Subchapter B. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL COMPOSTING FACILITIES
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
281.101. General requirements.
PLANS
281.111. Operating plan.
281.112. Maps and related information.
281.113. Design and related information.
281.114. Description of geology, soils and groundwater.
281.115. Plan for access roads.
281.116. Access control plan.
281.117. Nuisance control plan.
281.118. Litter control plan.
281.119. Radiation protection action plan.
COMPOSTING
281.121. Composting pad and vessel design.
281.122. Chemical analysis of sludge.
281.123. Daily volume.
SOIL AND WATER
281.131. Revegetation plan.
281.132. Soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.
281.133. Leachate treatment plan.
281.134. Soil and groundwater monitoring plan.
CONTINGENCIES AND CLOSURE
281.141. Contingency plan.
281.142. Postclosure land use plan.
Cross References This subchapter cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.1 (relating to scope).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 281.101. General requirements.
(a) An application to operate a general composting facility shall:
(1) Comply with this subchapter.
(2) Comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 271 (relating to municipal waste management—general provisions).
(b) Maps, plans and cross sections submitted to comply with this subchapter shall be on a scale in which 1 inch equals no more than 50 feet with 2-foot maximum contour intervals, unless otherwise approved by the Department.
Source The provisions of this § 281.101 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (226349).
PLANS
§ 281.111. Operating plan.
An application to operate a general composting facility shall contain the following:
(1) A narrative description of the general operating plan for the proposed facility, including the origin, composition and weight or volume of solid waste that is proposed to be composted at the facility, the suitability of the waste for composting, the composting process to be used at the facility, the daily operational methodology of the proposed process, the proposed processing and storage capacity of the facility and the expected life of the facility.
(2) A plan for an alternative waste handling or disposal system during periods when the proposed facility is not in operation, including procedures to be followed in case of equipment breakdown. Procedures may include the use of standby equipment, extension of operating hours or contractual agreements for diversion of municipal waste to other facilities.
(3) A plan for sampling and analyzing the compost.
(4) A description of the anticipated quality of the compost.
(5) A plan for the anticipated recovery rate of compost from the process, and plans for the reuse, sale or marketing of the compost.
(6) A plan for managing compost should markets for the sale or reuse of compost become unavailable.
(7) A plan for the proposed location and method for disposal or processing of residue produced by operation of the facility.
(8) A plan for assuring that solid waste received at the facility is consistent with § 281.201 (relating to basic limitations).
(9) A plan for training equipment operators and other personnel concerning the operation and approved design of the facility.
(10) The proposed operating hours of the proposed facility.
(11) A narrative describing the procedures for inspection and monitoring of incoming waste.
Source The provisions of this § 281.111 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (226349) to (226350).
§ 281.112. Maps and related information.
(a) An application shall contain a topographic map, including necessary narrative descriptions, which shows the following:
(1) The boundaries and names of present owners of record of land, both surface and subsurface, and including easements, rights-of-way and other property interests, for the proposed permit area and adjacent area; the boundaries of the land within the proposed permit area; and a description of title, deed or usage restrictions affecting the proposed permit area.
(2) The boundaries of land to be affected over the estimated total life of the proposed operation.
(3) The location and name of surface water bodies, such as springs, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, constructed or natural drains and irrigation ditches located on the proposed permit area and adjacent area.
(4) The location and name of public and private water sources that are located on the proposed permit area and adjacent area.
(5) The location of rights-of-way for high-tension power lines, pipelines, railroads and public and private roads within 300 feet of the proposed facility.
(6) The location of buildings currently in use within 300 feet of the proposed facility.
(7) The anticipated location of water quality monitoring points.
(8) The boundaries of land within the proposed permit area or adjacent area identified in § 281.202 (relating to areas where general composting facilities are prohibited).
(9) The location of underground mine shafts on the proposed permit area and adjacent areas.
(10) The municipalities in which the permit area is proposed to be located.
(11) The location of the 100-year floodplain boundaries in the permit area and adjacent area.
(12) The location of barriers, fences and similar structures required by § 281.213 (relating to access control).
(13) The water diversion, collection, conveyance, sedimentation and erosion control, treatment, storage and discharge facilities to be used.
(14) The composting pads, tipping areas, storage areas, windrows and loading/unloading areas.
(15) The areas of land for which a bond will be posted under Chapter 271, Subchapter D (relating to financial assurances requirements).
(16) The location, size and use of buildings and related facilities which will be used in the operation, including the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
(17) The location of scales and weigh stations to be used in the operation.
(18) The utilities to be installed at the facility.
(19) The location of access loads to the site, including slopes, grades and lengths of the roads.
(20) For a commercial composting facility that will receive sewage sludge or unseparated municipal waste, or both, a designated area for vehicles for use in the event of the detection of waste containing radioactive material. The designated area shall, by location or shielding, protect the environment, facility staff and public from radiation originating in the vehicle. The Department’s “Guidance Document on Radioactivity Monitoring at Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities,” Document Number 250-3100-001, describes various factors to consider in determining an appropriate designated area.
(b) The applicant shall also submit a grid coordinate system for the entire proposed permit area. The horizontal control system shall consist of a grid not to exceed 200-foot-square sections. A permanent benchmark for horizontal and vertical control shall be shown. The grid system shall be tied to the benchmark and the baseline.
Source The provisions of this § 281.112 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (226350) to (226351).
§ 281.113. Design and related information.
The application shall contain a narrative description of the following:
(1) Site preparation procedures.
(2) The sources, types and volumes of solid waste to be composted on a daily basis.
(3) The methods to be used to control the flow of waste to the facility, including a flow chart depicting the processing of solid waste and mechanical components of the processing system.
(4) The size, type, capacity and general specifications of equipment for the handling, processing and storage of the solid waste.
(5) For composting processes that are not totally enclosed, the frequency schedule for turning, agitation or aeration of the compost; and for totally enclosed composting processes, the design, composting method and operational procedure.
(6) The windrow dimensions, design and construction methods.
(7) The maximum and minimum length of time necessary to complete the composting process.
(8) The method for separation, storage and ultimate disposal of noncompostable materials, including bulky waste.
(9) The physical and chemical composition of compost residue produced by the process.
(10) The minimum and maximum volume or weight of compost or residue to be stored prior to sale, reuse or disposal, and the minimum and maximum time that material or waste is to be stored.
(11) Plans for utilities to be installed at the facility, including onsite or offsite point-of-service connections and points of usage.
(12) The flooding frequency of the proposed permit area.
§ 281.114. Description of geology, soils and groundwater.
The application shall contain a description of the geology, soils and groundwater of the proposed permit area, based on a sufficient number of excavations and borings or wells to enable the Department to evaluate whether the proposed activities will be able to comply with the operating requirements in Subchapter C (relating to operating requirements for general composting facilities).
§ 281.115. Plan for access roads.
The application shall contain designs, cross sections and specifications for access roads, including load limits, to demonstrate compliance with § 281.212 (relating to access roads).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.212 (relating to access roads).
§ 281.116. Access control plan.
The application shall contain plans sufficient to demonstrate compliance with § 281.213 (relating to access control), including plans showing fencing and barriers to be constructed at the facility in full elevation, fully dimensioned and with the type of construction materials specified.
§ 281.117. Nuisance control plan.
The application shall contain a plan under § 281.218 (relating to nuisance control) to prevent and control hazards or nuisances from vectors, odors, noise, dust and other nuisances not otherwise provided for in the permit application. The plan shall provide for the routine assessment of vector infestation and shall also provide for countermeasures. The plan may include a control program involving a contractual arrangement for services with an exterminator.
§ 281.118. Litter control plan.
The application shall contain a plan under § 281.220 (relating to litter) to control litter.
§ 281.119. Radiation protection action plan.
(a) An application for a commercial composting facility that will receive sewage sludge or unseparated municipal waste, or both, shall contain an action plan specifying procedures for monitoring for and responding to radioactive material entering the facility, as well as related procedures for training, notification, recordkeeping and reporting.
(b) The action plan shall be prepared in accordance with the Department’s “Guidance Document on Radioactivity Monitoring at Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities,” Document Number 250-3100-001, or in a manner at least as protective of the environment, facility staff and public health and safety and which meets all statutory and regulatory requirements.
(c) The action plan shall be incorporated into the facility’s approved waste analysis plan under § 271.613 (relating to waste analysis plan).
Source The provisions of this § 281.119 adopted December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.221 (relating to radiation monitoring and response).
COMPOSTING
§ 281.121. Composting pad and vessel design.
(a) An application shall contain plans and specifications for the design, construction and maintenance of composting pads and vessels that will be required for the proposed facility.
(b) The application shall also contain a plan for inspection of composting pads and vessels to ensure their integrity.
(c) Composting pad and vessel plans and designs shall be consistent with § 281.231 (relating to composting pad or vessel).
Source The provisions of this § 281.121 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (226352).
§ 281.122. Chemical analysis of sludge.
(a) If the application proposes that sewage sludge be composted at the facility, the applicant shall submit to the Department, on forms provided by the Department, a detailed analysis that fully characterizes the chemical and physical properties of the sludge.
(b) The applicant shall also provide the following information for each individual source of sludge:
(1) Identify the type of treatment carried out at the sewage treatment plant prior to dewatering.
(2) Identify the dewatering processes utilized, including a description of the equipment or technique used, the chemical reagents employed and a determination of the percent solids achieved.
(3) Identify the maximum, minimum and average delivery rates anticipated. Quantities shall be expressed on a dry weight basis and the percent solids delivered to the facility.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.232 (relating to continuing analysis of sludge).
§ 281.123. Daily volume.
The application shall contain a proposed maximum daily volume for the facility, and a detailed justification for volume, under § § 271.126 and 271.127 (relating to requirement for environmental assessment; and environmental assessment).
Source The provisions of this § 281.123 adopted December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685.
SOIL AND WATER
§ 281.131. Revegetation plan.
An application shall contain a plan for revegetation of all or part of the site under § § 281.241 and 281.242 (relating to general requirements; and standards for successful revegetation). The plan shall identify the species that are proposed to be planted, seeding rates and method of revegetation.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.142 (relating to postclosure land use plan).
§ 281.132. Soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.
(a) The applicant shall submit a plan to manage surface water and control erosion during all phases of construction and operation at the facility. The plan shall be based on the requirements of Chapter 102 (relating to erosion control), § 281.252 (relating to soil erosion and sedimentation control) and other applicable State and Federal requirements. Calculations indicating water quantities shall be based on the 24-hour precipitation event in inches to be expected once in 25 years. More stringent design standards may be required by the Department based on the most recent edition of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Services’ Engineering Field Manual for Conservation Practices.
(b) The plan shall include fully dimensioned diversion ditches, indicating length, gradient and cross section for configuration by reach, and capacities for ditch volume by reach. Calculations which are necessary to support design and siting shall be included in the plan.
Source The provisions of this § 281.132 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (266317).
§ 281.133. Leachate treatment plan.
An application shall contain a plan for collection, storage and treatment of leachate and wastewater from the facility in a manner that complies with The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001) and regulations thereunder.
§ 281.134. Soil and groundwater monitoring plan.
(a) If required by the Department, the applicant shall submit a groundwater monitoring plan to detect groundwater degradation from the facility.
(b) If required by the Department, the applicant shall submit a soil monitoring plan capable of detecting the contamination from the facility.
Source The provisions of this § 281.134 amended December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (266318).
CONTINGENCIES AND CLOSURE
§ 281.141. Contingency plan.
An application shall contain a contingency plan consistent with § § 281.261—281.263 (relating to emergency procedures). The plan shall include a Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan that is consistent with the Department’s most recent guidelines for the development and implementation of PPC plans.
§ 281.142. Postclosure land use plan.
An application shall contain a detailed description of the proposed use following closure of the proposed facility, including a discussion of the utility and capacity of the revegetated land to support a variety of alternative uses, and the relationship of the use to existing land use policies and plans. The description shall explain the following:
(1) How the proposed postclosure land use is to be achieved and the necessary support activities which may be needed to achieve the proposed land use.
(2) The consideration which has been given to making the proposed postclosure land use consistent with landowner plans and applicable State and local land use plans and programs.
(3) The specific postclosure land use of areas that are not proposed to be revegetated under § 281.131 (relating to revegetation plan).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 281.241 (relating to general requirements).
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