9504_INSP_20180613

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.: 9504-COMPOST-2011
CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: June 13, 2018 Date of Last Inspection: February 23, 2017
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] x108
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. This permit expired on October 9, 2016. However, 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 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: Contained finished compost.
x Bin 2: In process compost.
x Bin 3: Empty
x Bin 4: Used to store wood chips and sawdust.
4. The facility now utilizes an industrial compost mixer which is located on the covered concrete pad adjacent to the
compost bins. Mr. Richards stated that the mixer is essential for mixing feedstocks and breaking down hard food
wastes such as lettuce cores. A conveyor carries product from the mixing unit and deposits it onto the concrete pad
located on the opposite side of a concrete dividing wall where it is then scooped up by a tractor and placed in one
of the compost bins.
x Some staining was observed on the concrete pad outside of the covered area. Mr. Richards explained that
this staining was most likely a result of washing the area down after the day’s activities.
x Per discussion with permitting staff, and as the new compost process utilizing the compost mixer
varies from what was originally approved and provided on the permit renewal application, it is
requested that the permit application be updated to accurately reflect how the compost operation
has been modified. The additional information should also address how potential leachate will be
controlled from the mixing process located on the covered, concrete pad adjacent to the compost
bins. For questions regarding the permit application, please contact Donna Wilson, Environmental
Engineer. Ms. Wilson can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].
5. 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 below ground collection tank.
x The lid to the leachate tank was closed and locked upon inspection.
6. No objectionable odors were observed.
7. No dust was observed.
8. No flies or vectors were observed.
9. No evidence of scavenging was observed. A noise deterrent system is provided to prevent scavenging by birds.
10. Temperature logs were verified for June 2017 to present. Temperature data was being collected as required an it
appeared that proper temperature temperatures were being obtained.
11. Pathogen testing for fecal coliform was last submitted to the Solid Waste Section via email on January 2, 2018 and
was reported below 1,000 MPN/g (371 MPN/g).
12. The curing area off Bodenheimer Drive was observed.
x The curing area consists of a concrete pad separated into 4 individual bays. Two bays are used for curing
purposes, one is used for storage of mulch, and one is used for screening operations.
x No stormwater ponding was observed.
x No objectionable odors were observed.
x It appeared that all stockpiles of finished product were within the permitted maximum height of 10-feet.
x During the previous inspection, an area of soil disposal was observed across from the compost bins. Some
wastes were observed within the soil such as woven polypropylene fabric, silt fence, a piece of PVC pipe,
and a piece of plywood. It was requested that the wastes be removed from the area and properly disposed.
o A small amount of soil was observed on site during the inspection, but no wastes were observed
within the soil.
o During the inspection of the compost area, Mr. Richards explained that plans are to move the
curing area from its current location to a new location on the opposite side of Dale Street. It is
requested that the permit application be updated to show the proposed new location of the
curing operation as the new location must meet all required setbacks. As previously noted,
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 3 of 3
for questions regarding the permit application, please contact Donna Wilson, Environmental
Engineer. Ms. Wilson can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].
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: 6/22/18 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]
Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Donna Wilson, Environmental Engineer – Solid Waste Section
Jennifer Maxwell, Sustainability Program Specialist, Appalachian State University: [e-mail]

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: 2018.06.22 09:47:19 -04'00'