1803_INSP_20230301

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 1 of 5

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF X LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Catawba
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods X Incin T&P X FIRM PERMIT NO.: 1803-MSWLF-1997
CDLF X Tire T&P / Collection X Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: March 1, 2023 Date of Last Inspection: September 2, 2022

FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Blackburn Resource Recovery Facility
4017 Rocky Ford Road
Newton, North Carolina 28658

GPS COORDINATES (decimal degrees): Lat.: 36.60662 Long.: -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
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section

STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Construct 1803-MSWLF-1997, Blackburn Resource Recovery Facility – Unit 3, Phase 2, a Permit to
Operate 1803-MSWLF-1997, 1803-CDLF-, 1803-TP-, and 1803-COMPOST-, and a Permit for Closure for 1803-
MSWLF-1981 and 18H-LCID-1989 was issued to Catawba County on June 12, 2018. An Approval to Operate Unit 3,
Phase 2 was issued on January 22, 2021.

PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Partial Inspection

STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A

OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
A. 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1626(11) states: “Windblown waste requirements. Methods such
as fencing and diking shall be provided within the area to confine solid waste that is subject to be blown by the wind.
At the conclusion of each operating day, all windblown material resulting from the operation shall be collected and
disposed of by the owner or operator.”

During the inspection, windblown waste was observed along both sides of the access road on the north side of the
active cell of the MSWLF. Windblow waste was also observed east of the active cell. Mr. Hamby confirmed that
the waste was from the previous day’s operation. Severe windblown waste was observed deposited adjacent to the
access road within the active landfill cell leading to the working face. The volume of waste in this area indicated it
been generated prior to the working day.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 2 of 5

Catawba County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(11) for failure to collect and dispose of all windblown
material resulting from the operation at the conclusion of the operating day as required.

3/1/23: View of windblown waste deposited in 3/1/23: Windblown waste deposited in ditch on
ditch of access road on north side of landfill. (photo opposite side of access road north of landfill. (photo
by C. Gerstell)

3/1/23: View of windblown waste deposited along 3/1/23: View of windblown waste east of landfill on
access road leading to active working face. (photo opposite side of access road. (photo by C. Gerstell)
by C. Gerstell)

To achieve compliance, all windblown waste must be collected at the conclusion of the working day and
properly disposed of at the working. A follow-up inspection will be performed at a later date to confirm
compliance.

B. 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1626(2)(b) states: “Except as provided in Sub-Item (c) of this
Item, the owners or operators of all MSWLF units shall 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 prevent the escape of waste
and the attraction of vectors and scavenging, and to minimize fires and the generation of odors.”

During the inspection, an area of insufficient soil cover approximately 60-feet x 30-feet in size resulting in waste
being exposed was observed just south the active working face. Facility staff stated waste had last been placed in
this area the week prior to the inspection.

Catawba County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .1626(2)(b) for failure to cover disposed solid waste with six
inches of earthen material at the end of the operating day as required.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 3 of 5

3/1/23: View of exposed waste south of working 3/1/23: View of exposed waste south of working
face looking south. (photo by C. Gerstell) face looking east. (photo by C. Gerstell)

To achieve compliance, all waste within the landfill must be covered with a minimum of six inches of earther
material or approved alternative material at the conclusion of the operating day. A follow-up inspection will
be performed at a later date to confirm compliance.

C. 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .0542(g) states: “Windblown waste requirements. Methods such as
fencing and diking shall be provided within the area to confine solid waste that is subject to be blown by the wind. At
the conclusion of each operating day, all windblown material resulting from the operation shall be collected and
disposed of by the owner or operator.”

During the inspection, windblown waste was observed along the east slope and a portion of the south slope of the
Construction and Demolition Landfill. The volume of waste observed indicated the waste had not been collected at
the conclusion of the previous operating day.

Catawba County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0542(g) for failure to collect and dispose of all windblown
material resulting from the operation at the conclusion of the operating day as required.

3/1/23: View of windblown waste along east slope 3/1/23: View of windblown waste on east slope looking
looking east/southeast. (photo by C. Gerstell) south. (photo by C. Gerstell)

To achieve compliance, all windblown waste must be collected at the conclusion of the working day and
properly disposed of at the working. A follow-up inspection will be performed at a later date to confirm
compliance.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 4 of 5

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 within Catawba County only.
3. Gate are provided at the entrance to the facility to prevent unauthorized access.
4. This was a partial inspection to evaluate the operations of the facility.

Operations Inspection of the MSWLF Unit (1803-MSWLF-1997):

5. Waste was being placed within the eastern portion of Unit 3, Phase 2.
6. The working face was of manageable size.
7. One pallet was observed within the working face. Mr. Hamby confirmed staff would remove this pallet. No other
unacceptable waste streams were observed.
8. Windblown waste from the previous day’s operation was observed north and east of the working face. Please see
“Observed Violations” for comments and conditions for compliance.
9. Insufficient soil cover resulting in exposed waste was observed south adjacent to the working face. Please see
“Observed Violations” for comments and conditions for compliance.
10. Inactive portions of the landfill were covered with soil at the time of inspection.
11. Please continue efforts to stabilize inactive areas with a groundcover sufficient to restrain erosion.
12. Edge-of-liner markers were in place around the footprint of the landfill.

Operations Inspection of the CDLF Unit (1803-CDLF-)

13. Waste was being placed within the northern portion of Unit 2, Phase 1 at the time of inspection.
14. The working face appeared to be less than one-half acre in size.
15. No unacceptable waste streams were observed within the working face. A load of unacceptable waste consisting
of bagged trash and furniture off-loaded prior to the inspection had been pushed to a separate location by staff in
preparation for removal to the MSWLF Unit. Thank you for your efforts to keep unacceptable waste streams out
of the landfill.
16. Windblown waste from previous days’ operations was observed along the toe of the slopes on the east side and a
portion of the south side of the landfill. Please see “Observed Violations” for comments and conditions for
compliance.
17. Inactive areas of the landfill were covered with soil at the time of inspection.
18. Edge-of-waste markers were in place around the footprint of the landfill.

Operations Inspection of the White Goods Area:

19. White goods are collected on a concrete pad south of the MSWLF Unit 2.
20. All white goods containing CFCs were stored in an upright condition to maintain the integrity of the appliances
until CFCs were removed.
21. This area was well managed.

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 5 of 5

Operations Inspection of the Tire Collection Area:

22. Tires were being stored uncovered on a combination of concrete and gravel pad on the north side of the Type-1
Compost Unit.
23. All tires were maintained to the designated area at the time of inspection. This area was well managed.

Operations Inspection of the Treatment and Processing/Wood Grinding Area (1803-TP-):

24. Please note the Permit to Operate for tis area will expire on June 12, 2023.
25. The facility is permitted to receive land clearing waste and wooden pallets constructed of unpainted and untreated
natural wood.
26. Unground wood waste and pallets were being maintained in separate stockpiles.
27. Four windrows of ground mulch and one small stockpile on unground wood waste were on site at the time of
inspection.
28. Good distance was provided around stockpiles of ground and unground material to allow for access by firefighting
equipment.
29. No standing water was observed.
30. No offensive odors were observed.
31. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
32. Dust was well controlled.

Operations Inspection of the Small Type 1 Compost Unit (1803-COMPOST-):

33. As noted in the previous inspection report, the Permit to Operate for this area will expire on June 12, 2013.
x A Permit Renewal Operation Plan was submitted to the Solid Waste Section in December 2022 is currently
under review.
34. This unit is permitted to receive only yard waste, silvicultural waste, untreated and unpainted wood waste.
35. Three windrows of finished compost were on site at the time of inspection.
36. Good distance was observed around stockpiles and windrows to all for access by fire fighting equipment.
37. A small area of standing water was observed in front of the windrows. Please monitor this area to ensure standing
water does not last for long periods of time after rain events. Areas should be regraded as necessary to prevent
standing water.
38. No offensive odors were observed.
39. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
40. Dust was well controlled.

Supporting Comments:

41. Leachate tanks were observed. The secondary containment area surrounding the tanks was well managed.
42. All access roads were of all-weather construction and well maintained.

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: 3/3/23 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=Division of Waste Management,
ou=Solid Waste Section, email=[e-mail], c=US
Date: 2023.03.03 13:32:56 -05'00'