0501_INSP_20191010

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 1 of 5

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF X LCID X YW Transfer Compost SLAS COUNTY: Ashe
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods X Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 0501-MSWLF-1993
CDLF Tire T&P /
Collection X Tire
Monofill Industrial
Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: October 10, 2019 Date of Last Inspection: April 16, 2019

FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Ashe County Solid Waste Facility
739 Fred Pugh Road
Crumpler, North Carolina 28617

GPS COORDINATES: Lat.: 36.52238 Long.: -81.36960

FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Scott Hurley, Director – Department of Environmental Services
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 1327
West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694
PARTICIPANTS:
Scott, Hurley, Director – Department of Environmental Services
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section

STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate “0501-MSWLF-1993 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill and Land Clearing and Inert Debris
Landfill” was issued to Ashe County on March 31, 2015. This permit shall expire on October 12, 2020.

PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection

STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:

15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1626(8)(d) states: “Leachate shall be contained within a lined
disposal cell or leachate collection and storage system. All leachate shall be treated, as required by the receiving
facility, prior to discharge. An NPDES permit may be required prior to the discharge of leachate to surface waters, as
provided by 40 CFR Parts 258.26 and 258.27.”

During the March 21, 2019 inspection, a leachate outbreak was observed on the west facing slope of Phase 1 directly
adjacent to the vehicle turnout located at the entrance to the working face. Flow from the outbreak flowed north beyond
the waste limits of Phase 1 and absorbed into the ground at the toe of the slope of the vehicle turnout. Ashe County was
found in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(8)(d) in that leachate was not contained within the lined disposal cell or
leachate containment and storage system.

To achieve compliance, Ashe County was required to make all necessary repairs to the slope of Phase 1 at the location
of the leachate outbreak and contact Ervin Lane, Compliance Hydrogeologist, to determine the requirements for a soil
sampling plan to determine the impact of the leachate release.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 2 of 5

An inspection on April 26, 2019 inspection found that soil had been placed over the area of the leachate outbreak.
Although conditions were wet due to heavy rains received during the inspection, no additional flow from the area was
observed during the inspection. A Leachate Seep Response Plan was submitted to the Solid Waste Section on April 11,
2019 by Municipal Engineering Services Company, P.A. on behalf of Ashe County. The Plan was approved by Perry
Sugg, on April 11, 2019. Mr. Hurley stated that staff from Municipal Engineering Services Company, P.A. had taken
soil samples prior to the inspection.

A Leachate Release Response Summary was submitted to the Solid Waste Section on May 21, 2019. Following review,
Perry Sugg, Hydrogeologist determined that the facility had met the conditions for evaluating the leachate release per
the approved sampling plan and determined that no further action was required. Inspection of the facility on October
10, 2019 found no evidence of leachate in the area of concern. The area had been seeded with good germination of
seed. Therefore, this violation is considered resolved. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
None observed.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

1. The facility consists of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF), Land Clearing and Inert Debris Landfill
(LCID), scrap tire collection area, and a white goods collection area.
2. The facility has a service area of Ashe County only.

Records Review:

3. The Permit to Operate and Operations Plan were verified. Both documents were current and available upon
request.
4. Tonnage records for October 2018 – September 2019 were verified. The facility received approximately 80-tons
of waste each operating day during this time.
5. Groundwater sampling was being performed semiannually as required. Records for the 2nd semiannual sampling
event for 2018 (performed December 18-19, 2018) and the 1st semiannual sampling event for 2019 (performed
June 13, 2019) were verified.
6. Leachate sampling was being performed concurrently with groundwater sampling.
7. Semiannual Leachate Recirculation Reports were verified. These reports detail the amount of leachate
recirculated, the amount disposed at Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs), precipitation amounts, and
analytical results for leachate.
• Report for May 25, 2018 – December 19, 2018.
o Leachate recirculated = 334,179-gallons
o Leachate disposed at WWTP = 270,911-gallons
o Precipitation = 46.76-inches
o Analytical Sampling Date: December 19, 2018

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

• Report for December 20, 2018 – June 13, 2019
o Leachate recirculated = 350,175-gallons
o Leachate disposed at WWTP = 579,553-gallons
o Precipitation = 27.56-inches
o Analytical Sampling Date: June 13, 2019
8. Methane monitoring was being performed quarterly as required. Monitoring reports for December 2018, March
2019, June 2019, and September 2019 were verified. No exceedences above applicable standards were observed.
9. Waste screening reports were verified for October 2018 to present. Reports were performed with good frequency
and provided good documentation of observed unacceptable waste streams and final disposition of those wastes.
10. Manager of Landfill Operations Certification:
• Scott Hurley (expires 2/7/21)
11. Landfill Operations Specialist Certifications:
• Todd W. Call (expires 3/23/20)
• Josh Cox (expires 5/30/22)
• Michael D. Houck (expires 10/21/20)
• Jamie R. Osborne (expires 3/19/22)
• Michael Rutherford (expires 5/30/22)

Operations Inspection of the MSWLF Unit:

12. Waste was being placed on the west portion of Phase 4 adjacent to the access road at the time of inspection.
13. The working face was very small and compact.
14. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
15. During the inspection a deer carcass was brought to the working face for disposal. Facility staff had an excavated
area prepared, and the carcass was buried immediately upon receipt as required. The County’s efforts to properly
manage animal carcasses is appreciated.
16. Good earthen cover was observed on inactive portions of the landfill. Additional soil had been provided to some
areas since the last inspection and all inactive areas had been seeded on Monday prior to the inspection.
17. Windblown waste was well managed.
18. Edge of waste markers were in place.
19. All access roads were of all-weather construction and well maintained. Facility staff were regrading access roads
at the time of inspection.
20. During previous inspections on March 21, 2019 and April 26, 2019, standing water was observed at the toe of the
high lift of Phase 4. Since the last inspection on April 26th, additional soil had been placed in this area and no
standing water was observed. The soil had also been seeded. Please continue to monitor this area for standing
water.
21. During the previous inspections on March 21, 2019 and April 26. 2019 the toe of the fill slope on the northeast side
of the landfill, had extended beyond the edge-of-liner marker. Much of the edge-of-liner marker had been buried
by fill.
• Due to the location of fill in this area, the previous inspection reports noted that the Solid Waste Section
had cause for concern that waste had been placed over the edge of liner or within the 4-foot setback to the
edge of liner. Therefore, Ashe County was requested to investigate the subject area and provide a written
response with a map detailing the edge of liner, location of outermost waste, and corrective action to move
waste if needed.
• Inspection of the facility on April 26, 2019 found that it appeared that the exterior slope in the subject area
had been graded away from the edge-of-liner marker, but no evidence was provided to the Solid Waste
Section detailing the edge of liner and the location of the outermost waste. Mr. Hurley stated that Mr. Jim
Greer inspected the area and regraded waste to ensure that there was no waste within the 4-foot setback to
the edge of liner. To satisfy the Solid Waste Section, Mr. Hurley stated that the cover in this area would be
removed and the location of outermost waste would be verified with photographic evidence which will be
provided to the Solid Waste Section.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 4 of 5

• On May 7, 2019 Mr. Hurley provided multiple photos via email which appeared to show that waste had
not been placed within the 4-foot setback to the perimeter of the lined area. Thank you for your attention
to this matter.
22. Prior to the March 21, 2019 inspection, Scott Hurley had notified the Solid Waste Section of a slope failure on the
west facing slope of Phase 1 beyond the edge-of-liner markers. Mr. Hurley explained that the failure appeared to
be the result of wetter than normal conditions. The failure is located above an existing riser basin located below
the slope.
• The damaged portion of the Phase 1 slope was observed during the March 21, 2019 inspection. The area
of erosion was observed on the exterior side of an existing berm located beyond the edge-of-liner markers
and was approximately 130-feet long. The erosion into the berm was approximately 7-feet from an edge-
of-liner marker at the closest point. This erosion was located at the same point of a slope failure observed
in September of 2013.
• A smaller slope failure was observed on the exterior side of the existing berm below the edge-of-liner
markers north of the previously mentioned area and approximately 112-feet south of the vehicle turnout
which is located at the entrance to the working face. This failure was approximately 7-feet wide and 30-
feet in length down slope.
• Inspection of the facility on April 26, 2019 found that no work had yet taken place to repair the slope
erosion. It appeared that the larger area of slope erosion had worsened with the edge of the erosion being
approximately 3-feet from the edge-of-liner marker. Mr. Hurley explained that efforts were put on
addressing the violations detailed in the previous inspection report and subsequent Notice of Violation.
Mr. Hurley also explained that Mr. Jim Greer had retired since the last inspection which required making
several staff changes to ensure proper operation of the facility.
• Inspection of the facility on October 10, 2019 found that the larger slope failure had been repaired. The
slope had been constructed back with soil and eleven slope drains had been installed to carry water from
the swale located at the berm to the toe of the slope in a non-erosive manner. All disturbed soil had been
seeded just prior to the inspection. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please continue to closely
monitor this area to ensure that the subsequent repairs prevent future erosion of the slope. Rip rap
dissipators should be considered at the outlets of the slope drains to prevent erosion.
• Please ensure that attention is given to the smaller slope failure.
23. During the inspection performed on March 21, 2019, a severe leachate outbreak was observed at the toe of the
slope of Phase 2 on the east side where Phase 2 meets with Phase 4. The leachate was observed for 266-feet and
flowed south, to a point on top of the landfill above the large riser basin where the flow absorbed into the soil on
the landfill. There was no evidence of leachate beyond the liner system in this area.
• The inspection report issued on April 8, 2019 stated: “Ashe County shall immediately investigate this area
and make any necessary repairs to prevent additional flow of leachate. If left unattended, this condition
could worsen leading to leachate flowing beyond the liner system.”
• This condition had yet to be addressed during the inspection performed on April 26, 2019. The area was
observed with Mr. Hurley and Mr. Servert.
• No leachate was observed in the subject area during the October 10, 2019 inspection. Since the previous
inspection, additional waste and earthen cover had been placed in the portion of the Phase 4 that abuts to
the slope of Phase 2. Soil in this area had also been seeded. Please continue to monitor this area for future
leachate issues.

Operations Inspection of the LCID Unit:

24. The working face was less that one acre at the time of inspection.
25. No unacceptable waste steams were observed.
26. Additional soil had recently been placed on the top of the landfill.
27. This area was well managed.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 5 of 5

Operations Inspection of the White Goods Area:

28. White goods are collected adjacent to the recycling building. Facility staff remove CFCs and mark them with
“GO”. Once CFCs are removed, the appliances are placed on the metal pile or loaded into the trailer designated
for metal collection.
29. During the inspection, all appliances were maintained in an upright condition to maintain the integrity of the
device.

Operations Inspection of the Tire Collection Area:

30. All tires were stored in a covered trailer located on the opposite side of the primary access road, across from the
recycling building.
31. This area was well managed.

Supporting Comments:

32. The facility had proper signage.
33. A convenience area for the collection of aluminum cans, glass, and wooden pallets is provided adjacent to the
primary access road just northwest of the scale house.
34. The leachate pond was observed during the inspection.
• Two aerators were in operation at the time of inspection.
• No concerns were observed with the visible portions of the liner.
35. Electronics are collected into a 30-yard roll-off container on the opposite side of the primary access road across
from the used oil tank. The gate at the end of the container is left open so customers can walk into the container
and place the electronic in the container. Once removed from this area, electronics are taken to the designated
gravel pad located west of the scale house where they are packaged and loaded into a covered trailer for shipment
to the County’s electronics vendor.
• During the inspection, many electronics were found on the gravel pad in varying degrees of damage. Ashe
County is requested to ensure that all electronics removed from the ground surface and properly packaged
for shipment to the County’s designated electronics vendor. All televisions and computer equipment must
be handled in a manner upon receipt to ensure the recyclable qualities of the devices. Acceptance and
handling practices may need to be reviewed to ensure that these devices are not being damaged to prevent
them from be used for recycling purposes.
• Mr. Hurley stated that cleanup of the electronics packaging area was the next priority for the facility. He
stated that recent efforts had been dedicated to repair the slope at Phase 1 and addressing all other areas of
previous concern and to improve the overall condition of the landfill.

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: 10/10/19 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section