9504_INSP_20170223

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 1 of 3
UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Watauga
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: SWC-95-04
CDLF Tire T&P /
Collection Tire
Monofill Industrial
Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: February 23, 2017 Date of Last Inspection: April 14, 2016
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Appalachian State University
Physical Plant – Dale Street
Boone, North Carolina 28608
GPS COORDINATES: N: 36.20597 W: 81.65582
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: John Richards, Compost Facility Coordinator
Telephone: [phone] x 108
Email address: [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 32105
Boone, North Carolina 32105
PARTICIPANTS:
John Richards, Compost Facility Coordinator – ASU
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section
STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate a Small Type III Compost Facility was issued to Appalachian State University on October 13,
2011. The permit expired on October 9, 2016. A permit renewal application has been submitted to the Solid Waste
Section and is currently under review.
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection
STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A
OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
None
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.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 2 of 3
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. The facility consists of a Small Type III Compost Facility approved for the composting of pre-consumer and post-
consumer food waste with sawdust and wood chips used as bulking agents as detailed in the approved permit
application.
2. The facility utilizes a forced aeration system. Compost is placed in four covered bins with gates. Leachate drains
are provided within trenches located at the front and rear of each bin.
3. During the inspection, bins were in use as follows:
x Bin 1: In process compost (material had actually met temperature requirements and was in curing stage)
x Bin 2: Empty
x Bin 3: In process compost
x Bin 4: Empty
4. All sawdust and wood chips used for bulking agents were contained on a covered concrete pad adjacent to the
compost bins.
5. During the inspection, some compost was placed under the covered area where bulking agents are kept. Mr.
Richards explained that this material had met temperatures, but there were some foods such as potatoes and onions
that had not adequately broken down. Mr. Richards explained that this material would be reintroduced to the
compost process.
6. The facility utilizes a leachate collection system consisting of drains located at the front and rear of each compost
bin which deposit into a 1000-gallon collection tank.
x The lid to the leachate tank was locked upon inspection. It appeared that that tank was being properly
maintained.
x No leachate related concerns were observed.
7. No objectionable odors were observed.
8. No dust was observed.
9. A small amount of compost residue was observed on the concrete pad in front of the compost bins. Mr. Richards
was in the process of removing this material during the inspection. Mr. Richards explained that this material was
deposited when compost was moved from Bin #4 to Bin #1.
10. No flies or other vectors were observed.
11. No evidence of scavenging was observed. A noise deterrent system is provided to prevent scavenging by birds.
12. Temperature logs were verified. Temperature data was being collected as required and it appeared that proper
temperatures were being obtained.
13. Pathogen testing for fecal coliform was last performed on December 14, 2016 and was reported below 1,000
MPN/g (460 MPN/g).
14. The curing area located off of Bodenheimer Drive was observed.
x The curing area consisted of 4 concrete pads. Two concrete pads are used for curing purposes, one is used
for storage of mulch, and one is used for screening operations.
x Some slight ponding of stormwater was observed in front of the curing bins. Please ensure that these areas
are repaired to prevent future ponding.
x Signs previously provided to alert staff as to whether compost was in the process of curing or if curing had
been completed were not in place at the time of inspection. Mr. Richards stated that the signs were not in
place at this time do to them being displaced by the wind.
x Please ensure that all stockpiles of finished product are limited to 10-feet in height as required by permit.
x During the inspection, an area of soil disposal was observed across from the curing bins. During a phone
conversation on March 3, 2016, Mr. Richardson explained that this soil was placed on site from various
contractors for temporary storage. Eventually, the soil will be removed for various jobs on campus. Some
wastes such as woven polypropylene fabric, silt fence, a piece of PVC pipe, and a piece of plywood were
observed within the soil. These wastes should be removed and properly disposed. A waste container may
need to be provided for disposal of potential solid wastes observed during storage of soil.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 3 of 3
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.
________________________________________ Phone: [phone]
Charles T. Gerstell
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative
Sent on: 3/1/17 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]
Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Jessica Montie, Compliance Officer - Solid Waste Section

Digitally signed by Charles T. Gerstell
DN: cn=Charles T. Gerstell, o=Divsion of
Waste Management, ou=Solid Waste
Section,
email=[e-mail], c=US
Date: 2017.03.01 10:37:17 -05'00'