Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart D - Environmental Health and Safety
Article IX - Residual Waste Management
Chapter 289 - RESIDUAL WASTE DISPOSAL IMPOUNDMENTS
Subchapter C - OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
COVER AND REVEGETATION
Section 289.242 - Cover

Universal Citation: 25 PA Code ยง 289.242

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) The operator shall place final cover within 1 year after closure. The Department may require placement and revegetation of an intermediate cover that meets the requirements of § 288.233 (relating to intermediate cover and slopes), during the period between closure and construction of the final cover system.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), 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.

(c) The Department may waive the cap and drainage layer requirements of subsection (b)(1) and (2) based on a demonstration that it is not necessary to limit infiltration into the waste.

(d) Unless alternative design requirements to meet the performance standards in subsection (b)(1) are approved as part of the permit under § 287.231 (relating to equivalency review procedure), the cap shall meet the design requirements for caps in Appendix A, Table II (relating to minimum liner design standards).

(e) The layer of material described in subsection (b)(3) and intermediate cover, if required, shall meet the following performance standards. Cover material shall:

(1) Prevent vectors, odors and other nuisances.

(2) Cover residual waste after it is placed without change in its properties and without regard to weather.

(3) Be capable of controlling fires.

(4) Be capable of supporting the germination and propagation of vegetative cover as required by §§ 289.244 and 289.245 (relating to revegetation; and standards for successful revegetation).

(5) Not crack excessively when dry.

(6) Be capable of preventing frost damage to the cap.

(7) For intermediate cover, compact well.

(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, the layer of material described in subsection (b)(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.

(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 thick.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 289.141 (relating to cover plan).

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