After 20 years of working at clubs, Tom Mason struck out on his own, purchased Par Tee Driving Range and quickly established a primary goal for the operation.
“I want this to have a country-club feel and atmosphere,” said Mason, who took over the facility on the Charleston Highway in West Columbia at the first of the year.
He hit the ground running with establishing a practice putting green an immediate objective. He hopes the new addition, which has MiniVerde bermudagrass, will be ready by the end of the month, he said.
Mason, a Class A PGA member whose career includes stops at WildeWood, Woodcreek, Oak Hills and Woodlands, discovered another side of the business after purchasing Par Tee from Don Gensamer, and he relished the challenge.
Article Source: The State – South Carolina’s Homepage
S+G Becomes Charter Member of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
Smith Gardner, Inc. (S+G) is pleased to announce it has become a charter member of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), whose goal it is to change the way infrastructure is conceived of, designed, constructed and operated to better meet the challenges of our resource-constrained world. Taking a more visible stance regarding sustainability is a natural step for the firm, which has for the past decade been instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing consulting services for numerous landfill-gas-to-energy and landfill gas collection projects throughout the southeastern United States. Charter membership in ISI is a milestone indicating the completion of many behind the scenes moves to equip the firm to incorporate sustainability principles into its core services and to add new sustainability-driven services, such as expanded composting consulting services and enabling owners to achieve project recognition through the Envision rating system, as explained later in this article.
Sustainability is not a separate service line for S+G, it is the pathway to providing better value to our clients through expanding the conceptual space within which we provide our core services. We will be able to achieve greater value over the life of a project or facility by applying longer planning horizons and multi-disciplinary approaches. Our clients may not even realize that innovative solutions to their problems have grown out of the multidisciplinary studies our professionals engage in.
The firm’s involvement with ISI is spearheaded by Thomas Maier, who has earned the Envision™ sustainability professional (ENV SP) credential recognizing his demonstrated ability to apply sustainability principles to infrastructure projects, and to use the recently debuted Envision™ sustainable infrastructure rating system. Mr. Maier was also a member of the first graduating class of ISI Verifiers who are qualified to rate projects on the basis of documentation submitted by the design team. The Envision™ rating system raises the bar on infrastructure performance by recognizing efforts that restore ecosystems as well as evaluating infrastructure throughout its full lifecycle from planning through decommissioning. Through his work with the Economics Committee of ISI, Mr. Maier is working with economists and engineers to develop an enhancement to the Envision™ rating system that enables the monetary equivalent of environmental and cultural benefits to be rationally quantified, thus providing an economic driver for projects to achieve higher levels of sustainable performance. Mr. Maier has also earned the designation of LEED AP BD+C from the Green Building Certification Institute, recognizing his proficiency in applying the LEED rating system to building design and construction.
Jorge Montezuma is leading the firm’s expanding composting services line, which includes consulting and design services for food waste collection and composting, vermicomposting, and agricultural byproduct composting. Mr. Montezuma has recently been elected the Secretary of the North Carolina Composting Council.
Smith Gardner, Inc. is pleased to offer sustainability-driven services to our current and future clients. Please contact Tom (tom@smithgardnerinc.com), Jorge (Jorge@smithgardnerinc.com) or any of our other professionals to discuss how we can provide solutions for your waste management needs.
On January 2, 2013, the North Carolina Register published proposed rule changes to 15 NCAC 13B.0206, Option to apply for issuance of 10-year permit for sanitary landfill or transfer station (NC Register Volume 27, Issue 13, Page 1272). The proposed changes provide an option of extending the permitting terms for the design, construction, and operating phase of a sanitary landfill from five years to ten years. However, the ten year permit holder will be subject to a five year design phase review. The proposed rule change is as follows:
(a) An applicant for a sanitary landfill or transfer station permit subject to Section .0400, .0500 or .1600 of these Rules may apply for a permit for a design, construction and operation phase of five years or a design, construction and operation phase of ten years. A permit for a ten-year phase of construction and operation of a sanitary landfill shall meet the five-year phase requirements contained in Section .0500 and .1600, applied in two five-year increments.
(b) A permit issued for a designed phase of ten years shall be subject to review within five years of the issuance date, as provided in Rule .0201(g). Permit modifications issued for a ten-year phase of construction or operation of a sanitary landfill or transfer station shall be made in accordance with rules in effect at the time of review and include an updated operations plan for the facility, revisions to the closure and post-closure plans and costs, and updates to the environmental monitoring plans.
As stated in the published rules, “the Division of Waste Management seeks to change rules related to the duration of sanitary landfill or transfer station permits to comply with recent changes in state law. The current rule and statutory requirements are based on five-year permit durations. The proposed rule change is necessary to comply with new state laws and is in the public interest because it provides the regulated community with opportunities for cost savings and greater permit length flexibility.”
This proposed rule was one of the regulatory reform recommendations developed during the 2012 short session that focused on reducing the permitting burden on regulated entities. Furthermore, Senate Bill 810-Regulatory Reform Act of 2012 (S.L. 2012-187) directed the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to track the processing time for permits issued by the One-Stop, Express Permit, and Certification Review programs. In addition to evaluating these permitting processes, DENR must complete a comprehensive review of each of their permit, license, and approval programs; identify which program should be subject to a similar permit process tracking system; and report their findings from this review to the Environmental Review Commission before January 15, 2013.
Parties interested in submitting written objections to the agency regarding the proposed changes should contact:
The current NPDES General Permit NCG120000 (Permit) for landfills will expire on October 31, 2012. A draft Permit for public comment has been published here. The comment period ends on October, 4 2012 with the new Permit set to issue on October 19, 2012 (Effective November 1, 2012). The following is a summary of the major differences between this draft Permit and the current Permit set to expire.
1.0 MONITORING PARAMETERS
Qualifying discharges from vehicle maintenance areas will now include analytical monitoring for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) instead of the previous Oil & Grease analysis. This is based on the assessment that TPH is more specific for petroleum hydrocarbons than Oil & Grease. There should be no cost difference between these analyses.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is a parameter monitored in the current Permit; however, lower TSS thresholds have been implemented for discharges in certain water designations (ORW, HQW, trout, and primary nursery area (PNA) waters). Benchmark values are discussed below.
No other change is proposed for monitoring parameters.
2.0 MEASUREABLE STORM EVENT
The draft Permit introduces an updated definition of what storm event should be sampled. The term “representative storm event” has been replaced by “measurable storm event.” The “measurable storm event” is an event that results in an actual discharge, rather than an event with a rainfall measuring 0.1 inches or more. To qualify as a measurable storm event, previous storms must have been at least 72 hours prior. Samples must be collected within the first 30 minutes of discharge.
3.0 ADVERSE WEATHER
The draft Permit defines adverse weather conditions and allows the permittee to forgo sampling if conditions are dangerous or inaccessible. These events must be documented and included with records.
4.0 QUALITATIVE MONITORING
Qualitative monitoring schedules have not changed but the following requirements have been modified to include an implementation schedule for corrective actions:
“Qualitative monitoring shall be conducted at least once every seven calendar days, and within 24 hours after any storm event of greater than 0.5 inches of rain per 24 hour period. During stormy periods, and whenever runoff occurs daily, all stormwater controls shall be inspected daily and immediately before closing operations for the weekends or holidays.”
“In the event an atypical condition is noted at a stormwater discharge outfall, the permittee shall document the suspected cause of the condition and shall document corrective actions taken in response to the discovery. Uncontrolled releases of mud or muddy water, or visible sedimentation found off site, shall be recorded with a brief explanation as to the measures taken to prevent future releases as well as any sediment clean‐up measures taken.”
“If the permittee’s qualitative monitoring documentation indicates that existing stormwater controls are ineffective, or that significant stormwater contamination is a recurring condition, the permittee shall investigate potential causes, evaluate the feasibility of corrective actions, and implement feasible corrective actions within 60 days. A written record of the permittee’s investigation, evaluation, and response actions shall be kept on site.”
“The permittee shall record the required qualitative monitoring observations on the SDO Qualitative Monitoring Report form provided by the Division and shall retain the completed forms on site. Qualitative monitoring results should not be submitted to the Division, except upon DWQ’s specific requirement to do so.”
5.0 ANALYTICAL BENCHMARK VALUES
Benchmark Values for Analytical Monitoring Requirements
Discharge Characteristics
Benchmark Value
Chemical Oxygen Demand
120 mg/l
Fecal Coliform
1000 colonies per 100 ml
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
100 mg/l
TSS (ORW, HQW, Trout, and PNA) waters
50 mg/L
Benchmark Values for On-Site Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Activities
The Tier Three response actions that have been added to the draft Permit are summarized below:
“During the term of this permit, if the valid sampling results required for the permit monitoring periods exceed the benchmark value for any specific parameter at any specific outfall on four occasions, the permittee shall notify the DWQ Regional Office Surface Water Supervisor in writing within 30 days of receipt of the fourth analytical results. DWQ may, but is not limited to:
Require that the permittee revise, increase, or decrease the monitoring frequency for some or all parameters;
Rescind coverage under the General Permit, and require that the permittee apply for an individual stormwater discharge permit;
Require the permittee to install structural stormwater controls;
Require the permittee to implement other stormwater control measures;
Require the permittee to perform upstream and downstream monitoring to characterize impacts on receiving waters.”
7.0 DUTY TO COMPLY (FINES)
The Clean Water Act fines have increased in Part III, Section A, 2 (a) and (f) of the draft permit.
8.0 CLOSING
Several important changes are being proposed for stormwater monitoring that may impact your landfill operation in the future. Smith Gardner, Inc. would be glad to discuss this draft Permit or other NPDES permits with you if you have any questions. More information and the address for comments may be found here: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ws/su/current-notices/-/journal_content/56_INSTANCE_y9Oq/38364/8522326
We would welcome an opportunity to work with you to submit any comments/concerns that you may have to NCDENR-DWQ during the public comment period that ends on October 4, 2012. You may contact Don Misenheimer at (919) 828-0577 x 224 or by email at don@smithgardnerinc.com.
Thank you for your continued confidence in our firm. Your support is one of the main reasons that we have been able to stay in business for more than 21 years.
As we navigate this challenging economic climate, we appreciate the difficult decisions and changes that you may be facing. As you may have noticed, Richardson Smith Gardner & Associates, Inc. is making some changes, as well.
With the retirement of Greg Richardson, we are completing a transition that has evolved over the past five years with the change of our name to Smith Gardner, Inc., effective July 1, 2012.
Our name may be changing, but our promise remains the same. Now, more than ever, we are committed to delivering the right solid waste engineering solutions through innovation and efficiency.
Furthermore, we will continue to deliver value in all of the work you entrust us to undertake. We believe our small-company culture will continue to be key to meeting this objective, allowing us to be responsive and cost-effective while providing quality services.
In the meantime, please visit our new website at www.smithgardnerinc.com for more information, or call us at 919.828.0577.
Cordially,
Smith Gardner, Inc.
Stacey A. Smith., P.E.
President
stacey@smithgardnerinc.com
John M. Gardner, P.E.
Vice President
john@smithgardnerinc.com
Financial Assurance for Corrective Action at Landfills – House Bill 209
As currently transcribed, HB 209 proposes to reduce the financial assurance obligation to two million dollars and sets forth provisions to allow the owners and operators of landfills permitted on or before August 1, 2009 means to satisfy the financial assurance commitment through the development of a trust fund under the following provisions:
The trustee shall be an entity which has the authority to act as a trustee and trust operations are regulated and examined by a State or Federal agency;
A copy of the trust agreement shall be placed in the facility’s operating records;
Payment into the trust fund shall be made annually by the owner or operator over a period not to exceed five years;
Payment into the fund shall be made in equal annual installment amounts;
The trust fund may be terminated by the owner or operator only of the owner or operator establishes financial assurances by another means; and
The trust agreement shall be accompanied by formal certification of acknowledgement
HB 209 passed the first reading in the House on March 3, 2011 and was referred to the House Committee on the Environment which met to discuss the merits of the provisions on May 26, 2011. The bill was passed by the committee and will move on to the floor.
The General Assembly’s 2011 regular session’s cross over date is June 9, 2011. If the provisions of HB 209 are to be enacted, a companion bill in the Senate may need to be introduced and all actions or modifications adjusted by any of the reviewing legislative committees have to be approved by both houses of the General Assembly prior to ratification.
EPA Extends the Deadline for 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
In a press release issued earlier today, EPA has announced that it is extending the deadline for reporting of 2010 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions under 40 CFR Part 98 beyond the original due date of March 31, 2011. This extension will provide EPA with sufficient time to develop and implement the electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT), which is required to report emissions. Originally scheduled for release in late February or early March, the press release now states that EPA “plans to have the final electronic reporting tool available in late summer”. No revised reporting deadline was given, although it will presumably follow the release of the reporting tool, in late summer or early fall of 2011.
According to a press release issued by the U.S. EPA on January 12, 2011, EPA is deferring greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources, including landfills. EPA plans to complete a rulemaking in July 2011 that will defer permitting of CO2 emissions from these sources for three years. During this time, EPA will consider the more than 7,000 comments received during July 2010, including whether burning of biomass results in a net increase in CO2 emissions.
EPA also plans to issue guidance to state and local permitting agencies that, during the three-year deferral period, the use of biomass as fuel, including landfill gas, constitutes Best Available Control Technology for GHG emissions.
Governor Beverly Perdue has initiated a Regulatory Review process aimed at reviewing the thousands of government regulations and rules that have been implemented by various state agencies and regulatory commissions. At a press conference Thursday in Chatham County, Governor Perdue announced her Setting Government Straight initiative and invited the comments of NCACC First Vice President Kenneth Edge of Cumberland County and Chatham County Commissioner George Lucier to give the county perspective.
Governor Perdue is specifically seeking feedback from counties about any rules, regulations and requirements that do not make common sense. As part of this process, the Governor has instructed all of her cabinet agencies to stop creating new rules unless they are absolutely necessary and justifiable, until a thorough review can be completed.
Governor Perdue wants to hear from you about specific examples of how state government and local government intersect in areas such as the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The governor’s team is looking for specific examples of how these interactions can be streamlined for better efficiency and cost-savings.
Governor Perdue has created a Web site to solicit feedback. This is a great opportunity for our counties to highlight some real-world examples of redundant and ineffective state regulations that impede county service delivery. The website address for comment is: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/forms/setGovernmentStraight.aspx/
NCDENR has released proposed rule changes for North Carolina solid waste facilities. These rule changes address several points which include:
• The disposal of untreated wood at Land Clearing and Inert Debris (LCID) facilities (15A NCAC 13B.0101 & 0563);
• Clarification of critical language regarding leachate releases (15A NCAC 13B.1604 & .1626); and
• Removal of the requirement to perform statistical analysis on groundwater monitoring data (15A NCAC 13B.1632 – .1635, & .1637).
The proposed rule changes can be viewed in full at the following:
The comment period for these proposed rule changes ends on October 15th. Comments can be sent to:
Ellen Lorschieder
NCDENR – Division of Waste Mgt – Solid Waste Section
Planning and Programs Branch Head
1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1646
A brief summary of the proposed changes and their potential impact to landfills in NC is provided below.
Untreated Wood in LCID Landfills -15A NCAC 13B.0101, & .0563
The proposed rule changes remove untreated wood as a waste that can be accepted at LCID landfills. This proposed rule change is explained by NCDENR as being necessary due to the numerous markets for recycling untreated wood. The reason for the proposed rule change further states that since most untreated wood is comingled with treated wood, paint and other construction and demolition debris, this waste can become contaminated by these other wastes and thus may pose an environmental threat due to the origin of generation.
Potential Impact to Solid Waste Facilities
Untreated wood will no longer be accepted at LCID facilities and must either go to a C&D facility or be recycled at the source.
The proposed rule change changes the definition of a leachate release from “from the permitted facility” to “outside the liner, collection system or other containment component”. This defines a leachate release as any release that migrates beyond the liner or leachate collection system (effectively anywhere outside the landfill anchor trench). NCDENR provides the reason that this rule change is proposed is to eliminate ambiguous wording, and to prevent any leachate release from outside the landfill liner system due to a potential for environmental impact.
Potential Impact to Solid Waste Facilities
Any leachate seep or release of leachate that is discovered outside the leachate collection system of the landfill will be against the law and the site will be subject to Notice of Violation and potential fines.
This proposed rule change removes the requirement for statistical analysis of groundwater monitoring data and relies solely upon groundwater standards (15A NCAC 2L.0200) and Interim Maximum Allowable Concentrations (IMACs) for a determination if groundwater has been impacted by a facility. This is proposed due to the redundancy of the statistical analysis with the groundwater standards that NC already had in place at the time of adoption of Subtitle-D.
Additionally, the proposed rule changes include a revision to the section regarding completion of groundwater remediation. Previously, this section outlined that compliance with groundwater standards after a remedial action could be achieved through statistical analysis indicating no statistical increases over a period of three years. The proposed change removes the statistical analysis requirement and indicates that compliance may be achieved through no exceedance of groundwater protection standards over three years.
Potential Impact to Solid Waste Facilities
The good news is that this will potentially reduce regular groundwater monitoring costs for landfills where statistical analyses are currently required (MSW landfills). For naturally occurring constituents, some landfills may want to continue using statistical analysis in order to show that the naturally occurring concentrations are not increasing due to impact from the landfill.
The bad news is that removal of the guidance for statistical analysis may unintentionally create more confusion about how statistical analysis should be performed. Additionally, clarification regarding whether additional Alternate Source Demonstrations will be required for naturally occurrring constituents is needed. If additional ASD reports will be required, any savings by limiting statistical analysis will be lost in the generation of these additional reports.
If you have any questions as to how these rule changes may affect your particular facility, please e-mail Joan Smyth, P.G. (Joan@RSGengineers.com) or Pieter Scheer, P.E. (Pieter@RSGengineers.com) or phone: (919) 828-0577.
