The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1107_INSP_20240517FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 1 of 7 UNIT TYPE: MSWLF X COUNTY: BUNCOMBE X X PERMIT NO.: 1107-MSWLF-1996 FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE Date of Site Inspection: 5/17/2024 Date of Last Inspection: 8/31/2022 FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS: Buncombe County Solid Waste Management Facility 85 Panther Branch Road Alexander, NC 28701 GPS COORDINATES: Lat: 35.726001° Long: -82.636551° FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER: Name: Dane Pedersen, Solid Waste Director – Buncombe County Telephone: 828-250-5477 Email address: danewesleyd.pedersen@buncombecounty.org FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS: Same as above PARTICIPANTS: Dane Pedersen, Solid Waste Director, Buncombe County Kristy Smith, Engineering Solid Waste Manager, Buncombe County Lee Hill, NCDEQ- Solid Waste Section Summer Justice, NCDEQ- Solid Waste Section STATUS OF PERMIT: Permit Approval to Operate 1107-MSWLF-1996 MSW Landfill Unit Cells 1-7 issued April 26, 2023 PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT: Comprehensive Inspection. STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS: A. Resolved. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(8)(d) states: “Leachate shall be contained within a lined disposal cell or leachate collection and storage system. All leachate shall be treated, as required by the receiving facility, prior to discharge.” Buncombe County repaired the leachate seep, excavated soils, and performed required testing. According to the letter from Jackie Drummond, Section Hydrogeologist, FID 1817856 dated September 21, 2023, no further action is required. Therefore, the above past noted violation is resolved. OBSERVED VIOLATIONS: A. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(b) states: “Except as provided in Sub-Item (c) of this Item, the owners or operators of all MSWLF units shall cover disposed solid waste with six inches of earthen material at the end of each operating day, or at more frequent intervals if necessary to prevent the escape of waste and the attraction of vectors and scavenging, and to minimize fires and the generation of odors.” FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 2 of 7 During the May 17, 2024 inspection, exposed waste was observed between Cells 6 and 7 and along the southern edge of the active area of Cell 7. In addition, exposed waste mixed with soil was observed throughout the active area of Cell 7, and on the top and eastern side slope of Cell 6. As a result, Buncombe County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(b) for failure to cover all disposed waste with six inches of earthen material at the end of each operating day as required. To achieve compliance, Buncombe County must cover all exposed waste with at least six inches of earthen material or approved alternative daily cover at the end of each operating day. Follow up inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance with 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(b). Exposed waste between Cells 6 and 7. Exposed waste on the side slope of Cell 6. FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 3 of 7 Exposed waste along southern edge of the filled portion of Cell 7. Exposed waste in the active area of Cell 7. FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 4 of 7 Exposed waste on the top of Cell 6. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 1. All photos were taken by Summer Justice during the inspection unless otherwise noted. 2. The site was secured to prevent unauthorized access. 3. Durable, weather resistant signs that stated the operating hours, permit number, and that hazardous or liquid waste cannot be accepted were posted at the entrance to the facility. 4. Traffic markers were posted around the site for traffic control. 5. Access roads at the facility were of all-weather construction and appeared to be maintained. Records Review 6. Certified Manager of Landfill Operations: • Dane Pedersen (expires June 8, 2026) • Kristy Smith (expires May 9, 2026) • James Yount (expires November 6, 2026) 7. Certified Landfill Operations Specialist: • Casey Balding (expires April 19, 2027) • Cassandra Lohmeyer (expires June 22, 2026) • Jonathan Surrett (expires November 6, 2026) • Tanner Sprinkles (expires June 22, 2026) • Dwayne Duncan (expires June 22, 2026) 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 FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 5 of 7 • David Chambers (expires April 19, 2027) • Kevin Bryson (expires June 22, 2026) • Annette Kirk (expires February 7, 2025) • Scott Brazil (expires February 8, 2025) 8. Tonnage records from the 2022-2023 Facility Annual Report showed that the facility received 154,171 tons of MSW. Facility records indicated that the facility received 133,305.05 tons of MSW so far for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 9. Waste screening reports were available for review for the period of 10/18/2023 to 4/1/2024. The forms did not indicate the final disposition of unacceptable waste. The forms also did not indicate the tonnage or volume of waste screened. Ensure that waste screening forms record the final disposition of unacceptable waste. 10. The current Permit to Operate and approved operational plan were available for review. 11. Gas monitoring reports were available for review for the period of 9/21/2020-3/11/2024. No exceedances were observed. 12. Semi-annual groundwater monitoring reports are available for review in Laserfiche. 13. Daily logs of cover/alternative cover application were available for review for the period of October 2015-April 2024. 14. According to the leachate hauling report, 5,560,000 gallons have been hauled for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Operations Inspection of the MSWLF Unit (1107-MSWLF-1996) 15. The facility was operating in Cell 7 at the time of inspection. The working face was compact. 16. Exposed waste was observed between Cells 6 and 7 and along the southern edge of the active area of Cell 7. This area did not appear to have received any cover. However, it appeared that cover had been placed on Cell 6 and 7, but the cover had been tracked or eroded over time. It is recommended that equipment traffic be minimized on areas of that landfill that are not actively receiving waste to prevent degradation of applied cover. See above Observed Violations section and in addition, ensure that any cover placed is maintained. 17. Leachate seeps were observed on the eastern side slope of Cell 6 within the lined landfill unit. Ensure that leachate seeps are monitored and repaired. 18. Woody vegetation was observed in the southeast portion of Cell 6. Ensure that woody vegetation is removed during the next mowing event, and any necessary repairs resulting from the removal are made. 19. Some standing water was observed on the top of Cell 6 and between Cell 6 and 7. Ensure that these low areas are filled in to prevent standing water. 20. The southern edge of the active area of Cell 7 is approaching the stormwater separation berm at the edge of the gravel layer. Ensure that the berm is not over topped and the area north of the berm is graded to direct leachate into the leachate collection system until the remaining portion of Cell 7 is prepared to drain into the leachate collection system, if it is not currently. See photo at the end of this inspection report. 21. Some small cracks were observed at the top of the exterior liner of the leachate pond. Ensure that damage to the exterior liner is repaired during the annual maintenance of the leachate pond. 22. The leachate lagoon appeared to have greater than two feet of freeboard at the time of inspection. Continue to maintain the minimum two feet of freeboard as required by 15A NCAC 13B .1680(e)(5). 23. Windblown litter and dust were well managed at the time of inspection. A litter fence is in place to prevent windblown litter from leaving the working face. Some tracked litter was present on the access road to the working face. Ensure that tracked litter is disposed of in the working face and covered at the end of each day. Operations Inspection of Miscellaneous Collection Areas 24. All miscellaneous collection areas had surface water sufficiently diverted at the time of inspection. 25. The white goods and scrap metal storage areas were very well maintained at the time of inspection. 26. Four scrap tire trailers were observed on site. One tire was stored outside of the tire trailer on the ground. Ensure that the tire is covered, placed in the trailer, or removed from site within ten days of receipt. 27. The T&P area appeared to be well maintained. Two pieces of plywood were observed in the unprocessed pile. Ensure that the unacceptable material is removed before grinding takes place. FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 6 of 7 28. Oil was observed in the used oil tank secondary containment. Ensure that the oil is removed from the secondary containment during the next tank servicing. No oil was observed outside of the secondary containment. 29. Batteries are kept under cover. This area appeared to be well maintained. 30. The convenience center portion of the facility was very well maintained. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report. ____________________________ Phone: 828-296-4705 _ Summer Justice Environmental Senior Specialist Regional Representative Sent to Dane Pedersen on: May 28, 2024 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _] Copies: Jason Watkins, Solid Waste Section Chief Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor Chris Hollinger, Compliance Officer Dane Pedersen, Buncombe County Solid Waste Director Kristy Smith, Buncombe County Uncovered waste near stormwater diversion berm. Comment #20. FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 7 of 7 Working face of the landfill at the time of inspection.