Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 410 - COMPOSTING FACILITIES › Section 096-410-4 - Operating Requirements

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Each composting facility subject to licensing under sections
				  2 and
				  3 or section
				  6 of this Chapter must comply with the
				  following operating requirements. The composting facility must be operated and
				  maintained in a manner that assures it will meet the approved design
				  requirements; will not contaminate ground or surface water; will not
				  contaminate the ambient air; will not constitute a hazard to health or welfare;
				  will not create a nuisance; and will meet the standards in 06-096C.M.R. ch.
				  400(4). Facilities with an existing solid waste composting license are required
				  to operate in compliance with the provisions of this section.
A.
Operations Manual.
All
				composting facilities must be operated in accordance with a Department-approved
				operations manual that incorporates the operating requirements of its license
				and these rules. This manual must be available for inspection by Department
				staff during normal business hours. The facility's operations manual must be
				updated to keep current with revisions at the composting facility.
The operations manual must include the information that would
				  enable supervisory and operating personnel, and persons evaluating the
				  operation of the facility, to determine the sequence of operation, policies,
				  procedures, monitoring, maintenance, inspection, and legal requirements that
				  must be followed for safe and environmentally sound operation on a daily and
				  yearly basis. The composting facility must be operated and maintained in a
				  manner that assures it will meet the approved design requirements, will not
				  contaminate ground or surface water, contaminate the ambient air, constitute a
				  hazard to health or welfare, create a nuisance, and will meet the standards in
				  06-096C.M.R. ch.400(4). The manual must address all items contained in this
				  section including the environmental monitoring plan, if required by the
				  Department, and the odor control plan.The manual must also include a copy of
				  the facility license, any amendments and revisions to that license, and a copy
				  of the applicable sections of the most recent Solid Waste Management
				  Regulations.
B.
General Operations
(1)
Personnel
: The operation of the composting facility must be under
				the overall supervision and direction of a person qualified and experienced in
				the operation of that type of facility or, in the case of an innovative design,
				be adequately trained by responsible personnel in the operation of the
				facility. The facility operator must take whatever measures are necessary to
				familiarize all personnel responsible for operation of the facility with
				relevant sections of the operations manual.
(2)
Equipment
:Equipment must be
				sufficient to meet the requirements, and the operator must provide for the
				routine maintenance of equipment.
(3)
Environmental Monitoring
:If
				required by the Department, the operator must implement the approved
				environmental monitoring program, including any required waste
				characterization.
(4)
Fire
				Protection
: The operator shall prevent and control fires at the
				composting facility by complying with at least the following:
(a) Arrange for a nearby fire department to
				provide emergency service whenever called;
(b) Develop and implement a plan to prevent
				spontaneous combustion in wood waste, residual and compost piles, as
				applicable; and
(c) Provide and
				maintain sufficient on-site equipment, such as detachable fire extinguishers,
				for minor fires.
NOTE: Facilities should develop a fire and rescue plan in
				  conjunction with the local fire department.
(5)
Vector Control
: The on-site
				population of disease vectors must be minimized to protect public
				health.
(6)
Dust
				Control
: The operator must control dust generated by the
				facility.
(7)
Storage
(a) Raw materials, wastes, secondary
				materials, residue, including compost screenings, and finished compost, must be
				stored on the site such that they remain suitable for the intended use and may
				not be stored at the facility for more than 2 years;
(b) Materials with a carbon to nitrogen ratio
				(C:N) of less than 20:1 or that may contain constituents that may leach into
				groundwater may not be stored on
in situ
soils; and
(c) Wastes, secondary materials and residue,
				including non-compostable compost screenings, may not be stored at the site for
				more than 2 years.
(8)
Facility Maintenance and Litter Control
: The operator must provide
				for routine maintenance and general cleanliness of the entire facility site,
				including control of windblown litter.
(9)
Leachate Control
: The
				facility must contain, collect and treat all leachate and stormwater runoff
				mixed with leachate.
(10)
Sedimentation and Erosion Control
: The facility must control
				sedimentation and erosion during construction and operation of the
				facility.
(11)
Residue
				Disposal
: The facility must provide for the routine disposal of residue,
				including non-compostable compost screenings, from the composting
				operation.