Successfully Permitting a NEW Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

Offices in Jefferson City, Kansas City Metro and Springfield, MissouriENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LAND - AIR - WATER

GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Missouri Waste Control Coalition Conference (2019)

Successfully Permitting a NEW Municipal Solid Waste Landfill!

Presented by:

Thomas R. Gredell, P.Etomg@ger-inc.biz

Decline in # of MSW LFsØ 1980 – 140 to 150+ Permitted MSW LFs

l At least 1 in every MO County (except 2)

Ø 1987-88 – NEW Closure/Post Closurel Active MSW LFs reduce to 75 or 80

Ø 1994-95 – Federal Sub D implementedl Active MSW LFs reduce to 40 to 50

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Decline in # of MSW LFsØ Late ‘90s to Early 2000’s – Further Attrition

l Various Reasons.l Mainly Privately-Owned Locals (Ma & Pa)

Ø Since Subtitle D Implementationl Only 2 GREEN FIELD MSW LFs Approved

Ø Very Long Permit Process! Plus Planning!l 6 to 8 yrs (est) from Conception to Ops!

3GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

4GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Missouri Landfill Permit Process

Are There Enough MSW LFs?

Ø Distribution of MSW Landfillsl 4 in Kansas City Areal 4 in St. Louis Areal 3 in Southwest MOl 3 in Central MOl 1 in Northeast MOl 1 in Bootheel (Southeast MO?) l None in Extreme North MO & Southeast MO

5GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

6GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Missouri Landfill & Processing Facilities

Is There A Problem?Ø Distribution of Ownership

l 3 to 5 City Owned MSW Landfillsl 1 Local, Privately Held MSW Landfilll 12 International, National or Regional MSW

LandfillsØ Total, Permitted Landfill Capacity in MO.

l Is it OK?l Is it Well Distributed?

Ø ~ 60 Permitted Transfer Stations

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Why Consider a New Site?Ø Proximity of MSW LFs to Waste

Ø Economic Tolerance of Customers

Ø Open Economic Competition in Waste Business

Ø Control of Your Destiny! (Cities?)

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Look Back at History!Ø Sites that DID NOT Get Permitted (or

Closed Prematurely)l New Halls Ferry – N St. Louis Co (1980’s)l Recondite – Jasper Co (1980’s)l Shoal Creek – Clay Co (1980’s to 1990’s)l Fire Clay Site – Gasconade Co (1980’s to

1990’s)l Limestone Quarry Site – Sedalia (1990’s?)l Camden Co Site – Camden Co (2000’s)

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WHY DIDN’T THEY MAKE IT?Ø Probably a Variety of Reasons, including:

l Public Oppositionl Negative Political Climatel Too Small of Sitel Too Small of a Buffer Zone Around Sitel Developer Not Committed (Political Will!)l Developer Ran Out of Money?l Less Than Stellar Geologic Settingl Changing Siting and Technical Requirements

10GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

WHERE TO START?Ø Expect the Unexpected!

l Look for Skeleton’s in Your Closet!l Anticipate Twists & Turnsl Never Be Surprised (Just Disappointed)

Ø Identify Need or Opportunity

Ø Identify Potential Sites

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What To Look For In A SiteØ Sites Within 100 miles of Metro Areas?Ø Good Transportation (Railroads?)Ø City or Country? Population?

l Zoning or No Zoning?l Consider Environmental Justice Impacts

Ø Large Parcel(s) of Property AvailableØ Can you obtain FEE SIMPLE TITLE?Ø Geologic/Topographic Suitability

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How Much Capacity to Target?Ø Suggest 10 +/- Million Cu. Yards AirspaceØ Why?

l Current Landfills Operate at 500 CY/day OR MORE

l Assume 1000 CY per day, 5 days a week.l 10,000 days / 260 days per year ~ 38.5 years.

Ø Personal Rule of Thumb –l Design Capacity divided by 2.

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How Many Acres Needed?Ø Assume an average of 100 feet of fill can

be designedØ 10,000,000 CY = 270,000,000 Cu. Ft.Ø At 100 ft tall (avg), you need ~ 62 acres.Ø Use 100 Acres

l More is better!l May not get an average of 100 feet.l I Like Round Numbers!

14GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Acreage Needed for 100-acre Landfill

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How Many Acres Needed?Ø THINK BIG! Assume you need 250 to 500

contiguous acresØ Large Tracts of Land Typically Sell by

Fractions of Sectionsl 1 Section = 1 Mile Square = 640 acres +/-

Ø Is ½ Section (320 acres) enough?l Yields 161 acres for Disposal (w/500 ft buffer)

Ø Square Is Most Efficient Shape!

16GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

17GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Disposal Area Available in ½ Section

Geologic Suitability is KEY!Ø Must Meet Current Siting Criteria

Ø Must Identify the Uppermost Aquifer

Ø Must Be Able to Identify Geologic Barrier

Ø Must Be Able to Effectively Monitor GW

18GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

19GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Missouri’s Varied Geology!

Topographic Suitability - Helpful!Ø Avoid Creeks, Streams & Rivers

l May Not Be Possiblel Control Head of Drainageways!

Ø Too Flat or Too Steep = Difficult Design

Ø Rolling Topography Is Generally Good

Ø Surplus Quantity of Soil is a PLUS!20GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

Engineering Approach!Ø Dot Your ‘I’s and Cross Your ‘T’s

Ø Don’t Push the Envelope!

Ø Unless You Have to!l Then Do Your Homework!l This is the Show Me State!

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Public Relations Approach!Ø DON’T:

l Try To Be The Smartest Person In The Room!

l Use Smoke Screens or Big Productions!l Underestimate the Public!

Ø DO:l Get Politicians On Board (or Neutral)l Expect to be Insulted!l Expect the Unexpected!

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Success Story Examples!Ø 1980s; Pre-Sub D:

l City of Columbia Landfill (City)l Jefferson City Landfills (ESM)

Ø 1980s-1990s; Pre-Sub D:l Courtney Ridge Landfill (Private Developer?)

Ø 1990s; Post-Sub D:l Prairie Valley Landfill (Private, Local Hauler)l Timber Ridge Landfill (Private Developer)

Ø Metro Fill Demolition Landfill (mid-2000s)GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. 23

‘Ma & Pa’ to Regional Landfills!Ø Sutton & Sons Landfill (Now Eagle Ridge)

Ø Teter Landfill (Now Maple Hills)

Ø Prairie Valley Landfill (Same Name)

Ø Hartville Landfill (Now Black Oak)

Ø Lemons Landfill (Same Name)GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. 24

Take Aways/SummaryØ Extensive Upfront Planning Mandatory!

Ø Look for Skeletons in Your Closet!

Ø Think BIG! Cut back later!

Ø Don’t Underestimate Politics or the Public

Ø EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. 25

CLOSING THOUGHTS!Ø SUCCESS IS 50% SKILL AND 50%

MENTAL!

Ø PERMITTING A SANITARY LANDFILL TAKES INTESTINAL FORTITUDE!

Ø HIRE EXPERIENCED CONSULTANT(S)!l Teaming Works!l Dedicated Project Manager is CRITICAL!

GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. 26

Offices in Jefferson City, Kansas City Metro and Springfield, MissouriENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LAND - AIR - WATER

QUESTIONS?COMMENTS?

Presented by:

Thomas R. Gredell, P.Etomg@ger-inc.biz

When experience counts, count on us!

GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc.

IF A NEW MSW LF MIGHT BE NEEDED BY 2030,

THE TIME TO START IS UPON US!

Missouri County Map (& SWMD)

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