5602T_INSP_20220629

NORTH CARnLINAD_E Q��
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
UNIT TYPE:
Lined
LCID
YW
Transfer
X
Compost
SLAS
COUNTY: MCDOWELL
MSWLF
PERMIT NO.: 5602T-TRANSFER-1995
Closed
HHW
White
X
Incin
T&P
X
FIRM
MSWLF
goods
FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
CDLF
TireT&P/
X
Tire
Industrial
DEMO
SDTF
Collection
Monofill
Landfill
Date of Site Inspection: 6/29/2022
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
McDowell County Transfer Facility
3809 Highway 226 South
Marion, NC 28752
Date of Last Inspection: 11/20/2019
GPS COORDINATES (decimal degrees): Lat.: 35.656311' Long.:-81.957891'
FACILITY CONTACT NAME, PHONE NUMBER & EMAIL:
Name: Pam Vance, Waste & Water Manager — McDowell County Public Services Department
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: pam.vancekrncdowellgov.com
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Ashley Wooten, McDowell County Manager — County Administration Building
60 East Court Street
Marion, NC 28752
Email address: awootenkmcdowellgov.com
PARTICIPANTS:
Kris Riddle, Environmental Senior Specialist — Solid Waste Section (Section)
David LaPlante, Transfer Station Supervisor — McDowell County Public Services Department
Pam Vance, Waste & Water Manager — McDowell County Public Services Department
Jessica Morgan, Accounting Tech III — McDowell County Public Services Department
STATUS OF PERMIT:
Active. The McDowell County Transfer Facility currently operates under Permit No. 5602T-TRANSFER-1995 (FID
1319432) dated May 1, 2019.
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Facility Inspection.
STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
None.
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.
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
D_E Q�� Division of Waste Management
NORTH CAROLINA
OepaN W Emironm l puelily
Solid Waste Section
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. On -site June 29, 2022, to review facility records/certifications, inspect the Transfer Station, White Goods/Scrap
Metals area, Scrap Tire area, Treatment and Processing (T&P)/Wood Grinding area, and the recyclable collection areas.
Participants from the facility included David LaPlante, Transfer Station Supervisor for the operations portion, and Pam
Vance, Waste & Water Manager, and Jessica Morgan, Accounting Tech III, for the records portion of the inspection.
2. Access was controlled at the facility and signage was displayed at the facility entrance. Since the previous inspection,
the facility installed additional signage which included emergency contact information.
3. During this inspection, site operations were discussed with David LaPlante, Transfer Station Supervisor. Post -
inspection, site operations were also discussed with Pam Vance, Waste & Water Manager.
4. The facility's operating hours are: Monday — Friday: 7:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.; and
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
5. The Permit to Operate (PTO), Operations Plan, and all necessary records were available for review.
6. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) received at the facility is currently transferred to Foothills Environmental Landfill,
Permit No. 14-03, in Caldwell County.
7. During this inspection, the MSW tipping fee was $60 per ton.
8. As observed during this inspection, Staff Certifications are listed below:
Name
Certifications
Expiration Date
An i Greene
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
9/2022
Dan Johnson
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
8/2022
David LaPlante
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
3/2023
Fredrick Lu ster
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
12/2024
Jessica Morgan
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
9/2024
Tyler Sawyer
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
12/2024
Pam Vance
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
6/2024
Jimmy Wilson
Transfer Station Operations
Specialist
12/2024
9. Waste tonnage records were maintained and available for review during this inspection. As discussed, the facility has
been in communication with Section staff regarding revising the Operations Plan to accurately reflect current
operations. Please continue to work with Section staff as necessary regarding the revised Operations Plan submittal.
10. Waste screening records for the Transfer Station were reviewed from January 3, 2022, through June 27, 2022.
Previous waste screening records were also available for review. No issues were observed, and the waste screening
records appeared to be maintained. As discussed on -site, continue to maintain tonnages and documentation of
unacceptable waste on waste screening records to ensure the facility continues to meet the Operational Requirements in
15A NCAC 13B .0405(8)(a).
11. Per facility personnel, annual training updates for site staff occur at the facility typically during site safety meetings.
As discussed on -site, the NC Rules were readopted for Section .0400 Transfer Stations effective January 1, 2021. As
discussed, continue to provide training for site staff and maintain documentation per the Operational Requirements in
15A NCAC 13B .0405(a)(7).
12. Per facility records, the scale at the facility was most recently calibrated on June 22, 2022, by Superior Scale, Inc.
13. Gateway Fire and Safety performed maintenance on facility fire extinguishers in January 2022.
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
D_E Q�� Division of Waste Management
NORTH CAROLINA
OepaNnent W Environnrenbl puelily
Solid Waste Section
14. Access roads at the facility appeared to be maintained.
15. White Goods and scrap metal are accepted at the facility in a designated area located west of the Scale House. The
facility currently contracts with My County Metal for white goods and scrap metal removal/processing. Refrigerants are
removed by My County Metal personnel. White Goods and scrap metal were most recently removed from the facility on
June 22, 2022. As discussed on -site, continue to maintain the fencing/screening in this area as necessary. No solid waste
issues were observed in this area.
16. Scrap tires are accepted at the facility in a designated area southeast of the Scale House. Currently, scrap tires are
stored in two to three semi -trailers (as available) and removed as necessary for processing by US Tire. As discussed on
site, if needed the facility utilizes a concrete pad/bunker in this same area to store scrap tires in the event of a trailer
shortage. If needed, tires are stored in this area for no more than ten days. Scrap tire records were also discussed and
appeared to be well maintained. No solid waste issues were observed in this area.
17. The Treatment and Processing (T&P)/Wood Grinding area is in a designated area located southwest of the Transfer
Station. Per the Operations Plan, a sub -contractor provides all the equipment and labor to process and transport the yard
waste, as necessary. McDowell County does not retain or sell any processed yard waste from this area. Farmer's Mulch
and Rock Inc., most recently ground wood waste at the facility on November 3, 2021. No unpermitted waste was
observed in this area and surface water management appeared to be maintained during this inspection.
18. The facility collects cardboard for recycling from county convenience centers and bales the cardboard for
transport/further processing in a designated area located southeast of the Transfer Station. The facility currently uses the
baler for cardboard, but it can also be used to bale other recyclables, as needed. Household recyclables including glass,
cans, plastics, newspaper, etc., are also received from county convenience centers and delivered to the facility.
Commingled recyclables are collected in a semi -trailer located in a designated area southeast of the facility and
transported as necessary by Endurance Environmental Solutions (formerly K.R. Drenth Trucking Inc.) to a materials
recovery facility (MRF) in Catawba County, NC. No solid waste issues were noted in these areas.
19. Electronics are accepted at the facility in a designated area southeast of the Transfer Station. Electronic items are
palletized and made available for transport as necessary. The facility currently contracts with Powerhouse Recycling
Inc. to collect and transport electronics from the facility for further processing. Per facility records, Powerhouse
Recycling Inc. most recently removed electronics from the facility on June 22, 2022. This area appeared to be well
maintained.
20. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are accepted at the facility in a designated, sheltered area southeast of the
Transfer Station, adjacent to the electronics staging area. Intact bulbs (F-40, F-96, and U-shaped) are received and
boxed on -site. Lighting Resources transports the CFLs for recycling/processing as necessary. This area was well
maintained. Per facility records, Lighting Resources most recently removed CFL's from the facility on May 26, 2022.
21. Per facility personnel, the facility maintains (pressure washes) the interior walls of the Transfer Station on a semi-
annual basis. During this inspection, routine cleaning of the tipping floor, push walls, and truck loading bay (receiving
bay) appeared to be maintained. As discussed on -site, the NC Rules were readopted for Section .0400 Transfer Stations
effective January 1, 2021. Continue site cleaning and maintain records per the Operational Requirements in 15A NCAC
13B .0405(a)(11).
22. As observed and discussed with facility personnel, the tipping floor surface appeared very rough and surface cracks
were visible on multiple areas of the tipping floor during this inspection (photo #1). Also, the push walls at the facility
appeared worn with surface cracks observed in several areas during this inspection. In addition, the facility's tipping
floor edge appeared severely degraded during this inspection (photo #2). As discussed on -site, the potential for leachate
to bypass the collection system exists if this area is not repaired. As also discussed, post -inspection with facility
personnel, McDowell County is currently working on a response to the Section's letter dated May 19, 2022 (FID
1675209) regarding the Transfer Station Assessment Report. As the Section's letter requests, the county's response
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
D_E Q Division of Waste Management
NORTH CAROLINA
DgnNnenl W EnvNamm�ntal0uali�
Solid Waste Section
should include information which details the condition of these elements, as well as the criteria for determining when
these elements should be repaired and/or replaced. Maintain the facility push walls, tipping floor, and tipping floor
edge as necessary. Follow-up inspections will be conducted to determine site status and the condition of these
elements.
1. Example of surface crack on the tipping floor of the
Transfer Station. Multiple areas of degraded concrete and
surface cracks on the tipping floor were observed during
this inspection.
2. Southern view of degraded tipping floor edge of the
Transfer Station observed during this inspection.
23. As observed and discussed with facility personnel during this inspection, multiple areas of roughened, degraded
concrete and exposed rebar were observed on the walls and floor of the receiving bay (photos #3 & 4). Maintain the
receiving bay walls and floor as necessary.
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NORTH CARnLINAD_E Q��
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FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
3. Example of exposed rebar on the receiving bay wall of 4. Example of exposed rebar on the receiving bay floor of
the Transfer Station. Multiple areas of exposed rebar on the Transfer Station. Multiple areas of exposed rebar on
the receiving bay wall(s) were observed during this the receiving bay floor were observed during this
inspection. inspection.
24. During this inspection, the leachate collection grates/drains inside the receiving bay of the Transfer Station appeared
to be functioning effectively. Leachate is collected in an underground storage tank located on the western side of the
Transfer Station. Leachate is currently collected as necessary by Burgin & Son Septic Tank Service and delivered to the
Marion wastewater treatment plant. Leachate collection records appeared to be maintained during this inspection.
25. As discussed on -site, the damaged exterior sheet metal on the receiving bay (western side) of the Transfer Station
should be repaired and maintained as necessary (photo #5). Continue to maintain the sheet metal on the interior and
exterior walls of the Transfer Station as necessary.
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NORTH CARnLINAD_E Q��
oen.mmem m c.w.mmenai a.i�
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
5. Southern view of exterior sheet metal on western side of
the Transfer Station receiving bay.
26. No unacceptable waste was observed at the facility during this inspection.
27. The transfer trailer staging area located south of the Transfer Station appeared to be maintained.
28. As discussed on -site, continue efforts to ensure that any windblown litter at the facility is collected and disposed of
daily.
29. Vector control measures appeared to be maintained at the Transfer Station during this inspection.
30. All photographs taken by Kris Riddle on June 29, 2022.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.
Digitally signed by Kris Riddle
I ' R Date: 2022.07.12 15:16:14 -04'00' Phone: [phone]
Kris Riddle, Environmental Senior Specialist
Division of Waste Management, NC DEQ
Regional Representative
Sent to Pam Vance on July
X
Email
Hand delivery
US Mail
Certified No. L,_]
12, 2022, via:
E-Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Allen Gaither, Permitting Engineer - Solid Waste Section
David LaPlante, Transfer Station Supervisor - McDowell County Public Services Department
david.laplante ,mcdowell o�,mcdowell o
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