HomeMy WebLinkAbout831364.tiff DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
PHONE (303)3564000 EXT 404
915 10TH STREET
GREELEY,COLORADO 80631
March 9, 1983
O
•
COLORADO
Mr. C. Bradley Keirnes, President
Colorado Landfill, Inc.
6037 77th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80634
Re: Request to change the operation plan approved under SUP-400:79:22
Dear Mr. Keirnes:
The Department of Planning Services staff has completed a review of the
responses received from the referral agencies reviewing you request to
relocate buildings, isolate an existing mine shaft and change contours
to obtain optimum use of the site as outlined in your letter dated
September 1, 1981.. The staff has determined that the requested items
one (1) through three (3) in your letter of September 1, 198?., are not
material deviations from what was originally approved in SUP-400:79:22.
Item four (4) is considered to be a material deviation and warrants a
separate Use by Special Review application and Certificate of Designa-
tion review. Your letter of March 7, 1983, and attachements will be
filed in the Special Use Permit File Number 400:79:22 in accordance with
Development Standards twelve (12) .
If you have any questions concerning this matter or if I may be of any
further assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully,
Chuck Cunliffe
Director
CC:rg
cc: Colorado Department of Health
Vern Nelson, Nelson Engineers
Ron Stow, Weld County Health Department
Lee Morrison, Assistant County Attorney
8.3(3(94
COLOIADO IANDFILL, INC.
6037 77th Avenue _
Greeley, Colorado 80631 ' i ti;
(303) 356-2641 Er; f � �
I. FAR ?' 1933
March 7, 1983 Weld Co. Planning Commission
Chuck Cunliffe, Director
Department of Planning
Weld County, Colorado
Weld County Centennial Center
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: Changes of Operations Plan
Southwest Weld County Landfill
Dear Mr. Cunliffe:
In accordance with our initial request for changes of the approved
Operations Plan for the subject site in our letter dated September 1,
1982, we submit this letter to finalize and effectuate those request-
ed changes. This request for changes has resulted in the development
of additional studies and data to further justify the requested
changes as well as numerous letter exchanges.
We have been in continuous contact with representatives of the
Colorado Department of Health and have, in the process, answered
the questions and concerns of that agency and other public agencies
having expertise or jurisdiction in this matter. In a letter to the
Board of Commissioners from Kenneth Waesche dated January 11, 1983,
Mr. Waesche states in the last paragraph that "We believe that the
amended operation can continue to comply with all applicable standards."
We concur with that statement and are now operating the landfill
accordingly.
We would ask that you accept this information and file it in accordance
with Development Standard #12 of SUP-400-79-22.
Also included with this letter is one copy each of the following
correspondence which represents the entire exchange of letters effect-
ing this change:
1. Our letter to Weld County dated September 1, 1982.
2. Weld County letter to State Health Department dated
October 19, 1982.
Mr. Chuck Cunliffe
March 7, 1983
Page 2
3. State Health Department letter to Weld County dated
November 3, 1982.
4. Colorado Landfill letter submitted to State Health
Department on November 22, 1982.
5. State Health Department letter to Weld County asking
for more information, dated January 11, 1983.
6. Colorado Landfill letter by Nelson Engineers to State
Health Department dated February 8, 1983.
7. Colorado Landfill letter by Nelson Engineers to State
Health Department dated February 25, 1983.
Respectfully,
COLORADO LANDFILL, INC.
C. Bradley Keirnes, resident
CBK:eb
Enclosures (7)
Copies: Colo. Department of Health
Vern Nelson
Ron Stowe
Lee Morrison
COLOR-4DO LANDFILL, INC.
6037 77th Avenue
Greeley, Cobrodo 80631
(303) 356-26.41
September 1 , 1982
Board of County Commissioners
of Weld County, Colorado
Weld County Centennial Center
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Commissioners:
This letter is a request to change the approved 'Operations Plan for the
Southwest Weld County Landfill ' within the existing Special Use Permit (SUP)
area. The current SUP area consists of 160 acres owned by Colorado Landfill ,
Inc. in the East 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 and the West 1/2 of the Northeast
1/4 of Section 29 , Township 1 North, Range 68 West. Since that entire area
has been designated as a landfill by Special Use, since the changes would
provide more beneficial use of the property, and since there is no change
in use of the site but rather refinements of use resulting from experience,
the requested changes do not represent a material deviation from the approved
Operations Plan. In addition, Colorado Landfill , Inc. , by this letter is
requesting permission and direction to uniformly fill and cover the existing
25 acre, more or less, unfinished landfill adjacent to their approved site.
For purpose of clarity, two exhibits are attached hereto. Exhibit A is a
copy of the existing plan sheet from the approved operations plan, while
Exhibit B is the layout of the proposed contour changes for both the approved
and abandoned sites, building location update, and other pertinent infor-
mation. The changes are discussed in detail herein under the following
headings.
1 . Buildings relocation.
2. Mine shaft isolation
3. Change of contour.
4. Completion of adjacent abandoned landfill .
1 . Buildings Relocation - The existing Operations Plan (Exhibit A) shows
the operations buildings located centrally north-south near the east edge of
the property. When the initial operations plan was developed, the buildings
were proposed for locations outside of and away from actual fill areas to avoid
any conflict with operations. Prior to actual building, it was concluded that
the buildings would be more conveniently located along the north side of the
property to utilize new quality roadways and to be nearer centers of operation
(See Exhibit B) . In addition, a determination was made that their location
.
would be more practical away from the area delineated "High Subsidence
Hazard Area" since the final detailed geological report recommended the
avoidance of any building structures within that delineated area. The
geological report concluded that all areas mapped as "High Subsidence Hazard Areas"
are generally considered unsuitable for permanent structures , but are well-
suited for landfill disposal of non-hazardous materials .
The building area as shown on Exhibit B includes a domestic well drilled
to a 690 foot depth,electrical service, telephone, access roadway, and a
domestic septic tank and leaching area sized for at least three family units .
It is conveniently located to serve the landfill purpose for the foreseeable
future.
2. Mine shaft isolation - Extensive reconnaisance of the site reveals only
one remaining shaft of the abandoned Columbine Mine. That shaft is concrete
cased and apparently filled with debris , cavings , and dirt. The shaft is
approximately 12 foot square. The shaft is to be covered with concrete twin
tee beams extending at least ten feet beyond the existing encasement. Concrete,
reinforced with #4 bars at 12" spacing, will be poured over the top to a depth
of at least eight inches . That construction will allow select fill to be
placed over the shaft to provide for uniform filling of the area and for
adequate surface drainage of the finished landfill . The select fill will
consist of non-hazardous , non-putrescible matter such as demolition wastes.
There is concern that le chates may travel horizontally and enter the
mine shafts in the area. Emp' re Laboratories commented on this issue in
their November 11 , 1979 letter to Nelson Engineers, which is a matter of record
as part of the "Operations Plan" at Weld County. The following is a quote
from that letter:
"It is our understanding that there has been some concern regarding the
possibility that leachate from the proposed sanitary landfill may migrate
horizontally through the bedrock stratum and find its way into existing
mine shafts located on the property. The Laramie formation in this area has
been extensively folded and faulted and deposited in an irregular fashion in
a deltaic environment. Therefore, bedding planes are generally discontinuous.
Horizontal migration of fluids through the Laramie formation is anticipated
to be erratic and discontinuous. Flow of leachate in a horizontal direction
to existing mine shafts which are located outside proposed landfill areas is ,
in our opinion, a remote possibility and highly unlikely."
An impermeable dike constructed of the on-site clay material will be
constructed around the shaft to eliminate any possible entry of any liquid
waste or leachate into the shaft area. The dike will be at least ten feet
away from the shaft on all sides , about eight feet wide, and built-up at the
same rate and to the same height as the surrounding landfill .
3. Change of contour - The landfill operations on the southwest Weld County
site have proceeded successfully since opening. Use of the existing site
should be maximized since it is already designated for landfill purposes
with the public access and costs already in place. By increasing the capacity
of the existing site, additional land for landfill needs are delayed.
-2-
This maximization of the present site allows for the clean-up and proper closure
of a previously designated site adjoining that of Colorado Landfill , Inc. on
the east as discussed in item 4 of this letter. Therefore, to make the
optimum use of the site, a redrawing of the contour map to show filling
throughout the area , has been accomplished as shown on Exhibit B.
In addition, the landfill experience at the present operations proves
that considerably more fill material (cover material) is available than
originally anticipated. The heavy equipment used is easily breaking up the
claystone material as identified in the soils analysis. As a result, the
site can be utilized better than originally predicted. The operator has
continued to improve his operation through adequate compaction, impervious
liners , surface drainage control , and other operating procedures .
Detailed reconnaisance of the entire site during the past three years
does not show any surface cracking, visible subsidence, or any evidence of
subsurface or surface disturbance in the vicinity of the line indicating
High Subsidence Hazard Area on the Operations Plan Map, designated as
Exhibit A. Continued study of subsurface conditions has increased our belief
and confidence that filling over the hazard area as shown in Exhibit A would
not be detrimental if adequate measures are taken to protect those subsurface
conditions. These protective measures will consist of (1) breaking up and
recompacting the floor area of the fill to an optimum density for a depth
of at least one foot, (2) maintaining a slope on the recompacted floor
commensurate with the existing relief so that any seepage, leachate or other
liquid penetrating the fill would tend to permeate along the slope of the
surface of the recompacted impermeable material rather than permeating
vertically, and (3) controlling the depth of fill to less than about 90 feet
maximum with an average of about 45 feet, thus limiting the increase in
weight on the surface to about 7% of in-place soils. The weight of covered
compacted trash in-place is about 40% of native soils and with removal from
existing surface of a net depth of 3 feet for cover, the new fill of 45
feet is equivalent to an earth fill of about 17 feet.
The principal concern for subsurface conditions is the possible con-
tamination of ground water as a result of liquid permeation vertically
downward and the migration of leachate horizontally. This concern was
addressed extensively in the operations plan as part of the original
application for a special use permit for the landfill . In that plan, the
findings of qualified geotechnical experts is copied and has been relied upon
to this time. In the nearly three years since that work was done, there has
been no perceivable change in site conditions . Detailed discussion regarding
subsidence and soils permeability is presented later in this letter.
Water wells - There are only two domestic wells in the vicinity accord-
ing to the State Engineer' s records. One is located in the Northwest 1/4
Southwest 1/4 of Section 21 and is 700 feet deep with a reported water level
of 300 feet. The other well is on the site near the North 1/4 corner of
Section 29. It serves the needs of maintenance on the site, is 690 feet
deep, and is sealed both top and bottom. Reportedly the water level in the
well is about 400 feet. The well is perforated below the 430 foot level and
cemented from 380 feet to 430 feet to preclude entry of water from above.
-3-
No water is utilized from any formation above the Laramie-Foxhills
which is at or below the 430 foot level , either because water does not exist
in quantity or it is contaminated. Although there reportedly is some water in
the mined-out areas, it is in the coal seam and contaminated to the extent
that no attempt is made to use the water. The coal seam water is non-
replenishable to any extent. It is interesting to note that at the time
of drilling of the well on the site in 1980, there was no water encountered
in the mine tunnel that was penetrated.
According to Zorich-Erker, Groundwater Geologists, the Laramie-Foxhills
acquifer is the most productive and the shallowest acquifer in the area_
Drilling depths to that acquifer range from 400 to 650 feet to fully pene-
trate the Foxhills formation. The wide range is due to the fact that this
area is cut by many faults which cause rapid areal variations in depth to
the bottom of the acquifer. These same faults have resulted in a discon-
tinuity of the numerous strata- in the area , thus decreasing the possibility
of movement of any consequential volume of water either vertically or
horizontally.
Groundwater quality in the area is naturally poor and is expected to
continue in that state. As a result, development as a water source except in
a most limited form is not expected. Water quality data from wells in the
area is reportedly as follows:
Constituent Concentration (ppm) Remarks
Iron (0.3 Acceptable
Hardness 420 Indicates Hard Water
Sodium 440 High; 250 is EPA
Mandatory Limit
Sulfates 1035 High
Total Dissolved Solids 1671 High; 500 is EPA
Upper Limit
pH 7.8 Acceptable
Hydrogen Sulfide (0. 1 Acceptable
Subsidence - Empire Laboratories of Fort Collins, Specialists in sub-
surface conditions, have advised that any subsidence with might occur is
not expected to adversely affect the landfill since the clay bedrock and
clayish fill material will tend to flow rather than break or rupture when
stressed, thus resulting in a self-healing of cracks and ruptures. The
recommendation to utilize an impervious line at the bottom of the fill would
continue in effect to preclude penetration of water. Should the impervious
liner rupture due to subsidence, the possibility of leachate reaching the
potable groundwater below the 400 foot depth is extremely remote due to
the impervious nature of the subsoils and bedrock, the swelling nature of
the in-place soils , and the discontinuous nature of the underlying
sediments as described in the last paragraph of the November 7, 1979, letter
from Empire Laboratories to Nelson Engineers. According to tests of per-
meability, the rate is less than 0. 16 feet/year and may be as low as 0.02
feet/year. At the former rate water will penetrate 400 feet in about
-4-
2,400 years while at the later rate of 0.02 feet/year, water can travel
400 feet in 20,000 years. Soils experts consider soils of such low per-
meability as impervious.
In a report to Roman Bockus regarding the proposed Horst landfill ,
Judith Hamilton, groundwater and engineering geologist stated ". . .All areas
mapped as severe subsidence hazard are generally considered unsuitable for
permanent structure. These areas are well suited for landfill disposal of
non-hazardous materials. The clay bedrock and fill will tend to flow rather
than break when stressed and minor cracks should heal and prevent leakage."
This expert opinion is in agreement with other information reported upon
from this office, including all studies and reports of Empire Laboratories
included in the original operations plan for this site.
Since there is no evidence of an existing connection between the mined-
out coal seam and the Foxhills sandstone, it is extremely remote that the
potable formation below the 400 foot depth would be affected by any water
penetration from above the coal seam. According to geologic information
that includes an actual well log on the site, The Foxhills sandstone is
from 150 feet to 250 feet below the coal-mined area. If there is a con-
nection between the two, the Foxhills potable supply would already have been
contaminated from the non-potable water in the coal seam. There is no
evidence that any subsidence might occur below the coal seam and above the
Foxhills formation. Any subsidence above the coal seam due to mining of the
coal seam will not affect in any way the existing known discontinuity of
potential water penetration through the formation below the coal seam and
above the potable Foxhills supply. As a result, contamination of the
potable Foxhills water from landfill leachate, seepage, or otherwise is a
virtual impossibility.
4. Completion of adjacent abandoned landfill - An area of about 25 acres
in the Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 29, Township 1 North,
Range 68 West, is an incomplete abandoned landfill . As a result, it is a
physical and visual detriment to the surrounding area. This area is
immediately adjacent to the Colorado Landfill designated site. Although
the certificate of designation has expired for the abandoned area, the
completion of filling and covering adequately remains to be done to eliminate
the health and other hazards that exist. Thus the area can be feasibly re-
claimed and put to a productive use while being made a physical and visual
asset. If left in the present state, the area will continue to be a liability
and can never be farmed or otherwise used productively.
Colorado Landfill , Inc. has completed a preliminary agreement with the
landowner to fill the area to a reasonable level and to cover the waste
with the adjacent soil material so that the area can be farmed. This filling
and covering is to be done in accordance with the governmental regulations
applicable thereto, as well as combining the uncompleted area with the
finished contours of the designated area of Colorado Landfill to the west.
Upon completion of filling and covering under the proposed joint agreement,
the entire site will no longer be a hazard but will be an asset to the
surrounding area. This arrangement provides an exceptional opportunity to
-5-
eliminate a lingering problem without creating an financial burden on the
County, the property owner, Colorado Landfill , Inc. , or the citizens of the
surrounding area.
The completed landfill contours for both the designated and the abandoned
sites are shown on Exhibit B. These contours are proposed for completion of
both landfill areas to replace those shown on Exhibit A. Concurrent filling
and covering both areas will provide for the greatest final beneficial use,
whereby filling and completing each site separately will not provide adequate
guarantees of uniform completion or future use of the property.
In behalf of this request, we are prepared to meet with you or your
designated staff members at a time convenient to you. At that time we
would answer any questions that you might have regarding our request and we
could reach a mutually beneficial agreement concerning future activities .
May we hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully,
COLORADO LANDFI LL, INC.
C. Lynn Keirnes
-6-
• -
il • 6
Z
f7m-#A ! OFFICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
{. PHONE(303)356-4000 EXT 200
P O BOX 758
- II ^� GREELEY,COLORADO 80632
COLORADO
October 19 , 1982
Kenneth L. Waesche
Director, Waste Management Division
State Health Department
4210 East 11th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
Dear Mr. Waesche:
Weld County is in receipt of the attached letter from Colorado
Landfill, Inc. , concerning the operation of the Southwest Weld
County Landfill under the authority of Weld County Special Use
Permit #400 : 79 : 22 and a Certificate of Designation approved by
the Board of County Commissioners December 3 , 1979 . The staff of
the Weld County Attorney' s Office, Planning, and Public Health
Departments have formulated the following opinion as to the role
of the Board of County Commissioners with respect to the
consideration of any amendments to the operations plan associated
with the landfill site. Certain of the proposed amendments would
not be considered as material deviations from the original plans
and would not require a hearing before the Board of County
Commissioners. However, a hearing to consider amendments to the
Certificate of Designation in the Special Use Permit would be
required for certain of the other changes. In addition,
information regarding all of the proposed changes would be
submitted to your Department for review and comment where
appropriate.
Colorado Landfill, Inc. , is requesting two amendments to the
existing operations plan which the County staff considers to be
not material deviations to any part of the plan. They involved a
building relocation and steps to isolate an abandoned mine shaft.
The operator will be advised that such information regarding the
changes should simply be filed with your office and with the
Department of Planning Services.
The third item relates to enlarging the fill area to include the
central portion of the entire existing 160-acre site. The
Special Use Permit and the Certificate of Designation do include
that area, but the original operations plan did not indicate that
area would be used. Recently developed information regarding the
L #.
State Health DepE ment
Page 2
October 19 , 1982
high subsidence area indicates to the operator that the hazard
area could safely be used with certain protective measures. Weld
County intends to advise the operator that the information
regarding operations within the high subsidence area should be
submitted to your Department for your review and approval of the
change in operations plans. It ,is the County' s position that
neither the Special Use Permit nor the Certificate of Designation
require an amendment to allow operations within the high
subsidence hazard area if State agencies are satisfied that the
protective measures are adequate. However, a hearing could be
, required if your Department determines that such changes are
material deviations from the original plan.
The fourth change would be to allow expansion of the current
operation into the adjacent abandoned landfill site for the
purpose of filling and reclaiming the area for a period of 12 to
18 months so that it may be properly closed. The operator would
be advised to request amendment of the Certificate of Designation
and the Special Use Permit, #400 : 79 :22 , for the current operation
in order to include the abandoned site. The amended sections
would allow operations for a period of time not to exceed 18
months with the purpose being a proper closure of the abandoned
site. There is an old Special Use Permit, #87 : 71 : 3 , for the
abandoned site which may have expired by failure of use and, in
any event, would have to be amended by some process. Therefore,
it would seem most convenient to have the Certificate of
Designation and the Special Use Permit for the current operation
be amended to include the abandoned area rather than having two
different Special Use Permits for the area. This amendment would
be handled in the same fashion as any new application for a
Certificate of Designation and Special Use Permit in Weld County
with the referral of the operations plan to your agency for your
approval or denial.
The Board of County Commissioners would like to formally request
your concurrence or non-concurrence in the above procedural
approach prior to scheduling a public hearing. Your prompt
response to resolve this matter will be greatly appreciated. If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at
356-4000 .
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
21(2/42 -
/
�J hn T. Martin, Chairman
cc: Lee D. Morrison, Assistant County Attorney
Ron Stow, Weld County Health Department
Don Warden, Director of Finance and Administration
(61
•C(Lo
COLORADO DEPARTMENT A RTM[kT DV- HEALTH
t ""`f //
/4 Frank A, "31v1 D
Governor 18 7�
Richard D Lamm .�,r,�ET*T cti,;c, r
j .,
0-1 �-,r -1�Cir , 1t
November 3, 1982 \.. 5.3, oo1-o`
Weld County Board •
of Commissioners •
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Attention: Mr. John T. Martin, Chairman
Gentlemen:
On September 27, 1982, representatives of this Division inspected the
Erie Landfill, operated by Colorado Landfill, Inc. and located near Erie
in southwestern Weld County, Colorado. The purpose of the inspection was
to assess the compliance of this facility with minimum standards of the Solid
Wastes Disposal Sites and Facilities Act, Title 30-20 Part 1, C.R.S. 1973
as amended; and Department regulations. At the operator's request we
also observed the handling procedures for a category of solid wastes not
previously accepted at the facility. A copy of our inspection report is
enclosed for your reference.
Our inspection indicated that the facility is being operated in com-
pliance with the State statute referenced above. Two pieces of heavy
compacting/earthmoving equipment are being used at the working face. No
birds were in evidence at the time of the inspection. Properly packaged
waste asbestos (a toxic substance but not a hazardous waste) is accepted
on a case-by-case arrangement between generators and the facility operator.
So far, only five loads have been accepted for disposal.
The operators now propose to accept up to 9,000 GPD (gallons per day)
of sand trap sludges from car and truck washes. Pumping Technology (the
waste hauler) only accepts the wastes if testing has verified their non—
hazardous nature. This sludge is to be trucked to the landfill and handled
in a similar manner as would liquids, since it's solids content is about
one percent by weight. As originally stated in our July 28, 1982 letter,
we recommend addressing the technical specifics and procedures for this
waste category as part of an amendment to the certificate of designation.
4210 EAST 11TH AVENUE DENVER,COLORADO 80220 PHONE (303) 320-8333
Weld County C issioners
November 3, lyoz
Page Two
Our inspectors observed the proposed handling procedure for these
sludges. A 3,300 gallon tank truck with spreader bar distributed the wastes
at a rate of about 250 GPM, on a three acre intermediate fill surface with gentle
(1-2%) slopes. On this day (sunny, breezy, 800) , no runoff left the area.
Within one hour, the intermediate fill surface was dry, and visual penetration
of liquids into the cover material was about 14 inch. Such a procedure would
appear to be sound under ideal weather conditions, but special precautions
would probably be necessary in cold and/or wet weather. As a final measure,
tank track bottoms are dumped in piles for air drying before disposal at the
working face. •
•
In response to your October 19, 1982 letter, we concur with the pro-
cedure you propose for the certificate of designation amendment process.
With regards to expansion onto subsidence areas within the site, we would
review the operators' proposal in conjunction with the Colorado Mined
Land Reclamation Division (MLRD) . With regards to facility expansion onto
adjacent acreage, we would handle this as a new permit application, and
distribute the operators' proposal to the Air Pollution and Water Quality
Control Divisions; and possibly to the MLRD.
By copy of this letter, we are recommending the minimum amount of
information that the operator should include in his amendment request. He
should also refer to our July 28, 1982 letter.
1. Because free-draining semi-solids may be disposed in potential
subsidence areas in less than ideal weather conditions, we
believe that the monitoring of shallow groundwater (i.e. 50
to 100 feet deep) is necessary.
2. The types and quantities of semi-solid wastes should be spelled
out, with description of handling procedures, verification of
the wastes' nonhazardous nature, soil and water test results.
Preliminary information on these issues was said to be avail-
able at the time of our inspection.
3. Information from the drilling of the operators' water well.
4. Plans for runoff control in the vicinity of sludge spreading
areas, for times when weather conditions are less than ideal.
These could be integrated with leachate control systems tied
into the sloping floor of the fill excavation.
5. Inclusion of Exhibits A and B, for examination of final contours
and other changes. These were not included with the
operators' Sept. 1, 1982 letter report.
Weld County C- missioners
November 3,
Page Three
6. Discussion of the proposed ponds mentioned in the September
14, 1982 Weld County memorandum by Tom Honn, and their relationshii
to the landfill areas. We are concerned about seepage from
those ponds into adjacent landfill areas.
We believe this letter addresses our inspection and the issues raised
by you in your October 19, 1982 letter. If you have any questions, please
contact Mr. Ned Noack.
Sincerely,
Kenneth L. Waesche
Director
Waste Management Division
KLW:NN:pb
cc: Mr. Ron Stow; Weld County Health Dept.
Mr. Chuck Cunliffe; Weld County Planning Dept.
Mr. C. Lynn Kiernes; Colorado Landfill, Inc.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY INSPECTION - Co;n71iance 1
Non-compliance j
Coen Dump I
r
County " % r Date //.f / / /:-
•: -�' 4_ Located in _
Facility •-- - . . • _ • 1/7 = J; Incorporated Area / ,
Location r , :--. -,' -r t +.,1 .'-zr:,,,•+tf
Current Operator t 1, s % •_ , r:'"• - . i "'1-- I-:+7,-•L=�lL-1L ar 'i •
.'.ailing Address of Operator I J - --: , . . r. ,-'/ ,1I i r5 • •�'J-I • , P
Current Owner (If different) .'r-r�; 'r-.? • •-;ri '-•t •`/ __ :7e
Nailing Address of Owner `- c7 •.l!? _
(All items checked must be •^_xplained in supplemental report)
I. Public Health and/or Environmental Hazards (Department enforcement against violations
A. Evidence of Industrial Waste Disposal •4 r5/r.5
B. Evidence of Potential for Serious Surface or Ground Water Pollution
C. Surface Diversion/Containment Facilities Inadequate or not Maintained
D. Landfill Gas Migration Concerns
E. Sludge or Septic Pumpings Disposal on Site (Unauthorized) ,
T. Safety Hazards '''s) i) , rta r_-'r`S , -e.::_- ," _:(.. ;` i`„ - •)::- C
•
G. Non-Compliance with Approved Design and Operation
H. Other
* REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED
II. Minimum Standards, CRS 30, 20-110 (Locally enforced standards)
A. Odors and/or Vectors Present
B. Inadequate and/or Irregular Cover
C. Inadequate Fencing (to control access and windblown debris)
, D. Burning apparent
E. Not Designated and/or Improperly Zoned
INSPECTING ENGINEERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SITE IMPROVEMENT
r . - . .- .. , _/ - - - - , -+••' -' / , '•'.I/ -"' -/ ,c.-,-' . . , - '}- - ,--6; ' r' - '-' -
' ( •'' '.,----.1( , ,"- a - -
- /-
III. Complaints Received (Attach copies) Action Taken
IV. Remarks
� .j -
.
` / - - . 4/ '+ 7-_:, -I; .. • • • ice/ :/ •__- /
,-) ] / - - _ �, ,/ - j. 1. -.1 4/ - 4/s-}
-• :S ( .1[ (.l y' ./;/ /, •/! SY_h •-',/ y /.--(.7-'• 7:- :,..,,q /4 " 1 V/ ,'.'1!--11/ 1 I
•
(1-'' I Af ,,Al + - , ;
/A1 ( ; ,-./ ,i�
, l,, . ,l�r:, i +. .1f , ' f) '' 1I
(Name) PRESENT AT INSPECTION (Representing)
n
L-1 j /C/i./;T C ci T. D•- 'l,Y1-Y] r ( /71 �T -'�'Y /t/ +'!`YJ
i • t L' i/ • iit -. 1• :i,1 .' IL . - e-1 3'rf `f ..,,4177,:-'•-),4 , :,L.•Dr / 7-?i••-t-
--
,- . L�
ti
a
Inspecting Engineer i / '
t
(WHITE COPY-FILE' (YELLOW COPY-OPERATOR) (PINK COPY-COUNTY) (GOLD COPY-D.E. )
��,,- /14rte;�d tot , )O1
�,,� ['tHT9 MT�l� •tag M• ` 6�c ""]r R �F (1 L� .§,4 r ,' .r-..ti t a i+•- •a•j■
R,Cherd D Lamm 4 tr isNI5
Governor \ 1 6 ?" rrattk A Traylor, fi 0
.July 23, 1982
•
Colorado Landfill , Inc.
P.O. Box 3415
Greeley, Colorado 80633
Attention: Mr. Byron Kiernes
Gentlemen:
As originally discu3sed on July 9, 1902, the accoptat.re •t t;nc,I-,t-,atdo.te
liquids for trp.•tttnent and disposal at the permitted Erie dispo8o1 f,tcillLy
represents a significant change in operation . We would require you to obtain
an amendment to the existing Certificate of Designation, from Weld ('aunt u,
and we point out that the County ta.:y require additional pohllc_ heniin7,tr on
the matter, if they chose to. Our review of your ,tt,,�;;,lac, r,t t •_Ett(n,yt would
include, as a minimum, issues related to:
1. iypesc .,nd estimated quantities of w,t.vt rs I,;
i u:-t•,i tor t • r .;t,d
dispos t, .
2 G) `nin,l water up gradient g n
i;radi,nt and du•.:nc{ratllE „t uf : !„ liquid
t••.7st c m ,nr!getnent areas.
3. Crou:td t, +ter protective tr,e.tures, t,)c iudlog engIto u ring tr d
hydrologic properties of pit liner,; In contact with pr„In„red w.,;rte
mate rills.
4. The orderly Integration of solid and liquid wurtU' manngc nest
operations.
Our representatives are available to discuss these insuen with y.:n n, i
your consultants. If you have any questi:;its , pl cit.`i( t nut a. : Hr .
Sincerely,
Kenneth L. W,tearhe
Director
Waite Management Division
KL'W:Intl:pb
cc: Mr. Ron Stow, Director,
i•,;vironrenrrcl Health, Weld Co.
• 4210 EAST 11TH AVENUE DENVER,COLORAD() 00220 r-'HO":t MS) a2Q-.3137
•
,wry
COLOF 4DO LANDFILL, INC.
b r
6037 77th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
(303) 356-2641 November 22, 1982
Mr. Kenneth L. Waesche, Director
Waste Management Division
Colorado Department of Health
4210 East 11th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80220
RE: Supplemental Information to existing Certificate of Designation,
Solid Waste Disposal Site designated as the Southwest Weld County
Landfill (Erie Site) , issued December 10, 1979 to Colorado
Landfill , Inc. , by Weld County, Colorado, Board of County
Commissioners
Gentlemen:
In accordance with your request for supplemental information regarding the
Southwest Weld County Landfill (Erie Site) in your letter of November 3, 1982 to
the Weld County Board of Commissioners, and in response to their letter of
October 19, 1982 to your office, we offer the following information. The Weld
County letter of October 19, 1982 to your office included a copy of a letter
dated September 1 , 1982 to the County Commissioners from Colorado Landfill , Inc.
The Colorado Landfill letter detailed issues regarding changes in the operations
plan at the Southwest Weld County Landfill site. Those issues will not be
detailed herein but only references made to insure that all matters are complete
and all information is available. We are including with this letter, one copy
each of Exhibits A, B, C and D, and the accompanying letter as submitted to Weld
County on September 1 , 1982.
• Item #1 - Buildings relocation - See Exhibits A & B for original planned
location and the actual building location. The September 1 , 1982
letter from Colorado Landfill , Inc. describes the change in detail .
Item #2 - Mine Shaft Isolation - Exhibit B shows the exact location of the
Columbine Mine Shaft. The September 1 , 1982 letter describes in
detail the process for isolation of the mine shaft.
Item #3 - Change of Contour - Exhibit B shows the proposed contour changes
from the original Operations Plan as shown on Exhibit A. These
contours include the area designated "Pratt Property" for which
a new permit application has been requested. Should the new
permit not be granted, the contours along the east edge of the
Colorado Landfill property would be connected, such that a
maximum slope to the east of three feet horizontal to one foot
vertical (3: 1) would result. The areas would be graded to the
drainage ways along the north and south boundaries to provide
for any surface runoff from the area east of the existing landfill
s i to.
Extensive discussion in the September 1 , 1982 letter relates
to the justification for the change of contours. That discussion -
with its related data appears, in our opinion, to justify the
changes of contour without any site jeopardy and without increasing
the existing area of landfill certification.
Item #4 - Completion of adjacent abandoned landfill (Pratt Property) -
In accordance with your recommendation, a new application for a
Certificate of Designation has been prepared and submitted to
Weld County and to your office. As you know, this area is an
uncovered trash disposal area and must be cleaned up at some time.
Proper closure of this site at this time with reclamation of the
area seem to be a perfect opportunity to improve all aspects of
the neighborhood and eliminate a public health nuisance at no
direct cost to the general public.
Item #5 - Proposed ponds - (Item No. 6-your letter of Nov. 3, 1982)
The proposed ponds are two small areas along the south side
of the Colorado Landfill , Inc. property, one at the southeast
corner, an area of 7.092 acres; and one at the southwest corner,
an area of 2.033 acres; which have been deeded to the adjoining
landowner. The sites lie below the elevation of any landfill
area and/or drain to natural drainage areas lower than the adjacent
landfill . The agreement with the buyer disallows any use that
might be detrimental to the adjacent landfill operations. The
location of these small land parcels are shown as Tracts A & B
on the attached Exhibit C.
Item #6 - Contours shown on Exhibits A & B - (Item No. 5 - your letter of
November 3, 1982)
Two copies of each exhibit are included herewith as
Exhibits A & B.
Item #7 - Dri 1 lers log for domestic well , Exhibit D (Item No. 3 - your
letter of November 3, 1982)
Two copies of the drillers log of the operators water well •
and other well information are attached hereto as Exhibit D.
Item #8 - Nonhazardous liquids disposal - The handling of nonhazardous
liquid wastes at the site is in the process of being refined.
The operator wishes to postpone its request for final approval
of this operation until after January 1 , 1983, thereby separating
this subject from those other issues discussed as Items 1 through 7
herein. At that time, the operator will have better information
regarding type and quantity of waste, verifications of the wastes
nonhazardous nature, and other details which will answer your
concerns listed in your July 28, 1982 and November 3, 1982 letters .
-2-
•
•
It is our opinion that all of the issues discussed above do not represent
a material deviation from our original Operations Plan for the Southwest Weld
County Operations Plan. As stated in our September 1 , 1982 letter, the changes
on the existing site represent refinements of operation and provide for greater
beneficial use of an already designated landfill site. It is our understanding
that your department and the Weld County officials concur with our opinion.
As stated herein, we have prepared and submitted a separate application for
Certificate of Designation on the uncompleted landfill east of our designated
site, and we will prepare separate information after January 1 , 1983 to support
our request to process and dispose of a limited amount of non-hazardous liquid
wastes at this site. As a result, the issues of concern can be more readily
categorized and acted on independently in the manner required by existing policies
and regulations.
If you desire additional information or if further clarification is required,
please contact our office. We are prepared to work with your office to obtain
an early resolution to these requested changes .
Respectfully,
COLORADO LANDFILL, INC.
C. Bradley Keirnes, U.P.
CBK:jlp
1p
Enclosures: 9/1/82 Colorado Landfill letter to Weld County
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit D
CC: Mined Land Reclamation Board
z
-3-
ti 7
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Richard D. Lamm 4c`s�"�"ir 4 Frank A Traylor, M D
Governor .18 7 6 Executive Director
January 11, 1983
Weld County Board of Commissioners
915 10th Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Attention: Mr. John T. Martin, Chairman
Gentlemen:
This letter discusses our recommendations relative to the Colorado
Landfill Inc. request to expand operations at the Erie Landfill onto areas
of the site designated as having high subsidence potential. The reports
have been reviewed by qualified personnel in the State Mined Land and
Geologic Survey Divisions. Our comments follow:
1. The operator should be asked to discuss the expanded site's life
expectancy and total volume requirements for cover material, over
the site's life. We recommend requiring an excavation plan map
from the operator, so that soil requirements can be verified,
prior to construction in the amended area.
2. The operator proposes to place one foot of compacted clay
(measured permeability less than one foot per year) at excavation
grade, to prevent downward migration of leachates. We recommend
requiring the operator's consultant tocertify that the liner has
_ been placed in accordance with specifications contained in the
original report prior to refuse placement.
3. Another function of the clay liner would be to encourage leachate
to drain laterally to some unspecified point, for impoundment and
evaporation. Prior to construction within the amended area, we
recommend requiring the operator to submit plans and narratives
to the County and State, specifying the location and design of
any/all such leachate collection points and associated
monitoring.
4. The Columbine mine shaft will be capped with steel reinforced
concrete, then covered with nonputrescible rubble and debris.
Soil berms will surround the shaft and be built upward
concurrently with landfill development. We recommend requring
the operator to place temporary fencing and signs, or some
equivalent measure, around the shaft to prevent public access.
4210 EAST 11TH AVENUE DENVER,COLORADO 80220 PHONE (303) 320-8333
1
Page Two
Weld County Commissioners
January 1l, 1983
5. We recommend requiring the operator to monitor and maintain the
fill's final cover after closure, so that depressions created by
subsidence can be capped with additional soils and regraded as
needed.
Colorado Landfill Inc. has operated the Erie Landfill for two years
now in compliance with State law and our Department regulations. We
believe that the amended operation can continue to comply with all
applicable standards.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Ned Noack.
Sincerely,
ev.rxez ,A, 6--(-Ict-e' oc--4—
Kenneth L. Waesche
Director
Waste Management Division
KLW:NN:pab
cc: C. Lynn Kiernes; Colorado Landfill, Inc.
Ron Stow; Weld Co. Health Dept
Chuck Cunliffe; Weld Co. Planning Services
. .. , • '
NELSON ENGINEERS
GREELEY NATIONAL PLAZA 822 7TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 (303)356-6362
February 8, 1983
Mr. Kenneth L. Waesche, Director
Waste Management Division
Colorado Department of Health
4210 East 11th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80220
RE: Colorado Landfill , Inc. request for change in approval
•operations plan for the Southwest Weld County Landfill
Dear Mr. •Waesche: -
This letter is in response to yours of January 11 , 1983 regarding the
subject project. The items are discussed in the same order as in your letter.
1 . The site life expectancy is dependent on many factors primary of which
is availability of solid waste disposal sites other than this, however,
our best estimate is a life of 12 to 15 years when using the changed
operations requested in our correspondence in late 1982. Attached to
this letter is drawing Exhibit •A showing an excavation plan map. The
total volume of cover material is fully adequate for the projected trash
volumes. A combination of site drillings and actual earth excavations
show - that more than an average of 12 feet of excavation over the area is
available. That amount of excavation will provide ample cover.
2. The liner at the- base of the fill has been placed in accordance with the
original operations plan. The operator has stated his intent to continue
that process. By previous correspondence, the consultant has certified
'to the imperviousness of the liner material (less than one foot per year)
which is of native shale. Additional sampling and preliminary testing
accomplished this past rrionth shows that the compacted in-place material at
the base of the excavation has an approximate permeability of 0.01 feet/year.
The permeability of the natural uncompacted state at the bottom of the
excavation, though not final , appears to be in the rate area as the compacted
material , thus proving that the material is impervious for all practical
purposes. Upon completion of these tests, the results will be forwarded
to your office.-
3. The excavation plan shows a sloping base of excavation to the west side of
the property to three collection points for leachate. Each of these col-
lection points will include monitoring points of wells when filling with
solid waste starts in the area, as well as trenches cut to the base of the
excavation. If any leachate is encountered, it will be collected in small
impoundments for evaporation or disposed of in some other approved safe
manner. The operations plan shows a 50 foot wide buffer along the west
side of the property for monitoring and collecting leachate, and for
collection and discharge of surface drainage to existing drainageways.
An absolute minimum of leachate is expected due to the dry climate of the
area and the ideal surface drainage control of the entire area.
4. The operator will place temporary fencing and signs around the Columbine
Mine Shaft to prevent public access when trash filling is occurring in
the area.
5. The operator recognizes his responsibilities and intends to comply with
the approved operations plan, the Health Department regulations, and the
State laws with regard to site closure, cover, grading and maintenance of
the final fill cover.
Colorado Landfill , Inc. has completed additional drilling on the property
at selected locations. Five holes have been drilled to depths as indicated at
locations shown on Exhibit A and described in Exhibit B. Each hole is cased
with 2" perforated pipe, gravel packed and sealed with bentonite at the surface.
Undisturbed soil samples were taken at about the 25 foot, 50 foot, 75 foot and
100 foot depths in each hole so that laboratory permeability could be determined.
Moisture conditions of the drillings were determined at 10 foot intervals. A
preliminary report of that drilling, sampling, and casing for monitor wells is
included with this letter as Exhibit B.
For additional informational purposes, water samples have been taken so
that laboratory testing for parameters as suggested in your letter of January 13,
1983 could be accomplished. The results of those tests are also included here-
with as a part of Exhibit B.
Respetfully, .
NELSON ENGINEERS
' Z.h/ /0,441-----
LaVern C. Nelson, P.E.
LCN:jlp
Encs.
,
NELSON ENGINEERS '
GREELEY NATIONAL PLAZA 822 7TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 (303)356-6362
• February 25, 1983
Mr. Ned Noack
Waste Management Division
Colorado Department of Health
4210 E. 11th Avenue
' Denver, Colorado 80220
RE: Colorado Landfill , Inc. - Southwest Weld County Landfill
at Erie, Colorado
Dear Ned:
Enclosed are two copies of the addendum to the report of Empire
Laboratories dated February 4, 1983. This addendum provides the results
of detailed testing of the permeability of soils on the site as described
in the February 4 report. The consistency and uniformity of the soils
dictated that no further permeability tests be run. The soil throughout
the depth of the drillings is impermeable, even in its natural liner state,
as shown in the test results. Should you need additional data regarding
test results, please contact me.
The water quality data included in my letter of September 1 , 1982 to
the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, came from a letter to me ,
from Zorich-Erker Engineering, Inc. dated February 5, 1980. The purpose of
providing that information was to indicate the representative water quality
in the Larimie-Foxhills acquifer as reported from nearby wells . A copy of .
that letter from Zorich is included herewith.
I am aware of your request for construction details of the monitoring
wells. I have asked representatives of Empire Laboratories to provide the
needed information. Upon receipt of the needed data , I will submit it to
your office.
Respectfully,
NELSON ENGINEERS
da,,,,,„(),(ivi,„....___,
LaVern C. Nelson, P.E.
LCN:jlp
Encs. (3)
Hello