9503T_WataugaTS_SoilAssessAppr_26006_20160427

PAT MCCRORY
Governor
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
Secretary

MICHAEL SCOTT
Acting Director
State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Waste Management
1646 Mail Service Center | 217 West Jones Street | Raleigh, NC 27699-1646
919 707 8200 T

April 27, 2016

Sent Via Email – [e-mail]

Mr. J.V. Potter
Watauga County Operations Services Director
336 Landfill Road
Boone, NC 28607

Re: Soil Sampling and Analysis Report
Watauga County Transfer Station, Permit #95-03T
DIN #26006

Dear Mr. Potter:

The Solid Waste Section (Section) has reviewed the Response to NCDEQ Compliance Inspection Report
and Notice of Violation, dated November 20, 2015 & Sampling and Analysis Report (DIN #25970) prepared
by Draper Aden Associates (DAA). During the November 10, 2015 compliance inspection at the facility,
Section personnel observed a release of liquid from the disposal trailers onto the asphalt staging area that
flowed toward a vegetated area adjacent to the parking lot. The leachate release observed during the
inspection resulted in the Section issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Watauga County on November
20, 2015. The NOV required Watauga County to conduct an assessment and investigate potential leachate
impact. DAA submitted a sampling and analysis plan that was approved by the Section on December 28,
2015.

DAA personnel conducted soil sampling at the facility on January 7, 2016. Seven soil samples (WS-1
through WS-7) were collected from the area of investigation which included locations along the edge of the
parking lot, along secondary flow paths within the vegetative area, and an area further downgradient from
the release to define the extent of potential impact. A background soil sample was also collected south of
the area of investigation. Soil samples were collected with a hand auger at depths between 1 to 6 inches
below ground surface. The samples were field screened using a PID and transported to a laboratory for
analysis of Appendix I metals and volatile organic compounds, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical
oxygen demand (COD), and total Phosphorus.

Soil sample analytical results were compared to the Residential and Protection of Groundwater Preliminary
Soil Remediation Goals (PSRG). Acetone was the only organic constituent reported above laboratory
reporting limits, but the reported concentration did not exceed the Residential or Protection of Groundwater
PSRG. Arsenic and thallium concentrations were reported above the Residential PSRG in samples WS-1
through WS-7. Additionally, cobalt and vanadium concentrations exceeded the Protection of Groundwater
PSRG in samples WS-1 through WS-7. The arsenic and thallium Residential PSRG in addition to the cobalt
and vanadium Protection of Groundwater PSRG were also exceeded in the background soil sample.
Therefore, DAA attributed the exceedances of cobalt, vanadium, arsenic, and thallium in samples WS-1
through WS-7 to natural occurrence. BOD and COD were not detected in any of the samples. Based on
the sampling and analysis results, DAA concluded there was no indication of leachate impact to soils and
recommended that no further action be required at this time.

State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Waste Management
1646 Mail Service Center | 217 West Jones Street | Raleigh, NC 27699-1646
919 707 8200 T

Based on the analytical data presented in the report, the Section will not require additional assessment
related to the leachate discharge observed on November 10, 2015. Please contact me at [phone] or
by e-mail at [e-mail] if you have any questions or concerns regarding this letter. Thank you
for your cooperation with this matter.

Sincerely,

Ervin Lane
Hydrogeologist
Environmental Compliance
Solid Waste Section

cc: Karen Weber, P.G., Draper Aden Associates
Jason Watkins, Field Operations Branch Head
Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor
Charles Gerstell, Environmental Senior Specialist