1803_INSP_20180508

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 1 of 5
UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF X LCID YW X Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Catawba
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods X Incin T&P X FIRM PERMIT NO.: 18-03
CDLF X Tire T&P / Collection X Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: May 8, 2018 Date of Last Inspection: March 23, 2017
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Blackburn Resource Recovery Facility
4017 Rocky Ford Road
Newton, North Carolina 28658
GPS COORDINATES: N: 35.60662 W: 81.30966
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Rodney Hamby, Landfill Superintendent
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 389
Newton, North Carolina 28658
PARTICIPANTS:
Rodney Hamby, Landfill Superintendent – Catawba County
Dallas Sigmon, Landfill Operations Supervisor – Catawba County
Beverly Hester, Administrative Supervisor – Catawba County
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section
STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate 1803-MSWLF-1997, 1803-CDLF-, 1803-TP-, and 1803-COMPOST-, with a Permit for Closure of
1803-MSWLF-1981 and 18H-CDLF-1989 was issued to Catawba County on March 5, 2014. The Permit to Operate
will expire on May 8, 2019.
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection
STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A
OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1626(2)(a) states: “Except as provided in Sub-Item (b) of this Item, the
owners or 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.”
During the inspection, exposed waste was observed at the northwest corner of the landfill just adjacent to the active
working face and on top of the current lift just south of the working face. These areas had not been covered adequately at
the end of the previous working day. A portion of the previous day’s working face had been covered with Enviro Cover.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 2 of 5
However, a small portion of waste at the toe of the working face had been left exposed, and multiple seams were not
adequately overlapped leaving waste exposed. As a result, Catawba County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B
.1626(2)(a).
View of exposed waste just south of working face. View of exposed waste at northwest corner from previous
(photo by C. Gerstell) day’s work. (photo by C. Gerstell)
View of waste uncovered at seams of Enviro Cover
(photo by C. Gerstell)
To achieve compliance, within 10-days of issuance of this inspection report, Catawba County must cover all waste with
6-inches of earthen material, or approved alternative daily cover.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. The facility consists of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Unit, Construction and Demolition Landfill Unit,
Treatment and Processing Unit, Small Type 1 Compost Unit, Scrap Tire Collection Area, White Goods Collection
Area, and a convenience area for the collection of used paint, electronics, used batteries, and cell phones.
2. The facility is permitted to receive solid waste generated with Catawba County only.
3. Gates are provided at the entrance to the facility to prevent unauthorized access.
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 3 of 5
Records Review:
4. The permit and operations plan were verified. Both documents were current and available upon request.
5. The facility receives approximately 647 tons of waste each operating day. This includes waste accepted for both
the MSWLF and the CDLF.
6. Groundwater sampling was being performed semiannually as required. Records for the 1st semiannual monitoring
event for 2017 (performed March 21-22, 2017) and the 2nd semiannual monitoring event for 2017 (performed
September 19-20, 2017) were verified.
7. Leachate sampling was being performed semiannually as required. Sampling was performed in conjunction with
groundwater sampling.
8. Methane monitoring was being performed quarterly as required. Records for monitoring events performed on
3/8/17, 6/9/17, 9/14/17, 12/18/17, and 3/13/18 were verified. No exceedences above applicable standards were
documented. However, sampling results recorded on 3/13/18 showed methane at 4.9% by volume. Mr. Hamby
provided information by electronic correspondence on May 16, 2016 informing the Solid Waste Section that a
follow-up reading of GP-11 taken earlier in the day recorded methane at 1.2% by volume.
9. The Treatment and Processing Area and the Scrap Tire Collection Area are inspected annually by Catawba County
Emergency Services. Verification of the last inspection performed on April 20, 2018 was verified.
10. Temperature logs for the compost operation were submitted by electronic correspondence on May 16, 2018. It
appeared that property temperatures were being obtained.
11. Waste screening reports for June 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 were verified. Separate screenings are
performed at the MSWLF Unit and the CDLF Unit. Screenings appeared to be performed with good frequency
and documented observed unacceptable waste streams and final disposition of those wastes.
12. Scrap Tire Certification Forms were observed. It appeared that all documentation observed was properly
completed.
13. Manager of Landfill Operations Certification:
x Jake Chandler (expires 6/6/20)
x Rodney Hamby (expires 5/25/19)
x Daniel E. Isenhour (expires 2/26/21)
x Dallas Sigmon (expires 6/10/20)
x Jeffery A. Sigmon (expires 6/5/21)
14. Landfill Operations Specialist Certification:
x Ray Blackburn (expires 12/13/21)
x Reid Burlson (expires 9/16/19)
x Travis Goforth (expires 9/8/20)
x Joshua Lail (expires 9/16/19)
x Tyler Lutz (expires 3/10/20)
x Sam Morrison (expires 3/27/19)
x Mark Parker (expires 6/13/19)
x Tavis Propst (expires 9/21/21)
x Todd Walker (expires 2/26/19)
Operations Inspection of the MSWLF Unit (1803-MSWLF-1997)
15. Waste was being Placed in Unit 2, Phase 2, Stage 1 at the time of inspection.
16. The working face was of manageable size.
17. No unacceptable waste steams were observed.
18. During the inspection, inadequate cover was observed in multiple locations in the landfill. Please refer to
“Observed Violations” for comments.
19. Enviro Cover was in place over a portion of the previous day’s working face. No other alternative cover materials
were in use at the time of inspection.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 4 of 5
20. A small amount of windblown waste was observed at the time of inspection. All windblown material observed
was contained within the active portion of the landfill. Please ensure all windblown waste is picked up and
returned to the working face at the end of each operating day.
21. Permanent edge of waste markers were in place.
22. Access roads were of all-weather construction and well maintained.
Operations Inspection of the CDLF Unit (1803-CLDF-):
23. Waste was being placed into Unit 2, Phase 1 at the time of inspection.
24. The working face appeared to be less than one-half acre in size.
25. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
26. A small amount of waste had been deposited onto the ground west of the working face which appeared to be the
result of material falling from equipment during recent soil placement on inactive slopes. Please ensure that any
waste deposited onto inactive areas is collected and returned to the working face to prevent a condition of
inadequate soil cover.
27. Windblown waste was well controlled.
28. Permanent edge of waste markers were in place.
29. Access roads leading to the CDLF Unit were of all-weather construction and well maintained.
Operations Inspection of the White Goods Area:
30. White goods are collected onto a concrete pad south of MSWLF Unit 2.
31. Multiple refrigerators were lying on their sides at the time of inspection. It did not appear that chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) had yet been removed from these appliances. Please ensure that all appliances are placed in an upright
condition prior to removal of CFCs to maintain the integrity of the appliance. Mr. Hamby stated that new staff had
been placed in charge of maintaining the white goods area and were in the process of being instructed on proper
operation of this area.
32. All white goods were contained to the designated concrete pad.
Operations Inspection of the Scrap Tire Collection Area:
33. The tire collection area had recently been relocated to a concrete and gavel pad formerly occupied by the shingle
collection area.
34. Tires are stored uncovered on the concrete and gravel pads and then removed on a weekly basis.
35. This area was well managed.
Operations Inspection of the Treatment and Processing (Wood Grinding Area) (1803-TP-):
36. The facility is permitted to receive land clearing waste, wooden pallets constructed of unpainted and untreated
natural wood, and yard trash. Ground yard trash may not be distributed to the public unless it has been composted
in accordance with Rule .1400.
37. All mulch was placed into windrows at the time of inspection.
38. Windrows were actively being turned.
39. Good access was observed between windrows and around stockpiles of unground material to allow for access by
firefighting equipment.
40. No ponding was observed in the immediate areas surrounding the Treatment and Processing operation.
41. No objectionable odors were observed.
42. Land clearing waste and pallets are stockpiled separately. Ground untreated and unpainted pallets and
wood/lumber are not mixed with ground mulch. This material is used within the lined MSWLF unit for access
when soils are wet.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 5 of 5
Operations Inspection of the Small Type 1 Compost Unit (1803-COMPOST-):
43. This unit is permitted to receive only yard waste, silvicultural waste, untreated and unpainted wood waste.
44. Two windrows of finished compost were on site at the time of inspection.
45. Good access was observed around the compost windrows at the time of inspection. It appeared that some
additional access was needed between windrows and the stockpile of non-composted material.
46. Slight ponding was observed on the south side compost windrows as a result of heavy rains received at the facility
the evening prior to the inspection. As soils continue to dry, please be sure to address any areas of continued
ponding by re-grading these areas.
47. No objectionable odors were observed.
Supporting Comments:
48. Electronics are collected on a covered concrete pad near the scalehouse.
x Upon receipt, electronics are placed on wooden pallets and shrink wrapped in preparation for removal by
the facility’s electronics vendor.
49. Used paint is collected on the same covered, concrete pad where electronics collection takes place.
x Individual cans of latex or oil based paint are poured into 55-gallon drums and then collected by a
hazardous waste vendor.
50. Leachate tanks were observed.
x Leachate was shown to be at 6-feet in both tanks.
x The secondary containment area surrounding the tanks was well managed.
x Mr. Hamby explained that internal maintenance/cleaning of both leachate tanks occurred in summer of
2017.
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: 5/16/18 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]
Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - 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: 2018.05.16 15:48:00 -04'00'