1203_BurkeCDLF_LFG_MonitoringPlan_DIN17215_20120906

PREPARED FOR:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF BURKE
P.O. BOX 1486
MORGANTON, NC 28680

JOHN’S RIVER WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY
BURKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
PERMIT NUMBER 12-03

C&D LANDFILL EXPANSION – PHASE 1
VOLUME 2: PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT

APPENDIX 5:
LANDFILL GAS MONITORING PLAN

AUGUST 2012

PREPARED BY:

2211 WEST MEADOWVIEW ROAD, SUITE 101
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27407
NC LICENSE NUMBER C-0782
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
JEI PROJECT NO. 00277.1002.11.06

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
i

LANDFILL GAS MONITORING PLAN
John’s River Landfill
Permit No. 12-03

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 
1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................1 
1.2 Site Geology and Hydrogeology .......................................................................................1 
1.3 Regulatory Limits .............................................................................................................2 
2.0 LANDFILL GAS MONITORING ...................................................................................2 
2.1 Landfill Gas Monitoring Network ....................................................................................2 
2.1.1 Existing Facility ......................................................................................................2 
2.1.2 Historical Gas Monitoring Results..........................................................................3 
2.1.3 Proposed C&D Expansion Facility .........................................................................3 
2.2 Structure and Ambient Sampling ......................................................................................4 
2.3 Landfill Gas Monitoring Frequency .................................................................................5 
3.0 LANDFILL GAS SAMPLING PROCEDURES..............................................................5 
3.1  Detection Equipment ...................................................................................................5 
3.2  Landfill Gas Sampling Procedure ................................................................................5 
4.0 RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING .......................................................................6 
4.1  Landfill Gas Monitoring Data Form ............................................................................6 
4.2  Sampling Reports .........................................................................................................6 
4.3  Permanent Record Keeping .........................................................................................6 
5.0 CONTINGENCY PLAN ..................................................................................................6 
6.0 CERTIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST OR ENGINEER .....................7 
7.0 CERTIFICATION OF REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR ..........................................7 
8.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................7 

Drawing
Drawing LGMP-1 Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan

Appendices
Appendix A Solid Waste Section – Landfill Gas Monitoring Guidance
Appendix B Landfill Gas Monitoring Data Form
Appendix C Landfill Gas Monitoring Well Detail
Appendix D Certification of Professional Geologist or Engineer

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
1

1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan (LGMP) will serve as a guidance document for collecting and
monitoring of landfill gas at Burke County’s John’s River Waste Management Facility (JRWMF,
aka John’s River Landfill). Landfill gas will be monitored quarterly to ensure that methane
concentrations do not exceed the regulatory limit at the facility boundary or in facility structures.
The LGMP was prepared in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (NC DENR) Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Landfill
Gas Monitoring Guidance document, to assure performance standards are met and to protect
public health and the environment. This LGMP incorporates the previous LGMP for the existing
landfill facility dated December 1997 and adds gas monitoring for the proposed C&D landfill
expansion at the facility. The proposed new gas monitoring wells associated with the first phase
of the C&D landfill expansion will be installed in conjunction with landfill construction after a
permit-to-construct is issued by the DENR.

1.1 Background
The JRWMF is located in the north-central portion of Burke County, north of Morganton, North
Carolina. The 318-acre facility was permitted in 1987 and the existing landfill began receiving
waste in 1988. The existing landfill consists of an unlined waste disposal unit covering 28 acres
in the southwest corner of the landfill property. The municipal solid waste (MSW) Landfill
began operation in April 1988, but was closed to comply with § .1627(c)(10)(A) of the North
Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules (NCSWMR). Burke County has operated a permitted
Construction and Demolition (C&D) disposal area on top of the closed portions of the MSW
landfill since 1998. A MSW transfer facility is located in the eastern half of the property. A site
plan showing all the pertinent features of the facility is provided in Drawing LGMP-1.

1.2 Site Geology and Hydrogeology
The John’s River Waste Management Facility is in close proximity to the Brevard Shear Zone,
and is underlain by highly metamorphosed rocks including gneiss, schist, as well as calc-silicate
rocks, felsic rocks, and metavolcanic rocks. The dominant rock type at the facility is biotite-
muscovite schist, as seen in outcrops, boulders, and rock cores located on site. The structures
within limited outcrops indicate that these rocks are complexly-folded, with attitudes that vary
from vertical to horizontal in most outcrops. The site regolith is typical of the inner piedmont
and consists mostly of silty sand, clayey sand, and sandy silt. The regolith itself is up to 100 feet
thick and varies in thickness with topography.

The 318-acre landfill property is bounded by Lower Creek to the north and east, and the Catawba
River to the south. The Catawba River forms Lake Rhodhiss immediately southeast of the
facility. Lake Rhodhiss is a long, narrow lake formed by the Rhodhiss Hydroelectric Dam
located approximately 12 miles downstream of the landfill property.

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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1.3 Regulatory Limits
The closed, unlined MSW landfill at the JRWMF is governed by the North Carolina Solid Waste
Management Regulations (NCSWMR) 15A NCAC 13B.1600 rules and regulations for sanitary
landfills; however, the active C&D landfill on top of the closed MSW landfill, as well as the
proposed C&D landfill expansion, will be governed by the 15A NCAC 13B.0500 rules. Current
regulations state that concentration of methane gas generated by the facility should not exceed
25% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for methane in facility structures or that the
concentration of methane gas does not exceed the LEL for methane at the facility property
boundary. The LEL for methane equals 5% by volume at standard temperature and pressure.
This LGMP prescribes a routine methane monitoring program to ensure standards are met and
actions to be taken if methane concentrations exceed specified limits.

2.0 LANDFILL GAS MONITORING
Gas monitoring at the John’s River Landfill will be performed throughout the active and post-
closure care period. At a minimum, quarterly monitoring will be conducted at all subsurface gas
detection wells (gas probes) and in all structures located within 1000 feet of waste on the landfill
property. This site is one of three Burke County landfill sites that Joyce Engineering monitors.
The East Burke and Kirksey Drive Landfills are closed MSW landfills regulated under the .0500
rules of the NCSWMR. Common practice for the Burke County landfill sites will be to monitor
the first and third quarterly gas events on one calendar day and the second and fourth quarterly
gas events will occur in conjunction with the semi-annual groundwater monitoring events usually
over a two-three day period.

2.1 Landfill Gas Monitoring Network
2.1.1 Existing Facility
The current gas monitoring program for the active landfill includes three gas monitoring wells
(gas probes) with multiple screened intervals (GP-1S&D, GP-2S,I,&D, and GP-3S&D), six
buildings or structures (GMP-1, GMP-2, GMP-3, GMP-4, GMP-7A, and GMP-13), and eight
ambient air monitoring points around the perimeter of the existing landfill (GMP-5, GPM-6,
GPM-7, GMP-8, GMP 9, GMP-10, GMP-11, and GMP-12). The structures and ambient air
points were first monitored for landfill gas in October 1993. Gas Probes GP-1, GP-2, and GP-3
were installed in 1994 and were first monitored in October 1994.

The locations of the gas probes and monitoring points are shown on the attached drawing
(LGMP-1). Note that the GP-2 probes are located near both the existing landfill unit and Phase
1 of the C&D expansion and will be used to monitor gas between the two units. Note also that
the GP-3 probes are located within the footprint of Phase 4 of the C&D Expansion and will need
to be abandoned prior to construction of Phase 4. The following Table summarizes the locations
and screened intervals of the existing gas probes.

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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Probe ID Location Description Screen Interval
(feet BGS)
GP-1S Approximately 200’ north of northwest corner 4 - 16
GP-1D of existing landfill unit. 18 - 28
GP-2S Approximately 90’ north of northeast corner of 4 - 13
GP-2I existing landfill unit and 160’southwest of northwest 14 - 28
GP-2D corner of Phase 1 of the C&D Expansion. 29 - 35
GP-3S Approximately 780’ northeast of the existing 4 - 11
GP-3D landfill and in the middle of the C&D expansion. 12 – 18.5

2.1.2 Historical Gas Monitoring Results
While there have been a few isolated detections in site structures and/or at ambient air points, all
have been less than 1% methane by volume, and there have been no detections in exceedance of
25% of the LEL. An apparent detection of approximately 20% methane in a vehicle
maintenance pit in the shop (GMP-3) on May 29, 2008 was determined to be the result of a leak
from a propane line, not landfill gas.

There have been consistent detections of methane above the LEL in the three GP-2 gas probes
(S, I, & D) since the 1990’s, often in excess of 50% methane by volume. There have been no
exceedances of the LEL for methane in any of the GP-1 or GP-3 probes. The GP-2 probes are
located very near the former MSW waste unit and are very far from any property boundary. The
closest property boundary to GP-2 is over 700 feet to the west, and GP-1 is located between GP-
2 and the property boundary in this direction. It is over 1500 feet from GP-2 to any other
property boundary. A delineation study for the extent of methane exceedances in the vicinity of
GP-2, especially as they may impact the Phase 1 area, is planned for the near future.

2.1.3 Proposed C&D Expansion Facility
The locations of the proposed network of landfill gas monitoring wells (gas probes) for the C&D
landfill expansion are shown on Drawing LGMP-1. The gas probes will be installed in stages
related to the construction of the various phases of the C&D landfill expansion. The following
table summarizes the proposed gas probe installation schedule, as well as the proposed target
depths for the probes.

Probe
ID Location Description
Target
Depth
(feet BGS)
Estimated
Depth to
Bedrock
(feet BGS)
Estimated
Depth to
Water
(feet BGS)
Phase for
Probe
Installation
GP-4 Southwest of Phase 1 and Phase 2,
between the old and new landfill units. 63 37 33 Phase 1
GP-5 Northwest of Phase 1. 81 31 38 Phase 1
GP-6 Northeast of Phase 1. 72 61 44 Phase 1
GP-7 Southwest of Phase 3,
between the old and new landfill units. 27 75 17 Phase 3
GP-8 Northeast of Phase 4. 63 48 39 Phase 4
GP-9 Northeast of Phases 5 and 8. 35 33 22 Phase 5

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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The target depths are based on the lowest elevation of the proposed base of waste within 1000
feet of the probe. Gas probes will be installed to the target depth, the water table, or bedrock,
whichever is encountered first.

Note that the John’s River Landfill is bordered by the Catawba River to the south and southwest.
The river will act as a hydraulic barrier to the movement of subsurface landfill gas so that it will
not be possible for gas to migrate beyond the property boundary in this direction. Also, there are
no structures or potential receptors located between the southeast end of the C&D expansion area
and the river; therefore, no gas probes have been proposed for this portion of the property.

The future gas probes will be constructed and installed to the specifications listed in 15A NCAC
Subchapter 2C and the Solid Waste Section’s Landfill Gas Monitoring Guidance Document. A
Professional Engineer (P.E.) or a N.C. Professional Geologist (L.G.) must certify/ supervise the
installation of all landfill gas monitoring wells. A detailed example of a typically constructed
LFG well is included in Appendix C.

Within thirty (30) days of completion of the landfill monitoring gas wells, a well construction
record and/or boring log and a diagram for each well, including but not limited to total depth,
screened interval and distance above seasonal table will be submitted to the SWS. The submittal
will also include a scaled topographic map showing the surveyed location and identification of
new, existing, and abandoned landfill gas monitoring wells.

2.2 Structure and Ambient Sampling
There are currently six structures on the facility property that are monitored for explosive gases
GMP-1, GMP-2, GMP-3, GMP-4, GMP-7A, and GMP-13. An additional monitoring point,
GMP-14) is proposed to be added after waste is being received in the C&D expansion area. The
structures are described below. The locations of these structures are shown on Drawing
LGMP-1.

GMP-1 Scale House
GMP-2 Recycling Center
GMP-3 Office & Shop Building
GMP-4 Building behind Shop
GMP-7A Shed
GMP-13 Firing Range Structure
GMP-14 Transfer Station

Furthermore, there are eight points around the perimeter of the existing landfill unit where
ambient air is monitored for landfill gas. These points are designated GMP-5, GPM-6, GPM-7,
GMP-8, GMP 9, GMP-10, GMP-11, and GMP-12. The locations of these monitoring points are
shown on Drawing LGMP-1.

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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2.3 Landfill Gas Monitoring Frequency
The landfill gas wells and on-site structures included in this LGMP will be monitored at least
quarterly in accordance with current regulations. The first and the third quarterly monitoring
events will occur sometime in February-March and August-September. The gas wells will be
monitored for the second and fourth quarterly events in conjunction with the semi-annual
groundwater monitoring events which usually occur in May-June and November-December.

3.0 LANDFILL GAS SAMPLING PROCEDURES
Landfill gas samples will be collected in accordance with Solid Waste Section’s Landfill Gas
Monitoring Guidance document. Details of detection equipment and sampling procedures are
outlined below.

3.1 Detection Equipment
A portable combustible gas monitor, measuring the concentration of combustible gases in units
of percent of LEL, shall be used to conduct gas monitoring. The LEL means the lowest percent
by volume of a mixture of combustible gas in air that will propagate a flame at 25 degrees
Celsius and atmospheric pressure.

The gas monitor shall be calibrated to methane using the manufacturer's calibration kit and
procedure before the monitoring activities begin. The calibration gas to be used is depends on the
expected levels of methane in landfill gas monitoring wells. If low level methane is expected
15% CO2/15% CH4 calibration gas should be used; while if high level methane is expected, 35%
CO2/ 50% CH4 calibration gas should be used. Verification that the equipment was calibrated in
accordance with the manufacture’s specifications is required. Calibration information must be
recorded on the Landfill Gas Monitoring Data Form.

3.2 Landfill Gas Sampling Procedure
The portable combustible gas monitor will be turned on and allowed to warm up prior to gas
sampling. The static pressure should show a reading of zero before taking the initial sample.
The sample tube shall be purged for at least one minute prior to connecting the sample tube to
the detection well, and then the initial concentration will be recorded. Gas monitoring will
continue until the reading has stabilized. A stable reading is considered to be +/- 0.5% by
volume on the instrument’s scale. Once the reading has stabilized for 5 seconds, the reading will
be recorded and the tubing will be disconnected from the valve. These steps will be repeated for
each landfill gas monitoring well.

Gas monitoring in on-site structures will attempt to identify the "worst case" concentrations. The
monitoring locations will be in corners along floors and ceilings, at cracks in the floor, and at
other areas likely to accumulate gas. Gas monitoring will also be conducted in any confined
space requiring the entry of personnel for maintenance or inspection. The monitoring will take
place prior to entry by personnel in accordance with OSHA regulations.

Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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4.0 RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING
The landfill gas data will be recorded in accordance to the SWS’s Landfill Gas Monitoring
Guidance document included as Appendix A. The records will be maintained in the landfill
operating record.

4.1 Landfill Gas Monitoring Data Form
A landfill gas monitoring form is included as Appendix B.

4.2 Sampling Reports
The landfill gas monitoring reports will be prepared in accordance with the (NC DENR) Division
of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Landfill Gas Monitoring Guidance document. The
report will describe the method of sampling, the date, time, location, sampling personnel,
atmospheric temperature, reported barometric pressure, equipment calibration information,
exceptions noted during sampling, and general weather conditions at the time of sampling, in
addition to the concentration of combustible gases.

4.3 Permanent Record Keeping
A copy of the landfill gas monitoring results and any remediation plans will be maintained in the
landfill operating record. The reports will be maintained at the facility or an alternative location
near the facility approved by the Division.

5.0 CONTINGENCY PLAN
If methane gas levels that exceed the regulatory limits are detected, the results shall be reported
to Burke County immediately. The County will notify the NCDENR, SWS in writing and will
take immediate steps to ensure safety and protection of human health.

If methane levels exceed the LEL in existing gas wells, the need for additional gas wells will be
evaluated, as well as the need for monitoring within any nearby structures in the direction of the
gas migration. If the exceedance is in a gas well not located at or near a property boundary,
additional investigation including use of bar-hole probes or temporary gas wells may be
implemented to determine whether or not the exceedance extends to the property boundary. If
necessary, additional permanent gas wells may be installed between the exceeding well(s) and
the property boundary to demonstrate that the site is in compliance.

If the compliance level is exceeded in an on-site structure, options will be evaluated to reduce the
current methane levels and to prevent further migration of methane into the structure. At a
minimum, the following actions will be taken if the methane concentration exceeds 25% of the
LEL in any structure:

 Put out all smoking materials and turn off all ignition sources;
 Evacuate all personnel;
Landfill Gas Monitoring Plan Joyce Engineering
Burke County, John’s River Landfill, Permit No. 12-03 July 2012
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 Vent the structure;
 Do not allow personnel to reenter the building except to perform gas monitoring until the
results of additional monitoring indicate that methane concentrations are sustained or
stabilized below 25% of the LEL;
 Begin continuous monitoring within the structure; and
 Undertake an assessment to determine the origin and pathways of the gas migration.

Within seven days of detection, the monitoring results will be placed in the Operating Record
and the County will indicate actions taken and actions proposed to resolve the problem. Within
60 days of detection, the County will develop and implement a landfill gas remediation plan for
the combustible gas releases and notify the Division that the plan has been implemented. The
plan will describe the nature and extent of the problem and the proposed remedy.

6.0 CERTIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST OR ENGINEER
The landfill gas monitoring plan for this facility has been prepared by a qualified geologist or
engineer who is licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina. The Certification of
Professional Geologist or Engineer form is included as Appendix D.

7.0 CERTIFICATION OF REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR
All future landfill gas monitoring wells will be surveyed for location and elevation by a North
Carolina Registered Land Surveyor.

8.0 REFERENCES
Brown, Philip M., Chief Geologist, 1985, Geologic Map of North Carolina, The North Carolina
Geologic Survey, scale 1:500,000.

Fetter, C.W., 2001, Applied Hydrogeology, Fourth Edition: Prentice-Hall, Inc..

Johnson, A.I., 1967, Specific Yield - Compilation of Specific Yields For Various Materials: U.S.
Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1662-D.

Joyce Engineering, Inc., June 2012. First Semiannual Groundwater Monitoring Report of 2012
John’s River Landfill, Burke County, North Carolina.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1990-2011, Solid Waste
Management Regulations.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, November 2010, Landfill
Gas Monitoring Guidance.

DRAWING

APPENDIX A

Solid Waste Section – Landfill Gas Monitoring Guidance




























































APPENDIX B

Landfill Gas Monitoring Data Form

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APPENDIX C

Landfill Gas Monitoring Well Detail

Landfill Gas Monitoring Well Detail

APPENDIX D

Certification of Professional Geologist or Engineer