HomeMy WebLinkAbout7904_INSP_20161213FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 1 of 13
UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF X LCID YW Transfer Compost SLAS COUNTY: Rockingham
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods X Incin T&P X FIRM PERMIT NO.: 7904-MSWLF-1995
CDLF Tire T&P /
Collection X Tire
Monofill Industrial
Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: 12/13/2016 and 12/16/2016 Date of Last Inspection: 05/07/2015
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Rockingham County Landfill
281 Shuff Road
Madison, NC 27025
GPS COORDINATES: N: 36.36455° W: - 79.84336°
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Kathryn Jolly, Environmental Compliance Solid Waste Program Manager
Telephone: 336-941-7175
Email address: kjolly@co.rockingham.nc.us
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
P. O. Box 132
Wentworth, NC 27375
PARTICIPANTS:
Martie Neugent, Landfill Supervisor – Rockingham County (12/13/16 and 12/16/16)
Kathryn Jolly, Environmental Compliance Solid Waste Program Manager – Rockingham County (12/16/16 only)
Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor -- Solid Waste Section (12/13/16 only)
Kim Sue, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section (12/13/16 only)
Susan Heim, Environmental Senior Specialist, Solid Waste Section (12/13/16 and 12/16/16)
STATUS OF PERMIT:
7904-MSWLF: Original Permit to Construct: Issued August 16, 1994
7904-MSWLF: Original Permit to Operate: Issued May 5, 1995
Permit Amendment 1: Issued July 21, 1997
Permit Amendment 2: Issued March 21, 2000
Permit to Operate Phase 2: Issued May 2, 2002
Permit to Construct Phase 3: January 23, 2006
Permit to Operate Phase 3: Issued May 23, 2007
Permit to Operate (Modification of Permitted Side Slopes): Issued April 9, 2009
Permit to Operate (Authorization to Construct Landfill Gas System): Issued April 25, 2011
Permit to Operate Phase 3 Vertical Expansion: Issued August 27, 2013
Permit Expires February 27, 2018
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection
STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
None
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 2 of 13
OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
1. 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) states: “By receiving solid waste at a permitted facility, the permittee(s) shall be
considered to have accepted the conditions of the permit and shall comply with the conditions of the permit.”
Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, ATTACHMENT 1, PART IV, General Permit Condition #6 states,
“Operation of this solid waste management facility must be in accordance with the Solid Waste Management
Rules, 15A NCAC 13B, Article 9 of the Chapter 130A of the North Carolina General Statutes, the conditions
contained in this permit, and the approved plan.” Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, PART IV, General
Permit Condition #7 states, “This permit is issued based on the documents submitted in support of the application
for permitting the facility including those identified in ATTACHMENT 3, “List of Documents for Approved
Plan,” and which constitute the approved plan for the facility.” Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995,
ATTACHMENT 1, Part II, Item 9 lists MSW Permit Amendment & Vertical Expansion as one of the documents
for the Approved Plan. Item 3.2, Random Selection, of Section V – Operations Plan (Revised August 2012),
MSW Permit Amendment & Vertical Expansion states, “While all incoming loads of waste are visually observed
as they enter the facility, loads will be randomly selected on a regular basis for a thorough inspection of their
contents. The personnel conducting the inspection will randomly select at least one vehicle per week at the
working face. At least 1% of the waste stream by weight will be inspected in this manner.” Item 3.3, Record
Keeping, of Section V – Operations Plan (Revised August 2012) states, “Sample report forms for record-keeping
purposes are included in Appendix IV-1. These forms are completed at each inspection. Beginning in 2005, all
reports and resulting correspondence are maintained at the Rockingham County Landfill office for a minimum of
five years.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) as a result of failing to perform and/or
document the required waste screening provisions stated in Section V- Operations Plan (revised August
2012).
An inspection of the waste screening records for the active MSW landfill from January 1, 2016 through December
13, 2016 revealed deficiencies in the number of waste screenings performed and/or documented. Records for the
following months indicated fewer screenings than required: January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, April
2016, June 2016, July 2016, August 2016, October 2016, November 2016 and December 2016.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must immediately begin to perform and document the
required number of random waste screenings and maintain the required records of same.
2. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a) states: “The owners and operators of all MSWLF units must 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 control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a) by failing to completely cover all
disposed solid waste with six inches of earthen material or the facility’s approved alternative daily cover
(tarps) at the end of each operating day.
The facility is permitted to use tarps as alternative daily cover, with soil coverage weekly. The facility maintains
four 50’ x 100’ tarps that are deployed using a tarp-o-matic. Upon initial inspection on 12/13/2016, the working
face of the landfill was very large and was observed to have inadequate cover, thus allowing waste to remain
exposed and to become windblown. Mr. Neugent explained that as the size of the working face expanded in
recent weeks, the tarps were not sufficient to cover all of the waste. In addition, during the completion of the
inspection on 12/16/16, Mr. Neugent stated that the working face of the landfill had not been adequately
covered for a month or more.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 3 of 13
During the completion of the inspection on 12/16/2016, observation of the working face revealed progress had
been made in reducing the size of the working face and in beginning the placement of daily cover in the area of
the working face. However, large areas of the side slopes are also lacking adequate cover.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must immediately apply cover to all areas where waste is
exposed to achieve the required 6-inch layer of soil.
3. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(11)(a) states: “MSWLF units shall restrict solid waste into the smallest area feasible.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(11)(a) by failing to restrict solid waste into
the smallest area feasible.
Upon initial inspection on 12/13/2016, the working face of the active MSW landfill was observed to be very
large. During the completion of the inspection on 12/16/16, facility staff stated that the working face had not
been completely covered in more than a month.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must restrict solid waste into the smallest area feasible, and
establish a working face that can be maintained and adequately covered at the end of each working day.
Above: Area surrounding working face. Inadequate cover and
windblown litter.
Above: Working face. Note small soil piles forming a berm at
toe of working face.
Below: Access road just below working face. Uncovered and
windblown waste. Below: View of the entire length of the working face.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 4 of 13
4. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(a) states: “Adequate sediment control measures shall be utilized to prevent silt from
leaving the MSWLF facility.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(a) by failing to prevent silt from leaving
the MSWLF facility.
Upon initial inspection on 12/13/2016, most of the western slope of the active landfill showed evidence of
severe erosion, where silt containing exposed waste had flowed to the toe of the landfill and into the storm
water inlets. In one area, a berm had been constructed on the access roadway to prevent additional silt from
crossing the road and continuing downhill into the grassy areas west of the roadway and also into the leachate
pond. Many other areas of erosion along the slopes of the active landfill were also observed.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must ensure that erosion control measures are sufficient to
prevent silt from leaving the MSWLF facility and to prevent on-site erosion.
5. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(b) states: “Adequate sediment control measures shall be utilized to prevent on-site
erosion.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(b) by failing to prevent on-site erosion.
Upon initial inspection on 12/13/2016, most areas of the side slopes of the active landfill showed evidence of
severe erosion, which had resulted in the development of deep ruts and gullies where waste had been pulled
downhill with the cover dirt and sediment, and had been left exposed in the rills. Little or no vegetative cover
was in evidence that would assist in controlling the erosion.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must ensure that erosion control measures are sufficient to
prevent on-site erosion. All slopes must be inspected regularly to spot and repair erosion when it starts,
and to ensure that vegetative cover becomes well established.
Erosion of side slopes with silt and sediment running into storm water collection ditch.
Left: Silt overtaking access roadway guard rail. Right: Sediment filling storm water collection ditch and inlets.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 5 of 13
6. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(c) states: “Provisions for a vegetative ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion must
be accomplished within 30 working days or 120 calendar days upon completion of any phase of MSWLF
development.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(7)(c) by failing to provide for a vegetative
cover sufficient to restrain erosion within 30 working days or 120 calendar days of completion of any
phase of MSWLF development.
Upon initial inspection on 12/13/2016, most areas of the side slopes of the active landfill showed evidence of
severe erosion and were observed to have little or no vegetative cover established that would prevent erosion.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must ensure that sufficient vegetative cover is established on
the landfill slopes to prevent erosion. Vegetation must be well established to demonstrate compliance.
7. 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) states: “By receiving solid waste at a permitted facility, the permittee(s) shall be
considered to have accepted the conditions of the permit and shall comply with the conditions of the permit.”
Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, ATTACHMENT 1, PART IV, General Permit Condition #6 states,
“Operation of this solid waste management facility must be in accordance with the Solid Waste Management
Rules, 15A NCAC 13B, Article 9 of the Chapter 130A of the North Carolina General Statutes, the conditions
contained in this permit, and the approved plan.” Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, PART IV,
General Permit Condition #7 states, “This permit is issued based on the documents submitted in support of the
application for permitting the facility including those identified in ATTACHMENT 3, “List of Documents for
Approved Plan,” and which constitute the approved plan for the facility.” Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-
1995, ATTACHMENT 1, Part II, Item 9 lists MSW Permit Amendment & Vertical Expansion as one of the
documents for the Approved Plan. Item 2.5, Special Wastes, of Section V – Operations Plan (Revised August
2012), MSW Permit Amendment & Vertical Expansion states, “Clean wood wastes are accepted at this facility,
but are not disposed of in the landfill. This waste stream is processed in the composting area, where it is
chipped, shredded, and placed in windrows for mulching. The final product is sold to the public or private
industries/businesses as boiler fuel.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) by making the processed wood waste
available to the public as a product other than boiler fuel.
During the inspection, Mr. Nuegent stated that the processed wood waste is being sold to the public as mulch.
Deep ruts and rills on side slopes caused by erosion. Left: Edge of waste markers in foreground. Vegetative cover washed away
except in areas beyond liner. Right: Soil berm created at edge of access road to block soil and waste from entering roadway.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 6 of 13
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must take one of the following courses of action: 1) cease
selling processed wood waste to the public as mulch; or, 2) amend the approved Operations Plan to
permit processed material to be sold to the public as mulch.
During the completion of the inspection on December 16, 2016, Ms. Jolly notified county staff that mulch
would no longer be offered for sale to the public; she also removed information about the sale of mulch
from the county’s website.
8. 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) states: “By receiving solid waste at a permitted facility, the permittee(s) shall be
considered to have accepted the conditions of the permit and shall comply with the conditions of the permit.”
Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, ATTACHMENT 3, PART V, Miscellaneous Treatment and
Processing Unit Specific Condition #29 states, “Wastes received and product stored shall be maintained in
reasonably sized piles with adequate fire breaks and lanes in accordance with the approved operational plans
and the pertinent rules.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) by storing wood wastes received in a
single large pile with insufficient fire breaks and lanes.
During the inspection, the wood waste pile appeared to be approximately 200’ long, 25’ tall, and varying in
width from approximately 20’ to 60’. Mr. Nuegent stated that the pile is allowed to accumulate for a two-year
period before a grinding contractor is hired. He stated that grinding operations would be budgeted to take place
during the next fiscal year.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must break the brush pile into smaller piles with fire lanes
that allow sufficient access to emergency response personnel and equipment.
9. 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) states: “By receiving solid waste at a permitted facility, the permittee(s) shall be
considered to have accepted the conditions of the permit and shall comply with the conditions of the permit.”
Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, ATTACHMENT 3, PART V, Miscellaneous Treatment and
Processing Unit Specific Condition #30 states, “Surface water shall be diverted from all operational and storage
areas to prevent standing water in operational areas and under or around storage piles. Water that comes in
contact with solid waste shall be contained on-site or properly treated prior to discharge.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) by allowing water to pond under and
around wood waste storage piles.
During the inspection, ponding water was observed at the base of the unprocessed wood waste stockpile on the
northern and western sides. On the southeastern side of the stockpile, an area where vegetation peculiar to
wetlands was observed. The presence of this type of vegetation would seem to indicate that the area is always
wet.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must perform maintenance to the wood waste area to
prevent future ponding of water under and around wood waste storage piles located on the cap of a
closed, unlined MSW landfill. Any water which comes into contact with waste must be collected and
treated as leachate.
10. 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) states: “By receiving solid waste at a permitted facility, the permittee(s) shall be
considered to have accepted the conditions of the permit and shall comply with the conditions of the permit.”
Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995, ATTACHMENT 3, PART V, Miscellaneous Treatment and
Processing Unit Specific Conditions #35 and #36 state, “35. The facility is permitted to receive land clearing
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 7 of 13
waste as defined in 15A NCAC 13B, Rule .0101(23).” and, “36. The facility is permitted to receive wooden
pallets constructed of unpainted and untreated natural wood.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0203(d) by accepting waste that the facility is not
permitted to receive.
During the inspection, painted wood, painted wood pallets and engineered wood were observed in the
unprocessed wood waste stockpile.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must remove all unacceptable waste from the unprocessed
wood waste stockpile and dispose of it at a properly permitted facility. Proof of proper disposal must be
presented to the Solid Waste Section for verification. Please note that the MSW landfill may not receive
wooden pallets, per GS 130A-309.10(f)(12).
11. 15A NCAC 13B .1626(11)(c) states, in part: “At the conclusion of each day of operation, all windblown
material resulting from the operation shall be collected and returned to the area by the owner or operator.”
Rockingham County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B. 1626 (11)(c) by failing to collect and return all
windblown material to the active landfill at the end of each day.
During the inspection, a large amount of windblown material was observed along the access roadways, on the
side slopes of the active landfill, in the sediment basins and in the trees and vegetation surrounding the active
landfill.
To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must collect and properly dispose of all windblown litter at
the facility by the conclusion of each day of operations.
Wood Waste Collection Area.
Above: Wood waste stockpile.
Right: Unacceptable waste - plywood, painted wood and
painted pallets - throughout stockpile; ponding water at base
of stockpile.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 8 of 13
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. Operations at the facility consist of an active MSW landfill, currently operating in the Phase 3 Vertical Expansion, a
scrap tire collection and processing area, white goods collection and processing area, a collection area for
compressed gas containers, a convenience center for the drop-off of residential wastes and single stream recyclable
materials, an electronics and television collection area, a wood waste collection and processing area, and an inert
debris collection area. The site also contains a landfill gas to energy facility, operated by the county, and located
adjacent to the leachate pond.
2. An inspection of all aspects of operations covered under Permit to Operate No. 7904-MSWLF-1995 was made on
12/13/2016. However, additional records were reviewed onsite on 12/16/2016. Preliminary corrective actions on the
working face of the active landfill were also observed at the facility on this date.
3. The MSW landfill is permitted to receive waste generated within a 75-mile radius of the facility. Mr. Neugent stated
that the county still limits the waste it accepts to that generated within Rockingham County.
Records Review:
4. The current Permit to Operate (dated August 27, 2013) was available and reviewed. The operations plan (dated
August 2012) was not on hand at the facility. Mr. Everhart was able to retrieve the document on his computer and
print it out for everyone to review. Ensure that both the current Permit to Operate and the current Operations
Plan are available at the facility and that facility staff are able to locate both documents as needed or upon
request.
5. Tonnage reports for the facility were reviewed. Confusion about the various codes used to track each waste stream
were cleared up through a phone call to the scale house operator. For the month of November 2016, the facility
accepted 8,337.64 tons of waste for disposal; 150 gallons of used oil; and 209.43 tons of single stream recyclables,
managed through a contract with Waste Management. Mr. Neugent stated that the average tonnage of waste
received daily at the facility in November 2016 was 384.19 tons.
6. Open top scrap tire trailers are removed and replaced as they are filled. For the month of November 2016, records
indicated a total of 163.45 tons of scrap tires were collected at the facility. Scrap tire certification forms were
reviewed for completeness. Some of the forms were missing the range of dates during which the scrap tires were
accumulated. The remainder of the required information was filled out on all of the forms. Ensure that each scrap
tire certification form includes all required information prior to accepting the load.
7. White goods program records showed a total of 13.76 tons of white goods had been collected at the facility in
November 2016. CFC removal and white goods recycling is handled through a contract with Foss Recycling.
8. The electronics and television recycling program is contracted through MeTech, Inc. 3.74 tons of electronics were
received at the facility during November 2016.
9. A review of training records and certifications revealed the following personnel with current SWANA certificates:
Grandy Tuck, Landfill Operations Specialist – expires 11/12/2017
Windblown trash along access roadway and at toe of landfill.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 9 of 13
Steve Vernon, Landfill Operations Specialist – expires 03/24/2018
Facio Visaya, Landfill Operations Specialist – expires 03/24/2018
Toran More, Landfill Operations Specialist – expires 08/10/2019
Jacob Collins, Landfill Operations Specialist – expires 08/10/2019
Martie Neugent, Manager of Landfill Operations – expires 05/06//2017
Kathryn Jolly, Manager of Landfill Operations – expires 07/07/2019
Ronald Tate, Manager of Landfill Operations – expires 04/04//2019
Edward Shelton, Manager of Landfill Operations – expires 12/03//2018
10. Facility financial assurance has been received by the Solid Waste Section and is currently under review.
11. The facility has a Title V Air Quality Permit (Permit # 10200T02), issued and inspected by the Division of Air
Quality.
12. The facility has a discharge permit to pump and haul leachate to the City of Eden’s waste water collection system in
Wentworth from the leachate pond located on the southwest side of the active landfill. For the month of November,
2016, 152,144 gallons of leachate were hauled from the facility for disposal.
13. The facility is operated under an NC General Storm Water Permit, and is inspected by the Division of Energy,
Mining and Land Resources.
14. The two latest semi-annual ground water monitoring records were reviewed. During the March 29-31, 2016 and the
September 28-30, 2015 sampling events, 22 wells were sampled for the active MSW landfill, along with 4 surface
water locations and 1 leachate location – the leachate pond.
15. Landfill gas monitoring records were reviewed for the facility. Sampling events occurred on 01/27/2016, 02/17/16,
03/15/2016, 04/08/2016, 07/13/2016 and 11/22/2016. Monthly sampling events had been undertaken to investigate
the detection of methane exceedances in monitoring well M-6. The county is working with the Solid Waste Section
Compliance Hydrogeologist to evaluate the situation.
16. Random waste screening logs were examined for the MSW landfill, indicating deficiencies in the number of
screenings for the current calendar year. (See observed violation in this report for more information.)
Active MSW Landfill (Phase 3 Vertical Expansion):
17. Current landfill operations were observed to be taking place in the Phase 3 Vertical Expansion. Remaining capacity
in this cell is expected to last for an additional two years.
18. The working face of the landfill was observed to be very large with a lot of windblown trash migrating down the
slopes and access road. Ensure that the working face is compact so that waste is easily controlled and
windblown litter is kept to a minimum. (See observed violations in this report for more information.)
19. Inadequate cover on the working face as well as on large areas of the side slopes has led to unacceptable amounts of
windblown litter around the site. Ensure that windblown litter is picked up daily, and that cover is adequate to
reduce the incidence of windblown litter at the facility. (See observed violation in this report for more
information.)
20. The facility is approved for the use of tarps for alternative daily cover, and Mr. Neugent stated that the county uses
four 50’x100’ tarps as alternative daily cover. He also indicated that the working face had not been completely
covered for a month or more. (See observed violation in this report for more information.)
21. The working face as well as the waste in areas surrounding the working face had inadequate cover, as did most of
the slopes of the active landfill unit. Immediately cover all exposed waste in all areas of the facility.
22. Two equipment operators were observed on the working face, pushing and compacting the waste as it was being
received. No spotter was at the working face to direct loads for tipping, and the tipping area did not appear to be
well defined. Ensure that the tipping area is well defined and that sufficient traffic control is exercised to
provide a safe and efficient working face at all times during facility operations.
23. On many of the side slopes of the landfill, poor waste coverage and serious erosion issues were seen to have
resulted in the flow of sediment and waste downhill and into the storm water collection drains. Mr. Neugent
explained that the dirt berm at the edge of the access roadway on the west side of the active landfill had been put
into place to prevent sediment from crossing the road, running downhill over the grassy area between the roadway
and the leachate pond, and into the leachate pond itself. (See observed violation in this report for more information.)
24. Please ensure that regular inspections and routine maintenance of the landfill slopes are performed as
required.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 10 of 13
25. Internal roadways are of all-weather construction and well maintained
26. Most of the observed monitoring wells appeared to be properly labeled, locked and accessible. However, the hinge
on MW4 was broken and, when observed, the well was open to the weather. Mr. Neugent stated that he would have
the hinge repaired immediately. Please ensure that monitoring wells are inspected regularly to maintain the
integrity of the wells and prevent the penetration of rain or animals.
27. The leachate pond and the leachate evaporation equipment were inspected. The liner of the pond was found to be
partially covered with sediment, and the integrity of the liner could not be determined through observation. The
permanent freeboard markings were not visible at the time of the inspection. Ensure that the pond liner is
uncovered, cleaned of sediment and inspected regularly for tears and deterioration.
28. The leachate evaporation system remains in place in the leachate pond and is operated when weather conditions are
optimal. Mr. Neugent stated that there had been little or no reduction in the amount of leachate pumped from the
pond during periods of operation.
White Goods Collection Area:
29. The white goods collection area is located atop one of the closed, unlined MSW landfill cells. As white goods are
received, they are neatly stored upright on a concrete pad, thus preventing the crushing of gas lines and releases of
CFCs. At the time of the inspection, the white goods collection area was observed to be clean and well maintained.
30. Currently, white goods and scrap metals are managed through outside contracts for CFC removal and
recycling/disposal.
Wood Waste Treatment and Processing Area:
31. The wood waste operations are also located atop one of the closed, unlined MSW landfill cells near the white goods
collection area. Please note that the closed MSW landfill (permit #7901) was not inspected at this time.
32. Loads are screened as they come across the scales by the scale house operator, and those that are determined to be
comprised of clean wood waste are directed to the collection area where customers unload.
33. As material accumulates, facility personnel push the wood waste into the pile and check for the presence of any
unacceptable materials. The facility permit allows only for land clearing waste and unpainted natural wood pallets.
During the time of the inspection, painted pallets, painted wood and plywood were observed throughout the large
stockpile of unprocessed wood waste. Mr. Neugent stated that he was unaware that plywood was an unacceptable
waste. (See observed violation in this report for more information.)
34. Wood waste is accumulated at the site until a contract for grinding is executed. Mr. Neugent stated that grinding
occurs every other year. At the time of the inspection, the stockpile of wood waste was approximately 25’ high and
200’ long, varying in width from 20’ to 60’. Areas of ponding water were observed in several areas at the base of
the pile. (See observed violations in this report for more information.)
35. Processed wood waste is stored in a location across the road from the convenience area. This area is also atop a
closed, unlined MSW landfill cell where passive methane vents have been installed. The ground material is loosely
configured in windrows and is not turned or monitored for temperature control. Another small pile of the mulch is
located in a spot just south of the convenience area, behind the container storage area. Mr. Neugent stated that
mulch is made available for purchase by the public.
36. Ensure that any processed wood waste offered to the public contains no engineered lumber/plywood and no
painted or treated wood.
Inert Debris Collection Area:
37. Used concrete and brick is stockpiled in an area adjacent to the white goods collection area. Loads determined by
the scale house operator to contain only clean concrete are dumped here by customers, and facility personnel
remove any unacceptable waste as the load is pushed into the stockpile.
38. Mr. Neugent stated that the pile was started with the goal of crushing the material to use as fill and roadway base
throughout the facility. He explained that so far no crushing has occurred.
39. During the inspection, painted concrete, concrete with pipe and rebar protruding from the surface, plastic waste and
wood waste were observed on top of the pile. These materials are not considered to be inert debris.
40. Ensure that only inert debris is stockpiled and crushed for use as fill material at the facility, and that any
other waste is separated from each load and properly disposed of in the MSW landfill.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 11 of 13
Scrap Tire Collection Area:
41. Scrap tire disposal is contracted through Central Carolina Tire, and the contractor provides trailers which are
removed and replaced as needed. The scrap tire collection area is located adjacent to the white goods collection
area, atop one of the closed, unlined MSW landfill cells.
42. Scrap tire certification forms are collected at the scale house, and customers load tires directly into the trailers for
disposal.
43. Two open top trailers were observed in the collection area and appeared to be in good condition. Tire trailers are
positioned below grade to allow easy disposal from the concrete unloading area above.
44. The tire collection area provides ample space for the movement and positioning of trucks for unloading.
Other Facility Operations:
45. A convenience area is operated near the scale house for residential drop-off of small vehicle loads of MSW,
residential recyclables, electronics and televisions, used oil, and lead acid batteries.
46. The convenience area appeared to have adequate space for safe ingress, egress and traffic flow, and included
concrete pads at the unloading points. The area was clean and well maintained, and staffed with an attendant during
hours of operation.
47. The electronics and television collection area consists of a large concrete pad with a covered area where sorted,
palletized materials are neatly stored awaiting transport. The adjacent open area serves as an unloading pad for use
by the public. At the time of the inspection, the electronics area appeared clean and well maintained.
48. A landfill gas extraction plant, operated by the county, is located adjacent to the leachate collection pond. The plant
is not currently in operation due to an inoperable engine, and the county is evaluating the efficacy of having repairs
made in order to resume operations. When the plant was operational, the county sold power locally. During the time
of the inspection, only the flare was in operation.
49. Additional research will be undertaken by the Solid Waste Section to determine the permitting history of the facility
operations that take place on top of the closed, unlined MSW landfill cells, including the wood waste treatment and
processing, scrap tire and white goods collection, and the convenience drop-off site.
50. During the inspection, a number of concerns, including inadequate coverage of waste, lack of maintenance
and repair of landfill side slopes and cap, lack of established vegetative cover, excessive stockpiling of
unsorted and unprocessed wood waste and used concrete, and lack of required maintenance in numerous
areas of operation, were explained by facility staff as being due to insufficient personnel to manage and
undertake these activities. Please note that 15A NCAC 13B .1604(2)(I) states: “Proper Operation and
Maintenance. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of
treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve
compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective
performance, adequate funding, adequate operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory and
process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures.”
Sediment Basin No. 1 with significant sediment buid-up and
windblown trash accumulated at the southwestern rim. Sediment Basin No. 2 with substantial sediment accumulation.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 12 of 13
Inert debris pile with
unacceptable wastes
integrated into the stockpile -
painted block, plastics,
concrete with rebar and
metal pipe protruding from
the surface.
Above: Monitoring well 9 - properly labeled and
locked, protected from damage by equipment and
easily accessible.
Right: Monitoring Well 4 - hinge broken and cover
askew, open to the weather.
White goods and compressed gas tank collection areas - clean
and well maintained.
Scrap tire collection area with open-top trailers - well
maintained and easily accessible from loading dock.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 13 of 13
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.
__________________________________________ Phone: 336-776-9672
Susan Heim
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative
Sent on: December 22, 2016 to
Lance Metzler, County
Manager.
X Email Hand delivery US Mail X Certified No.
70111570000185455905
Copies: Jason Watkins, Field Operations Branch Head – Solid Waste Section
Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor – Solid Waste Section
Kim Sue, Environmental Senior Specialist – Solid Waste Section
Ervin Lane, Hydrogeologist – Solid Waste Section
Larry Frost, Permit Engineer – Solid Waste Section
Jessica Montie, Compliance Officer – Solid Waste Section
Ronnie Tate, Engineering & Public Utilities Director – Rockingham County
Kathryn Jolly, Solid Waste Program Manager – Rockingham County
Martie Neugent, Landfill Supervisor – Rockingham County
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.
Convenience area - staffed and well maintained, with ample
room for vehicle traffic and maneuvering to drop-off points.
Electronics drop-off area - sorted, palletized electronics stored
under cover with open drop-off area adjacent; convenience
area in background.