Code of Massachusetts Regulations
310 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Title 310 CMR 19.000 - Solid Waste Management
Part II - LANDFILL DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
Section 19.104 - Landfill Facility Plan

Universal Citation: 310 CMR 19.000 MA Code of Regs 19.104

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) General. In addition to the general application requirements established in 310 CMR 19.001 through 19.099, 310 CMR 19.030: Application for a Solid Waste Management Facility Permit, an application for a landfill permit shall include the following components:

(a) landfill site plan;

(b) hydrogeological study;

(c) landfill design plan;

(d) landfill operation and maintenance plan; and

(e) conceptual landfill closure/post-closure plan.

(2) Landfill Site Plan. The landfill site plan shall include:

(a) the locations of permanent on-site bench marks used as a reference point or plane;

(b) the acreage and boundaries of the site, the boundaries of the landfilling operations and designation of other land uses within the site;

(c) the location and elevations of all proposed and existing environmental monitoring devices;

(d) the location of all proposed and existing soil borings, excavations and test pits;

(e) the location of all proposed and existing on-site borrow sources;

(f) the location of all proposed and existing utilities, structures and roads;

(g) the distance to any airport runway if less than 10,000 feet;

(h) all Areas of Critical Environmental Concern as determined by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), where applicable; and

(i) other information concerning the site which the Department may require for review of plans.

(3) Hydrogeological Study. A hydrogeological study shall provide the data, maps, cross-sections, schematics and numerical parameters which the Department reasonably deems necessary to accurately determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the overburden material and bedrock present at the site, the directions, pathways and velocities of ground and surface water flows and the physical and chemical characteristics of the ground and surface waters.

(a) Submission of a Scope of Work for a Hydrogeological Study.
1. The applicant shall submit the proposed scope of work for a hydrogeological study to the Department not less than 60 days prior to the commencement of the hydrogeological study.

2. The applicant shall incorporate all Departmental modifications, additions, changes or deletions into the final scope of work for the hydrogeological study.

(b) The hydrogeological study shall include without limitation:
1. a narrative summary of the regional and local geological and hydrogeological setting including a brief description of the major geological formations present (bedrock and overburden);

2. a description of the general geomorphology of the site;

3. a summary of all relevant environmental and geological studies that have been performed at the site;

4. a set of maps that depict:
a. the topography of the site;

b. the areal extent of the overburden and/or bedrock on the site, together with appropriate cross-sections to provide a three-dimensional picture of the site;

c. within a 1/2 mile of the proposed area of waste deposition, the location of:
i. all water supply wells;

ii. all aquifer and/or groundwater protection zones including Zone II's and/or Interim Wellhead Protection Areas;

iii. all water sheds and their associated drainage patterns; and

iv. all surface water bodies (indicate designated classifications).

d. within 500 feet of the perimeter of the site, the location of:
i. all wetlands; and

ii. 100 year flood plains.

e. all environmental monitoring points, test borings, test pits, and piezometers on the site;

f. ground water contours, piezometric heads, hydraulic gradients (horizontal and vertical), and ground water flow directions, together with the appropriate cross-sections to provide a three dimensional picture of the site for both the seasonal high and low ground water periods.

5. sufficient data and information to adequately describe:
a. the physical and chemical characteristics of the major overburden units and bedrock formations present on the site;

b. the hydraulic connection between the major overburden units and the overburden units that are in contact with bedrock and the bedrock;

c. the hydraulic conductivity of all major overburden units on the site;

d. the nature and characteristics of any hydrogeologic boundary that exists on the site;

e. the maximum ground water fluctuations and maximum high ground water level of the ground water elevation measurement locations;

f. sufficient precipitation data to enable a calculation of the maximum ground water high;

g. the as-built design of all monitoring wells and piezometers;

h. grain size gradation curves for the overburden material in which the screened interval of a monitoring well resides;

i. the existing and/or background quality of the ground and surface waters on the site as regulated in 310 CMR 19.132(1); and

j. the hydrogeologic flow conditions.

6. the following information, if it is determined that there is a component of ground water flow from the overburden into the bedrock:
a. a bedrock contour map;

b. a fracture trace analysis; and

c. the hydraulic conductivity of the bedrock.

7. a clear and concise presentation of any form of geophysical methods used during field investigations of the site; and

8. a clear and concise presentation of any computer model that is utilized in the investigation.

(4) Landfill Design Plan. The landfill design plan shall include:

(a) a ground water protection system design plan which details the configuration of the liner system, leachate collection system(s), leachate pumping, storage, treatment and disposal systems, and efficiency of the liner in terms of leachate removal;

(b) schematic drawings, maps and/or plans which delineate in plane view and in detailed cross-sectional view (at initial, interim and final phases) the elevations of the proposed landfill, excavations, berms, dikes, ditches, liners, leachate collection system, swales, storm water detention systems or other drainage features;

(c) design and construction specifications of the landfill, including, but not limited to the ground water protection system, the environmental monitoring systems, the cap and final cover, recycling and composting operations and other appurtenances associated with the facility;

(d) a construction plan that includes a description of the installation methods and procedures for construction of the liner, leachate collection system, monitoring systems and other parts of the facility including materials required and scheduling of construction events and phases;

(e) a quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) plan for the construction of the landfill including the ground water protection system, the environmental monitoring systems, the cap and final cover and other appurtenances associated with the facility. The QA/QC plan shall specify the qualifications of the QA/QC officers, the qualifications of the installers of the ground water protection systems and specify the testing and monitoring protocols which shall form the basis of the engineering certification that the facility was built according to the approved specifications. The plan shall provide a description of the criteria to be utilized in detecting and evaluating deficiencies, selecting corrective action methodology and implementing corrective measures to achieve conformity with the approved plans; and

(f) the location and design of convenience and recycling drop-off areas, if applicable.

(5) Landfill Operation and Maintenance Plan. The landfill operation and maintenance plan shall include:

(a) a narrative description, with appropriate references to operation and maintenance requirements specified under 310 CMR 19.130, the site and design plans, of the solid waste landfill activities proposed to be conducted during the life of the landfill, including the sequence and direction of cell, lift and phase development; capacity and life expectancy for each phase; and the sequence of placement of interim and final cover;

(b) a plan for compliance with wastes banned pursuant to 310 CMR 19.017: Waste Bans;

(c) a leachate management plan;

(d) a staffing plan;

(e) an inspection and maintenance plan that includes a proposed schedule for regular inspections and maintenance of the landfill, including standard operating procedures for:
1. the leachate collection, handling, treatment and disposal system; and

2. landfill equipment.

(f) a facility safety plan, including:
1. a fire control plan developed in conjunction with and certified by the local fire department or independent licensed fire consultant, including a contingency plan for containing and suppressing a landfill fire anywhere on the site;

2. a hazardous waste contingency plan for inspecting loads of solid waste and handling and ensuring that any regulated hazardous wastes are properly transported off-site and disposed at hazardous waste facilities; and

(g) an environmental monitoring plan that includes:
1. a surface and ground water sampling and analysis plan, based upon the results of the hydrogeological study specified in 310 CMR 19.105(4), which will ensure the accurate representation of surface and ground water quality at the upgradient and downgradient sampling points. At a minimum, this plan shall address:
a. sample collection;

b. sample preservation and shipment;

c. analytical procedures;

d. chain of custody control; and

e. sample collection and analytical QA/QC.

2. an air monitoring plan which establishes the frequency and extent of sampling and analysis for explosive gasses and air quality; and

(h) other information concerning the operation and maintenance of the facility which the Department may require for review of plans.

(6) Conceptual Landfill Closure/Post-Closure Plans. The conceptual landfill closure/post-closure plan shall include:

(a) a narrative description, with appropriate references to the site and design plans, of the activities necessary to close the landfill pursuant to 310 CMR 19.140 at any point during its operating life including the site preparation and closure activities necessary to cap and secure the landfill and activities necessary to maintain and monitor the landfill during the 30 year post-closure period defined at 310 CMR 19.142(2);

(b) closure and post closure estimates pursuant to 310 CMR 19.051(5): Financial Assurance Requirements.

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