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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7904_INSP_20191022oepamnem a� enmmnmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section UNIT TYPE: Lined X LCID YW Transfer Compost SLAS COUNTY: Rockingham MSWLF PERMIT NO.: 7904-MSWLF-1995 Closed xxW White X Incin T&P X HRM MSWLF goods FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE CDLF Tire T&P/ X Tire Industrial DEMO SDTF Collection Monofill Landfill Date of Site Inspection: October 22, 2019 FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS: Rockingham County Landfill 281 Shuff Road Madison, NC 27025 GPS COORDINATES: Lat: 36.36455 ° Date of Last Inspection: August 8, 2019 Long: 79.84336 ° FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER: Name: Ronnie Tate, Engineering and Public Utilities Director Telephone: 336-342-8104 (office) — 336-634-7111 (mobile) Email address: rtate@co.rockingham.nc.us FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS: P. O. Box 132 Wentworth, NC 27375 PARTICIPANTS: Edward Shelton, Landfill Supervisor — Rockingham County Kathryn Jolly, Environmental Compliance Solid Waste Program Manager — Rockingham County Ronnie Tate, Director of Engineering and Public Utilities — Rockingham County Joe Ryder, Site Supervisor — LaBella Engineering David Giachini, Permitting Engineer — Solid Waste Section Ervin Lane, Compliance Hydrogeologist — Solid Waste Section Susan Heim, Environmental Senior Specialist — Solid Waste Section STATUS OF PERMIT: 7904-MSWLF: Original Permit to Construct: Issued August 16, 1994 7904-MSWLF: Original Permit to Operate: Issued May 5, 1995 Permit Amendment 1: Issued July 21, 1997 Permit Amendment 2: Issued March 21, 2000 Permit to Operate Phase 2: Issued May 2, 2002 Permit to Construct Phase 3: January 23, 2006 Permit to Operate Phase 3: Issued May 23, 2007 Permit to Operate (Modification of Permitted Side Slopes): Issued April 9, 2009 Permit to Operate (Authorization to Construct Landfill Gas System): Issued April 25, 2011 Permit to Operate Phases 1, 2 and 3 Vertical Expansion — LIFE OF SITE: Issued April 12, 2019 Permit to Construct Phase 4 Lateral Expansion: Issued April 12, 2019 PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT: Comprehensive Inspection STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS: N/A Page 1 of 10 D_E FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT DO Ctd—iA Q�� Division of Waste Management OepaNnen� e� Envimmenlal Oualiry Solid Waste Section OBSERVED VIOLATIONS: A. CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN PROGRESS: 15 A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a) states, in part: "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." Rockingham County is in violation of 15 A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a) for failing to cover disposed solid waste at the end of each operating day. Closure construction operations and rain had resulted in exposed waste on the side slopes of the active landfill, and Mr. Shelton stated that no repairs had been undertaken to cover the exposed waste in the areas where closure construction was taking place. However, facility staff were applying cover to exposed waste on the interior slope adjacent to the working face during the inspection; and, Mr. Shelton provided a photo following the inspection to verify that the pile of "dirty dirt" found at the edge of the new cell construction had been disposed of in the working face. To achieve compliance, Rockingham County must immediately cover all exposed waste, and take steps to ensure that all waste is covered with at least 6" of clean soil or other approved alternative cover material at the end of every operating day. Compliance inspections will be performed to ensure that cover is being applied at least daily, as required by 15 A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a). Lef: A view from the top of the landfill looking down the side slope at uncovered waste. Below: A view of uncovered waste on the slope in the closure construction area from the toe of the slope. Page 2 of 10 oepamnem a� enmranmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Exposed waste on an area of the slope used by closure construction contractors for access. Note additional exposed waste to the left of the access path nearer to the top of the slope. A view of a slope where closure construction is taking place. Note the waste piles near the landfill gas line in the foreground, and the exposed waste evident near the top of the slope. Below the area of exposed waste, a trench for the installation of new landfill gas line is visible. Page 3 of 10 oepamnem a� enmranmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Lei: Exposed waste near the top of the slope above a trench to be used to install landfill gas line. Below: Cover had been applied to exposed waste on the same slope. (Photo provided by E. Shelton 10123119.) Lg t: 'Dirty dirt" piled at the edge of the new cell. Below: "Dirty dirt" had been removed and disposed of in the working face. (Photo provided by E. Shelton 10123119.) Page 4 of 10 oepamnem a� enmranmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section A view of the interior slope adjacent to the working face where facility staff were observed applying cover to exposed waste. 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. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 1. The permit for this facility includes the following operations: active MSW landfill, scrap tire collection, white goods collection and processing, compressed gas cylinder collection, electronics and TV collection, wood waste collection and processing, inert debris collection and processing, and a convenience center for the drop-off of residential wastes and single stream recyclable materials. 2. A landfill gas plant owned and operated by the county is located on the southeast side of the leachate pond. The plant is not currently producing electricity, and all gas is routed to the flare. 3. The MSW landfill is currently operating in the Phase 3 vertical expansion. Construction of the new Phase 4 is underway to the southeast of the current active landfill. It had originally been anticipated that waste would be directed to the new phase sometime late in 2019 or early in 2020. However, Mr. Shelton stated that he now estimates up to a year of capacity remains on the Phase 3 vertical expansion. 4. All photos included in this report were taken by Susan Heim during the inspection on October 22, 2019 unless otherwise noted. Field Inspection: 5. Signage was observed at the facility entrance listing the facility permit number, the hours of operation, and unacceptable wastes. Ms. Jolly stated that she was preparing to order new signs for the facility entrance. Please ensure that the signage at the facility entrance includes a contact name and telephone number, as required by General Facility Operation Condition #10 of the Permit to Operate. 6. All of the following facility operations are located atop closed landfill units: white goods and scrap metal; wood waste; scrap tires; inert debris; convenience center; residential recycling drop-off; electronics; and, container storage. 7. The convenience area, recycling drop-off and electronics collection area were found to be clean and well - maintained. The convenience area is manned during operating hours, and windblown litter is retrieved by facility staff as it occurs. Page 5 of 10 oepamnem a� enmranmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section 8. Electronics and televisions are collected on a concrete pad located on the southwest side of the convenience area. County staff sort, package and palletize materials for transport; and, full pallets are stored on a covered pad next to the drop-off location. The electronics collection area was observed to be well organized. Only a few televisions were found in the drop-off area, indicating that facility staff keep up with sorting and palletizing materials as they are received. 9. Roll -off containers are staged along a gravel access road south of the convenience area. This area was observed to be well -maintained, and the landfill cap appeared to be undamaged by the container operations. Scrap tire, wood waste, inert debris, white goods/scrap metal operations and a maintenance building are located southeast of the container storage area. 10. No tire trailers were present onsite during the inspection. A pile estimated to contain approximately 3,000 tires was observed on the ground covering the concrete pad above the trailer parking bays and spilling onto the gravel operating area surrounding it. The tire pile does not meet the parameters for the outside storage of scrap tires, as set forth in 15A NCAC 13B .1107(2)(a), (b) and (c). The outside storage of scrap tires onsite had been discussed during the previous inspection on August 8, 2019, when the stockpile size was estimated to be approximately 1,500 tires. Ensure that scrap tires are removed from the facility within 10 days of receipt or are stored and covered as stipulated in 15A NCAC 13B .1107(2)(a), (b) and (c). 11. Grinding operations were occurring in the wood waste collection area during the inspection. Piles of ground wood waste and unprocessed material were separated by fire lanes that appeared to be adequately sized to facilitate the use of emergency equipment, as required. No unacceptable waste was observed in the wood waste collection area. 12. A large pile of cast iron pipe was stored in the area to the east of the wood waste operations on top of the closed landfill cap. Mr. Shelton stated that a customer had brought several truckloads of the pipe to the landfill for disposal, and that facility staff had separated it for recycling by the county's metal recycling contractor. 13. White goods and scrap metal are collected on a concrete pad located on the south side of the access roadway next to the maintenance shed. Several units containing CFCs were staged in an upright position to prevent leakage of refrigerant during storage. Roll -off containers are used for the collection of scrap metal and white goods that do not contain refrigerant. At the time of this inspection, one roll -off container was being picked up for transport to the county's scrap metal contractor for recycling. Please ensure that the stockpile of metal pipe is removed by the county's metal contractor as soon as feasible; and, that any repairs to the landfill cap that may be required as a result of the storing and removing of the pipe are performed promptly. 14. Partial closure had been approved by the Solid Waste Section for approximately 2/3 of Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the active landfill. No work on the closure process was taking place during this inspection due to the periods of rain that were occurring throughout the day. 15. Closure construction was found to have progressed since the previous inspection on August 8, 2019. The liner material that had been installed on the slopes had since been covered with soil. Small erosion rills were visible on these side slopes, and, in several spots, waste had been uncovered. Mr. Shelton stated that a rain event on October 19t' coupled with the rain currently occurring was causing the damage. He also stated that no slope repairs or covering of the exposed waste had been undertaken between the rain events. Sediment from the closure cover soil had washed down the slopes into the perimeter ditch, filling it entirely in some places. 16. Trenches had been constructed on the slopes in the closure areas to accommodate the installation of slope drains and new landfill gas lines. Excavation by the contractor had resulted in patches of uncovered trash throughout these slopes, and the rain event on Saturday, coupled with the rain on the day of the inspection was eroding the trenches and carrying the exposed waste. Mr. Shelton stated that he was hesitant to have facility staff apply soil cover in areas where the contractor's construction crews had not completed their work. Ensure that all disposed waste is covered with 6" of earthen material, or approved alternative cover material, at the end of each operating day, as required by 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(a) and (b). (See Observed Violations section of this report for additional information.) 17. Access roadways at the facility are of all-weather construction and generally in good condition. The perimeter roadway around the active landfill is paved and well -maintained. 18. The access road to the working face was wet but stable, with no appreciable mud build-up, allowing for safe navigation by trucks and heavy equipment using the roadway. Rainwater was observed to be flowing down the roadside ditch, carrying some loose waste from the operations area with it. Large cracks and rills were visible Page 6 of 10 D_E FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT DO Ctd—iA Q�� Division of Waste Management OepaNnen� e� EnvimmenUl Oualiry Solid Waste Section on the slope on the south side of the road, and uncovered waste was observed to be prevalent in some areas. The interior slope adjacent to the working face had been partially covered with clean soil, and Mr. Shelton stated that this work would be completed during the day as weather conditions would permit. 19. The working face itself was observed to be small and appeared to be well compacted. Waste appeared to be contained successfully within the working face, and windblown litter was well managed. No unacceptable waste was observed in the working face during the inspection. A large tractor tire had been pulled from the working face and set aside to be taken to the scrap tire collection area at the close of daily operations. 20. Improvements to operational procedures in and around the working face were noted, as was the positive impact achieved as a result. The operations area surrounding the working face appeared to have adequate soil cover so that trucks and equipment could maneuver without exposing waste. In addition, the tipping area was sized and laid out so that ample space was provided for vehicles to unload, turn and arrive/depart the area safely. Equipment operators were observed working to keep the tipping area dry and well covered. 21. Construction of Phase 4 was in progress southeast of the active landfill. Lines of dump trucks were observed bringing rock that was being placed on top of the liner in the new cell. Rainwater had resulted in water ponding in the bottom of the cell. 22. The leachate pond appeared to be in good condition with adequate freeboard. However, the level marker was obscured by the rain, so it was not possible to determine the exact level of the pond during the inspection. Mr. Shelton stated that conditions at the facility had been so dry that pumping and hauling operations had been halted for several months. 23. The old flare that is part of the landfill gas system was still in service, pending the switch -over to the new flare that would be accomplished by Duke Power. 24. Mr. Tate stated that the temporary leachate holding tank, located in the vicinity of MW-19, was still in place and functioning properly. All of the leachate line had been installed that will connect Phase 4 to the lines of the active landfill, thereby eliminating the need for the tank. He explained that a decision had been made to install a pump system that would transmit the leachate to the storage pond instead of designing and installing a gravity conveyance system. Mr. Shelton stated that he was unsure as to exactly how much of the leachate collection system for Phase 4 had been completed, but that he believed construction was on schedule. 25. During the previous inspection on August 8, 2019, it had been recommended by the Solid Waste Section that some form of temporary erosion control be explored for use in the vicinity of Pond #4 to ensure that waterflow coming from the borrow area could not circumvent the pond. Mr. Shelton stated that these issues had been resolved, and that all water that was being directed to Pond #4 was now being captured there. 26. The borrow area is located southeast of the Phase 4 and was in use at the time of this inspection. Trucks were observed carrying soil to the operations area of the active landfill for use as cover. 27. A stockpile of rock that had accumulated as a result of blasting during the construction of Pond #4 had been stockpiled between the borrow area and the new cell. Mr. Giachini asked if the land clearing debris that had been staged behind the borrow area had been removed for grinding and disposal by the county's contractor, and Mr. Tate stated that it had not yet been removed. During the previous inspection on August 8, 2019, Mr. Neugent had stated that this wood debris would be included in the county's annual grinding contract, and that no burning would take place. Grinding operations are now in progress at the facility, and it is presumed that this material will be removed as part of those grinding operations. 28. Small piles of "dirty dirt" (soil mixed with waste), along with a large pile of drainage pipe that had been excavated during closure construction activities, had been found in several areas on the top of the landfill during the previous inspection on August 8, 2019. Mr. Shelton stated that all of these materials had been disposed of in the working face as required. 29. One pile of soil mixed with waste had been deposited near the rim of the new cell. Mr. Shelton stated that he would have the pile moved to the working face by the end of the day's operations. 30. Edge of waste markers at the active landfill were not in place due to Phase 4 construction activities. Mr. Shelton stated that they would be re -installed as construction activities were moved away from the boundary of Phase 3. Records Inspection and Review: 31. Mr. Tate was obliged to leave following the field inspection, prior to the review of facility records. Page 7 of 10 D_E FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT DO Ctd—iA Q�� Division of Waste Management OepaNnen� e� EnvimmenUl Oualiry Solid Waste Section 32. The report covering soil sampling around the temporary leachate holding tank was submitted to the Solid Waste Section for review following the previous inspection on August 8, 2019, as requested. Mr. Lane had confirmed that no contamination had been documented in the report. 33. As requested during the previous inspection on August 8, 2019, Moussa Maimon, LaBella Engineering, provided information relating to the airspace data included on the facility annual report following the previous inspection on August 8, 2019. As a result, the report was revised by the Solid Waste Section to include the corrected data, with the approval of Ms. Jolly. 34. The current Permit to Operate, dated April 12, 2019 and issued for the life of the site, was available at the landfill office and was reviewed with Mr. Shelton and Ms. Jolly. The latest approved Operations Plan, revised March 2019, was not available onsite as required. However, a copy was provided by the Solid Waste Section that was also reviewed with Mr. Shelton and Ms. Jolly. Please ensure that a copy of the current Operations Plan is maintained at the landfill office and is available for review upon request as required by the Permit to Operate. 35. A notebook containing monthly reports of facility tonnage and other activities had been assembled, and Ms. Jolly stated that it is maintained in the landfill office. A review of this record, which appeared to contain data for at least the 3 most recent years of operations, yielded the following information: • MSW accepted at the landfill during the current fiscal year (July 1 — September 30, 2019) totaled 26,471.64 tons; • No leachate was pumped from the storage pond and hauled for disposal during the current fiscal year; • Records of monthly flare inspections ended with 6/30/19; (Mr. Shelton explained that inspections were discontinued when a large portion of the landfill gas system had been disassembled during Phase 4 construction.) • A total of 99 white goods units containing refrigerants were accepted during the current fiscal year; (Mr. Shelton confirmed that Rapid Recovery is still the county's contractor for CFC removal.) • 62.96 tons of scrap metal (including non-CFC white goods units) had been recovered at the facility during the current fiscal year; (Mr. Shelton stated that Foss Recycling continues to be the county's scrap metal recycling contractor.) • 422.59 tons of scrap tires had been collected and removed from the facility during the current fiscal year; (Ms. Jolly stated that New River Tire remains the county's scrap tire disposal contractor.) • 15.00 tons of electronics and televisions were collected and removed from the facility during the current fiscal year; (Mr. Shelton confirmed that Synergy Electronics Recycling is still the county's electronics recycling contractor.) • The latest inspection of the back-up generator was performed by Nixon Power Services on 7/1/19; • The last report of landfill gas system tuning was dated February 2019; (Mr. Shelton stated that tuning had been stopped due to Phase 4 construction that dismantled much of the landfill gas system.) • The facility operates under an NC General Storm Water Permit and DEMLR-approved erosion control plans, all of which were available for review. 36. Random waste screening is conducted at least once a day (6 per week), as had been discussed and agreed upon during the previous comprehensive inspection on October 30, 2018. This rate allows the facility to comply with the inspection rate of 1 % of incoming waste by load that is specified in the Operations Plan. Mr. Shelton stated that additional screenings are done if questionable loads are identified by the scale house operator. The completed waste screening forms are kept in a notebook at the landfill office. A review of these records found the forms to be filled out correctly, including the disposition of any wastes that were separated for disposal elsewhere at the facility or that were returned with the customer. 37. Scrap tire certifications for the current month are kept in the scale house. Older certification forms are stored in the governmental center. The certification forms for October were reviewed. It was noted that on many of the forms, no dates for the accumulation of scrap tires was noted. Requiring scrap tire generators to provide the dates during which scrap tires are accumulated provides the county with a means of comparing the number of tires received at the landfill to sales receipts recorded at the generator's place of business, and thereby determining how many scrap tires the generator is eligible to dispose of at no charge. Please ensure that all information required on scrap tire certification forms is provided by the scrap tire generator prior to accepting the tires for disposal. Page 8 of 10 D_E FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT NOFTH CAaOLiNA Q�� Division of Waste Management U.paN td—im-1 Quality Solid Waste Section 38. Some discussion followed concerning the county's scrap tire program. Ms. Jolly asked how the county could put together an enforcement program that would address scrap tires coming in to the facility that may not be eligible for free disposal. Several enforcement options were briefly discussed. Please contact John Patrone, Environmental Senior Specialist — Solid Waste Section — at 336-776-9673 or via email at _iohn.patrone@ncdenr.gov for additional assistance. 39. Information was requested about the county's scrap tire disposal contract and provisions for tire trailers to be maintained at the collection area. Ms. Jolly stated that the county had not been receiving tire trailers on a regular basis for a number of months. Mr. Shelton estimated that only one or two trailers were brought in per week by New River Tire, the county's current disposal contractor. No tire trailers were present at the collection area during this inspection, and it is estimated that at least 3,000 tires are piled up on the ground now — a volume that would require at least three trailers to contain and remove. • Information was provided verbally to Ms. Jolly and Mr. Shelton about the requirements for the outside storage of scrap tires, as set forth in 15A NCAC 13B .1107(2)(a), (b) and (c), during the inspection and a copy of the rule is included as an attachment to the email that contains the link to this inspection report. • It is recommended that Mr. Tate, Ms. Jolly and Ms. Heim discuss the county's plans for managing scrap tire collection and storage at the facility via a conference call. Please let me know when such a call would be convenient. 40. Records for the required groundwater and landfill gas monitoring were not available at the landfill office for review and verification. However, Mr. Lane stated that he believed monitoring reports had been submitted that indicate the county is following the required sampling schedule and frequency. A review of the monitoring reports found in Laserfiche following the inspection confirmed Mr. Lane's belief. Please ensure that digital copies of groundwater and landfill gas monitoring records and reports are available for review at the landfill office. 41. Training records for certified staff were not up to date. However, Mr. Shelton provided copies of current certificates for the following facility staff members via email following the inspection: • Edward Shelton — NC Certified Landfill Manager —expires 12/4/2021; • Facio I. Visaya — SWANA Certified Manager of Landfill Operations —expires 6/14/2021; • Jeff Ikerd — NC Certified Landfill Operator — attended 9/11/19 Joyce Engineering class in High Point - certificate not yet received. Ms. Jolly stated during the inspection that she and Mr. Tate had not received their SWANA MOLO renewal certificates due to an issue with records. She added that there may also be other staff members that hold current certifications, and that she would have to find and forward them following the inspection. Information about upcoming certification classes was emails to Mr. Shelton following the inspection, as he requested. Please note that a responsible individual certified in landfill operations must be present at the landfill during all operating hours, as required by General Facility Operation Condition #8(a) of the Permit to Operate. 42. Information concerning the cleaning and televising of the facility's leachate collection lines was requested, and Ms. Jolly stated that, to her knowledge, no such activity had taken place since during her four-year tenure. General Facility Operation Condition #18 of the Permit to Operate states, in part, "Remote camera inspections of leachate lines must be conducted at least once every five years," and that, "cleaning of leachate collection lines must be conducted as necessary for proper functioning and to address buildup of leachate on the liner." Please provide records for the most recent remote camera inspection and cleaning of facility leachate lines. Page 9 of 10 oepamnem a� enmranmemai a�ai FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section Above: A view from the access road of the scrap tires piled in the collection area. Below: A view of the tire collection area from the maintenance building. Note the empty trailer docks at left. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report. Digitally signed by Susan Heim DN: cn=Susan Heim, o=Solid Waste Section,h,Field Operations Branch, email=susan.heim@ncdenr.go v, c=US Date: 2019.10.25 11:15:11 -04'00' Phone: 336-776-9672 Susan Heim Environmental Senior Specialist Regional Representative Sent on: October 25, 2019 to X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. Ronnie Tate via: Copies: Jason Watkins, Field Operations Branch Head — Solid Waste Section Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor — Solid Waste Section David Giachini, Permit Engineer — Solid Waste Section Ervin Lane, Hydrogeologist — Solid Waste Section Kathryn Jolly, Environmental Compliance Solid Waste Program Manager — Rockingham County Edward Shelton, Landfill Supervisor — Rockingham County Page 10 of 10