1805_GDS_Transfer_PTORenewApp_DIN26833_20170124

3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 101 • Macon, Georgia 31210 • [phone] • Fax [phone] • www.hhnt.com
SAVANNAH • ATLANTA • Macon • STATESBORO • BRUNSWICK
Consulting Engineers
H. LOWRY TRIBBLE, JR., P.E.
WILLIAM F. HODGES, P.E.
W. MICHAEL STUBBS, P.E.
R. BRANT LANE, P.E.
CLINT L. COURSON, CHMM
K. MATTHEW CHEEK, P.E.
NATHAN D. DUNN, P.E.
RYAN S. WILLOUGHBY, P.E.
WILLIAM A. GRANICH, P.E.
ROBERT D. HELLER, CHMM
ERIC P. JACKSON, P.E.
DAVID E. BATTSON, P.E.
RYAN S. PETERS, P.E.
WILLIAM M. REESE, P.E.
CLAUDIA M. MOELLER, P.E.
TIMOTHY D. BAUMGARTNER, P.E.
DANIEL E. CHEEK, P.E.
KEVIN G. BERRY, P.E.
October 4, 2016
Mr. Larry Frost
Environmental Engineer
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Asheville Regional Office
2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Re: GDS Conover Transfer Station
Facility Permit No. 18-05
Catawba County, North Carolina
Permit to Operate Renewal Request
HHNT Project No. 6703-251-07 / 6703-615-01
Dear Mr. Frost:
As a follow up to previous correspondence related to the permit renewal for the subject facility, we have enclosed
a copy of a revised Operation Plan, which has been updated to reflect current operating conditions at the facility.
We are not requesting any substantial changes to the facility Operations, and only minor updates have been
incorporated.
In addition, the Owner would like to request that a Life of Site permit be issued during this permit renewal
process. At this time, we believe all necessary information has been provided to meet this request. Please advise
if any additional information is needed by the Section to process this permit renewal.
Should you have any questions, please call.
Sincerely,
HODGES, HARBIN, NEWBERRY & TRIBBLE, INC.
K. Matthew Cheek, P.E.
Professional Engineer
KMC/nkc
cc: Ed Mussler III, P.E.
LaDonna Bolton
Tony Gregory, P.E.
Derek Bouchard
K. Matthew Cheek, P.E.

3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 101 | Macon, Georgia | Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

OPERATION PLAN
GDS CONOVER TRANSFER STATION/ MRF
CONOVER, NORTH CAROLINA

OCTOBER 2016 (Revised)

© Republic Services, Inc. (2016)

Republic Services of North Carolina, LLC
130 Somerset Drive Northwest
Conover, NC 28613
N.C. Corp. License No. C-0813

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1
1.1 PURPOSE ....................................................................................................... 1
1.2 FACILITY LOCATION ............................................................................... 2
1.3 FACILITY DESCRIPTION ......................................................................... 2

2.0 WASTE ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA ..................................................................... 3
2.1 RECYCLABLE MATERIAL ....................................................................... 3
2.2 PROHIBITED WASTES .............................................................................. 4

3.0 TRANSFER STATION OPERATIONS.................................................................. 4
3.1 PERSONNEL ................................................................................................. 5
3.2 TIPPING FLOOR OPERATIONS .............................................................. 5
3.3 INSPECTION OF WASTES ........................................................................ 6
3.4 TRAFFIC CONTROL ................................................................................... 7
3.5 HOUSEKEEPING AND LITTER CONTROL .......................................... 7
3.6 NOISE CONTROL ........................................................................................ 7
3.7 ODOR CONTROL ........................................................................................ 8

4.0 EROSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................ 8

5.0 DRAINAGE CONTROL AND WASTE PROTECTION
REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 8

6.0 DISEASE AND VECTOR CONTROL ................................................................... 9

7.0 SIGN AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ............................................................... 9
7.1 SIGN REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................. 9
7.2 OPEN BURNING OF WASTE ................................................................... 10
7.3 FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT ........................................................ 10
7.4 NOTIFICATION OF FIRE ........................................................................ 10

8.0 ACCESS AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS .................................................. 11
8.1 TRANSFER STATION ACCESS AND SECURITY ............................... 11
8.2 ATTENDANT .............................................................................................. 11
8.3 ACCESS ROAD ........................................................................................... 11

9.0 FACILITY INSPECTIONS .................................................................................... 11

10.0 MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY………………………..…………….…….12

APPENDICIES
APPENDIX 1: Load Inspection Form

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
1 Operation Plan
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

This Operation Plan has been developed for the GDS Conover Transfer Station/MRF
located in Conover, North Carolina. This Operation Plan (plan) has been prepared in
accordance with the North Carolina Solid Waste Rules 15A NCAC 13B .0402,
Operational Requirements for Transfer Facilities.

The purpose of this plan is to provide the owner and operator with a manual that includes
the necessary information and procedures to properly operate the transfer station in
accordance with all-applicable rules and regulations. This manual serves as a guide to
safely maintain and operate the transfer station. The plan addresses the following issues:

· Waste acceptance criteria;
· Facility operations;
· Erosion control requirements;
· Drainage control and water protection;
· Disease and vector control;
· Signs and safety requirements;
· Access and security requirements; and
· Facility inspections.

All personnel involved with the management or supervision of the facility operations will
be required to review the plan, and to maintain the facility in conformance with all
applicable requirements. A copy of this plan will be kept on file at the transfer station at
all times.

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
2 Operation Plan
1.2 FACILITY LOCATION

The Transfer Station is located in Conover, North Carolina at 130 Somerset Drive
Northwest. The transfer station building occupies approximately 3500 square feet of
the GDS Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Access to the facility is from a paved
entrance road exiting Somerset Drive.

1.3 FACILITY DESCRIPTION

The transfer station is located within the MRF and consists of a pre-engineered metal
building with a transfer trailer loading bay, and a scale. The facility entrance road
and driveways are paved with asphalt.

The transfer station portion of the building consists of a concrete tipping floor with a
below floor grade loading bay located on the north side of the building. Incoming
waste collection vehicles dump municipal solid waste (MSW) directly onto the
tipping floor of the facility. From the tipping floor, a front-end loader lifts the waste
into open top trailers specifically designed for hauling MSW. These trailers are
located below the tipping floor grade level in the loading bay.

The transfer station building has metal panel walls on all sides with doors on the
front side and rear side for incoming waste loads. In addition, the building has 10-
foot high steel push walls adjacent to the exterior walls on the back and right side,
transfer area only. Incoming waste vehicles will enter the building through the open
back.

The washdown water storage and handling system includes a drain for collection of
washdown water from the loading bay. This drain empties into a catch pit that is
pumped out every 6 months from an outside vendor (currently using Haz-mat).
The transfer station building apron and loading bays have a concrete paved surface.
All access roads have an asphalt paved surface. The scale is an above-groud scale.

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
3 Operation Plan
The owner of the transfer station is Republic Services of North Carolina, LLC
(Republic), who is responsible for all transfer station operations. Republic owns and
operates many solid waste facilities in North Carolina and will ensure all employees
receive necessary training for waste inspections, operations, and clean up of the
facility. Ms. LaDonna Bolton will manage this facility and may be contacted at the
address listed below:

Ms. LaDonna Bolton
Republic Services of North Carolina
130 Somerset Drive Northwest
Conover, NC 28613

2.0 WASTE ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

In accordance with 15A NCAC 13B .0402(1), the transfer facility will only accept those
wastes which it is permitted to receive. The transfer station accepts municipal solid waste
(MSW) (i.e., residential, commercial, and industrial waste) and C&D materials. The current
service area for this Transfer Station facility includes Catawba County. The facility currently
transfers 40-50 tons per day of waste. The daily tonnage rate is subject to change due to
fluctuations in the amount of waste delivered to the facility on any given day, and also due to
seasonal fluctuations in the waste stream.

Incoming waste is primarily transported to the transfer station by GDS collection vehicles
and City of Conover collection vehicles. These vehicles may consist of rear, front, and side
loader truck types.

2.1 RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

Recyclable materials such as newspaper, plastics, etc. may be removed from the
waste stream prior to entering the transfer station. Portions of dry recyclable material
such as metals and cardboard may be separated for recycling at the transfer facility,
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
4 Operation Plan
however, no recyclables will be separated from putrescible garbage or that have come
in contact with leachate.

2.2 PROHIBITED WASTES

The transfer station will not accept barrels and drums unless they are empty and
perforated sufficiently to ensure that no liquid or hazardous waste is contained in
them. No hazardous or liquid waste will be accepted at the transfer station. In
addition, the transfer station will not accept asbestos material, infectious waste,
medical waste, animal waste, animal carcasses, radioactive waste, lead acid batteries,
or white goods. A report will be prepared for any attempted delivery of waste of
which the transfer station is not permitted to receive, including waste from outside
the permitted transfer station service area. The report will be forwarded to:

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ)
Solid Waste Section
1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: [phone]

3.0 TRANSFER STATION OPERATIONS

The transfer station will typically receive waste Monday through Friday 8:00 am- 4:00 pm
These hours may be extended on occasion depending on the volume and consistency of the
incoming waste stream. The transfer station portion of the facility is not open to the general
public or any haulers besides Republic or City of Conover.

Since the transfer station will be operated as a tipping floor facility, the only equipment
required for safe and effective operation of the facility are front-end loaders, transfer trailer
trucks, and the scales. However, additional equipment may be utilized to facilitate loading
operations. The owner will provide properly trained personnel for daily operations of the
transfer station and primary equipment, and equipment maintenance.
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
5 Operation Plan

Solid waste leaving the site will be transferred via transfer trailers to the Catawba County
Landfill in Catawba County, North Carolina. NC DEQ will be notified if final disposal sites
change in the future.

3.1 PERSONNEL

The transfer station operations will be supervised by the general manager. A
minimum of two (2) staff employees are required for the daily operation of the
transfer station. All employees will be properly trained in safety procedures and the
inspection of incoming wastes (see Section 3.3 - Inspection of Wastes). Transfer
station employees will also direct and coordinate the movement of collection vehicles
into and out of the transfer station.

3.2 TIPPING FLOOR OPERATIONS

Collection vehicles delivering residential, commercial, and industrial waste to the
facility will enter the facility via the main gate where they will be required to be
weighed on the inbound scales. Once vehicles have passed the scale area, they will
continue along the right side of the building and enter the transfer station through the
back door (#5). The transfer station building has existing 10-foot high steel push
walls along one side and the rear of the tipping floor, and a depressed loading bay,
located along the left side of the tipping floor below the tipping floor elevation. A 8-
foot high steel push wall divides the tipping floor and the loading bay.

The transfer station attendant will direct vehicles, waiting to unload, to back into the
facility through the west side of the building. Once there is sufficient room to
maneuver on the concrete floor, the vehicles will back onto the tipping floor to an
unloading area designated by the attendant. When the vehicle is in position, the
waste load will be discharged directly onto the tipping floor and the driver will be
instructed to slowly move the vehicle away from the tipping floor, and exit the
transfer station. The heavy equipment operator will push dumped waste towards the
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
6 Operation Plan
west end of the tipping floor. The waste will be placed in the open-top transfer
trailers located in the loading bay of the transfer station.

The lower loading bay area (below floor grade) has been designed to provide
sufficient space for drivers to exit their vehicles and to walk to safety in the event of
an emergency.

During times when several vehicles are at the transfer station, haulers will be
instructed to wait at the truck staging area adjacent to the transfer area until there is
sufficient room at the tipping floor within the transfer building. The size of the
tipping floor will allow only 1 truck to dump at a time.

The facility is designed so that washdown water can be collected by a drain located
on the floor of the upper level of the transfer station. Washdown water remaining on
the tipping floor will be collected using absorbing agents and emptied into transfer
trailers for disposal in an approved facility. From the drain the water goes to a catch
pit, that is routinely pumped out by a third party vendor and disposed of properly.
The City of Conover comes by routinely to check the catch pit.

The tipping floor will be cleared of all wastes at the end of each working day. No
putrescible wastes or free liquids are allowed to remain on the transfer station tipping
floor at the end of the working day, unless it is stored in containers designed for
waste storage.

3.3 INSPECTION OF WASTES

Access to the transfer station is controlled by the scale operator or supervisor on duty.
All waste entering the facility must pass the scalehouse prior to entering the tipping
floor area. As waste is deposited onto the tipping floor, an employee who has
received proper training, will conduct a visual inspection of the waste materials.
Should unacceptable waste be found, the material will be removed from the waste
and disposed of properly. There are only 2 customers utilizing this transfer station,
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
7 Operation Plan
therefore it is easy to maintain accountability. Given that we only handle 40-50 tons
per day each load is carefully looked at as it is loaded on the outbound trailer. Any
impermissible materials will be removed, noted and properly disposed of. Should a
hauler consistently deliver unacceptable material, he will be denied further access to
the transfer station, and the local office of NC DEQ will be notified so that
appropriate investigations can be conducted if necessary. In addition, all actions
specified in Section 2.0 (WASTE ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA) will be strictly
adhered to by the facility operator and its employees.

3.4 TRAFFIC CONTROL

Access to the transfer station is controlled by the scalehouse operator or on duty
supervisor. All vehicles arriving at the facility are directed to the tipping floor area
by the scalehouse operator or on duty supervisor after their weight is recorded. The
site attendant will direct the vehicle to the unloading area, as outlined in Section 3.2.
The flow of traffic will be aided by directional signs.

3.5 HOUSEKEEPING AND LITTER CONTROL

All incoming waste vehicles are required to have their loads tarped upon arrival at the
facility, or the load must be fully enclosed. Outbound transfer trailers are also
required to tarp their loads. Throughout the day and at the end of each day, facility
personnel will police the building and surrounding areas for any windblown litter.
Since the transfer station is enclosed on all sides, wind blown litter should not be a
major operational concern. Any wind blown litter discovered at the end of an
operating day will be collected and stored in a transfer trailer vehicle, or an on-site
trash bin for proper disposal.

3.6 NOISE CONTROL

Noise will be created at the facility from vehicular traffic and operation of the
transfer station equipment. Noise from the collection and transfer vehicles, as well as
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
8 Operation Plan
the rubber-tired front-end loader servicing the transfer station, are all reduced by
mufflers. Other noise generated within the building from waste handling is
significantly abated by the structure that encloses the transfer station.

3.7 ODOR CONTROL

Odors are controlled by prompt unloading and transfer of all delivered wastes at the
transfer station. Adequate fresh air exchange is ensured through the openings in the
building and the openings in the loading bay. In addition, recent building upgrades
incorporated air exchange fans along the North and South sides of the building to
ensure adequate fresh air exchange. The only time waste is stored temporarily at the
transfer station is when a transfer trailer is loaded at the end of the day and must wait
until the landfill disposal site opens the following day, or at the end of a weekend or
holiday. In such cases, the waste will be stored in covered transfer trailers or roll-off
boxes.

The facility may utilize a mechanical odor control system if the above items fail to
adequately control odors. However, under normal operating conditions, an odor
control system is not required at the facility.

4.0 EROSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

Areas adjacent to the transfer station are graded away from the facility and drain via sheet
run-off or through drainage ditches. Standard erosion and sedimentation control practices,
such as vegetating exposed slopes and directing stormwater into ditches have been
implemented at the site. Additional surface drainage dikes, berms, curbs, inlets, and other
devices have been installed to assure leachate does not enter the storm drainage system.

5.0 DRAINAGE CONTROL AND WATER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

The transfer station will be operated to prevent storm water from coming in contact with
waste, and to contain and properly dispose washdown water.
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
9 Operation Plan

The tipping floor and transfer loading bay will be emptied at the end of each operating day.
Any free liquid on the tipping floor will be collected using absorbing agents and properly
disposed.

6.0 DISEASE AND VECTOR CONTROL

The transfer station will provide effective vector control measures for the protection of
human health and the environment. Disease vectors are defined as any rodent, flies,
mosquitoes, or other animals, including insects, capable of transmitting disease to humans.

Control of disease vectors will be maintained by implementation of a daily cleaning program
that involves removal of waste and wastewater from the facility operating areas. The
removal of waste at the end of each operating day will protect against migration of vectors
into and from the transfer station. The facility operator may also use insecticides or pest
control professionals to accomplish these goals. Stagnant ponded water will be prevented
from occurring to control mosquito breeding. If problems controlling disease vectors occur,
a pest control professional will be employed.

7.0 SIGN AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

7.1 SIGN REQUIREMENTS

This transfer station is not open to the public or any haulers not previously
mentioned. Signs will be clearly posted stating that no hazardous or liquid waste can
be received. Traffic signs and markers will be provided as necessary to promote an
orderly traffic pattern to and from the unloading area, and to maintain efficient
operating conditions.

Recently, an additional parking lot was constructed on an adjacent parcel for
personnel parking. This new lot moves all personnel out of the parking area where
MSW Transfer Trailers are staged.
April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
10 Operation Plan

7.2 OPEN BURNING OF WASTE

Open burning of waste is prohibited at the transfer station.

7.3 FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Fire suppression equipment will be provided to control accidental fires, and
arrangements will be made with the local fire department to immediately provide
fire-fighting services when needed. The transfer station building will be equipped
with an appropriate number of fire extinguishers to effectively control accidental
fires. The building is also equipped with a sprinkler system. The fire department
will be invited to visit the facility periodically to inspect for deficiencies or suggested
improvements.

7.4 NOTIFICATION OF FIRE

Fires that occur at the transfer station require verbal notice to the Solid Waste Section
within 24 hours, and written notification shall be submitted within 15 days. Verbal
and written notification will be submitted to:

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ)
Solid Waste Section
1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: [phone]

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
11 Operation Plan
8.0 ACCESS AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

8.1 TRANSFER STATION ACCESS AND SECURITY

The transfer station must be secured by means of gates, chains, berms, fences, and
other security measures to prevent unauthorized entry. All vehicles delivering waste
to the transfer station will enter and exit through the access control gate. Chain-link
fencing, wooded areas, and drainage ditches surrounding the transfer station property
prevents unauthorized vehicle access to the facility.

8.2 ATTENDANT

A transfer station attendant will be at the facility at all times during operating hours.
The transfer station attendant will be responsible for verifying that all vehicles
comply with the permitted operational requirements.

8.3 ACCESS ROAD

The access roads for the transfer station have been constructed of an all-weather
surface and will be maintained in good condition. Potholes, ruts, and debris on the
paved surfaces will receive immediate attention in order to avoid damage to the
vehicles. Access road shoulders will be regraded as necessary to maintain positive
slope for adequate drainage. Since collection and transfer vehicles travel at low
speeds on paved roads, dust generation is not anticipated to be a problem. Should
dust control become necessary, a water truck will be utilized.

9.0 FACILITY INSPECTIONS

There will be regular inspections conducted at the transfer station. Inspections will be
conducted by site personnel who are familiar with the operations of the facility. Items that
will be inspected monthly will include, but not be limited to, the following:

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
12 Operation Plan
1. Transfer trailers;
2. Push walls;
3. Fire extinguishers;
4. Electrical controls;
5. Trench drain, floor drains, and yard hydrant; and
6. Washdown water collection sump and pump.

Records of all facility inspections will be maintained in the office.

If unsatisfactory conditions are noted during the inspection, or by the transfer station
personnel at any other time, the concerns shall be reported to the general manager. If a threat
to safety or to the environment is identified, immediate action shall be taken to correct the
situation. If necessary, operations at the transfer station will be suspended temporarily until
the proper corrective actions have been taken.

In addition to these records, random inspection forms discussed in Section 3.3 shall be
retained by the facility.

10.0 MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY

The Material Recovery Facility (MRF) may operate 24-hours per day but typically operates
from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Adjustments may be made due to
changes in the recyclable markets, volumes, materials received and maintenance of
equipment.

The MRF is located under the same roof as the Transfer Station with some storage bins
located outside.

Recyclable materials are dropped off at various stations located around the MRF. Mixed
materials are separated by sorters or specialized equipment. Once separated, materials can be
bundled or packaged accordingly for shipping to off-site locations for final processing.
Materials may be stored temporarily to obtain a full load for shipping or for market purposes.

April 2016 GDS Conover Transfer Station
13 Operation Plan
APPENDIX 1: LOAD INSPECTION FORM

LOAD INSPECTION FORM

Date: Truck Number: Time: am/pm

Inspection Type: 1) Random Inspection Gross Weight ________
2) Suspicious Load Tare Weight ________

Reason for Suspicion:

SOURCE INFORMATION
1) Waste Hauler Name
2) Driver Name
3) Waste Generator Name

INSPECTION RESULTS
1) Describe Waste Inspected

2) Prohibited Wastes Present? Yes No

If Yes, List: Prohibitive Waste Type: Action Taken: Date:
____________________ ____________________ _____________
____________________ ____________________ _____________

3) Approved MSW Waste Yes No

4) Other Observations

5) Disposition Load Accepted
Load Rejected
Operator / ADEM Notified

(Waste Inspector)
(Signature)