TM 5-814-5
operation of new landfill sites, 40 CFR 240 and
that every landfill operator obtain a permit for each
241 were implemented by the Solid Waste Dis-
facility, and that a registered professional engineer
popsal Act of 1965 as amended by the Resource
design the disposal facilities.
Recovery Act of 1970. These regulations, which
(2) A majority of states specifically require
were promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Pro-
ground-water monitoring systems, and many of the
tection Agency (USEPA) and are mandatory for all
remainder have general authority to impose ground-
Federal agencies, and require control of leachate to
water monitoring on a site-specific basis. Almost all
prevent degradation of surface and groundwater
of the states have either requirements in their
quality.
regulations, or have general authority to impose
(2) CFR 40, Part 257. 40 CFR 257 provides
corrective action. Approximately half of the states
guidance on evaluating existing landfill sites to
require methane gas monitoring and/or surface
determine if they are suitable for continued use. In
water monitoring. While most states have general
essence, this regulation states that landfills that
guidelines or requirements for facility closure and
pollute surface waters or contaminate underground
post-closure maintenance requirements, these
drinking water sources should be considered "open
requirements vary widely in stringency.
dumps" and therefore must be either upgraded or
(3) Most states have issued separate regulations
safely closed.
on hazardous waste management. Consequently,
(3) 40 CFR 258. In September 1991, 40 CFR
whenever a leachate release contains a hazardous
258 was promulgated. It provided further location
substance, corrective action will be required and
restrictions, operating criteria, design criteria,
will be guided primarily by these regulations.
ground-water monitoring, corrective action re-
1-7. Solid Waste Characteristics.
quirements, and closure and post-closure care re-
quirements. Specific requirements of 40 CFR 258
In the past, lawn and garden trimmings have made
are explained in applicable chapters of this manual.
up approximately 12% of the waste in municipal
(4) Leachate. Landfills that release leachate into
landfills. Much lower amounts can be expected
surface waters or underground drinking water
from most Army installations. Also, many
sources can also be subject to the provisions of
installations and municipalities are no longer
either the Clean Water Act (OWA) or the Safe
disposing of yard or garden wastes in sanitary
Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Contaminants enter-
landfills; instead the waste is land farmed or
ing the ground-water, which are determined to be
disposed in non-sanitary landfills, such as approved
priority hazardous pollutants, require remedial
fill areas. To further reduce the waste streams,
action under either SDWA or the Comprehensive
many installations now burn wood, recycle metal
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Lia-
and other materials, and use dirt, concrete, and
bility Act (CERCLA), referred to as the "Superfund
brick for erosion control projects. The make-up of
Law."
landfills vary, but if an installation limits solid
b. Army. AR 200-1, chapter 6, provides basic
wastes to what would normally be placed in a
Army policy and guidance on solid waste manage-
municipal landfill, the composition should compare
ment. However, this document provides little infor-
with table 1-1.
mation regarding the requirements for leachate
control or long-term care. Consequently, managers
1-8. Alternate Disposal Methods.
of solid waste activities at Army installations must
a. Alternatives. The using service will select the
refer to the aforementioned Federal regulations, and
method of solid waste disposal to be used. The
state and local authorities to determine the full
options generally available are contractual ar-
extent of requirements.
rangements, sanitary landfills, and incineration, but
c. State.
new methods may be introduced as they become
(1) Enforcement of Federal solid waste regula-
economically viable. The preferred method of solid
tions is now delegated to many states. The law
waste disposal is to participate in a regional solid
delineating state responsibilities is the Resource
waste management system, if feasible. In the
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The
absence of a regional system, contractual
mechanism used to discharge this responsibility is
arrangements for hauling and/or disposal with a
the Solid Waste Management Plan, developed by a
public agency or a commercial entity may be
state and approved by USEPA. An outgrowth of
practical. When contractual arrangements are
these management plans is definitive state regula-
impractical and where conditions are suitable,
tions that prescribe design and operating standards
alternative methods to sanitary landfills may in-
for landfills. Most state regulations also require
1-2
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