Chapter NR 516

Chapter NR 516

LANDFILL CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

NR 516.01   Purpose.

NR 516.02   Applicability.

NR 516.03   Definitions.

NR 516.04   General requirements.

NR 516.05   Construction of landfill areas.

NR 516.06   Closure of landfill areas.

NR 516.07   Soil and geomembrane testing requirements.

NR 516.08   Testing requirements for landfills with extended collection lines.

NR 516.09   Expedited construction documentation approval.

Ch. NR 516 Note Note: Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, August, 1997, No. 500.

NR 516.01 NR 516.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to help ensure that efficient, nuisance-free and environmentally acceptable solid waste management procedures are practiced in this state and to outline the requirements regarding testing and construction documentation for solid waste landfills. This chapter is adopted under s. 227.11, Stats., and ch. 289, Stats.

NR 516.01 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1988, No. 385, eff. 2-6-88; am., Register, June, 1996, No. 486, eff. 7-1-96.

NR 516.02 NR 516.02 Applicability.

NR 516.02(1) (1) 

NR 516.02(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and except as otherwise provided, this chapter governs all landfills as defined under s. 289.01 (20), Stats., including all CCR landfills and expansions as defined under s. NR 500.03 (26k) and (121m).

NR 516.02(1)(b) (b) This chapter does not govern any of the following:

NR 516.02(1)(b)1. 1. Small size construction and demolition waste landfills regulated under ch. NR 503.

NR 516.02(1)(b)2. 2. Hazardous waste facilities as defined under s. 291.01 (8), Stats., and regulated under chs. NR 660 to 679.

NR 516.02(1)(b)3. 3. Metallic mining operations for nonferrous minerals as defined under s. 293.01 (9), Stats., and regulated under ch. NR 182.

NR 516.02(1)(b)4. 4. Metallic mining operations for ferrous minerals as defined under s. 295.41 (26), Stats., including mining wastes and mining waste sites as defined under s. 295.41 (30) and (31), Stats., and regulated under subch. III of ch. 295, Stats.

NR 516.02(2) (2) This chapter does not apply to the design, construction or operation of industrial wastewater facilities, sewerage systems and waterworks treating liquid wastes approved under s. 281.41, Stats., or permitted under ch. 283, Stats., nor to facilities used solely for the disposal of liquid municipal or industrial wastes which have been approved under s. 281.41, Stats., or permitted under ch. 283, Stats., except for facilities used for the disposal of solid waste.

NR 516.02 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1988, No. 385, eff. 2-6-88; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 1994, No. 461; am. (1), Register, June, 1996, No. 486, eff. 7-1-96; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2006 No. 612; CR 13-057: am. (1) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; CR 21-076: renum. (1) to (1) (a) and (b) 1. to 4. and am., cr. (1) (b) (intro.) Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in (1) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2022 No. 799.

NR 516.03 NR 516.03 Definitions. The terms used in this chapter are defined in s. NR 500.03.

NR 516.03 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1988, No. 385, eff. 2-6-88.

NR 516.04 NR 516.04 General requirements.

NR 516.04(1) (1) Report preparation. A report documenting all aspects of construction shall be prepared for the initial construction of the landfill; the construction of all subsequent phases or portions thereof; the construction of any storm water, groundwater, leachate or gas control structures; the implementation of remedial actions; and the closure of each major disposal area. Approval of a report which documents the construction of any portion of the base of a landfill shall be obtained from the department prior to initiating disposal operations in the newly established area, unless the department does not issue a determination within 60 days after receiving a complete submittal, along with the appropriate review and construction inspection fees specified in ch. NR 520.

NR 516.04(2) (2) Quality assurance. Construction and closure of all landfills shall comply with the following:

NR 516.04(2)(a) (a) A registered professional engineer or qualified technician who is directly supervised by a professional engineer shall be continuously on-site and performing assigned quality assurance duties throughout the following: placement and testing of the clay component of the liner and cover systems, installation and testing of the geosynthetic components of liner and cover systems, all aspects of sump and sideslope riser construction or penetrations of the sidewall liner, manhole and tank installation, and placement of the drainage layer or cover soil above the geosynthetic liner. These personnel shall also be on-site to inspect the following activities after their completion: temporary and permanent erosion control measures such as ditches, fencing and sedimentation basins; subbase and leachate collection line undercut excavation and grading; clay liner surface preparation and grading, leachate, lysimeter and gas piping prior to their being covered with soil; piping with tanks, manholes or vaults and installation of instrumentation and controls; and gas extraction well heads. The department may require by written approval that a registered professional engineer be present during other critical construction activities.

NR 516.04(2)(b) (b) With respect to par. (a), substitution of personnel shall only occur due to substandard performance, vacations or uncontrollable circumstances such as injury, illness, employee termination or resignation. However, if necessary in order to provide experienced personnel, geomembrane installation quality assurance may be performed by a different registered professional engineer or qualified technician directly supervised by that registered professional engineer. In no case, however, may the personnel performing quality assurance for geomembrane installation be employed by the geomembrane manufacturer, fabricator or installer. Also, where justified by the size of the construction project, multiple registered professional engineers or qualified technicians may perform quality assurance work concurrently.

NR 516.04(3) (3) Certification. A certification section shall be included as the first section of any construction documentation report prepared for the construction or closure of a portion of a landfill and shall include the following:

NR 516.04(3)(a) (a) The signed certification statement contained in s. NR 500.05 (4) as well as the seal of all registered professional engineers who either performed quality assurance work on the project or supervised qualified technicians who did so.

NR 516.04(3)(b) (b) A table clearly identifying each registered professional engineer and qualified technician who performed quality assurance during the construction; which aspects of construction each person provided on site quality assurance for; the number of days each was present at the landfill performing quality assurance work; and the total hours each spent at the site performing quality assurance work. The table shall also clearly identify the registered professional engineer supervising each qualified technician.

NR 516.04(3)(c) (c) A second table identifying who prepared each portion of the construction documentation report including both narrative and plan sheets.

NR 516.04(3)(d) (d) Separate signed statements by the registered professional engineers identified in sub. (2) certifying to the best of their knowledge, information and belief that the construction of each item identified in the following subdivisions was accomplished in conformance with the approved plans and all applicable solid waste administrative code requirements. All observed deviations shall be explicitly noted and discussed including any changes in materials. This certification may not be construed to be either an implied or express guarantee or warranty regarding the performance of the construction documented in this report. No further qualifications to the certification statement may be made and each statement shall also clearly identify the personal observations, knowledge or other information on which the certification is based.

NR 516.04(3)(d)1. 1. The clay component of a liner or cap. The statement shall specifically address:

NR 516.04(3)(d)1.a. a. The quality of clay material used and the methods utilized in its placement.

NR 516.04(3)(d)1.b. b. Connections with previously placed clay layers.

NR 516.04(3)(d)1.c. c. Preparation of leachate collection trenches, sumps, gas header trenches and any pipe penetrations through the clay component.

NR 516.04(3)(d)1.d. d. Preparation of the upper portions of the clay component or soil barrier layer component of a composite–lined or composite–capped landfill for installation of the geomembrane or GCL, including smoothness of the surface, removal of rocks and other foreign objects, and repair of the clay or soil barrier layer surface due to rain, rutting or other damage.

NR 516.04(3)(d)1.e. e. Placement of soil or other materials placed over the composite liner or composite cap.

NR 516.04(3)(d)2. 2. Geomembranes, grids, fabrics, nets and appurtenances. The statement shall specifically address:

NR 516.04(3)(d)2.a. a. Connections with all previously placed geosynthetics.

NR 516.04(3)(d)2.b. b. Placement of geomembrane in collection trenches, sideslope riser sump areas and other irregularly shaped areas.

NR 516.04(3)(d)2.c. c. Connections of geomembrane around leachate transfer pipes, gas extraction wells and any other penetration of the composite liner or composite cap.

NR 516.04(3)(d)2.d. d. Removal of geomembrane wrinkles which were higher than they were wide.

NR 516.04(3)(d)3. 3. Elements of the construction relating to leachate or storm water routing, collection, storage and transportation as well as gas extraction systems. The statement shall include but not be limited to: construction of leachate collection and transfer lines, side slope risers for leachate pumping, all liner penetrations, collection tanks, manholes, lift stations, lysimeters, gas extraction system construction and leachate headwells.

NR 516.04(4) (4) Preconstruction meetings. For composite-lined or composite-capped landfills, a preconstruction meeting shall be scheduled prior to the initiation of construction for each phase of construction of the geomembrane component of the liner or cap. The meeting shall be used to clarify or confirm design changes, acceptability of selected construction materials and construction concepts or practices required in the approved plan of operation or identified in the preconstruction report. At a minimum, the meeting shall include the design engineer, the appropriate department district and central office staff, the engineer or engineers responsible for quality assurance of all aspects of construction and the geomembrane installer.

NR 516.04(5) (5) Preconstruction reports. A preconstruction report shall be prepared for construction of each phase of a composite liner as well as each phase of a composite capping layer. The department may also require a preconstruction report for each phase of construction which utilizes other geosynthetics, or when other geosynthetic materials are used in significant structural features of the landfill. The preconstruction report shall be submitted to the department no later than 15 days prior to each of the preconstruction meetings for the construction of the geomembrane component of a composite liner or a composite capping layer. Unless otherwise specified, 3 copies shall be provided to the appropriate department field office. The preconstruction report shall include, at a minimum, the following:

NR 516.04(5)(a) (a) Any revisions and detail diagrams incorporating all changes and instructions between the owner, the installer and the quality assurance contractor. The report shall highlight and explain any proposed changes to the information provided in the plan of operation as specified in s. NR 514.07 (1) (a) and (c) to (h). If, in the department’s opinion, major changes are proposed to previously approved plans, a plan modification approval will be required. The report shall indicate the proposed limits of installation and the schedule for construction.

NR 516.04(5)(b) (b) Identification of the manufacturer of the geomembrane, GCL and other geosynthetics used in construction, manufacturer qualifications, technical specifications of the geomembrane resin and polymer selected, technical specifications for geotextile and reinforcement of the GCL, bentonite specifications used for manufacture of the GCL, and results of the manufacturer’s quality control tests on the geomembranes and GCLs supplied to the project. Identification of the fabricator of geotextiles and other geosynthetics used in site construction, technical specifications of the products and materials to be used, methods used to bond the materials together and to connect panels together, installation contractor, contractor qualifications and on-site supervisory staff. Description of any contractor-specific storage and material handling procedures, deployment methods, attachment methods, panel overlaps, patching, procedures for minimizing bentonite loss in the GCL, and acceptable limits on sub-grade for geomembrane or GCL, including maximum rut depth, maximum stone size, removal of gravel cobbles and other debris and limits imposed by weather conditions. Description of methods to be used to assure the GCL does not become saturated prior to covering with soil and the procedure that will be followed if the GCL does become saturated, methods and equipment to be used to place the geomembrane over the GCL, and the maximum time between deployment of the GCL and placement of soil cover layers. Description of the selected materials and source of the sideslope riser pipe, methods proposed to assemble and place the sideslope riser pipe, and measures to be taken to prevent puncture of the geomembrane below the sideslope riser pipe and protective drainage material.

NR 516.04(5)(c) (c) The results of a shear test conducted, in accordance with ASTM method D5321, on the soils and geosynthetic materials selected for use in construction of the liner system and the final cover system. The test shall be conducted using wetted soil and geomembrane interfaces. The shear test results shall be used to evaluate the stability of the geomembrane component over the clay component and the drainage layers and overburden placed on the geomembrane component. For designs which utilize a GCL, the shear test results shall be used to evaluate the stability of the geomembrane component over the GCL component and the soil barrier layer and the drainage layers and overburden placed on the geomembrane component. Wet unit weights of soils shall be used in analyses. If all soil and geosynthetic materials to be used are identical to those that were tested for a previous construction event then the test need not be conducted again. The department may waive testing of materials which are proposed exclusively for use on liners or final cover systems with slopes of less than 10%.

NR 516.04(5)(d) (d) A quality control plan which provides all information specified in s. NR 514.07 (1) (i), as well as identification of the installation contractor, contractor qualifications and on-site supervisory staff. Any proposed changes to the quality control plan contained in a landfill’s approved plan of operation shall be highlighted and explained.

NR 516.04(5)(e) (e) A quality assurance plan which provides all information specified in s. NR 514.07 (1) (j), as well as identification of the registered professional engineer and qualified technician who will be providing quality assurance and a summary of their qualifications and related work experience.

NR 516.04(6) (6) Construction inspections. The department may, under s. 289.91, Stats., inspect construction projects for the purpose of determining compliance with ch. 289, Stats., and chs. NR 500 to 538. The district and central office staff shall be notified, by telefax, telephone or letter, at least one week prior to beginning each of the construction events specified by the department. A fee shall be paid to the department for each required inspection in accordance with s. NR 520.04 (5). The inspection fees shall be paid at the time the construction documentation review fee is submitted to the department.

NR 516.04 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1988, No. 385, eff. 2-6-88; r. (1), renum. (2) to be (1) and am., cr. (2) to (6); Register, June, 1996, No. 486, eff. 7-1-96; am. (6) Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 05-020: am. (3) (d) 1. d., (5) (intro.), (b) and (c) Register January 2006 No. 601, eff. 2-1-06.

NR 516.05 NR 516.05 Construction of landfill areas. In addition to the general information specified in s. NR 516.04 (3) (d) reports documenting the construction of all new landfill areas shall contain the following minimum information:

NR 516.05(1) (1) Engineering plans. A set of 24 inch by 36 inch engineering plan sheets, or alternative size if approved by the department in writing, shall be prepared in accordance with s. NR 500.05 and contain:

NR 516.05(1)(a) (a) A plan view documenting the constructed grades for the sub-base, sidewalls, leachate collection trench undercuts and all sub-base appurtenances such as lysimeters and drain pipes, prior to liner placement. Documentation of the grades shall consist of spot elevations taken on a maximum 50-foot grid pattern, with leachate collection trench undercut elevations at least every 25 linear feet. If a total station or laser equipment is used to set elevations, the elevations may be taken every 50 linear feet. The approved sub-base grades shall also be shown for the same area in a clear and legible manner.

NR 516.05(1)(b) (b) Plan view drawings showing the locations of all the various soil and geomembrane testing performed. Each test location shall be clearly labeled with appropriate identification codes. The plan view drawings shall clearly show any areas where removal and recompaction of clay was necessary in order to attain the minimum required specifications. For composite-lined and composite-capped landfills, a plan view drawing shall also clearly show geomembrane panel placement, geomembrane patches and seam repairs, and geomembrane destructive sample locations. Multiple plan views may be shown on a single plan sheet if legibility is not compromised.

NR 516.05(1)(c) (c) A plan sheet documenting the constructed elevations for the liner system. This plan sheet shall contain spot elevations of the base, sidewalls and leachate collection trenches. Documentation of grades shall include spot elevations taken on a maximum 50-foot grid pattern, with leachate collection trench elevations taken every 25 linear feet. If a total station or laser equipment is used to set elevations, the leachate collection trench elevations may be taken every 50 linear feet. The approved base grades shall be shown for the same area in a clear and legible manner.

NR 516.05(1)(d) (d) A plan view drawing showing the constructed base grades as well as the locations and elevations of all leachate collection and transfer piping, manholes, lift stations, culverts, berms and the location of all unsaturated zone, groundwater, gas, leachate monitoring and cleanout devices, surface drainage features and other pertinent structures. This information may be shown on the plan sheet required in par. (c) if legibility is not compromised.

NR 516.05(1)(e) (e) Cross-sections through the constructed area parallel and perpendicular to the base line of the facility. A minimum of 4 cross-sections shall be prepared, 2 of which shall be in each direction. Additional cross-sections shall be prepared as necessary to add clarification. Each of the cross-sections shall show actual and design sub-base and base grade contours, the top of the granular drainage blanket, leachate and groundwater pipe elevations and the actual base and sub-base contours of adjacent filled areas. The design sub-base and base grade contours do not need to be shown if there is not an observable variation from the design grades.

NR 516.05(1)(f) (f) Detail drawings, both plan view and cross-sections, of all manholes, lift stations, storage tanks, sumps and sideslope risers or locations where leachate transfer piping exits the lined area and the secondary containment of these features as well as leak detection monitoring points and other pertinent construction details. At a minimum, these drawings shall show base and top elevations, the invert elevations of all associated piping, pump details, float level elevations and the extent of recompacted clay placed around and below the structures. If float elevations are not available at the time of submittal of the construction documentation report, they shall be provided to the department when they are available.

NR 516.05(1)(g) (g) Cross-section details shall be included to illustrate all important construction features of the liner, lysimeters, leachate collection trenches and sumps, and sediment control and storm water management systems.

NR 516.05(1)(h) (h) Detail drawings shall be included for leachate header lines or drain lines located outside the limits of waste in critical areas of below-ground piping such as where several pipes cross or meet to illustrate sufficient pipe location and invert information.

NR 516.05(1)(i) (i) Additional plan sheets, patterned after those specified in pars. (a) to (h), shall be included for those facilities designed with multiple liners, groundwater gradient control systems or other nonstandard design features.

NR 516.05(2) (2) Report preparation. A comprehensive report containing a detailed narrative describing the construction of the area in a logical fashion shall be prepared. Particular emphasis shall be given to any deviations from the approved plan of operation and to the explicit construction methods used for all locations where leachate transfer piping exits the lined waste fill area. This report shall include the following information at a minimum:

NR 516.05(2)(a) (a) An analysis and discussion of all soil and geomembrane testing work performed. All density and moisture content testing results shall clearly indicate which Proctor curve or line of optimums is applicable to the soil being compacted. Any changes in the referenced Proctor curve or line of optimums shall be identified as to when they occurred and why the change was made. All raw data from the soil and geomembrane testing performed shall be included in an appendix to the construction documentation report unless other arrangements were previously approved by the department. The raw data shall be summarized using a tabulated format. Also included shall be the make, model, weight and foot length of each piece of equipment used to compact clay.

NR 516.05(2)(b) (b) A table containing thicknesses of each layer in the liner system on a 100-foot grid pattern.

NR 516.05(2)(c) (c) Discussion of how the leak tests were performed on lysimeters and sideslope riser sumps and a discussion of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

NR 516.05(2)(d) (d) Documentation of the initial leachate collection pipe cleanout, and pressure testing of force mains and leachate storage tanks. All provisions used to seal pipe connections, manhole sections and leachate storage tanks including protective coatings and corrosion protection shall be described. The manufacturer’s recommendations for the installation of all equipment shall be included. Any deviations from the recommendations shall be discussed.

NR 516.05(2)(e) (e) Daily summary reports prepared by the registered professional engineer or qualified technician performing continuous quality assurance for each day that installation of geomembrane or other geosynthetics is either attempted or accomplished when constructing composite-lined sites. The reports shall specifically describe practices employed for base grade preparation and acceptance before geomembrane installation and drainage layer placement, and the following:

NR 516.05(2)(e)1. 1. Identification and location of geomembrane panels placed, with modifications of the fabrication plan noted.

NR 516.05(2)(e)2. 2. Identification of field seams and ends of panels, and results of all destructive and nondestructive field tests of test seams and installed seams.

NR 516.05(2)(e)3. 3. Methods and procedural steps taken prior to field seaming of panels.

NR 516.05(2)(e)4. 4. Identification of wrinkles that were large enough to double over and were cut out and repaired.

NR 516.05(2)(e)5. 5. Identification of repairs and destructive samples and the results of the nondestructive testing of those repairs.

NR 516.05(2)(e)6. 6. Amount and location of geotextile and other geosynthetics used in construction of the liner.

NR 516.05(2)(e)7. 7. Identification of the sources and product information for manufactured items used in site construction including geosynthetics. This shall include the identification of all solvents and other sealants used in pipe construction.

NR 516.05(2)(e)8. 8. Weather conditions and constraints.

NR 516.05(2)(f) (f) A series of properly labeled 35 millimeter color prints or prints from digital photographs documenting all major aspects of facility construction. This shall include close–up photographs of the construction process including clay liner and soil barrier layer placement and compaction equipment, deployment of geomembrane and all other geosynthetics, deployment equipment, leachate pipe placement including all places where transfer piping exits the lined waste fill area or sideslope riser installation, drainage blanket placement and the installation of all manholes, sumps, sideslope risers, lift stations and storage tanks. Panoramic views shall be included showing the prepared sub–base and the completed liner before and after granular blanket placement.

NR 516.05 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1988, No. 385, eff. 2-6-88; r. (1) (g), (2) (d), renum. (intro. (1), (2) (intro.), (a), (d), (f) from NR 516.06 (intro.), (1), (2) (intro.), (a) (b), (c), cr. (1) (g), (h), (i), (2) (b), (c), (e) and am. (intro.), (1) (a) to (c), (e) (f), (2) (intro.), (a), (f), Register, June, 1996, No. 486, eff. 7-1-96; CR 05-020: am. (2) (f) Register January 2006 No. 601, eff. 2-1-06.

NR 516.06 NR 516.06 Closure of landfill areas. In addition to the requirements of s. NR 516.04 (3), all construction documentation reports for the closure of landfill areas shall contain the following minimum information:

NR 516.06(1) (1) Engineering plans. A set of 24 inch by 36 inch engineering plan sheets, unless an alternative size is approved by the department in writing, prepared in accordance with s. NR 500.05 and including:

NR 516.06(1)(a) (a) A plan sheet documenting the final refuse grades, including daily or intermediate cover. Documentation of grades shall include spot elevations taken on a maximum 100-foot grid after grading has been performed to establish uniform slopes. Documentation of grades for landfills which primarily accept papermill sludge or other low strength wastes may be performed at the surface of the support layer, accompanied with documentation of the thickness of the support layer on a 100-foot grid and the orientation of any geosynthetics and pipe used for reinforcement, separation, filtration or drainage. For areas less than 4 acres, a 50-foot grid shall be used.

NR 516.06(1)(b) (b) A plan view drawing for each one–foot thickness of clay or soil barrier layer placed showing the locations of the various soil testing completed and detailing the tests performed at each location. Multiple plan views may be presented on a single engineering plan sheet if legibility is not compromised.