Current through August 26, 2024
(1) GENERAL. This section applies to all soil
borrow sources developed for the purpose of constructing, operating or closing
landfills. Written approval from the department shall be obtained prior to
initiating soil borrow activities at any borrow source subject to these
requirements.
(2) EXEMPTIONS.
(a) The following activities are exempt from
the requirements of this section:
1.
Production of processed aggregate products.
2. Excavation of soils from construction
projects off of the landfill property, provided the soils will be used for
purposes other than a compacted clay liner or capping layer, soil barrier
layer, leachate collection layer or final cover drain layer.
(b) Soil borrow sources which are
exclusively within the proposed or approved limits of filling for a landfill or
areas where soils are obtained from excavation projects developed primarily for
purposes other than construction, operation or closure of a landfill are not
subject to the requirements of subs. (3) and (4) (b).
(3) INITIAL SITE INSPECTION. An initial site
inspection shall be conducted in accordance with s.
NR 509.04
for each proposed so ilborrow source.
(4) LOCATIONAL INFORMATION.
(a) Submittals for soil borrow sources shall
include a description of total acreage, ownership, location by quarter -
quarter section and by parcel corner using a coordinate system and datum
acceptable to the department, present land uses, transportation routes, any
access restrictions and travel distance to and from the landfill.
(b) Submittals for soil borrow sources shall
include site-specific surface water drainage patterns and significant
hydrologic features such as surface waters, springs, drainage divides and
wetlands; areas of special natural resource interest; and historical or
archaeological areas within and adjacent to the proposed limits of
excavation.
(5) FIELD
AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS FOR CLAY BORROW SOURCES AND SOIL BARRIER LAYER
SOURCES. Submittals for soil borrow sources shall include field and laboratory
investigations to define the physical characteristics of any clay borrow source
or soil barrier layer source designated to be used for a liner or final cover
for the landfill. An alternative geotechnical investigation program may be used
if it is approved by the department in writing prior to performing the field
and laboratory investigations. An alternative geotechnical investigation
program may be submitted in cases where previous information exists regarding
the proposed soil borrow source. Submittals for soil borrow sources shall
include justification for any reduction in sampling or testing frequency
required by this section or by an approved alternative geotechnical
investigation.
(a) A minimum of 10 test pits
or borings for the first 5 or less acres and one test pit or boring for each
additional 3 or less acres shall be excavated or drilled on a uniform grid
pattern across each proposed borrow source to document the depth, lateral
extent and uniformity of the clay or soil barrier layer. The department
recommends using test pits as the method of borrow source investigation. Logs
identifying the geologic origin, testing results, USCS classification and a
visual description of each major soil unit encountered shall be included with
the submittals for soil borrow sources.
(b) A minimum of 2 representative samples
from each test pit or boring shall be analyzed by a soils laboratory for
Atterberg limits and grain size distribution to the 0.002 millimeter particle
size using mechanical and hydrometer methods. Each sample shall be classified
according to the USCS.
(c) A
minimum of one representative sample from each major soil unit shall be tested
for the relationship of water content to dry density using either the modified
or standard Proctor method. For uniform clay deposits or uniform soil barrier
layer source deposits, no fewer than 3 samples shall be tested. Each Proctor
curve shall be developed with a minimum of 5 points. If the line of optimums
method is anticipated to be used in construction, both the standard and
modified Proctor curves shall be developed for each representative
sample.
(d) A minimum of one
laboratory hydraulic conductivity test shall be conducted on each sample used
to develop the Proctor curves. The samples tested shall be at or above the
optimum moisture content. This requirement does not apply if the soil borrow
source is contiguous with a previously approved borrow source for clay or soil
barrier layer soils and all field observations and laboratory test results
support an interpretation that the soil borrow source occupies the same soil
horizon and has the same genesis as the previously approved borrow source.
Support for such a conclusion shall be provided in the submittals for soil
borrow sources.
(6)
STOCKPILING. Stockpiling of soils obtained from clay borrow sources and soil
barrier layer sources for landfill liner or final cover construction shall be
conducted in an organized manner that minimizes mixing of dissimilar soil
types. Soils shall be segregated into stockpiles based on similar USCS soil
type, soil gradation, Atterberg limits and compaction specifications. Soils
from differing sources may not be commingled unless soil properties are
similar.
(7) DATA PRESENTATION FOR
ALL CLAY BORROW SOURCES AND SOIL BARRIER LAYER SOURCES. Submittals for soil
borrow sources for clay and soil barrier layers shall include all of the
following:
(a) The calculated volume of soil
needed and the volume of acceptable soil available.
(b) Property boundaries and any test pit or
boring locations, shown on a topographic map with a scale of 1 inch = 500 feet
and provided in a digital format acceptable to the department. The mapped area
shall extend a minimum of 500 feet beyond the proposed borrow source.
(c) An isopach map showing the thickness of
acceptable soil.
(d) A description
of the methods to be used for separating the acceptable soil from any
unacceptable soil.
(e) A proposal
for maintaining drainage and sedimentation control.
(f) All data obtained from the testing
program.
(8) DATA
PRESENTATION FOR OTHER BORROW SOURCES. Submittals for soil borrow sources other
than those used for clay and soil barrier layers shall include all of the
following:
(a) Property boundaries shown on a
topographic map with a scale of 1 inch = 500 feet and provided in a digital
format acceptable to the department. The mapped area shall extend a minimum of
500 feet beyond the proposed borrow source.
(b) A proposal for maintaining drainage and
sedimentation control.
(9) STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. Submittals for
soil borrow sources shall include a stormwater management plan that complies
with the requirements of s.
NR 504.09(1) (a) to (f) and (h) to (j),
unless the borrow source is subject to other permits with equivalent authority
and requirements, such as a stormwater discharge permit or non-metallic mining
reclamation permit.
(10)
RECLAMATION OF BORROW SITES. Submittals for soil borrow sources shall include a
reclamation plan detailing the actions to be taken to achieve successful
reclamation of the borrow source.
(a)
Reclamation plans for borrow sources on the property where the landfill is
located shall specify a post-mining land use that is integrated with the
existing and proposed drainage, surface water discharge requirements, grades
and final use of the landfill. The reclamation plan shall be prepared
consistent with the applicable standards in ss.
NR 135.06 to 135.12.
(b) Soil borrow areas that are not on the
landfill property are subject to the provisions of ch. NR 135 and, if required,
shall submit a reclamation plan and obtain a nonmetallic mining reclamation
permit from the appropriate regulatory authority.
(11) OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Clay borrow sources and soil barrier
layer sources proposed for a liner or final cover that have less than a 5 foot
but greater than 2 foot uniform thickness may be approved if the applicant
demonstrates an excavation methodology and a documentation procedure to ensure
that all soil used meets soil index properties required by this
chapter.
(b) Submittals for soil
borrow sources shall include a description of any necessary measures to be
taken to comply with wetlands protection requirements, runoff and sediment
controls and surface water discharge permit requirements and to minimize
effects on areas of special natural resource interest and historical or
archaeological areas within and adjacent to the proposed limits of
excavation.
It may be necessary to obtain federal, state or local
permits prior to excavating soil from a borrow source near surface waters or
wetlands. For example, s.
30.19(1g) (c), Stats., requires a permit for grading or
removing top soil from the bank of any navigable stream, lake or body of
navigable water where the area exposed by such grading or removal will exceed
10,000 square feet. It is the responsibility of the applicant or property owner
to obtain any federal, state or local permits that are required and to provide
reference to those other permit applications in the submittals for soil borrow
sources.
