NC SWANA FALL 2014 MEETING Presented by Ed Mussler P.E., Wilmington, NC October 2014 DWM Post-Closure Landfill Use Concepts and Considerations

Background Rules and Regs What to look for What to consider What is done Post Closure Uses of Landfills

Closure of Landfill Units-Why  After use a landfill unit must be closed space to protect human health and the environment  After closure a landfill unit must be monitored for some period of time.  After closure a landfill unit usually has no intrinsic value- except non approachable

Solid Waste Rule for Closure  Solid Waste Management.  Part 1. Definitions.  § 130A-290. Definitions.  (2) "Closure" means the cessation of operation of a solid waste management facility and the act of securing the facility so that it will pose no significant threat to human health or the environment.  § 130A-294. Solid Waste Management PRogram  (b) The Commission shall adopt and the Department shall enforce rules to implement a comprehensive statewide solid waste management program. The rules shall be consistent with applicable State and federal law; and shall be designed to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; preserve the environment; and provide for the greatest possible conservation of cultural and natural resources. Rules for the establishment, location, operation, maintenance, use, discontinuance, recordation, post-closure care of solid waste management facilities also shall be based upon recognized public health practices and procedures, including applicable epidemiological research and studies; hydrogeological research and studies; sanitary engineering research and studies; and current technological development in equipment and methods.

What are the Rules?  Pre Subtitle D- Pre Close with 2 feet of dirt, monitor and maintain.  Facility is provided a closure letter that may have specifics  Post Closure use must not disturb the integrity of the cap and be approved by the Section

Solid Waste Rules Modern Era Subtitle D and Beyond-  15A NCAC 13B.1629 CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE PLAN  (a) Purpose. As required under Rule.1617 of this Section, the owner or operator shall submit a closure and post-closure plan which meets the requirements of this Rule.  (b) Closure plan contents.  (1) General content of the plan. The owner or operator shall prepare a written closure plan that describes the steps necessary to close all MSWLF units at any point during its active life in accordance with the cap system requirements in Paragraph (c) of this Rule, as applicable. The closure plan, at a minimum, must include the following information:  (c) Post-closure plan contents. The owner or operator of all MSWLF units must prepare a written post-closure plan that includes, at a minimum, the following information:  (1) A description of the monitoring and maintenance activities required in Paragraph (d) of Rule.1627 for each MSWLF unit, and the frequency at which these activities shall be performed;  (3) A description of the planned uses of the property during the post-closure period. Post- closure use of the property shall not disturb the integrity of the cap system, base liner system, or any other components of the containment system, or the function of the monitoring systems unless necessary to comply with the requirements in this Section. The Division may approve any other disturbance if the owner or operator demonstrates that disturbance of the cap system, base liner system, or other component of the containment system, including any removal of waste, will not increase the threat to human health and the environment.

Summary of Post Closure Use  The cap must be maintained  The buffer is for monitoring and remediation  Must not compromise the monitoring system  Can one drill a hole in it?

What is considered  What are the hazards, obstacles  Settlement  Gas  Monitoring  Maintenance  Structural stability  Risk  Exposure paths,

What are other concerns  Community involvement  Open space  Resources  Long term maintenance,  Compatibility with final contours and surrounding neighborhood,  Cost of virgin ground

Additional Concerns for Analysis  Who owns it and controls the landfill  Who is the responsible party, government versus private?  Concern for public health and safety  Protect monitoring wells, gas probes  Concern over irrigation,  Need extra cover for trees and shrubs.

Post-Closure Uses  Parks  Business incubators  Field Offices for support structure of county  Solar Farms  Education opportunities

Post Closure Uses  Open Space  Natural area with indigenous plants for birds or butterflys  Walking trails  Riding Trails  Ball fields  Observation Areas  Gun Ranges  Fire Safety Training

Summary  Many uses are possible, be creative  Must maintain the purpose of the landfill and post- closure- protection of public health and environment  Must protect and maintain the groundwater and LFG monitoring network  Must be able to remediate the groundwater or LFG  Must be able to drill a hole in it

Contact Information Ed Mussler, P.E. Permitting Branch Supervisor Solid Waste Section 1646 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC Wastenotnc.org