Chapter NR 503

NR 503.10(3)(d)10. 10. All leachate lines transporting leachate out of the landfill shall be constructed with valves so the flow of leachate can be controlled. The valves shall be compatible with the leachate and be capable of being operated from the ground surface.

NR 503.10(3)(d)11. 11. All leachate transfer lines located outside of the clay lined area shall be designed to assure groundwater protection through the use of double-cased pipe or by using another approved secondary containment method. All leachate transfer line piping shall be pressure tested prior to use. Unless otherwise approved by the department, the upslope end of the secondary pipe shall be sealed and the downslope end shall be open to allow any collected liquid to flow into the manhole.

NR 503.10(3)(d)12. 12. All leachate transfer lines, manholes, lift stations and other structures which transfer or store leachate outside the limits of waste shall be designed as shallow as practical and located far enough from the limits of filling so that excavations associated with repair of these devices would not infringe on the landfill cover system or sidewall liner. Each of these devices shall be constructed above the seasonal high groundwater table unless it is not technically feasible to do so and the design meets the requirements of subd. 11.

NR 503.10(3)(d)13. 13. Leachate collection tanks and manholes shall be designed with a secondary containment system to prevent the discharge of leachate to ground and surface waters in the event of a leak or spill. Means shall be provided to monitor the tank and manholes within the secondary containment system unless other means for leak detection are approved by the department.

NR 503.10(3)(d)14. 14. All leachate collection tanks shall be designed to contain the volume of leachate which is generated by the landfill over a 4 day period and to withstand the soil and liquid loads that will be encountered during installation and use. The installation of the tanks shall follow the recommendations of the consultant and manufacturer.

NR 503.10(3)(d)15. 15. Measures shall be proposed to prevent accidental discharges at the leachate loadout station from entering groundwater or surface water. Unless an alternate method is approved by the department, the leachate loading station shall be paved with a concrete or asphalt pad and sloped to a catch basin to direct all spills back into the leachate holding tank.

NR 503.10(3)(d)16. 16. All manholes and enclosed structures for leachate and gas control systems shall be designed to allow for proper venting and access control.

NR 503.10(3)(d)17. 17. All control systems such as pumps, valves and meters shall be designed to be operated from the ground surface.

NR 503.10(3)(d)18. 18. All leachate and groundwater collection systems shall be designed to accurately monitor the volume of liquid removed by the system.

NR 503.10(3)(d)19. 19. A minimum one foot thick granular drainage blanket shall be placed on top of the clay-lined base and sidewalls. The granular drainage blanket shall contain no more than 5% material by weight which passes the number 200 sieve, have a uniformity coefficient of less than 4 for gravel soils and less than 6 for sandy soils, and a hydraulic conductivity which is greater than or equal to 1x10-2 cm/sec at the anticipated field density.

NR 503.10(3)(d)20. 20. All major horizontal clay lined phases above the saturated zone shall be designed with a collection basin lysimeter to monitor the unsaturated zone.

NR 503.10(3)(e) (e) All landfills regulated under this section shall be designed with final cover systems to minimize leachate generation by limiting the amount of percolation through the cap system, reduce landfill maintenance by stabilizing the final surface through design of compatible slopes and establishment of vegetation, account for differential settlement and other stresses on the capping layer, minimize the climatic effects of freeze-thaw and desiccation on the clay capping layer of the final cover system, and provide removal of leachate and venting of gas from those landfills which accept wastes with a high moisture content or which readily biodegrade. Unless it is established to the satisfaction of the department that portions of the final cover system are not needed, all new landfills and expansions of existing landfills regulated under this section shall be designed with a final cover system meeting the following requirements.

NR 503.10(3)(e)1. 1. A minimum 6 inch thick grading layer shall be designed over the final waste elevation to attain the required slope and provide for a stable base for subsequent system components. Daily and intermediate cover may be used for this purpose.

NR 503.10(3)(e)2. 2. A minimum 2 foot thick clay cap shall be designed to provide a low hydraulic conductivity barrier to percolation. Clay used for this layer shall meet the specifications in par. (b) 1. The clay capping layer shall be constructed in accordance with s. NR 504.06 (2) (f).

NR 503.10(3)(e)3. 3. A minimum 2.5 foot thick drainage and rooting zone layer shall be designed above the clay capping layer. This layer shall include a rooting zone to provide additional rooting depth for vegetation and to protect the clay capping layer from freeze-thaw damage and other environmental effects. It shall also include a drainage layer as specified in subd. 4. to allow for the drainage of liquid infiltrating through the cap. Soils available on or near the proposed landfill property may be proposed for the rooting zone layer. This layer may not be densely compacted.

NR 503.10(3)(e)4. 4. A drainage layer shall be designed immediately above the clay capping layer. The drainage layer shall consist of a minimum of one foot of sand with a minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-3 cm/sec or a geosynthetic drain layer of equivalent or greater transmissivity. A perimeter drain pipe shall be placed at the low end of all final cover sideslopes. The drain pipe shall be surrounded by a minimum of 6 inches of gravel or sand with a minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-2 cm/sec. A series of outlets at spacings no further than every 200 feet shall be designed around the perimeter. Modeling which supports the proposal of a different spacing may be submitted to the department.

NR 503.10(3)(e)5. 5. A minimum of 6 inches of topsoil shall be designed over the drainage and rooting zone layer to support the proposed vegetation. Fertilizer and lime shall be added in accordance with section 630, 2003 edition of the Wisconsin department of transportation standard specifications for highway and structure construction and the 2004 supplemental specifications in order to establish a thick vegetative growth.

NR 503.10(3)(e)6. 6. The seed type and amount of fertilizer applied shall be proposed depending on the type and quality of topsoil and compatibility with both native vegetation and the final use. Unless otherwise approved by the department in writing, seed mixtures and application rates shall be in accordance with section 630, 2003 edition of the Wisconsin department of transportation standard specifications for highway and structure construction and the 2004 supplemental specifications. Application rates for fertilizer and mulch shall also be specified.

NR 503.10 Note Note: Copies of 2003 edition of the Wisconsin department of transportation standard specifications for highway and structure construction and any annual supplemental specifications are available at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/engrserv/procedures.htm or can be obtained from the department of natural resources, bureau of waste management, 101 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, [phone], [e-mail]. Copies are also available for inspection at the offices of the legislative reference bureau and the secretary of state.

NR 503.10(3)(e)7. 7. The proposed final use shall be compatible with protection of the final cover system.

NR 503.10(3)(e)8. 8. The landfill shall be designed with a system which allows gas venting from the entire landfill surface unless the landfill will utilize an active gas recovery system. An analysis shall be performed to determine the spacing needed between gas venting trenches for an effective system. The system shall be designed with a continuous layer below the capping layer which allows surficial venting from the waste final surface. This layer may be part of the grading layer required in subd. 1. if the specifications in this subdivision are met. This layer shall consist of a minimum of one foot of granular soil with a minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-3 cm/sec, a series of flexible, perforated pipes connected to a series of outlets. A minimum of one gas monitoring well shall be located on each side of the landfill. The wells shall be constructed in accordance with s. NR 507.11.

NR 503.10(3)(f) (f) All landfills regulated under this section shall be designed with storm water drainage ditches, structures and sedimentation basins designed to control rainfall runoff and limit entrained sediment from reaching surface water bodies. At a minimum, the storm water control system shall comply the following:

NR 503.10(3)(f)1. 1. All landfills shall incorporate the following concepts in the design of both temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures:

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.a. a. Grading and construction shall be scheduled to minimize soil exposure.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.b. b. Existing vegetation shall be retained whenever feasible.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.c. c. Disturbed areas shall be vegetated and mulched.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.d. d. Runoff shall be diverted away from disturbed areas and active fill areas.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.e. e. Runoff velocities shall be minimized.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.f. f. Drainageways and outlets shall be prepared to handle concentrated or increased runoff.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.g. g. Sediment shall be trapped on site.

NR 503.10(3)(f)1.h. h. Runoff control structures shall be inspected and maintained.

NR 503.10(3)(f)2. 2. Storm water drainage ditches, structures and sedimentation basins shall be designed to be constructed during the initial stages of construction.

NR 503.10(3)(f)3. 3. All temporary and permanent storm water drainage ditches, swales, conveyance channels, channel linings, outlet protections, culverts and other storm water control structures shall be designed using a 25 year, time of concentration storm event to determine peak flow rates. The design calculations shall each be performed for the period in the landfill’s development where the combination of surface conditions and contributing acreage would result in the greatest runoff volume.

NR 503.10(3)(f)4. 4. Temporary and permanent sediment control measures shall be designed to settle 0.015 mm size particles for all storms up to and including the 25 year, 6-hour storm event. The surface area for sediment basins shall be calculated using the average rainfall intensity over the 25 year, 6-hour storm event for the landfill. Principal spillway, emergency spillway and outlet protection for sediment basins shall be designed to pass a 25 year, time of concentration storm event. Emergency spillways for sedimentation basins shall be designed to pass a 100 year, time of concentration storm event. The design of the dewatering structures for sediment basins shall be selected such that the basin is dewatered in no less than 3 days. An analysis shall be performed to document compliance with this requirement. The design calculations shall be performed for the period in the landfill’s development where the combination of surface conditions and contributing acreage would result in the greatest runoff volume.

NR 503.10(3)(f)5. 5. Storm water shall be diverted away from the active fill area of the landfill and any borrow areas to a sedimentation control structure. The design calculations shall be performed for the period in the landfill’s development where the combination of surface conditions and contributing acreage would result in the greatest runoff volume.

NR 503.10(3)(f)6. 6. Containment berms placed around active fill areas shall be designed to control and collect the liquid volume resulting from the 25 year, 24-hour storm event. The design shall consider the volume of liquid generated from active fill areas which shall include areas with exposed solid waste or areas with waste covered by daily cover. Storm water in contact with active fill areas shall be handled and treated as leachate in accordance with ch. NR 506.

NR 503.10(3)(f)7. 7. Storm water drainage ditches, structures and sedimentation basins shall discharge along existing drainage patterns capable of accepting the anticipated flow volume. An analysis shall be performed to determine the amount and velocity of runoff prior to landfill development and to document compliance with this requirement.

NR 503.10(3)(f)8. 8. Storm water diversion and construction at a landfill shall be designed to minimize impacts on adjacent property, such as erosion, sedimentation and flooding.

NR 503.10 Note Note: Design of storm water management features shall include consideration of other applicable requirements of the department. Requirements include, but are not limited to, ch. NR 103, and permits required by ch. 30, Stats.

NR 503.10(3)(g) (g) All landfills regulated under this section shall be designed with an inspection pad and storage areas for salvageable material as follows:

NR 503.10(3)(g)1. 1. The inspection pad shall be located outside of the landfill’s lined area. It shall consist of a permanent, all weather surface which is not readily permeable. The surface of the pad shall be concrete, asphalt or an alternative material approved by the department.

NR 503.10(3)(g)2. 2. The pad shall be designed to be of sufficient size to allow dumping of waste material directly from waste hauling vehicles and prevent delaying subsequent trucks waiting to dump loads.

NR 503.10(3)(g)3. 3. Storage areas for salvageable material shall be designed adjacent to or in close proximity to the inspection pad. At a minimum, storage areas shall be designated for clean soil, broken concrete and pavement, and clean wood.

NR 503.10(3)(g)4. 4. The department may require the construction of storage pads and storm water control structures for the salvageable material storage areas.

NR 503.10(3)(h) (h) All landfills regulated under this section shall be designed to meet the following requirements:

NR 503.10(3)(h)1. 1. A method of controlling any dust or windblown debris shall be included in the landfill design. The factors which will be considered by the department when evaluating alternative provisions for controlling dust and windblown debris include the remoteness of the landfill, natural screening, windbreaks and waste types.

NR 503.10(3)(h)2. 2. All access roads which are used by over the highway vehicles shall be designed with a maximum grade no greater than 10%. The intersection of the landfill access road with an existing highway shall be designed to provide sufficient sight distance and minimum interference with traffic on the highway.

NR 503.10(3)(h)3. 3. The landfill shall be designed so that final grades in each phase are reached as soon as possible, and the open area used for waste filling is minimized.

NR 503.10(3)(h)4. 4. The final slopes shall be equal to or greater than 5%, but may not exceed 25%.

NR 503.10(3)(h)5. 5. A minimum of 2 leachate head wells shall be proposed for each major horizontal phase of the landfill unless otherwise approved by the department.

NR 503.10(3)(h)6. 6. All landfills shall be designed with properly protected permanent benchmarks for horizontal and vertical control. Elevations shall be tied to USGS datum and horizontal control shall be referenced to the property boundary.

NR 503.10(4) (4) Operational requirements. No person may operate or maintain a new or existing landfill under this section except in conformance with the approved plan of operation and the following minimum requirements:

NR 503.10(4)(a) (a) Daily operations shall be in conformance with the following:

NR 503.10(4)(a)1. 1. Daily disposal of solid waste shall be confined to as small an area as practical.

NR 503.10(4)(a)2. 2. Provisions shall be made to confine windblown material within the active disposal area.

NR 503.10(4)(a)3. 3. At the conclusion of each day of operation, all windblown material shall be collected and properly disposed of in the active area in accordance with the provisions of this subsection unless the operator establishes, to the satisfaction of the department, that all windblown material cannot be collected using reasonable efforts because of conditions beyond the control of the operator, and windblown material which can be collected using a reasonable effort has been collected and properly disposed and nuisance conditions do not exist.

NR 503.10(4)(a)4. 4. Unless otherwise directed by the department, all waste shall be compacted, at a minimum, on a daily basis. The department may require that waste be completely covered at the end of each operating day with a compacted layer of at least 6 inches of soil or other material approved in writing by the department.

NR 503.10(4)(a)5. 5. Unless otherwise approved by the department in writing, any portion of a landfill which has been used for solid waste disposal but may not receive additional solid waste for a period exceeding 6 months shall be covered with one foot of fine grained intermediate cover. A specific soil type may be specified by the department for this one foot layer. The intermediate cover shall be compacted and adequately sloped to allow storm water runoff. The slopes shall be no less than 5% and no greater than 33%. The department may require that intermediate slopes be vegetated depending on the length of time they will remain open.

NR 503.10(4)(a)6. 6. Access to the landfill shall be restricted through the use of fencing, natural barriers or other methods approved in writing by the department.

NR 503.10(4)(a)7. 7. Effective means shall be taken to limit access to the active disposal area to minimize exposure of the public to hazards.

NR 503.10(4)(a)8. 8. Effective means shall be taken to control birds, flies, rodents, deer and other animals.

NR 503.10(4)(a)9. 9. Equipment shall be available on-site to control accidental fires and arrangements shall be made with the local fire protection agency to acquire its services when needed.

NR 503.10(4)(a)10. 10. A facility manager or certified site operator as required in s. NR 524.05 shall be present at the landfill during all hours of operation as defined in s. NR 524.03 (3). A list of names of certified operators and certified facility managers shall be maintained at the landfill in accordance with s. NR 506.17.

NR 503.10(4)(a)11. 11. A gate shall be provided at the entrance to the operation and it shall be kept locked when an operator is not on duty.

NR 503.10(4)(a)12. 12. The gate area shall be policed at the beginning of each day of operation to remove any solid waste which has been placed there during periods when the landfill was closed.

NR 503.10(4)(a)13. 13. A sign acceptable to the department shall be posted at the entrance of any landfill operated for public use which indicates the landfill name, the hours of operation, waste types accepted, penalty for unauthorized use, necessary safety precautions and any other pertinent information.

NR 503.10(4)(a)14. 14. The landfill shall be surrounded with rapidly growing trees, shrubbery, fencing, berms or other appropriate means to screen it from the surrounding area and to provide a wind break.

NR 503.10(4)(a)15. 15. Fugitive dust shall be controlled in accordance with s. NR 415.04 from all areas of the landfill.

NR 503.10(4)(a)16. 16. Provisions shall be made for back-up equipment in the event of operating equipment breakdown.

NR 503.10(4)(a)17. 17. A minimum separation distance of 100 feet shall be maintained between the limits of solid waste filling and adjacent property. The department may require additional separation distance if necessary to provide for vehicle access, drainage, monitoring, gas migration control, separation to adjacent homes or other landfill development factors.

NR 503.10(4)(a)18. 18. All topsoil within the landfill construction limits shall be salvaged and stored within the property boundaries for use in landfill closure. All stockpiled soil material which is not anticipated to be used within 6 months shall be seeded.

NR 503.10(4)(a)19. 19. All access roads to the active area of the operation shall be of all-weather construction and shall be maintained in good condition.

NR 503.10(4)(b) (b) All areas of the landfill property, including areas of temporary disturbance, with the potential for off-site migration of sediment shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained according to the applicable requirements of s. NR 503.09 (4), and technical standards developed under subch. V of ch. NR 151, which include the following:

NR 503.10(4)(b)1. 1. Storm water shall be diverted away from the working area and areas already filled with solid waste.

NR 503.10(4)(b)2. 2. Storm water from upslope areas shall be diverted around disturbed areas to minimize erosion, entrained sediment and the amount of water contacting the disturbed area.

NR 503.10(4)(b)3. 3. The size and duration of disturbances shall be minimized, to the extent practicable, to minimize off-site sediment migration.

NR 503.10(4)(b)4. 4. While the site is disturbed, temporary measures shall be used to trap sediment and off-site sediment migration. This could include gravel breaks or the equivalent to minimize the transport of sediment off-site.

NR 503.10(4)(b)5. 5. Runoff channels shall be protected to prevent scour and erosion that generates sediment.

NR 503.10 Note Note: The technical standards developed by the Wisconsin department of natural resources, runoff management program are available at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/stormwater/standards/ or can be obtained from the department of natural resources, bureau of waste management, 101 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, [phone], [e-mail]. Copies are also available for inspection at the offices of the legislative reference bureau and the secretary of state.

NR 503.10(4)(c) (c) Storm water drainage ditches, structures and sedimentation basins shall be cleaned and maintained so that they properly control storm water and limit entrained sediment in accordance with approved engineering designs. The department may waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis for existing landfills.

NR 503.10(4)(d) (d) All areas of the landfill which do not contain solid waste and are planned for vegetative cover shall be topsoiled, seeded and mulched as soon as practical, but no later than 90 days after completion of construction or by October 15, whichever is earlier and, if construction is completed after September 15, no later than June 15 of the following year. This includes, but is not limited to, the landfill entrance, drainage ditches and surrounding areas. Erosion control measures shall be placed within 30 days after completion of construction. The seed type and amount of fertilizer applied shall be selected according to the type and quality of topsoil, its compatibility with native vegetation, and the final use. Unless otherwise approved by the department in writing, seed mixtures and sowing rates shall be those specified for right–of–ways according to section 630, 2003 edition of the Wisconsin department of transportation standard specifications for highway and structure construction and the 2004 supplemental specifications.

NR 503.10 Note Note: The 2003 edition of the Wisconsin department of transportation standard specifications for highway and structure construction and any annual supplemental specifications are available at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/engrserv/procedures.htm or can be obtained from the department of natural resources, bureau of waste management, 101 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, [phone], [e-mail]. Copies are also available for inspection at the offices of the legislative reference bureau and the secretary of state.

NR 503.10(4)(e) (e) Disposal of solid waste shall begin at the edge of each phase. Solid waste shall be pushed out over the granular blanket. Vehicles may not be driven directly on the granular blanket. Disposal operations shall be conducted as follows:

NR 503.10(4)(e)1. 1. Except for portions of the sideslope greater than 10 feet above the base liner, a layer of solid waste at least 4 feet thick or an adequate amount of other frost protection material shall be placed over the granular blanket in all portions of the lined area prior to December 1st of the year following the year the clay liner was constructed. After this date, solid waste may not be placed on any portion of the liner or lower 10 feet of the sideslope not covered with a 4-foot thick layer of solid waste or other adequate frost protection material. Those portions of the liner or lower 10 feet of sideslope not covered with a 4-foot thick layer of solid waste or other frost protection material by this date shall be investigated for effects from freeze-thaw as specified by the department and shall be repaired and recertified during the next construction season, prior to waste placement. The requirements of this paragraph may be waived by the department.

NR 503.10(4)(e)2. 2. To provide for maximum compaction after the initial 4-foot lift of waste is placed, each single layer of solid waste shall be spread and compacted in 2-foot layers. An alternative plan for compaction of waste may be approved by the department.

NR 503.10(4)(f) (f) Effective means shall be utilized to prevent the migration of explosive gases generated by the waste fill. At no time may the concentration of explosive gases in any landfill structure, excluding the leachate collection system or gas control system components exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit for those gases. At no time shall the concentration of explosive gases in the soils or air within 200 feet of or beyond the landfill property boundary exceed the lower explosive limit for those gases. The department may require that the concentration of explosive gases not exceed the detectable levels for that gas at the landfill property boundary.

NR 503.10(4)(g) (g) Leachate shall be removed from all collection tanks, manholes, lift stations, sumps or other structures used for leachate storage as it is produced, including hours when the landfill is closed, such as overnight and weekends. Leachate shall be managed as follows:

NR 503.10(4)(g)1. 1. All leachate removed from a leachate collection system shall be disposed of at a wastewater treatment facility approved by the department and capable of accepting the leachate in accordance with the requirements of its WPDES permit. The landfill owner or operator shall immediately notify the department of any change in the availability of the designated wastewater treatment facility to accept or dispose of the leachate removed from the landfill. Waste may not be accepted at the landfill unless leachate is being managed in accordance with the landfill’s approved plan of operation and the requirements of this section.

NR 503.10(4)(g)2. 2. Any liquid which comes in contact with waste or accumulates in a portion of the landfill where active waste disposal operations are occurring shall be handled as leachate and properly treated as specified in subd. 1. unless otherwise approved by the department in writing.