to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Durable, weather resistant signage stating the name of the facility, hours of operation, permit number, contact
phone number and that hazardous and liquid waste cannot be accepted was installed at the entrance to the
facility.
4. The roads were constructed of all-weather material and were being maintained at the time of inspection.
Records Review
5. Leachate pumping records were provided by email and the tank was pumped on the following dates: February
6, 2023, May 1, 2023, June 26, 2023, August 7, 2023, August 28, 2023, September 19, 2023, January 15, 2024,
January 16, 2024, and February 14, 2024.
6. Waste screening records from July 3, 2023 to February 29, 2024 were available for review. Waste screenings
exceeded the five percent requirement and showed the final disposition of any unacceptable waste that was
encountered.
7. Tonnage records were reviewed from the 2022-23 Facility Annual Report along with tonnage records that were
emailed covering the period of July 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. The facility disposed of 26,166 tons of waste
from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and an additional 17,481 tons from July 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024.
8. Certified Transfer Station Operators:
• Travis Ballard (expires June 20, 2025)
• Riley Hembree (expires April 13, 2025)
• Timmye Cochran (expires March 3, 2025)
• Mitch Moss (expires September 14, 2026)
• Jeane Stewart (expires September 14, 2026)
Operations Inspection of the Transfer Station (7504T-TRANSFER-2005)
9. Two loaded trailers were parked on the west side of the transfer building and appeared to be leak resistant.
Upon closer inspection, it was observed that trailer T346 exhibited signs of metal fatigue and rust on the floor.
Ensure that the trailer is repaired before a hole develops in the bottom of the trailer.
10. Minimal waste was observed on the trailer loading bay floor and on the building beams. Facility staff stated that
material is cleaned between trailer swaps.
11. Some of the exterior metal of the loading bay has been damaged and has become detached from the building
allowing waste to escape through the hole. Repair the damaged areas of the building to prevent waste from
leaving the loading bay.
12. A small amount of windblown waste was observed on the entrance to the loading bay and on the slope adjacent
to the loading bay entrance road. Woody vegetation, consisting of briars, was observed growing on the slope
outside the entrance loading bay, with windblown waste caught within it. It is recommended to remove the
dense, woody vegetation from the slope to make it easier to pick up the windblown waste.
13. No unapproved waste was on the on the tipping floor at the time of inspection.
14. The trench drain at the entrance to the tipping floor appeared to be working properly and no leachate was
observed leaving the tipping floor.
15. The push walls and building sidewalls were free of residue and appeared to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Facility staff stated that the tipping floor, push walls and building walls were being cleaned as required in 15A
NCAC 13B .0405(a)(11); however, cleaning records were not available for review. Ensure that the cleaning
records are placed in the operating record for review.
16. Empty trailers were being stored to the north of the transfer building. Trailer T533 had a hole in the front of the
trailer and had been pulled from service. Confirm that trailer T533 has been repaired and meets the
requirements of 15A NCAC 13B .0105(c) before returning it to service.
Operations Inspection of the Scrap Metal, White Goods, Tires, Electronics and Oil Collection Area
17. Tires are collected in two van trailers located to the north of the transfer building. Four tires (two passenger and
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
D_E Q�� Division of Waste Management
NORTH CAROLINA
°°°—°° 0E-!=�'°"""' Solid Waste Section
two road tractor tires) were observed outside the trailers. Ensure that all tires are placed in the trailers or
covered within ten days of receipt.
18. White goods and scrap metal is collected adjacent to oil collection area. The facility is separating refrigerant
containing items from other scrap metal.
19. Used oil is collected in a tank situated under cover to the east of the scale house. During the inspection, it was
noted that the secondary containment valve was closed; however, a mixture of water and oil had been permitted
to accumulate in the secondary containment area. To prevent the risk of environmental contamination, the
oil/water mixture should promptly be pumped into the holding tank.
20. Electronics were being stored behind the oil collection area. Electronics were observed on the ground and in
gaylord boxes; however, the gaylord boxes were being stored outside in the elements allowing the elements to
degrade the boxes. Per section 2.1.4 of the Approved Operations Plan, electronic waste is to be moved to
covered storage containers at least weekly. Move all electronic waste to covered storage as required by
the Approved Operation Plan.
Operations Inspection of the Recyclable Center
21. The facility accepts newspapers, mixed paper, glass, plastic and metal food and beverage packages to the east of
the scale house for recycling.
22. Some loose aluminum cans, plastic bottles and paper were observed on the ground behind the dumpsters located
in this area. Ensure that this material is picked at the end of the day as required.
Operations Inspection of the Treatment and Processing Area for Land -Clearing Debris and Beneficial Fill Areas
23. The facility is permitted to receive land clearing waste as defined in 15A NCAC 13B.0101(31) and untreated
wooden pallets.
24. Incoming material is stockpiled to the northwest of the scale house. The material is ground by contractors yearly
or more frequently as required.
25. A minimal amount of unapproved material (plastic bags) was observed in a recently dumped load. It appears
that facility staff are working diligently to remove unacceptable material in a timely manner.
26. The beneficial fill area is located to the northeast of the scale house and accepts inert debris waste as defined in
15A NCAC 13B .0101(28).
27. A small amount of unapproved material (plastic) was observed on top of the beneficial fill area. Remove all
unapproved material from the beneficial fill area.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.
Digitally signed by Lee Hill
DN: cn=Lee Hill, o=Solid Waste
C;3W Section, ou=Field Operations
Branch,
email=[e-mail], c=US
Date: 2024.03.18 15:26:52-04'00'
Phone: [phone]
Lee Hill
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative
Sent on: March 18, 2024 to
X
Email
Hand delivery
US Mail
Certified No.1_1
Travis Ballard
Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor — Solid Waste Section
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NORTH CARnLINAD_E Q��
o.n.mm.m m c.w.mm.m.i a.i�
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Damaged Metal Sheeting on Loading Bay
Windblown Waste on Slope Adjacent to Loading Bay Tunnel
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