staff report - comox valley regional...

Staff report

DATE: October 31, 2016 FILE: 5360-07

TO: Chair and directors Comox Valley Regional District (Comox Strathcona waste management) board FROM: Debra Oakman, CPA, CMA

Chief Administrative Officer RE: Amended operational certificate 5050 – Comox Valley waste management centre Purpose To present the amended operational certificate (5050) for the Comox Valley waste management centre (CVWMC) and to provide a letter of recognition to the Ministry of Environment (MoE) for support of the update process. Policy analysis Bylaw No. 1822 being the “Regional Solid Waste Plan Local Service Areas Establishment Bylaw No. 1822, 1996” establishes the local service. MoE operational certificate 5050 authorizes the management of waste and recycling activities at the Comox Valley waste management centre (CVWMC) located in Cumberland, BC. Executive summary The CVWMC operates under operational certificate 5050 originally issued May 11, 1978. With the planned closure of the historical landfill, the addition of gas collection and flaring, the construction of a new lined cell(s), and the addition of leachate treatment an update to the operational certificate was required in order to capture all of the MoE current regulations with respect to the above work. Attached as appendix A is an amended operational certificate 5050 for the CVWMC. The amended certificate includes sections related to the existing landfill, the landfill expansion, leachate management, surface and ground water management and bear proof fencing. Also included in the amended certificate are detailed requirements for a design, operations, and closure plan and for an annual operations and monitoring report. The amended operational certificate is the culmination of extensive planning, consultation and review by Comox Strathcona waste management (CSWM) staff, its consultants and MoE staff. The MoE worked collaboratively with CSWM staff to ensure the final amended operational certificate both met all environmental requirements while being achievable and implementable for the waste management service. This collaboration took the form of numerous conference calls and in-person meetings to negotiate the final terms of the certificate. The MoE made this work a priority and responded well to CSWM requests. The amended operational certificate 5050 ensures environmental responsibility for the sustainable use of land for waste management at the CVWMC. The closure of the existing landfill along with the expansion of a new engineered cell and leachate treatment system meets or exceeds all provincial environmental regulation.

Staff Report – Amended operational certificate 5050 - CVWMC

Comox Valley Regional District

Recommendation from the chief administrative officer: THAT a letter be provided to the Ministry of Environment recognizing their support of the process for updating the Comox-Strathcona waste management operational certificate 5050 for the Comox Valley waste management centre. Respectfully: D. Oakman __________________________ Debra Oakman, CPA, CMA Chief Administrative Officer Prepared by: M. Rutten Marc Rutten, P.Eng. General Manager of Engineering Services

Attachment: Appendix A – “amended operational certificate 5050”

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

September 20, 2016 Tracking Number: 328277Authorization Number: 5050

Cornc’ \lTIey ?qor1i D:trctREGISTERED MAIL ..

Comox Valley Regional District File: c’600 Comox RdCourtenay BC V9N 3P6 :.. SEP 2

Dear Operational Certificate Holder: To:

PJLQ-.Enclosed is Amended Operational Certificate 5050 issued under the provisionsbf the cjEnvironmental Management Act. Your attention is respectfully directed to the terms andconditions outlined in the operational certificate. An annual fee will be determinedaccording to the Permit Fees Regulation.

This operational certificate does not authorize entry upon, crossing over, or use for anypurpose of private or Crown lands or works, unless and except as authorized by theowner of such lands or works. The responsibility for obtaining such authority rests withthe operational certificate holder. It is also the responsibility of the operational certificateholder to ensure that all activities conducted under this authorization are carried out withregard to the rights of third parties, and comply with other applicable legislation that maybe in force.

Requirements may also be specified by the Environmental Management Act andregulations including, but not limited to, the Contaminated Sites Regulation,Environmental Data Quality Assurance Regulation, Hazardous Waste Regulation,Landfill Gas Management Regulation, Organic Matter Recycling Regulation, OzoneDepleting Substances and Other Halocarbons Regulation, Recycling Regulation, SpillReporting Regulation, Storage of Recyclable Material Regulation, and the WasteDischarge Regulation. For example, the Landfill Gas Management Regulation requiresthe installation of landfill gas management facilities.

This decision may be appealed to the Environmental Appeal Board in accordance withPart 8 of the Environmental Management Act. An appeal must be delivered within 30days from the date that notice of this decision is given. For further information, pleasecontact the Environmental Appeal Board at (250) 387-3464.

Ministry of Environment Environmental Protection 2080A Labieux Road Authorizations-SouthDivision Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9 Telephone: (250) 751-3100

Facsimile: (250) 751-3103

garkar

Typewritten Text

APPENDIX A

5050 page 2 Date: September 20, 2016

Yours truly,

Avtar S. Sundher BSc.for Director, Environmental Management ActAuthorizations-South

Enclosure

cc: Environment Canada

BRITISHMINISTRY OF

COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENT

OPERATIONAL CERTIFICATE

5050Under the Provisions ofthe Environmental Management Act

Comox Valley Regional District600 Comox Rd

Courtenay BC V9N 3P6

is authorized to manage waste and recyclable material from the Comox Valley andStrathcona Regional Districts at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre facilitieslocated in the Village of Cumberland, British Columbia, subject to the conditions listedbelow. Contravention of any of these conditions is a violation of the EnvironmentalManagement Act and may result in prosecution. This Operational Certificate supersedesand amends all previous versions of Operational Certificate 5050.

1. MANAGEMENT OF WASTE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

1.1 Existing Landfill

This section applies to the discharge of waste to the existing landfill.

1.1.1 The maximum rate of discharge is: (65 000 minus the discharge to thelandfill expansion) tonnes per calendar year.

1.1.2 The characteristics of the waste must be municipal solid waste as definedin the Environmental Management Act, or, other waste as specified inwriting by the Director.

1.1.3 Waste may be discharged to the 9.82 ha existing landfill approximatelylocated as shown on Site Plan A. The discharge of waste outside the 9.82ha existing landfill is not authorized.

1.1.4 The authorized works are an existing landfill and related appurtenancesapproximately located as shown on Site Plan A.

Date issued: May 11, 1978 —

Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent)


Page 1 of 11 Operational Certificate Number: 5050

PROVINCE OF Environmental ProtectionBRITISH COLUMBIA

1.1.5 The authorized works must be complete and operational on and from thedate of this amended operational certificate.

1.1.6 Final landfill slopes must be between 5 and 33 percent. Final cover mustinclude a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) double-sided texturedgeomembrane (minimum 1.5 mm thickness).

1.2 Landfill Expansion

This section applies to the discharge of waste to the landfill expansion.

1.2.1 The maximum rate of discharge is: (65 000 minus the discharge to theexisting landfill) tonnes per calendar year.

1.2.2 The characteristics of the waste must be municipal solid waste as definedin the Environmental Management Act, or, other waste as specified inwriting by the Director.

1.2.3 Waste may be discharged to the 15.66 ha landfill expansion approximatelylocated as shown on Site Plan A. The discharge of waste outside the 15.66ha landfill expansion is not authorized.

1.2.4 The authorized works are a landfill with base liner, leachate collectionworks, and related appurtenances approximately located as shown on SitePlan A.

1.2.5 The base liner must include an upper primary high-density polyethylene(HDPE) double-sided textured geomembrane (minimum 1.5 mmthickness), and a lower secondary geosynthetic clay liner (hydraulicconductivity less than or equal to 1 x 1 0 cm/s). In critical leachatecollection and storage areas, including collection trenches and sumps, thebase liner must also include an additional HDPE double-sided texturedgeomembrane (minimum 1.5 mm thickness) immediately above the upperprimary HDPE geomembrane.

1.2.6 The authorized works must be complete and operational on and from thedate that waste discharge commences to the landfill expansion.


Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent)




1.2.7 Final landfill slopes must be between 5 and 33 percent. Final cover mustinclude a LLDPE double-sided textured geomembrane (minimum 1.5 mmthickness).

1.3 Leachate Management

This section applies to the management of leachate.

1.3.1 Leachate from the landfill expansion must be collected. The Director mayrequire that leachate from the existing landfill be collected.

1.3.2 Collected leachate and landfill gas condensate must be treated anddischarged to the infiltration bed.

1.3.3 The authorized works are leachate collection, storage, treatment anddischarge works including collection works, primary and backup pumps,transport works, equalization pond with base liner, treatment works,pumps, transport works, and infiltration bed, approximately located asshown on Site Plan A.

1.3.4 The equalization pond must have a base liner that includes an upperprimary HDPE double-sided textured geomembrane (minimum 1.5 mmthickness), a geocomposite leak detection layer, and a lower secondarycomposite HDPE double-sided textured geomembrane (minimum 1.5 mmthickness) and geosynthetic clay liner (hydraulic conductivity less than orequal to 1 x i0 cm/s).

1.3.5 The maximum rate of discharge of treated leachate effluent to theinfiltration bed is 250 m3 per day.

1.3.6 The characteristics of the treated leachate effluent discharge, immediatelybefore discharge to the infiltration bed, must be equivalent to or betterthan:

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent)



PROVINCE OFBRITISH COLUMBIA

Environmental Protection

Substance Minimum or Limit UnitMaximum (Total)

pH Minimum 6.5 pHMaximum 8

5-day Biochemical Oxygen Maximum 25 mg/LDemandTotal Suspended Solids Maximum 25 mg/LTotal Nitrogen Maximum 25 mg/LChloride Maximum 700 mg/LBoron Maximum 10 mg/LCopper Maximum 0.25 mg/LIron Maximum 10 mg/LManganese Maximum 1.5 mg/LZinc Maximum 5 mg/L

1.3.7 Provide and maintain a suitable flow measuring device and record dailythe effluent volume discharged to the infiltration bed over a 24-hour timeperiod.

1.3.8 A suitable sampling facility must be installed and a grab sample of theeffluent, immediately before discharge to the infiltration bed, must beobtained once each month.

1.3.9 Obtain analysis of the effluent sample for substances including, but notlimited to, the substances listed in section 1.3.6.

1.3.10 The Director may specify more stringent effluent discharge substancelimits and additional effluent discharge substances and limits.

1.3.11 The authorized works consisting of the leachate collection and storageworks including collection pipes, primary and backup pumps, transportworks and equalization pond with base liner, must be complete andoperational on and from the date that waste discharge commences to thelandfill expansion. The authorized works consisting of the leachatetreatment and discharge works including the treatment works, pumps,transport works and infiltration bed, must be complete and operational onand from the date that effluent discharge commences to the infiltrationbed.

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016 /(most recent) /




1.4 Surface Water Management

This section applies to the management of surface water.

1.4.1 Surface water must be collected, conveyed, retained and infiltrated into theground.

1.4.2 The authorized works are run-on control ditches, runoff interceptionditches, mid-slope interception ditches, side ditches, perimeter ditches,culverts, retention infiltration pond A, and retention infiltration pond B,approximately located as shown on Site Plan A.

1.4.3 Retention infiltration pond A, and retention infiltration pond B, mustretain and infiltrate at least a 100 year return period, 24 hour precipitationevent.

1.4.4 The authorized works must be complete and operational on and from thedate that waste discharge commences to the landfill expansion.

1.5 Groundwater Ouality

This section applies to groundwater quality.

1.5.1 The concentration of any substance in the groundwater, at the propertyboundary of the land parcel described in subsection 1.9.1, must not begreater than:

(a) the lowest of the Contaminated Sites Regulation Schedule 6Generic Numerical Water Standards, COLUMN II Aquatic Life(AW), and COLUMN V Drinking Water (DW), and the Schedule 10Generic Numerical Water Standards, COLUMN V Drinking Water(DW) Water Standard, for that substance,

or, if the local background concentration of any substance is greaterthan (a), the local background concentration of that substance.

1.5.2 The local background concentration of any substance must be determinedin accordance with the latest approved edition of Protocol 9 forContaminated Sites, Determining Background Groundwater Quality.

1.5.3 The Director may specifr more stringent groundwater quality standards.

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016most recent“ Avtar S. Sundher BSc.

for Director, Environmental Management ActAuthorizations-South



1.6 Surface Water Quality

This section applies to surface water quality.

1.6.1 The concentration of any substance in the surface water, at the propertyboundary of the land parcel described in subsection 1.9.1, must not begreater than:

(a) the appropriate water quality criteria in the British ColumbiaApproved, Working, and Draft Water Quality Guidelines, for thatsubstance,

or, if the local background concentration of any substance is greaterthan (a), the local background concentration of that substance.

1.6.2 The Director may specify more stringent surface water quality standards.

1.7 Bear-Proof Electric Fence(s)

This section applies to bear-proof electric fence(s).

1.7.1 Bears must not access putrescible waste at the facilities.

1.7.2 A bear-proof electric fence must be installed around the existing landfill.The bear-proof electric fence must be complete and operational on andfrom the date of this amended operational certificate. After final cover isinstalled over the existing landfill, and bears are no longer attracted to theexisting landfill, a bear-proof electric fence around the existing landfill isno longer required.

1.7.3 A bear-proof electric fence must be installed around putrescible wastedrop-off and storage facilities. Any other areas that attract bears must besurrounded by a bear-proof electric fence. The bear-proof electric fence(s)must be complete and operational on and from the date of this amendedoperational certificate.

1.7.4 A bear-proof electric fence must be installed around the landfillexpansion. The bear-proof electric fence must be complete andoperational on and from the date that waste discharge commences to thelandfill expansion.

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent) /


Page 6 of Ii Operational Certificate Number: 5050


1.7.5 A record of bear-proof electric fence inspections is to be maintained onsite and must include notation on the voltage range of the fence, problems,evidence of bear activity (i.e. diggings, scat, sightings, etc.), and correctivemeasures. Any sighting or evidence of a bear inside the area surroundedby a bear-proof electric fence must be immediately reported to theConservation Officer Service.

1.8 Entrance Facilities

This section applies to the entrance facilities.

1.8.1 The authorized facilities are signs, weigh scales, recyclable material andwaste drop-off and storage facilities and related appurtenancesapproximately located as shown on Site Plan A.

1.8.2 The authorized facilities must be complete and operational on and fromthe date of this amended operational certificate.

1.9 Location of Facilities and Works

This section applies to the location of the facilities and works.

1.9.1 The location of the facilities and works is Lot A, Section 26, 27, 34, and35, Township 10, Comox Land District, Plan EPP412O1, PID 029-472-768, approximately located as shown on Site Plan A.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Legislation. Regulations and Bylaws

2.1.1 Applicable requirements of legislation, regulations and bylaws, includingthe Environmental Management Act and regulations, must be integratedinto the facilities, works and information including the Design, Operationsand Closure Plan (DOCP).

2.2 Design, Operations and Closure Plan (DOCP)

2.2.1 A DOCP must be submitted to the Director.

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent) / ‘




2.2.2 The DOCP must be in accordance with the latest edition of the ministryLandfill Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste, and include the following:

(a) Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Topography and PhysicalSummary(b) Geotechnical and Seismic Assessment(c) Groundwater and Surface Water Impact Assessment(d) Site Plan and Site Layout Plan including buffer zones(e) Design Plan(f) Filling Plan(g) Progressive Closure Plan(h) Lifespan Analysis(i) Contaminating Lifespan Assessment(j) Surface Water Management Plan(k) Leachate Management Plan(1) Environmental Monitoring Plan including un-treated leachate,treated leachate effluent discharge, groundwater and surface water,sampling facilities, locations, frequencies, substances, the latestministry sampling and analytical procedures, and laboratory qualityassurance and control(m) Operations Plan(n) Closure Plan(o) Fire Safety Plan(p) Emergency Response Plan(q) Closure Fund (Financial Security) Plan(r) Contingency Plan

2.2.3 The facilities must be designed, constructed, operated, monitored andclosed in accordance with the DOCP.

2.2.4 The DOCP must be kept up-to-date. Updated versions must beimmediately submitted to the Director.

2.3 Facilities, Works and Information

2.3.1 Facilities and works must be designed, constructed, operated, monitored,and closed under the direct supervision of a “qualified professional”.Information including plans, specifications, drawings, inspections,construction reports, assessments, investigations, studies, surveys,programs, monitoring and reports must be certified by a “qualifiedprofessional”.

Date issued: May 11, 1978 _-.-_ — —

Date amended: September 20, 2016most recent

/ Avtar S. Sundher BSc.for Director, Environmental Management ActAuthorizations-South



2.3.2 A “qualified professional” means a person who:(a) Is an engineer, scientist or technologist specializing in aparticular applied science or technology,(b) Is registered in British Columbia with a professional organizationconstituted under an Act, is acting under that organizations code ofethics and is subject to disciplinary action by that organization, and(c) Through suitable education, experience, accreditation andknowledge respecting solid waste management and relatedengineering disciplines for the management of leachate, surfacewater, storm water, and landfill gas and other specialist disciplines,may reasonably be relied upon to provide advice within his or herarea of expertise and to carry out duties or functions in those areas.

2.3.3 The Director may specify additional requirements including requirementsfor additional, improved and amended facilities, works and informationincluding plans (including the DOCP), drawings, assessments,investigations, studies, surveys, programs, monitoring and reports.

2.4 Certification of Personnel

2.4.1 Landfill personnel must be trained to industry standards including at leastone person certified as a Solid Waste Association of North Americalandfill manager or operator, or equivalent.

2.5 Maintenance of Facilities and Emergency Procedures

2.5.1 All facilities and works must be inspected regularly and maintained ingood working order.

2.5.2 If the occurrence of an emergency or condition prevents the operationalcertificate holder from complying with this operational certificate, orposes a risk to the environment or human health, the operational certificateholder must

(a) take remedial action that is appropriate in the circumstances,(b) as soon as practicable but within 2 business days after becomingaware of the occurrence, notify the Director of the occurrence andthe remedial action taken,(c) within 30 days of the occurrence, submit a report to the Directorthat describes the causes, effects, remedial action, and preventiveaction to be taken to prevent a future occurrence, and,(d) take any further action specified by the Director.


Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent) /




In this section “emergency” includes, but is not limited to,(a) a spill, unauthorized fire, and/or an unplanned escape of leachateor another substance, and,(b) any subsidence or other sign of instability of the landfill.

3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Annual Operations and Monitoring Report

3.1.1 An annual operations and monitoring report, for the preceding calendaryear, must be submitted to the Director by March 31 of each year.

3.1.2 The annual operations and monitoring report must include:(a) Executive Summary(b) Waste types and tonnages discharged(c) Status of the facilities including review of the preceding calendaryear, construction, emergencies, inspections including bear-proofelectric fence inspections, maintenance, repairs, and plans for thenext calendar year(d) Active and closed landfill areas, landfill volume used andremaining, estimated landfill closure dates for phases and for theexisting landfill and the landfill expansion(e) Results of the environmental monitoring plan including:

• sampling facilities, locations, frequencies, substances, the latestministry sampling and analytical procedures, laboratory qualityassurance and control,

• results of un-treated leachate, treated leachate effluentdischarge, and groundwater and surface water monitoring,including comparison to treated leachate effluent dischargequantity and quality standards, and groundwater and surfacewater quality standards

• interpretation, trend analysis, graphs, data tabulation, anycurrent or predicted future non-compliance, conclusions,recommendations and any changes to the environmentalmonitoring plan

(f) Closure Fund Plan implementation status including closure fundbalance(g) Assessment of compliance with the operational certificate, and, ifthere is any non-compliance, causes, effects, remedial action, and anaction plan and schedule to achieve compliance

Date issued: May 11, 1978Date amended: September 20, 2016(most recent)



PROVINCE OFBRITISH COLUMBIA

Environmental Protection

SITE PLAN A

Date issued:Date amended:(most recent)

May 11, 1978September 20, 2016



staff report - comox valley regional...

Documents