DEQ, the Oregon state Department of Environmental Quality, is in the process of writing a closure permit for Riverbend Landfill, according to DEQ permit writer Bob Schwarz.
A closure permit is required for authorized landfills in Oregon in order to ensure they are properly monitored over the life of the waste (or the period DEQ specifies in the permit). Closure permits dictate the type of final cover, including soil cover (typically three feet of compacted soil) and vegetative cover. The permit may also specify water diversion methods or other requirements for the particular site to be closed.
The permit will likely allow for inspections by DEQ personnel during the permit's life and may mandate maintenance activities deemed necessary to keep surface and ground water safe during closure. In Riverbend's case, since emissions have been an on-going issue, some monitoring of emissions and gas wells will likely also be required.
Before the permit is finalized, DEQ will issue a public notice that will presumably allow the public to comment on the particulars of the Riverbend permit. Watch this space for further developments!
No comments:
Post a Comment