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HomeMy WebLinkAboutN0667_INSP_20170601FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 1 of 6 UNIT TYPE: Lined MSWLF LCID X YW Transfer Compost SLAS COUNTY: Forsyth Closed MSWLF HHW White goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: N0667 CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE Date of Site Inspection: June 1 and June 8, 2017 Date of Last Inspection: March 1, 2012 FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS: Westmoreland, Inc. LCID Landfill 6250 Walnut Cove Road Walkertown, NC 27051 GPS COORDINATES: N: 36.196416° W: -80.164851° FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER: Name: Tom Westmoreland, President, J. Westmoreland, Inc. Telephone: 336-595-8115 (office); 336-345-3586 (mobile) Email address: jwinc@triad.rr.com FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS: J. Westmoreland, Inc. 6851 Old Still Trail Kernersville, NC 27284 PARTICIPANTS: Tom Westmoreland, President – J. Westmoreland, Inc. (June 1 only) Donald Baker, Operator – Westmoreland LCID Landfill Elizabeth Walter, Administrative Assistant – Westmoreland LCID Landfill Scotty Woods, Environmental Specialist – Forsyth County (June 1 only) Roy Gremmell, Senior Environmental Specialist – Forsyth County (June 1 only) Susan Heim, Environmental Senior Specialist - Solid Waste Section STATUS OF PERMIT: LCID Landfill Notification submitted and recorded in Forsyth County: March 17, 2005 LCID Treatment and Processing Notification approved May 30, 2012 (T&PN-34-014) PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT: Comprehensive Inspection STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS: None OBSERVED VIOLATIONS: 1. 15A NCAC 13B .0566(4) states: “Adequate soil cover shall be applied monthly, or when the active area reaches one acre in size, whichever occurs first.” J. Westmoreland, Inc. is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0566(4) for failing to cover waste. The facility was inspected in response to a complaint about a fire at the site. On June 1, 2017, a section of the working face was observed to be smoldering and producing smoke. Because the slope of the active landfill was so FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 2 of 6 steep, it was not possible to observe the area of the fire at close range at that time. However, Mr. Westmoreland stated that cover was not placed on the working face monthly, as required. In order to put out the fire, staff were pushing dirt off the top of the working face, and also pushing dirt up from the toe of the landfill during this inspection. To achieve compliance, J. Westmoreland, Inc. must immediately cover all exposed waste with adequate soil cover to prevent fires, and continue to apply adequate soil cover to the waste at least monthly. CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN PROGRESS: On June 8, 2017, the working face of the landfill was found to have been reshaped and the side slopes reduced to the point that equipment could operate safely and continue to apply soil cover to the waste. The fire was observed to be almost completely extinguished, with only a few small puffs of smoke emanating from the lower slope. The lower portion of the working face had been pulled apart and any wood waste found had been pulled out and away from the fire area. This area near the toe of the landfill had been regraded, and additional work had been done to reduce the grade on the upper portion of the slope as well. The tipping area in front of the working face had been cleared and regraded and was also navigable by heavy equipment. Mr. Baker stated that no additional waste would be added to the landfill. He explained that he would continue to reshape the fill area to achieve a 3:1 or 4:1 slope and ensure that all waste in the fill area is compacted as much as possible and covered with a minimum of 6” of soil. 2. 15A NCAC 13B .0566(3) states: “Solid waste shall be restricted to the smallest area feasible and compacted as densely as practical into cells.” J. Westmoreland, Inc. is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0566(3) for failing to restrict solid waste to the smallest area feasible. On June 1, Mr. Westmoreland explained that waste is pushed over the edge of the working face after the loads were inspected and any unacceptable materials removed. Mr. Baker added that he was currently unable to use equipment on the slope itself, because of the steepness of the grade. Regular compaction of the waste is necessary to restrict it to the smallest area feasible. With a near vertical slope on the working face, it is not possible to maneuver equipment over the waste to achieve compaction. To achieve compliance, J. Westmoreland, Inc. must restrict solid waste into the smallest area feasible and establish a working face that can be continuously maintained and adequately covered at least monthly. CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN PROGRESS: On June 8, 2017, the approach to the working face and tipping Smoke emanating from the steep working face, and soil being pushed down the slope with facility equipment. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6-1-2017.) Working face pulled apart at toe of slope and regraded; wood debris removed from fire area. Fire appears to have been reduced and nearly extinguished. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6-8-2017.) FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 3 of 6 area were observed to have been cleared of debris, regraded and compacted, with a gradual slope. The bottom half of the working face itself had been pulled apart to remove wood waste that could continue to fuel the fire and to stop the smoldering that had resulted in the smoke that had been hanging in the air on June 1, 2017. The lower portion of the slope had been regraded and soil had been added to most areas. Mr. Baker stated that he could now safely maneuver equipment on the working face and finish covering the waste. He added that he was working to remove a small pile of brush from the middle of the slope in order to finish regrading the slope and complete the soil cover. 3. 15A NCAC 13B .0566(2) states: “The facility shall only accept those solid wastes which it is permitted to receive.” J. Westmoreland, Inc. is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0566(2) for accepting construction and demolition waste, which it is not permitted to accept at the facility. During the inspection, a pile of construction and demolition debris was observed near the working face. The debris consisted of tile flooring, metal and plastic. Wet concrete was observed to have been unloaded on the ground at several spots near the working face at the facility. Wet concrete waste is not considered inert and may only be accepted if it is unloaded into forms where it may dry and cure without coming into contact with the ground. A load of painted cement block had been unloaded in the inert debris staging area. To achieve compliance, J. Westmoreland, Inc. must properly dispose of all unacceptable waste at a facility permitted to accept such waste, and provide proof of proper disposal by submitting receipts to the Solid Waste Section from all solid waste facilities where the waste was accepted for disposal. Receipts should be submitted to: Susan Heim, Environmental Senior Specialist, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section, 450 W. Hanes Mill Road – 3rd Floor, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. LEFT: hardened waste concrete, wire mesh, scrap metal mixed in with inert debris near the southwest end of the working face. RIGHT: construction and demolition material, metal bollard, plastic observed near the northern end of the working face. (These 2 photos were taken by Scotty Woods, Forsyth Co., 6/1/2017) View of approach to the working face and soil being pushed down the slope with facility equipment. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6-1-2017.) View of approach to the working face from the edge of the tipping area looking back to the concrete stockpile. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6-8-2017.) FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 4 of 6 CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN PROGRESS: On June 8, 2017, the unacceptable C&D material had been removed from the inert debris stockpile and segregated. Mr. Baker stated that he was awaiting instructions as to how to proceed before disposing of the waste. He added that the wet concrete would be taken up from the spots where it had been spread on the ground to dry; scrap metal would be separated into a container to be used solely for that purpose; and, any trash removed from incoming loads would also be separated into a dedicated container that would be taken to the landfill for disposal. Requirements for testing painted or treated concrete, block and brick were discussed. The guidance document, dated July 2015, was provided to Mr. Baker and Ms. Walter for review. Mr. Baker stated that he had been unaware of the requirements, but that the load observed on June 1, 2017 was the first load received at the facility since his start with the company on May 1st. He added that Mr. Westmoreland had explained this material was being tested for lead prior to being accepted for disposal. Mr. Baker and Ms. Walter stated that they would ensure analysis and documentation was kept on file for any such materials accepted at the facility in the future. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 1. This inspection was scheduled as a result of a complaint about a landfill fire at the facility. 2. The facility is a notified land clearing and inert debris (LCID) landfill, permitted to receive land clearing waste, yard trash, untreated and unpainted wood, uncontaminated soil, inert debris such as unpainted rock, brick, concrete and concrete block, and used asphalt, in accordance with NCGS 130-294(m). 3. On June 1, 2017, smoke was observed emanating from the working face of the landfill. Mr. Westmoreland stated that he’d been notified of the fire on Sunday, May 28, 2017, and that he had been working to cover the face with dirt since then to try to smother the fire. Mr. Westmoreland explained that the fire department was aware of the situation, and that their main concern was keeping the fire contained in the fill area so that it did not engage the trees on the north side of the facility. He added that the size of the fire had been reduced significantly since May 28th, and that he believed only one small area continued to smolder. 4. On June 8, 2017, some smoke was still visible and appeared to be coming from two or three small isolated spots on the working face. However, the lower portion of the working face had been pulled apart, brush removed and the grade substantially reduced. Most of the working face was observed to have soil cover. 5. It is recommended that the working face be pulled down to expose any remaining hot spots; adequately compacted and covered with 6” of clean soil; and, sloped to less than a 3:1 grade so that it can be controlled and compacted as waste is added. (See Observed Violations section of this report for additional information/) 6. The facility has an approved erosion control plan and is inspected regularly by the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR). No ponding of water was observed on the site. Due to the fire, the landfill slopes were being worked on and cover was being added on both inspection dates. Therefore, it was not possible to determine if erosion is taking place on the slopes of the landfill. The sediment pond appeared to be functioning properly. 7. The facility is secured by means of a gate. The gate is kept locked when the facility is not open. Berms and landscaping prevent access to the site other than through the gated entrance. The facility was open at the time of this inspection. 8. Proper signage was observed at the entry gate. 9. The facility does not use scales. A small attendant office is located directly beyond the entry gate. Incoming loads stop at the office where the load is evaluated by the attendant who directs the driver to the desired unloading point. A ticket is written up for the load that includes the type and volume of waste received. 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 5 of 6 10. On June 8, 2017, Ms. Walter provided the tickets and log sheets of incoming and outgoing materials at the site. These records were reviewed for the period July 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017. 11. On June 8, 2017, Mr. Baker stated that he had talked extensively with Mr. Westmoreland about the landfill since the initial inspection on June 1, 2017, and they had decided not to landfill any additional material. Instead, their plan is to convert the facility into a treatment and processing site for wood waste, in addition to the concrete crushing operation currently underway. Mr. Baker explained that they intend to process all of the stockpiled material onsite, then to mine the landfill and return the area to original grade. 12. A Land Clearing Debris Treatment and Processing Notification had been filed and approved by the Solid Waste Section on May 30, 2012. However, Mr. Westmoreland stated that the notification had never been acted upon and no processing of wood waste has occurred at the facility. Mr. Baker stated that he was unaware of this notification, but added that he would do whatever was necessary to re-open the notification. The Solid Waste Section will provide guidance as to the type of permit that will be required for treatment and processing operations at the facility. 13. The access roadway is of all-weather construction and well maintained. 14. The site is bisected by a Duke Energy transmission line. The right-of-way surrounding the power lines is delineated at the facility using large blocks molded from waste concrete. All operations take place outside this right-of-way area. 15. Several inert debris stockpiles, consisting primarily of used concrete and asphalt, were observed throughout the site. The stockpiles were of a reasonable size, and Mr. Westmoreland explained that inert materials are sorted based on size and type prior to crushing. He added that crushing usually takes place weekly at the facility. 16. On June 1, 2017, a separate pile of painted concrete block was observed near the working face. Mr. Westmoreland stated that painted materials are accepted as long as they have been tested for lead paint prior to being dropped off. Laboratory analysis confirming the testing was not available at the facility, but Mr. Westmoreland stated records are kept at the main office and he would make them available for review. 17. On June 8, 2017, a report about the painted concrete load was provided by Ms. Walter for review. The Solid Waste Section’s guidance document for painted materials was also reviewed and compared to the report document. Ms. Walter and Mr. Baker had several questions pertaining to the testing. For questions concerning the use of painted material as beneficial fill or for disposal in and LCID landfill, please contact Ervin Lane, Compliance Hydrogeologist with the Solid Waste Section, at 919-707-8288. 18. On June 8, 2017, the inert debris stockpile had been cleaned up and unacceptable wastes removed. Concrete had been sheered and crushing operations were observed to be taking place. 19. A large stockpile of land clearing debris was located east of the working face. Mr. Westmoreland explained that wood waste had been accepted at the facility since 2012, when the Treatment and Processing Notification had been approved, but that processing operations had not yet been undertaken. 20. Permanent edge of waste markers must be installed at the facility to ensure that waste does not exceed the designated waste boundaries or the 2-acre size restriction. Should the landfill exceed 2 acres in size, a full permit must be obtained, as required by 15A NCAC 13B .0563(3)(b). FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Page 6 of 6 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: June 12, 2017 to Tom Westmoreland, J. Westmoreland, Inc. X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ ] Copies: Jason Watkins, Field Operations Branch Head – Solid Waste Section Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor – Solid Waste Section Jessica Montie, Compliance Officer – Solid Waste Section Ming-Tai Chao, Permitting Engineer – Solid Waste Section Scotty Woods, Environmental Specialist – Forsyth County Roy Gremmell, Senior Environmental Specialist – Forsyth County Inert debris stockpile cleared of unacceptable waste, sheared and ready to crush. Crushing operations were taking place on June 8, 2017. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6/8/17.) Upper portion of working face with grade reduced and soil cover being applied. (Photo taken by S. Heim 6/8/17.) Approach to working face gently sloped and cleared of debris. (Photos taken by S. Heim 6/8/17.)