§ 288.234. Final cover and grading.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the operator shall provide final cover in the following manner:
(1) A cap shall be placed and graded over the entire surface of each final lift. The cap may be no more permeable than 1.0 x 10-7 cm/sec. The following performance standards for the cap shall be met:
(i) The cap shall minimize the migration of precipitation into the landfill.
(ii) The cap shall be resistant to physical and chemical failure.
(iii) The cap shall cover all areas where waste is disposed.
(2) A drainage layer capable of transmitting flow and preventing erosion of the soil layer shall be placed over the cap.
(3) A uniform layer of material shall be placed over the drainage layer. The layer of material shall support vegetation and protect the cap.
(b) The Department may waive the cap and drainage layer requirements of subsection (a)(1) and (2) based on a demonstration that it is not necessary to limit infiltration into the waste. The demonstration shall include the following:
(1) The leachate production without a cap will be equivalent to leachate production with a cap.
(2) Waiver of a cap will not cause or contribute to groundwater degradation as a result of leachate production.
(c) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (a)(1) are approved as part of the permit under § 287.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the cap shall meet the design requirements set forth for caps in Appendix A, Table II (relating to minimum liner design standards).
(d) The operator shall place final cover within 1 year after disposal in the final lift ceases or as soon thereafter as weather permits, unless the Department, in the permit, allows a later period based on a demonstration that a later period is necessary to protect the cap and drainage layer from differential settlement of waste at the facility. The Department will not allow a later period unless, at a minimum, delayed installation will not cause or allow violations of this article, the act or the environmental protection acts.
(e) The layer of material described in subsection (a)(3) shall meet the following performance standards. The layer shall:
(1) Prevent vectors, odors, blowing litter and other nuisances.
(2) Cover solid waste after it is placed without change in its properties and without regard to weather.
(3) Be capable of allowing loaded vehicles to successfully maneuver over it after placement.
(4) Be capable of controlling fires.
(5) Be capable of preventing frost damage to the cap.
(6) Be capable of supporting the germination and propagation of vegetative cover as required by § § 288.236 and 288.237 (relating to revegetation; and standards for successful revegetation).
(7) Not crack excessively when dry.
(8) Be consistent with the waste acceptance plan.
(f) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (e) are approved as part of the permit under § 287.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure) the layer of material described in subsection (a)(3) shall meet the following design requirements:
(1) The cover soil shall fall within the United States Department of Agriculture textural classes of sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, loamy sand and silt loam as defined in the Soil Survey Manual published by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service (available from the Department or the Northeast National Technical Center of the Soil Conservation Service, 160 E. 7th Street, Chester, Pennsylvania 19013-6092).
(2) At least 40% by weight of the cover soil shall be capable of passing through a 2 millimeter, No. 10 mesh sieve.
(3) The cover may not include rocks that are greater than 6 inches in diameter.
(4) The layer of cover soil shall be at least 2 feet in thickness.
(g) The grade of final slopes shall be designed, installed and maintained to accomplish the following:
(1) Ensure permanent stability.
(2) Control erosion due to rapid water velocity and other factors.
(3) Allow compaction, seeding and revegetation of cover material placed on the slopes.
(4) Ensure minimal infiltration and percolation of precipitation, surface water run-on and runoff into the disposal area.
(h) Unless the Department authorizes a different slope design in the permit based on a demonstration that the different design can meet the requirements of subsection (g), slopes shall be designed, installed and maintained as follows:
(1) The grade of the final surface of the facility may not be less than 3%.
(2) If the Department approves final grades of more than 15%:
(i) The operator shall construct a horizontal terrace at least 15 feet wide on the slope for every 25 feet maximum rise in elevations on the slope. The terrace width shall be measured as the horizontal distance between slope segments.
(ii) The gradient of the terrace shall be 5% into the landfill.
(iii) Drainage ditches shall be constructed on each horizontal terrace to convey flows.
(3) An operator may not leave final slopes that have a grade exceeding 33%, including slopes between benched terraces.
Source The provisions of this § 288.234 amended January 12, 2001, effective January 13, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 235. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (226623) to (226624) and (266329).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 288.141 (relating to compaction and cover plan); and 25 Pa. Code § 288.232 (relating to topsoil storage).
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