HomeMy WebLinkAbout961217.tiff �Oi aft-,
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TOWN OF ERIE ",44
Ile r 645 ERIE,CHOLBR OK P.O.BOX 100
°,i I''''
17 r)' 77 ERIE,COLORADO 80516
t____7,// LOCAL(303)828-3843
' LL Er ` METRO(303)665-3555
, TO T1•:1. 1-_
June 13, 1996
Gloria Dunn
Current Planner
Department of Planning Services
1400 N. 17th Ave.
Greeley,CO 80631
RE: Case#2nd Amended USR-972
Dear Gloria:
I apologize for the delay in responding to your referral. The following are my concerns regarding the Laidlaw
proposal.
1. The location of the composting site places it in relative proximity to the proposed Coal Creek
Heights development,approximately 1,100 feet. This could cause complaints from residents when
the wind is in the east or southeast. A site to the east would place it further away from areas
scheduled for residential development. Coal Creek Heights is in the process of annexing the east%
of the cast Y of Section 19 to the town.
2. The site for the sedimentation basin is within 600 feet of the proposed Coal Creek Heights
development. Again,because of its closeness_to future residential property,I am concerned with
odors,and safety of children in the area. They are carefully keeping the dam to less then 10 feet to
the spillway to avoid it becoming a jurisdictional dam. There is-still the potential for contamination
from leachate if the dam overtops the spillway or the dam fails. In the event of a dam failure the
water will flow directly to Coal Creek through a potentially developable area.
3. There are no details on the construction of the sedimentation dam,nor indication of a clay core for
the dam or a clay liner for the sedimentation basin. I presume that the present sedimentation basin is
clay lined for percolation control. Monitoring wells should be provided up and down stream of the
sedimentation basin.
4. It should be noted that the site is within the Erie Airpark Influence Zone.
•
eiD*
961217
e /9 6 / 0'/P5
(1✓ PO ICE DEPT. P.O.BOX 510 METRO(303)449-3156 LOCAL(303)828-3200 LONGMONT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (303)666-4404
Gloria Dunn
Page 2
June 13, 1996
5. I see nothing that indicates a landfill gas (LFG)mitigation system. 1 don't know what the state
requirements are for LFG mitigation. I am concerned because of the uphill location allows the LFG
to flow downhill off-site and possibly collect in depressions in residential areas,posing a hazard to
the residents.
I trust that these comments will be of assistance in your review of the proposal. I have also enclosed a copy
of an interesting article on landfill gas from a recent American City and County(May 1996). It is though
provoking.
Sincerely,
Gary
Community Development Director
Enclosure
cc: Barbara Kirkmever ✓
............. .. ... .......... .. .. . . ... .
litZs
COVER
STORY
Vigilance and sound
ad vice help s ell reli ef
p
from landfill as
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Whether immediate problems, emissions regulations or a desire to
plan ahead are the motivation for installing a landfill gas system,
clearly defining the system's goals is a crucial first step to success.
challenge
occer matches at the Renaissance Park unique _ The soccer fields were built
S
athletic complex in Charlotte. N C op a 3%5-acre landfill that was operated be
are often fast-paced and exciting. the cm from 1968 to 1986, and the Renais-
Action at the volt course across the street is sance Golr Course clubhouse sits about I3C
much slower bur still has its adrenaline- feet from the landfills perimeter,
charged moments. To call either sport explo- The threat of explosion is a result of the
sive. however, is a stretch. and local officials landfill gas ILFGI generated us IS years
are trying to keep it that was. worth of decomposing solid waste buried at
It is toe r<irk-- location that presents this r'ne site- A hint of tne potential dangers came
By Rob Shapard
Assistant Editor
22 M .v1
ac 19ve A _RICAy Qty S COCSTI j
in 1995, when a quack flash a- cas fleeting and properti m: .aeemcnt Inr cxamnle. _ire going t, ^c inner.'
burned a woman at the soccer fields. .icrartmenu. Nevertheless, ,a==we Other srep> taken at Renaissance
The gas had accumulated in a small system allowing LEG to vent away Park to deal warh LEG, nr'rh Hi, u
depression and ignited after the from the budding was InstsPed .is a and alier the prirbiems n
woman lit a cigarette near the epor precauunn. include:
Settlement of waste was the culprit. HOwiyer the ;aroma, - sr>- :la-tailing around 30 permanent
scaardine to Tom \lcDermert of the ten MY to St. insuirmient, mnni. 'tine wells alone the
Mecklenburg County Park and Recre- according to Carpenter. a> tv<ts arc _ .r e.er. n track parent: ancr:a-
arion Department, w-high leases the currently show 1C percent to SO non of LEG from the site:
complex from Charlotte Settlement percent concentrations of methane • closing oft area: ,n which cis
caused the depression -o form next to around the foundation of the club- could accumuiare- Storm drains, for
a concrete lighting pad, and LEG house. Therefore. an active system, example, have been covered with
migrated along support pilings into consisting pas Lally of a vacuum pump grates, and
the eroded area. riu,i3 out any LEG and draw fresh • hiring a consultant to c induct an
The first step of park ,tanagers was air through the foundation, will be overall site assessment. At the consul-
to pump a slurry-.•,re mater:a: us iiica. for around 3oC0CC. cant's recommendation, the city has
`aeneath the pad and - .mrr.rye Overall. in the past year the city instituted a monthly manilla-mg pro-
response time in filling any other has spent around 3400.300 on the first gram ha. targets passible cks �uildul
eroded areas. "One of the things that maior re-working of the site, Careen- and migration. The program include-
we have to watch much more closely et says, R private consultant recently site inspections for any eroded areas
is settlement." McDermott says. "and estimated.future maintenance costs at where gas could accumulate and a
we have to take care of [settled areas] the park will he 355.000 a year and written record of the department's
immediately 3250.000 every five years or so for efforts.
LEG also showed up last year at the major re-Grading. These costs include "The Landfill seems like irks always
golf clubhouse. which was closed after dealing with LEO as well as ocher changing,- Carpenter sans- "Some-
gas sensors installed in the building issues related to the park's location. times there is gas, sometimes there
detected unsafe levels of methane- "The fact that methane gas exists at isn t. it can change day to day, vest to
The city had first lest,H .t. :nee L cilities should not -e a deter- year.
when the clubhouse was built and rent for others considering building "The [mast important] thing is 'hay-
found no significant quantities, facilities on landfills, hut they need to ing everyone that has any:1-,11g m do
according co Keith Carpenter, a pro- go in with their eves open," Mcner. with the site daily he aware of any
leer manager with Charlotte's engi- molt says. "The maintenance costs, problems that might come up and
_- what they need to report.`
COVER STORY
COMMON SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Quarry 'site to become landfill L alike the passive vent:Pc original-
Iv installed at the Renaissance club-
- , , ,€."' .. > - cr' house many systems actively collect
After years of effort, Bristol prohibitive costs inhaving to build LEG and may incorporate several of
Va., received apennit in Feb- '_ and operate a landfill to serve only. the following elements:
ruary to convert:an-abandoned -
{MUM-
quarry
eaane r t n un; • probes to monitor any gas
tYx .r '�'----
into a regional landfilLTb4 the hope of creating a ing f- ,n the landfill sire Thea,o>:
new facility is expected to be a rev- large, regional„facility. could important characteristics of LEO rim
enue-generating, profirable venture serve a wider geographic region monitor are temperature. w rate,
and will be able to service a five-or-'7*Lelikenae,theirenue, the it composition and pressure:
six-coimtytegidia fed .„puts, `quarry pro- • vertical gas extraction wells. well-
Bristo >asaing.tbe.quarry a p lrants Deer- heads and header pipes that collect
--danaral‘n arge;' t3al pr{� 'Y . gas from throughout the landfill;
'vateaen ptedw ,, rata ' es}gr e -. a blower that vacuums LFG
te';t0 to siiea "rt 7 cally.challrnp,+> ire through rim pipe zrstem rosvard a yen-
W.
Lticearan}y� remtma yeansostolaspow- trai point:
!ta^tees -33 ristol,$aadaetreaang r _s..mss to-Wien L. • a sans; for storing condensate that
space.A tie catyA er ze Ark `Ti r��. "` "L: forms as LEG cools off who.e moving
zuzallorarabr&eaut , r. , '?Im �Ste..ti�''`-<„ • f' through the system:
•not.enoggh4g r• '�"4"; p .."t,,,,"ti,,,,'a'`a, I „v,.,`, ;_ •an enclosed flare system or uuliry
est from private:industry an. at." "finca i -+ •` • •rte flare skid to burn off L FG; andior
the city would end up payinghigh- of-400 tp'do1 waste"' or'40 years:,, • a gas-to-energy facility
er disposal rates to transport wash Operations are expected to begin Assistance tram experienced team
to afar-awaysite.Bristol also faced ntheseeoa quarterof:1997."'tic. members with up-to-dare knowledge
of technology and regulations is vital
24 May 199b Aisiienicax Ciiv S Cot Nn -.a;-
LANDFILL EMISSIONS REGS in of i r'< in .ippropnare system-
This Inds involve using any or county
The Emissions Guidelines and methane organic compounds. eneurecrs, private enguu'eR> ,'r hurls
New Source Performance Standards Sites meeting both conditions i,irking together.
published by EPA this March have have only a few months CO install Lone-term planning o ;I>o viral.
operators scrambling to learn if their active collection systems to be in since partially or corm-tier It closed
sites are affected. The new rules compliance with EPA's regulations. situ may generate LEG rsr -es ernl
have two basic conditions: The Solid Waste Association of decisie> Jninc room loss-c.;t Mel-1-
• Landfills must have accepted North America is conducting edu- cosy solutions may he more cyrensive
waste after Nov. 8, 1987, and have a cational seminars on the regulations .n rim long run it initial stem not e to
design capacity,greater than 2.5 Mg; in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles oe untrectice
•tit addition,landfills must emit and Chicago,and can be reached at
more than 50 Mg-per-year of non (301) 785.2898 „, DEFINING GOALS IS KEY
-. . Whether immediate problems. reg-
ular„near a Berne n pine ahead are
driving landfill operators to de.il with
.,. ,.y r -- — IsEG a JruCial tit t ep t deter-
- - ,a -,:. ..:,-•,,......ecome , rten. goals d, m operators
u — -- may simpi} need to limit odors: orhers
`IlitiLL may he seeking to control migration
_ '-.
_ or air emissions or to signer ec gas-to-
n li energy revenues.
t v_
A, sires where odor control IS the
,', > -
\ �t.. F .i ,{a;.� , primar gal some sort or passive ys-
t.,, �" "''�-,— y.. - rem allowing cs, to sent is probably
_ . .- V. already in place, according ro slip.,
,.n .e.
Michels. a senior environmental ngi-
r
.c` x neer in Camp Dresser NicRee's
Milwaukee office. -1> the ssxer vents
.1 - rti gas. re moll provokes . ,mpiama
1
zae 7 n nearby residents or businesses
-�. A imple and relatively n ex e sise
k.:,{ ,j` S = _ ry1 option is to install soot ar o hm fin-
_ I �f t • >. 4
ter_ on the yen , 'Sometimes alters •
.. .,1rc.,. �.
�'_ work and [operators! save aem>ehes
• s a lot of money." N-ticheis says.
However. this option can be fairly
labor-intensive, since the filters must
•
be replaced once their carbon content
Engineering solid solutions. is depleted- Connecting vents with an
I above-ground pipe network and
To stay ahead of your es erchanging challenges in solid waste I
pumping LeG to a eentra!Ic located
management. sou need a partner who understands your needs and
55-gallon carbon canister may be
toe ens iromnental requirements you lace. The leading landfill
designer in the L.s.. Rust Environment& Infrastructure uses its more effective, according to tihcheis.
experience and leading-edge technology to engineer practical The canister acts like a larger ver-
. sign of the vent filters, absorbing
ensironnientalls sound solutions
odors through the use of carbon. The
Our engineers and scientists can take your project from stan to I barrel is either replaced or regenerated
finish with our full range of integrated services. including, once the carbon is spent.
permitting. design and construction quality assurance for landfills. Pumping LEG to a central flare is a
N RFs. and landfill has-[o-energy. leachate management and air third ornon for controlling odors. Ini-
quaiitr control systems. To assemble the right team of experts.call rially more costly than filter= or col- „_
I-hots-868-03 3. iection 'carrels. an active fare system
in the long term may be a more cost-
effective solution. Op
1
Operators dealing wirn an LEG F"
RUST' migration problem have h,orh passive
Rust Environment& Infrastructure and active options as well. Digging a
cur-off trench along the landfill
boundary through which LEG is
Circic N,:. ,-on Friar:Service Can:
26 May 1006 Aaaecic>A Dirt & Cotvrr
migrating is a common, relatively sim- cut-off trench are a concern, since ':.ukfili the trench or adding a
pie passive solution. LEG can continue its migration along geomembrane harrier may make the
Since LEG seeks the path or leas- these -Tenches ward inhahired areas trench more effective, since tnese 1.-"4
resistance as it moves underground_ Geology and vat e- tome location materials marerials are more like. to force
the idea is to provide a new path. A are also important rattan when con- migrating gas upward in sands soil to 1
trench backfilled with stone can inter- sidering a cut off trench according to vent to me surace -
cent LFG and allow it rrascl. Alichels. In on area with. >andy sail, The depth of eroundw ter p also
upward and vent onsrre hefore it for example. the difference netween. crucial to consider, since gas typically
threatens any structures located near the trench and surrounding soil may travel, anywhere herween this depth
the landfill. nor be great enough to ensure mar gas and the ground surface. An effective
The cut-off trench should run far will travel upward to vent once it cut-off trench should therefore he as
enough so that any gas escaping reaches the trench deep as the groundwater to ensure
around its ends will not reach such In this situation, using 'bentonite or that all potential migration is con-
structures. Utility trenches near the clay rather than washed stone to trolled- In areas_ with a deep water
1
COVER STORY \1
t_-Public/primate artnership helps rehash trash
c 'n.. , 'r.,_ r
In September 2.95,§tee unified unmanned drop-off centers,acurb- fee is set on a shdingscale;;so that '
government 6r, hen-Clarke side collection program and coin- the fee decreases as tonnage increas-
ttew 2nerrial ihusnness collection. ` es.ACC-receives 80 percentaf4he
e rs aof , The RMPFtcan;process up to 120 revenues geneiated'zhioouglrhe sale
gangs.„-_tpd and is designed to accept tecy- of recyclable materials.
l e esxa"l"a'hinentaafa coin es in two =clean''commingled In the seven months since the
prehens vi a waste t anagement plan }streams ``'p paper stream and a -program began, recyclable-tonnage
n ' �„ '�}aas'ed'fee -eontam eam The paper stream has increased dramatic'lly.3mmedi-
.for ' L—' '' _a "- . -' •ately following inplementa-
'h..,.d°cac_..w+�i ' � ''�Gti!94�Sta�td r..... .
°ea • r4- < non of the program, tonnage I
s -
.,mo a. ^:.grew from seven tpd to eight f
importantly, completed con- -tpd, to 14 tpd in November
struction of its Recovered 'm" i i;nui 1995 and 18 tpd in,January
3vtat c �acidi �tuan i . :1996. The most current aver
f . illarI! [II II!(RMPF) e first o its Ycm�` �rl age is 23 tpd oftecyclables
mthestate. . I �_ The SWD is awaiting
` "The program is very cam- -I � approval of a program that
prehensiv ysays`Paula"Lon-$ I _`
-0o •
would encourage commercial,
, rlie'v cycltng,coordinator�'.-- / .businesses to increase their
,#or tlterGenrgia"De —r participation to the program.
r,of C. . R. esadents shave•had3tix
+*c.-.x -.'• O cat v I)
.:�:1`aY's gom o � �'z', ; c e"trl�bewn ..iit*�23abf ;^.'years bfeducation rand were
reeyelablesItathis-Recovered Material Processing Facility
lent and ea.benefit for ready to participate says
t� ens partnentipwRha,pnvate recydmg company
thewhol on Sharyn .Dickerson, acting
AC s ' 1 ; S-° ., . 1 + re,. . carrlhn:sid .' Arectorto'f&the.BSX'D" oavever the
,t, ;. !ta ray+ w d. . w .rcz++a
""` ,r- 4"' r 'Paper,':" ' n
-.ape rid ga ,grea_terioppoi[uri' J'r . " „i cy -
,ha ''.. },.6;ii srY' 2 ♦+"` ,t ..+ t -t ao"ks ]rink nau„ clame tonnage-rests.-a er
f v
t .7- ... s 'i- s -'t-� m
Y t,y, i :'i r c": , 7�-n n es 4' flrstg rn'tghtlbitsines5es ..
r 1. antics, '
Res., t yil , p�e'snthe,new. rOgram Fv..
a .,..,;.. .7.'..
w, - r'�r y a t t1 yp R , rant;l',he afadlity hut now,uvAre read,rzed' at3h ;
�'' € °^ f' iiro 'n- A'p rte�djyitex esavcC' aoo,Me 'm tvrs ted e&uca i
Yet t- t 1 CAF irti: [ 'te ve t miff y� �(Jnal fYS .
4 ♦'t "YYY �T{ 1: t.�' 4.4 rt '{F C,.r.,4"'a a Lam.- -'�w "U.S1
..t,,.S C_,:.� M ... 'rte . .'.e tsgUaterials—c-''77us - "7' at`t
' ACC isnmfier oatract to:delivei' bt cessed tar'the-RMPF — $45 per Tweerlvll, program%cdn arionspecialist
to he far ' t 5 ecy r commingled paper and $86 with the ACC Solid Waste,Depart-;
a"lable's,'`h+a :tame a>3m six on'for:containers. The tipping meet's recycling division.
,
28 May 1996 As+ERicay Ctrs & Go'NTy
table. construction of a cut-off trench nents of beneneial-use systems by C:'II ne to I -n The CP'
may not he cost effectise. Dec 11. '.996 to qualify. _ten,. lied i.irine he onliect
In mans cases, even a trench that -The trend [toward henehc al use] was sold to the bos -7i tie Depart- ,
works well in capturing and renting � ment of Water and Possar i ott- '
i
LPG may not he can tiLtort "[The set- costsin :99>. the fuel cell was
trench] has t, Li-ph—won,. but it •'• - •' i - " disassembled and shirred r 'i icifill
doesn't work eyenwne <. r.il the - - <er n .lair, i. ',calla-, for an herher one-
time Michels its -• " year dcmonstra❑ n puce OaltiLt, he —.
Such pass's e •:mint, or LEG may k nve.ror coned Nor neasr Lltiluies, r ft v
not be enough for some landfill opera- y Berlin. Conn.
tors 'because, although the gas is con- � Y_r ._ The experiments nas e ,sown fuel 0
tamed within the site.the dancer of cell' potential advantages to he low azxplosron remains. Sparks venerated - - emissions a noise and vibration Also.�yt• a� �C s .-r � "
on the ground could set on such :an a. t 'f _- ,g�z{ 200-kilowatt cell capable ii- produc-
explosion.
r' - mg around 760 000 BTU tier hour or �-
One option is is install pipes . - ::'J clean, thermal energy than could he • .
gby
extending eyera' tee• at .he -round li used to heat buildings. according to .......„--
Active collection systems commonly use .a
in the trench that gas is tented Ron Spiegel. Et 4%. ,roiecr manager
high-density polyethylene pipe to carry "--4".t..
away tromens possible arats sit.. As LPG to an extraction blower and on to a for the tuei cell testing. • i.
with odor control, a more complete flare or gas-to-energy facility. Spiegel says operators have chosen -
olution to migration would be an significant interest in fuel cells, but
active collection system that flares gas is lookin e ye•s iptimistic. very" good steep initial costs are a moor scum41
-
or puts it to use. right now," he sass- "[The tax credit idling block.
?Michels estimates there are current- situationj has Bans stirred a lot at "Tecnnicallc. we'se demonstrated
le around 126 projects at LOS landfills work in 1996." that we can do it." he says Economi- tAii,"�t
and man} more overseas actis'eic col- calk :here are a little more shades of
1-1=�w;.
LEG TECHNOLOGY ON THE HORIZON • ,Csy
z ing for some beneficial use pas there."
About 70 percent of the U.S.. pro- Batters-like fuel cells now :n devel Fuel cell costs are currently around
sects involve burning gas in engines to oement may eventually provide 53,000 per kilowatt, according to i ::44.
generate electricity. Converting gas to another beneficial-use option. These Spiegel, so a -00-kilowatt cell like the
vehicle fuel or burning it to heat boil- phosphoric acid cells use methane to one tested at Penrose would run
ers in nearby facilities are the other produce electricity and heat. around 5600.000. At char les el, for
most common uses. The technology was tested success- fuel cells to be as cost-effective as
Michels expects the number of ben- fully at Penrose Landfill, Sun Valley, flares, Spiegel estimates the electricity
eficial-use projects being considered Calif. In a demonstration proiect con- generated w ould need to sell for -
•
and undertaken to increase over the ducted by Irte•nationa Fuel Cells, around 7 cents per kWh. s d
next several months because of EPA's South Windsor, Conn.. and EPA. This number would drop to about 4
recently published regulations, com- in '.993. the company installed a cents per kWh if advances bring cell
owed with the possible expiration of Gas Pretreatment Unit cGPUJ at the costs down S i.500 per kilowatt in -
federal tax credits for such projects. It existing Penrose gas-to-ener<_s facllia" the next few years. according to •
proposed legislation extending the to scuds the CPU's ability to clean Spiegel. At chat point. the economics f\-• —
credits does not pass, operators will contaminants from LFG. After suc of fuel cells may be more appealing to
need to install the collection compo- cessful testing. a 200-kilowatt cell was landfill operators- - 1
4 ,
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Circle Sso.:i on Reader Service Card
30 May l996 AMERICAy CITY Sc. COUNTY
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