3606_Gaston_MSWLF_OpsPLan_DIN26770_20161102

Operations Plan
Gaston County Sanitary Landfill
Unit II – Phase 2 – Hardin Site

Gaston County, NC
July 2016

Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
2 Hours and Days of Operation .............................................................................................. 1
3 Standard Operating Procedures .......................................................................................... 1
3.1 Traffic Routing and Access Control .............................................................................. 1
3.2 Litter Control ................................................................................................................ 2
3.3 Odor Control ................................................................................................................ 2
3.4 Dust Control ................................................................................................................. 2
3.5 Noise Control ............................................................................................................... 2
3.6 Vector Control .............................................................................................................. 2
3.7 Inclement Weather Operations .................................................................................... 2
4 Waste Screening ................................................................................................................. 2
4.1 Waste Receiving and Inspection .................................................................................. 3
4.2 Acceptable Waste Types ............................................................................................. 3
4.3 Prohibited Wastes Types ............................................................................................. 4
4.4 Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan ............................................................................ 4
5 Yard Waste Management ................................................................................................... 5
6 C&D .................................................................................................................................... 5
6.1 Operations ................................................................................................................... 5
6.2 Recycling ..................................................................................................................... 6
7 Disposal Methods and Sequence of Operation ................................................................... 6
7.1 Placement of Initial Lift ................................................................................................. 6
7.2 Operational Procedures ............................................................................................... 6
7.3 Equipment Operations with the Landfill Cell ................................................................. 7
7.4 Stormwater Separation ................................................................................................ 8
8 Spreading and Compacting ................................................................................................. 8
9 Cover .................................................................................................................................. 8
9.1 Daily Cover .................................................................................................................. 8
9.2 Alternate Daily Cover (ADC) ........................................................................................ 8
9.2.1 Posi-Shell ............................................................................................................. 9
9.2.1.1 Properties of posi-shell ...................................................................................... 9
9.2.1.2 Cover system description .................................................................................. 9
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Contents
9.2.1.3 cover system application procedures................................................................10
9.3 Intermediate Cover .....................................................................................................11
10 Disease Vector Control Plan ...........................................................................................11
11 Methane Monitoring Plan ................................................................................................11
11.1 General Information ....................................................................................................11
11.2 Sampling and Analysis Procedures .............................................................................12
11.3 Emergency Response Plan .........................................................................................12
11.3.1 For 100% LEL at boundaries less than 250 feet from Structures..........................12
11.3.2 Distance is greater than 250 feet from Structures ................................................13
11.3.3 For Stuctures with greater than 25% LEL .............................................................13
11.3.4 For Structures with less than 25% LEL ................................................................13
12 Air Criteria ......................................................................................................................13
13 Access and Safety Requirements ...................................................................................14
14 Sedimentation and Erosion Control ................................................................................14
15 Drainage Control and Water Protection Requirements ...................................................14
16 Record Keeping ..............................................................................................................15
17 Leachate Management ...................................................................................................15
17.1 General .......................................................................................................................15
17.2 Lift Station Design .......................................................................................................16
17.3 Leachate Pretreatment and Discharge ........................................................................16
17.4 Separation of Storm Water ..........................................................................................16
17.5 Leachate System Maintenance ...................................................................................16
17.6 Leachate Quality Sampling .........................................................................................17
17.7 Leachate Contingency Plan ........................................................................................17
18 Staffing and Operational Responsibility ..........................................................................17
18.1 Personnel ...................................................................................................................17
18.2 Personnel Training ......................................................................................................18
18.3 Management Structure ...............................................................................................18
19 Equipment Requirements ...............................................................................................19

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Contents
List of Tables
Table 16-1 - Record Keeping ....................................................................................................15
Table 19-1 - Current Equipment Inventory ................................................................................20

List of Figures
Figure 18-1- Gaston County Landfill Management Authority .....................................................18

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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Introduction
1 Introduction
The purpose of this section is to identify protocols for the overall operation and maintenance of
the Gaston County MSW Landfill. This Plan, which has been prepared in accordance with Rule
.1625, provides details of the procedures and policies, which shall be implemented throughout
the life of the Hardin Site. Detailed drawings for Unit I and Unit II of the landfill’s development,
as well as the future expansion of Unit III, are presented in the Drawing section of this Permit
Application. These Drawings illustrate the existing conditions of the expansion area (including
known limits of existing and previous disposal areas and buffer zones), the phasing (including
the progression of cell development, transition contours, and final contours), and proposed final
contours and erosion control plans (including storm water control measures, and stockpile and
borrow operations).
2 Hours and Days of Operation
The Landfill will be open for operation between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Landfill will be normally
closed on Sundays except where prior permission has been given to receive waste for special
instances such as a natural disaster. Observed holidays are Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Special notices will be posted at the main entrance of the facility advising users of observed
holidays. Such notices will be posted at least one week in advance of the holiday.
3 Standard Operating Procedures
3.1 Traffic Routing and Access Control
An entrance sign is posted stating the facility name, permit number, and operating hours.
Additional signs will be posted for allowable speed limit (10 miles per hour) and directional signs
indicating the location of the disposal area.
All trucks entering the landfill to dispose of solid waste will be weighed at the entrance scales.
Regular users may not be weighed upon leaving if vehicle tare weights are known.
Automobiles and low-sided pickup trucks will not be allowed to dispose waste in the Units I and
II. A citizen’s drop-off center is available for their use and convenience.
Internal access roads will be graveled and maintained in an all-weather condition for
accessibility to all operation areas and MSW disposal units. The total length of roadway from
the entrance to the scales and from the scales to the disposal area will provide sufficient
queuing distance for trucks during the peak traffic periods.
Perimeter roads and operational access roads will be built to allow for two-way truck traffic. The
operational access road on the fill will be developed with extensions from the perimeter road to
the fill area.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Waste Screening
3.2 Litter Control
In order to control litter and windblown debris, the working face will be kept as small as possible,
and the waste will be compacted as soon as possible after unloading. Cover material will be
applied daily. Portable litter fences may be utilized downwind of and in close proximity to the
working areas to catch blowing litter. The area around the work face and the property in general
will be routinely checked, and the litter removed on a regular basis.
3.3 Odor Control
Detection of odors, which emanate from MSW disposal operations, are generally limited within a
short distance of the working face. As such, compaction and covering of waste on a daily basis
will help control odors and minimize nuisance-type situations.
3.4 Dust Control
Excessive dust can be a nuisance and a hazard. During extended dry periods, on-site roads
will be sprayed with water to reduce and control dust problems. The use of water will be
controlled so that no saturation or ponding occurs.
3.5 Noise Control
Noise resulting from landfill equipment will be limited to the period of time during operating
hours. All on-site equipment will be equipped with mufflers or similar noise-dampering devices.
A buffer of trees and other vegetation will be maintained between the operating areas and other
nearby areas. These efforts help reduce noise and minimize the nuisance problem to
neighbors.
3.6 Vector Control
The most common vectors associated with landfill operations are flies, rats, and birds. Fly
larvae enter along with the waste. Rats and birds are attracted to open refuse. Vectors will be
controlled through the compaction and daily covering wastes.
3.7 Inclement Weather Operations
During periods of wet weather, it may be necessary to depart from normal operating
procedures. The goals in wet weather operation are to minimize the size of the working face to
avoid disturbing as much area as possible, minimize the haul distance off the access road to
keep vehicles from getting stuck and tracking mud, and expose as little trash as possible to the
rain to reduce leachate generation. Occasionally, there may be prolonged periods of rain that
will make even the best access road impossible. During these periods, an area reserved for wet
weather will be used.
4 Waste Screening
In order to assure that prohibited wastes are not entering the landfill facility, screening programs
have been implemented at the Gaston County Sanitary Landfill. Waste received at both the
scale house entrance and waste taken to the working face is inspected by trained personnel.
These individuals have been trained to spot indications of suspicious wastes including:
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Waste Screening
Hazardous placarding or markings; liquids; powders or dusts; sludges; bright or unusual colors;
drums or commercial size containers; and “Chemical” odors. Screening programs for visual and
olfactory characteristics of prohibited wastes is an ongoing part of the landfill operation and
have been implemented in accordance with Rule .1626 Part (1)(f).
4.1 Waste Receiving and Inspection
All vehicles must stop at the scale house located at the entrance to the facility. All visitors to the
facility are required to sign in. All refuse transportation vehicles are weighed, and the content of
the load is assessed. Any waste material, which possess health hazards, start a fire, or could
negatively impact the environment, is deemed unacceptable. The scale attendant requests a
description of the waste from the driver of each vehicle to ensure that unacceptable waste is not
disposed into the landfill. The attendant then visually checks the vehicle as it crosses the scale.
Signs have been conspicuously posted informing users of the acceptable and unacceptable
types of wastes.
Attendants inspect approximately 1 percent of the daily truck traffic. Vehicles are randomly
selected for screening. The selected vehicles are required to unload their waste at a designated
tipping area. The waste is then spread and inspected. An attendant trained to identify
unacceptable wastes inspects the waste at the screening site. If unacceptable waste is found,
the load is isolated and secured. The Landfill Supervisor will then notify officials of the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Waste Management within
24 hours of attempted disposal of any waste the landfill is not permitted to receive in order to
determine the proper course of action. The officials to notify include Waste Management
Specialist in Mooresville at 704-663-1699, or Western Regional Office in Winston-Salem at 910-
771-4600.
The following records are kept on site to document all inspections:
• The date and time wastes were received for inspection
• Source and type of wastes
• Vehicle and driver identification
• All observations made by the inspector
• Final disposition of waste after inspection
4.2 Acceptable Waste Types
The proposed lined facility will accept only residential, commercial, or industrial waste types.
Sludges and other wastes not defined by these waste types will be accepted as suitable for
disposal if they meet the criteria required under the Division’s “Procedure and Criteria for Waste
Determination.” Wastewater treatment plant sludge will be accepted in accordance with Rule
.1626(1)(e). Waste consisting of debris generating from construction, demolition, remodeling or
repair of pavement, buildings, or other structures will be accepted for disposal in the C&D unit.
The C&D unit will not accept yard trash, land clearing debris, inert debris, or putrescible waste.
Yard waste will be accepted at the Yard Waste Facility for processing into mulch (see Section
5.0). Asbestos waste will not be accepted for disposal at any unit of the landfill. Wastes that
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Waste Screening
are received at the facility that are detected during the waste screening process to contain
asbestos (including shingles) will not be allowed for disposal.
4.3 Prohibited Wastes Types
In accordance with state regulations, the following wastes are prohibited from disposal within a
MSW landfill unit:
• Scrap Tires
• Used Oil
• White Goods
• Lead Acid Batteries
• Yard Trash
• Aluminum Cans
In addition, operating criteria prohibit other materials from disposal at the MSW landfill unit.
These criteria address the following types of waste:
• Leachate or gas condensate
• Hazardous waste as defined within 15A NCAC 13A, including hazardous waste
from conditionally exempt small quantity generators.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) wastes as defined in 40 CFR 761.
• Bulk or non-containerized liquid wastes unless the waste is household waste
other than septic waste and waste oil; or the waste is leachate or gas condensate
derived from the MSW landfill unit, whether it is a new or existing MSW landfill unit
or lateral expansion, is designed with a composite liner and leachate collection
system.
• Containers holding liquid wastes unless the container is a small container similar
in size to that normally found in household waste, the container is designed to
hold liquids for use other than storage, or the waste is household waste.
• Wastewater treatment sludges unless they are used as a soil conditioner and
incorporated or applied to the vegetative growth layer (at a depth no greater than
six inches); or unless the disposal of sludges have passed the paint filter test and
have an acceptable TCLP test.
4.4 Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan
In the event that identifiable hazardous waste or waste of questionable origin is disposed at the
landfill, appropriate equipment, protective gear, personnel, and materials as necessary will be
employed to isolate the wastes. The NCDEQ Division of Waste Management and the County
Engineer will be notified immediately that waste other than that which the landfill has been
permitted to receive has been disposed. If the vehicle disposing of such waste is known, all
attempts will be made to prevent that vehicle form leaving the site; or if the vehicle has left the
site, immediate notice will be served on the owner of the vehicle that hazardous waste for which
he/she has responsibility has been disposed at the landfill.
The County shall assist the NCDEQ Division of Waste Management as necessary and
appropriate in the removal and disposition of the waste and in the prosecution of culpable
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Yard Waste Management
parties. If possible, any unauthorized wastes will be removed for disposal in collection bins or
back onto the transporter’s vehicle. At a minimum, if the waste cannot be returned to the
transporter’s vehicle, it will be isolated from the remaining waste and contained to the extent
possible. If needed, the waste will be covered with either on-site soils or tarping material until
such time when an appropriate method can be implemented to properly handle the waste. The
cost of the removal and disposing the waste shall be charged to the owner of the vehicle
involved. Any vehicle owner or operator who knowingly dumps unacceptable waste in the
landfill may be barred from using the landfill.
Should an incident where prohibited waste is found at the landfill occur, the event shall be
documented as follows:
• Date and time of material detection
• Hauler name (company and driver)
• Material(s) detected
• Material generator(s) if able to identify
• Actions(s) taken to manage or return material(s)
• Efforts taken if extreme toxicity or hazard was discovered
• Landfill employee in responsible charge
Records of information gathered as part of the waste screening programs will be maintained at
the landfill site during its active life and as long as required by Gaston County and the state.
5 Yard Waste Management
The County has been approved for and operates a small Type 1 Yard Waste Facility adjacent to
the landfill. Any yard waste brought to the landfill will be directed to the Yard Waste Facility.
Additional information on the Yard Waste Facility and yard waste management can be found in
the Yard Waste Operations Plan submitted by the County and approved under the 2014 Permit
Renewal.
6 C&D
6.1 Operations
C&D filling operations would be continued during this permit cycle over the closed MSWLF Area
C unit in accordance with the existing C&D Operations Plan, dated June 27, 2008; and
subsequently modified to include C&D recycling activities (until 3:1 sideslopes and final top
elevations have been achieved.
The financial assurance requirements for the proposed C&D operations are included under
Section 8.0 – Closure, Post-Closure Cost Analysis of the Construction Plan Report for the
facility.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Disposal Methods and Sequence of Operation
6.2 Recycling
In order to reduce the amount of waste that enters the landfill, and in response to a significant
increase in the amount of shingle debris, the County has implemented a C&D Recycling
Program. Details on this NCDEQ-approved plan can be found in the C&D Recycling Plan.
7 Disposal Methods and Sequence of Operation
An area filling method will be used for the Unit I and Unit II active MSW landfills. Each disposal
cell will be constructed as a series of “lifts” in which the daily waste is compacted to a height of
approximately 10 feet and covered with 6 inches of cover material or an approved alternate
daily cover material. Edge of liner markers will be installed to aid in operational control. The
heights of each lift and fill section will be controlled through the periodic survey of surface
elevations referencing site benchmarks. In addition, an aerial survey of the site will be
conducted on a routine basis to confirm available airspace and waste placement density.
Solid waste unloading shall be restricted to the working face of the cell in such a manner that
waste may be easily incorporated into the active landfill area with available equipment.
Scavenging will be prohibited.
7.1 Placement of Initial Lift
During waste filling operations, the landfill liner systems are most vulnerable during the
placement of the first lift of solid waste. The first lift of MSW should be comprised of select
loads spread on top of the leachate collection layer. The select loads must be free of long or
large pieces of waste that may be pushed through the leachate collection layer and puncture or
damage the liner system. Landfill operations personnel will be positioned near the working face
to check for any debris or waste which would possibly penetrate the protective cover layer. The
first lift should be a minimum of four feet thick and provide sufficient area for at least one day’s
operation without leaving other areas susceptible to damage.
Another area of the liner system that is vulnerable during placement of the first lift of solid waste
is the perimeter berms. The protective cover layer against the side wall will protect the liner
system. As with the bottom liner, the first lift of MSW placed against the liner side walls should
be comprised of select loads.
In the event that the Landfill Supervisor identifies any damage to any part of the liner system,
the supervisor should immediately have it repaired. Additionally, the supervisor should
document the damage and repair as part of the operating record.
7.2 Operational Procedures
Solid waste transportation vehicles will arrive at the working face at random intervals. There
may be a number of vehicles unloading waste at the same time, while other vehicles are
waiting. In order to maintain control over the offloading of waste, only a certain number of
vehicles will be allowed on the working face at a time. The actual number will be determined by
the truck spotter. This procedure will be used in order to minimize the potential of off-loading
non-acceptable waste and to control disposal activity. Operations at the working face will be
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Disposal Methods and Sequence of Operation
conducted in a manner which will encourage the efficient movement of collection vehicles to and
from the working face and to expedite the unloading of waste.
The operational approach to managing the working face will be to maintain an area large
enough that two or more vehicles may safely unload side by side. A vehicle turn-around area
large enough for vehicles to arrive and turn around safely at a reasonable speed will be
provided adjacent to the unloading area. The vehicles will back to a vacant area near the
working face to unload. Upon completion of the unloading operation, the transportation vehicles
will immediately leave the working face area. Landfill operations personnel will direct traffic as
necessary to expedite safe movement of vehicles.
Solid waste unloading at the landfill will be controlled to prevent disposal in locations other than
those specified by site management. Such control will also be used to confine the working face
to a minimum width, yet allow safe and efficient operations. The width and length of the working
face will be maintained as small as practical in order to maintain the appearance of the site,
control windblown waste, and minimize amount of cover soil required each day. Normally, only
one working face will be active on any given day with all deposited waste in other areas covered
by either daily, intermediate, or final cover, as appropriate. The active working face will be
appropriately graded and maintained to control surface water coming in contact with the waste.
Use of portable signs with directional arrows and portable traffic barricades will facilitate the
unloading of wastes to the designed disposal locations. These signs and barricades will be
placed along the access route to the working face of the landfill or other designated disposal
units, which may be established.
Incoming waste at the facility will be confined to the smallest working face feasible. Appropriate
control devices such as berms, fences, and cover material will be used as needed to prevent
windblown debris. Any windblown debris will be collected regularly.
In addition, the County has been approved to utilize a second working face for MSW operations
during the upcoming transition period between landfills. The Unit I MSW landfill will soon begin
final fill operations on the side slope and top of the fill areas. In order to maintain operational
flexibility, a second working face would be opened on the active Unit II MSW landfill and the
waste stream would be directed to the working faces according to weather, intake rates, etc.
The time required to operate both working faces would be minimized. Prior to beginning and
upon concluding the second working face, the County will notify NCDEQ.
7.3 Equipment Operations with the Landfill Cell
Both the facilities operational vehicles and solid waste transportation vehicles must be restricted
as follows within the lined landfill cell:
• Only LGP tracked equipment shall be allowed to operate directly on the leachate
collection layer.
• A minimum vertical separation of three feet shall be maintained between the geo-
membrane liner and all solid waste transportation vehicles.
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Spreading and Compacting
• A minimum vertical separation of five feet shall be maintained between the
geomembrane liner and trash compactors.
The operation of vehicles within those portions of the cell not actively receiving waste should be
restricted to activities associated with sedimentation and erosion control.
7.4 Stormwater Separation
Each cell is designed as a series of hydraulically isolated subcells configured to limit the amount
of storm water entering the leachate collection system by using a rain cover and controlling
surface drainage. Waste placement will begin in the lowest subcell area with fill operations
continuing in the direction of a higher subcell. Prior to placement waste in any subcell the rain
cover, if installed, will be removed.
8 Spreading and Compacting
The procedures for placement and compaction of solid waste include unloading of trucks,
spreading of waste into two-foot lifts, and compaction on relatively flat slopes (i.e., 5H:1V) using
a landfill compactor and a minimum number of three full passes.
9 Cover
A significant volume of soil will be required to provide for the cover requirements during
landfilling operations. In order to provide for these requirements, the material excavated during
construction will be stockpiled and available for daily cover, intermediate cover, or final cover
use. Additional stockpiling of material may be necessary in the cell operations area prior to
winter when moving materials is more difficult due to inclement weather.
9.1 Daily Cover
In accordance with 15A NCAC 13B .1626 (2), the operator of MSW landfill units must cover
disposed solid waste with six inches of earthen material (or alternative daily cover (ADC)
approved by NCDEQ at the end of each operating day, or at more frequent intervals if
necessary, to control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging. The daily
cover must:
• Be capable of covering solid waste after it is placed without change in its properties
and without regard to weather;
• Be noncombustible; and
• Not include rock fragments that are greater than six inches in diameter.
9.2 Alternate Daily Cover (ADC)
The use of an alternate daily cover has been approved by NCDEQ. The use of Posi-Shell as an
ADC is described in this section. An ADC must provide control for disease vectors, fires, odor,
blowing litter, and scavenging. It has been determined through the Solid Waste Section
required demonstration from April 13, 2010 through June 30, 2011 that the Posi-Shell provides
equal or better element control as compared to soil.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Cover
An ADC shall not be used more than five consecutive days. If ADC is used on four consecutive
days, soil cover will be used on the following day. An ADC will not be used on final external
slopes.
9.2.1 Posi-Shell
9.2.1.1 PROPERTIES OF POSI-SHELL
The properties of each component of Posi-Shell are presented in the Manufacturer’s Usage
Guide in Appendix C.
9.2.1.2 COVER SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
As described in the Manufacturer’s Usage Guide, the application rate for short-term coverage
(overnight cover for daily cover operations) is approximately 8 to 10 square feet per gallon.
Assuming the working face is less than one acre (100 feet wide and 400 feet long), the
maximum quantity of mixture used would be approximately 4,000 gallons. Posi-shell
manufacturers may change recipes and County may use newer or better products as they
become available. Currently, at a minimum, the Posi-Shell material quantities for daily use
should be the following:
• 3,200 gallons of liquid (water or leachate),
• 8 bags (15 pounds each) of Posi-Pak,
• 40 bags (50 pounds each) of PSM-200 setting agent,
• 80 bags (94 pounds each) of optional Portland cement
Posi-Pak is a specially designed plastic fiber with a proprietary finish that provides the
reinforcement matrix for the finished cover. PSM-200 setting agent is a blend of clay, polymers,
and adhesives that provides thickening, lubrication, and adhesion. Portland cement can be
used as a binder component which will help neutralize odors and enhances the durability of the
cover system.
Earthtone or green coloring agent for Posi-Shell material is a ferrous oxide compound that is
used to impart the "soil" color to the cover. Approximately 20 pounds of this agent are added to
each 1,000-gallon Posi-Shell load. This compound is typically used to color mortar and block in
the brick manufacturing business. A coloring agent may or may not be used for this
demonstration.
Waste latex paint has been demonstrated to enhance the Posi-Shell mixture by increasing its
viscosity, density, and opacity, which lead to more effective and durable cover material. Waste
latex paint replaces Portland cement in the mixture and will be added in accordance with
manufacturer’s recommendations. Waste latex paint from the County’s on-site household
hazardous waste (HHW) operations will be used. The County’s HHW operators are properly
trained to recognize latex paints from oil-based paints and, currently, separate such paints for
proper disposal. No changes in the HHW operations are anticipated.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Cover
9.2.1.3 COVER SYSTEM APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Application Procedure
Application of the Posi-shell will generally follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and will
employ the following minimum procedures:
• The Posi-shell will be applied in two different directions to avoid spray shadow or
wind dispersion;
• The Posi-shell will be applied at the end of each working day;
• The Posi-shell surface will be visually inspected on a daily basis for exposed waste
and/or inadequate coverage. Inadequate coverage is generally defined as a
thickness of less than 1/8 of an inch.
Areas of exposed waste and/or inadequate coverage will receive an additional application prior
to operations ending for that day.
Maximum Daily Area Coverage
The estimated maximum daily coverage area is based on the following assumptions:
• Annual waste disposal rate (MSW only) = 175,000 tons
• Operating days per year = 284 days
• Approximate daily waste disposal rate = 620 tons
• In-place density = 0.65 tons of C&D per cubic yard
• Daily cubic yards disposed = daily waste disposal rate / in-place density = 1,240 yd3
or 33,400 ft3
The working face will be restricted to the smallest area feasible. Assuming the working lift is
typically six feet high, the working face area is 5,580 square feet (daily cubic feet
disposed/working lift thickness), which is equal to the daily coverage area.
Daily Depth and Quantity to be Applied
Not applicable.
Average Monthly Volume of Daily Cover
Not applicable.
List of Equipment
Equipment required for the Posi-Shell consists of a standard hydroseeding unit and a towing
unit.
Material and Equipment Storage
The material components of Posi-Shell will be housed on site to minimize the risk of hydration.
The spraying equipment will be parked in a County designated area which will not impede daily
operations.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Disease Vector Control Plan
Wet Weather Operation
The application of Posi-shell during heavy rain events will be minimized. If Posi-shell is applied
during periods of heavy rain, the surface will be visually inspected following the rain event for
exposed waste or inadequate coverage.
Contingency Plans
In the event that any of the equipment fails, or if the Posi-Shell Advanced Formulation is inade-
quate, then conventional soil cover will be used from an on-site stockpile in accordance with the
current site permit. Heavy equipment associated with the daily soil cover operations will remain
available on the site. Under this Plan, normal daily cover soil operations will resume during the
periods when the Posi-Shell is not utilized.
9.3 Intermediate Cover
Intermediate cover consisting of a total thickness of twelve inches will be applied to all areas
which will not have wastes placed on them for 12 months or more, but where final termination of
disposal operation has not occurred. The areas, which have received intermediate cover, will
be graded to prevent ponding. Any erosion or other damage which has occurred to the
intermediate cover will be repaired on a routine basis.
10 Disease Vector Control Plan
The need for extensive disease vector control (control of rodents, flies, mosquitoes, or other
animals, including insects capable of transmitting disease to humans) will be minimized through
proper site operation, including on-going compaction and application of daily and final cover. If
vector problems develop that required control beyond the measures indicated above, pesticides
and/or rodenticides will be employed as necessary by licensed professionals.
11 Methane Monitoring Plan
11.1 General Information
Landfill gases are the product of solid waste decomposition under anaerobic conditions. The
quantity and types of gas generated depend on the type of waste. The largest amount of gas is
typically generated from waste containing a high percentage of readily degradable organic
matter. The rate of generation also depends on the moisture content, temperature, and particle
size of the waste and the age of the fill. High temperature and moisture content, along with
small particle size, tend to result in higher gas production. Gas production from a landfill can
last from two to 30+ years, but generally peaks after approximately five to seven years if the
moisture content is not limited. Landfill gases predominantly consist of methane and carbon
dioxide. Initially, the gas is mostly carbon dioxide with methane production beginning later;
however, the gas eventually reaches approximately 50 percent methane by volume.
A gas monitoring system will be constructed around the perimeter of the landfill expansion. This
system will be monitored quarterly with a portable combustible gas indicator to check for gas
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Methane Monitoring Plan
migration along the perimeter of the landfill nearest any residential structures. All buildings and
enclosed structures on the landfill and open fill areas are continuously monitored as part of the
current routine methane monitoring program. Routine monitoring for gas migration is performed
in accordance with Rule .1626 Part (4)(b) to ensure that the following compliance levels for
methane concentration are not exceeded: 1) the concentration of methane gas generated by
the facility does not exceed 25 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for methane in facility
structures (1.25% methane); and 2) the concentration of methane gas migrating from the landfill
does not exceed the LEL for methane at the facility property boundary (5% methane).
If concentrations are measured at greater than 25 percent of the LEL for methane in facility
structures then the County will immediately take all necessary steps to ensure protection of
human health and shall notify the Division of Waste Management. Within seven days of
detection, the methane gas levels detected and a description of the steps taken to protect
human health will be placed in the operating record. Within 60 days of detection, a remediation
plan describing the nature and extent of the problem and the proposed remedy for methane gas
releases will be developed and placed in the operating record. The remediation plan will then
be implemented and the Division of Waste Management notified that the remediation measures
have been implemented.
11.2 Sampling and Analysis Procedures
The County has an independent contractor perform methane sampling and analysis. The
independent contractor has developed site-specific sampling and analysis procedures for the
Gaston County Landfill.
At a minimum, the following safety precautions are adhered to by all personnel when monitoring
for methane gas:
• At least two people should be present at all times when monitoring for potentially
explosive gas concentrations.
• At a minimum, hard hat, safety glasses, work boots, and gloves should be worn.
• Smoking and open flames are prohibited at all times.
• Fire extinguishers should accompany personnel at all times when monitoring for
explosive vapors.
Emergency personnel such as fire and ambulance should be notified prior to conducting any
major monitoring or corrective action work to allow staff to be prepared in case of an
emergency. Emergency phone numbers should be posted.
11.3 Emergency Response Plan
In the event methane gas levels exceed allowable limits, the emergency response plan will be
as follows:
11.3.1 For 100% LEL at boundaries less than 250 feet from Structures
• Call Gaston Fire Department Hazardous Material Team.
• Follow emergency procedures outlined in Rule 15A NCAC 13B.1626(4).
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Air Criteria
• Notify the Consulting Engineer.
11.3.2 Distance is greater than 250 feet from Structures
• Notify NCDEQ.
• Notify County Engineer.
11.3.3 For Stuctures with greater than 25% LEL
• Evacuate immediately, leaving doors open.
• Notify Gaston Fire Department Hazardous Material Team.
• Notify County Engineer.
• Follow emergency procedure outlines in 15A NCAC 13B.1626(4).
11.3.4 For Structures with less than 25% LEL
• Conduct follow-up monitoring.
• Discuss with County Engineer.
12 Air Criteria
In accordance with the State Implementation Plan developed under the Clean Air Act Section
110, open burning is prohibited at the site, unless approved by the Division of Waste
Management for the infrequent burning of land clearing debris generated on site or debris from
emergency clean-up operations. In order to control accidental fires from occurring at the site,
the following preventative measures are taken:
• The Scale Attendant and equipment operators screen incoming waste loads for
signs of hot loads, such as smoke, steam, or heat being released from the waste,
in order to prevent such loads from being off loaded in the active area of the
landfill.
• Smoking is confined to designated areas only, away from active areas of the
landfill, fuel stations, methane collection, and treatment equipment and other fire-
sensitive areas.
• Motorized equipment is not to be parked near fuel stations longer than necessary
for refueling.
• Fuel spills are contained by berming and cleaned up immediately using some type
of absorbent material.
• Landfill equipment is not parked in the active area of the site overnight.
• Dead trees, brush, or vegetation adjacent to the landfill will be removed
immediately, and grass and weeds mowed so that brush fires cannot spread to
the landfill. A mower/shredder is available to control grass and brush.
Water trucks are available on-site to control fires should they occur. In the event that additional
fire protection will be needed, the Town of Dallas will be contacted immediately to provide fire-
fighting services. The Division of Waste Management will be notified verbally within 24 hours of
any fire occurrence at the landfill, and written notification shall be submitted to the Division
within 15 days of the fire incident.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Access and Safety Requirements
13 Access and Safety Requirements
Entry to the site will be limited to landfill personnel, approved waste haulers, and properly
identified persons whose entry is authorized by the site management. The County reserves the
right to restrict access to the site. Visitors may be allowed near the active area only when
accompanied by a site representative.
An entrance sign will be posted stating the facility name, permit number, and operating hours.
Additional signage will regulate traffic flow, provide information on dumping procedures, the type
of waste the facility is permitted to receive, as well as those wastes banned from disposal at the
facility, and indicate the location of the disposal area.
Facility roads will be maintained in a good all-weather condition to ensure that all operation
areas and disposal units are accessible. Dust control measures, including wetting or temporary
seeding of soil stockpiles and wetting of on-site roads, will be implemented when necessary.
Access to all facilities will be controlled by natural barriers, fencing, or an equivalent means of
controlling vehicular access and preventing illegal disposal. All access will be limited by gates
which are securable and equipped with locks.
Scavenging will not be permitted at the landfill. If the volume of salvageable goods is sufficient,
those items will be set aside for salvage disposal by Gaston County; however, under no
circumstances will goods be allowed to be salvaged from the working face. Items stockpiled for
possible salvage will be maintained in a neat and orderly fashion.
Barrels and drums will not be disposed of unless they are empty and perforated sufficiently to
ensure that no liquid or hazardous waste is contained therein, except fiber drums containing
asbestos.
14 Sedimentation and Erosion Control
Perimeter ditches and sedimentation basins will be constructed and maintained to control runoff
and to provide a settling zone for sediments. Sedimentation basins will be designed based
upon the 24 hour/25-year storm.
Provisions for temporary and permanent seeding, as recommended by the Gaston County Soil
and Water Conservation District, will be accomplished within 30 working days or 120 calendar
days upon completion of any phase of landfill development. The vegetative ground cover
employed will be sufficient to control on-site erosion.
15 Drainage Control and Water Protection
Requirements
The landfill will be constructed with 3:1 side slopes with terraced benched and 12.5:1 top slopes
to promote drainage and prevent ponding over or in the waste.Perimeter ditches will channel
runoff to sediment basins designed to control the 24 hour/25-year storm event while achieving
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Record Keeping
the maximum settling efficiency for a sediment particle with a diameter of 40 microns. Sediment
basins will also prevent the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States,
including wetlands, that violates any requirements of the Clean Water Act, including, but not
limited to, NPDES requirements.
The landfill has a comprehensive surface and groundwater monitoring program to provide early
detection of any leachate migration problems. In the event any constituents are detected above
allowable limits, measures will be taken to begin assessing the extent of contamination and, if
necessary, corrective actions that need to be taken to prevent the pollution of waters of the
United State, including wetlands, that violate any requirements of an area-wide or state-wide
water quality management plan that has been approved under Section 208 or 319 of the Clean
Water Act, as amended.
16 Record Keeping
Gaston County maintains detailed records of all activities relating to the landfill. These records
are either kept on-site or at the office of the County’s Public Works Department and include
types and quantities of waste received; source of waste received; revenue generated from
waste received; applications for industrial waste disposal and related analyses; well water
usage; results from surface and groundwater monitoring; correspondence from regulatory
agencies; accident reports; and reports of site and random load inspections. Table 16-1
provides a summary of the records kept, their frequency of completion, and the locations where
the records are maintained.
Table 16-1 - Record Keeping
Record Keeping
Type of Record Frequency of Completion Location Maintained
Waste quantities received Daily Landfill/Public Works Dept. Source of waste received Daily Landfill/Public Works Dept. Revenue from waste received Daily Landfill/Public Works Dept.
Industrial waste applications and analyses Before initial waste disposal and annually thereafter Public Works Department
Well water usage Daily Landfill/Public Works Dept.
Surface and groundwater monitoring data Semi-annually Public Works Department
Related correspondence Not applicable Landfill/Public Works Dept. Accident reports After each occurrence Landfill/Public Works Dept. Site inspections Daily, quarterly, annually Landfill/Public Works Dept. Results of random waste load inspections After each inspection Landfill/Public Works Dept.

17 Leachate Management
17.1 General
Collection and removal of leachate generated from waste within the landfill will be accomplished
by a system of perforated HDPE pipes installed within fabric wrapped stone columns. Leachate
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Leachate Management
is currently collected at one of the three leachate pump stations and pumped to storage tanks or
recirculated to the waste mass in accordance with the approved Leachate Recirculation Plan,
dated May 22, 2000 and revised October 28, 2010. In addition, leachate may also be pumped
into the sanitary sewer line adjacent to the Unit I pump station in accordance with Industrial
Pretreatment Discharge requirements.
In order to maintain a free flow of leachate in the collection pipes, cleaning of the lines using the
manholes or cleanout riser pipes for access may be required. The maintenance and cleaning
will be performed on a periodic basis as necessary to maintain the free flow of leachate. In the
unlikely event that the collection lines are damaged, leachate will flow through the stone column
bedding material. This continuous granular pathway will allow drainage of leachate even in the
event of a total line failure. For more detailed information regarding the design and
maintenance of the system, refer to the Leachate System Management Plan.
17.2 Lift Station Design
The three existing pump stations were designed in accordance with accepted industry
standards and specifications. The lift stations include two submersible side slope pumps, each
capable of pumping the design flow rate. The system includes alarms for power outage, high
level, and no-flow conditions. A flow meter and chart recorder will be included to verify leachate
production.
The lift stations will be operated by landfill staff and is designed to work automatically with an
alternator to alternate the pumps each time a pump is activated. Landfill staff will inspect the lift
stations daily to identify any problems or maintenance required, and also to document pumped
quantities.
17.3 Leachate Pretreatment and Discharge
Given the strength of existing leachate flows from Units I and II, it is anticipated that
pretreatment requirements will be limited to mixing (mechanical or by aeration) of the storage
tanks. This is subject to change if the leachate quality should vary to the point where additional
treatment is required to meet industrial pretreatment discharge limits established by the City of
Gastonia.
17.4 Separation of Storm Water
Storm water control measures will be employed within specific subcells, which have not
received waste. These measures include “sectioning off” unused subcells or portions of
subcells by employing a rain cover system. In addition, a sump will be created at the low end of
the subcell to facilitate storm-water removal with a portable pumping arrangement.
17.5 Leachate System Maintenance
Additional design and maintenance details of the leachate system can be found in the
previously approved Leachate System Maintenance Plan.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Staffing and Operational Responsibility
17.6 Leachate Quality Sampling
Semi-annual sampling will be performed in accordance with .1626(12)(c). Samples will be
recovered as grab samples from the leachate storage tanks. The parameters to be analyzed
will include BOD5, COD, temperature, conductivity, pH, ammonia, suspended solids, and
metals analysis. Analyses will also include a volatiles scan.
Additional sampling events and parameter analysis will be conducted if required for discharge.
17.7 Leachate Contingency Plan
In the event that leachate levels within the tanks reach capacity, the excess leachate will either
1) transported via tanker trucks off-site to the wastewater treatment plant, or 2) valved off and
stored temporarily in the landfill. If necessary, engineering structures such as dikes and/or
berms will be utilized to prevent leachate from receiving waterways.
If operational conditions allow, leachate recirculation will also be performed as currently
permitted.
18 Staffing and Operational Responsibility
18.1 Personnel
Responsibility for overall facility management and operation rests with the Public Works
Director, who has been designated as the contact person for matters related to regulatory
compliance, and will be responsible for providing adequate personnel and equipment in order to
operate the facility in accordance with the approved permit documents and the North Carolina
Solid Waste Management Rules and Solid Waste Management Law.
A Landfill Supervisor, under the general direction of the Public Works Director, will monitor the
landfill on a daily basis. The Landfill Supervisor will be responsible for day-to-day operations
and coordinates activities to assure compliance with applicable requirements and regulations.
In addition to the supervisory staff, the County has other permanent staff available for
operations at the landfill. The number of employees may vary with the quantity of waste
received.
The Scale Attendant(s), stationed at the site entrance, are responsible for maintaining complete
and accurate records of vehicles and visitors entering and leaving the facility. The Scale
Attendant also visually inspects incoming vehicles to the extent that the loads are covered
properly.
A truck spotter directs incoming vehicles to the proper location to unload refuse at the working
face. The primary function of the spotter is to prevent unloading in areas that are not
designated for disposal and to visually inspect all loads as they are dumped to assure
compliance with posted operating rules. A traffic controller is located at the working face to
direct vehicles to the location where the waste is to be unloaded.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Staffing and Operational Responsibility
Equipment operators are responsible for the safe operation of site equipment. As the personnel
most closely involved with the actual landfill operation, these employees are responsible for
identifying any potentially dangerous conditions, as well as careless or improper actions on the
part of other persons while on the premises, and reporting such observations immediately to the
Site Supervisor.
Other services such as sediment basin maintenance, construction, site clean-up, etc. may be
performed by other County Workforce or out sourced to private contractors on a temporary
basis.
18.2 Personnel Training
The landfill employs a sufficient number of people who have been trained to reorganize loads
which may contain regulated hazardous waste or wastes containing PCBs. The Landfill
Supervisor has been trained and certified via an approved training course (i.e., SWANA-MOLO)
as required by GS 130A-309.25.
18.3 Management Structure
The management authority or chain of command for decisions regarding landfill operation is
depicted in Figure 18-1.
Figure 18-1- Gaston County Landfill Management Authority
County Commission

County Manager

Director of Public Works

Solid Waste Administrator

Landfill Supervisor

Equipment Scale Attendants Clerical

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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Equipment Requirements
19 Equipment Requirements
Equipment requirements may vary in accordance with the method or scope of landfill operations
at any given time. Additional or different types of equipment may be provided as necessary to
enhance operational efficiency. The types and sizes of equipment currently in use at the
Gaston County Sanitary Landfill, Hardin Site, are presented in Table 19-1.
A tanker truck is required to transport leachate from the holding tank to the local public-owned
treatment works (POTW). To fulfill this need, the County has contracted for hauling services.
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Gaston County Sanitary Landfill | Operattions Plan
Equipment Requirements
Table 19-1 - Current Equipment Inventory
Current Equipment Inventory
Description Make/Model No. Comment
Landfill Compactor CAT 826C CAT 826H 1 2
Bulldozer
CAT D7G
CAT D8N
CAT D8T
1
1
1

Grader CAT 120 1
Loader John Deere 544J CAT 928 2 (Rubber Tire) 1
Earthmover CAT Cat 621 E Pan 1 2
Tractor John Deere 7400 John Deere 5225 1 1
Hauling Trailer Rogers Trailer 1
Dump Truck
International
Chevrolet
Ford
Peterbuilt Tandem
1
1
1
1

Tractor Freightliner 1
Pick-UP Chevrolet Truck (1TON) Ford Truck (2 Ton) Ford Truck (1/2 Ton)
1 1 5

20