40
Protection of Environment
27
2017-07-01
2017-07-01
false

CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND PRACTICES
257

PART 257
Protection of Environment
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
SOLID WASTES
Pt. 257

PART 257—CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND PRACTICES

Subpart A—Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and Practices
Sec.
257.1
Scope and purpose.
257.2
Definitions.
257.3
Criteria for classification of solid waste disposal facilities and practices.
257.3-1
Floodplains.
257.3-2
Endangered species.
257.3-3
Surface water.
257.3-4
Ground water.
257.3-5
Application to land used for the production of food-chain crops (interim final).
257.3-6
Disease.
257.3-7
Air.
257.3-8
Safety.
257.4
Effective date.

Subpart B—Disposal Standards for the Receipt of Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Wastes at Non-Municipal Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal Units
257.5
Disposal standards for owners/operators of non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal units that receive Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) waste.

Location Restrictions
257.7
[Reserved]
257.8
Floodplains.
257.9
Wetlands.
257.10-257.12
[Reserved]
257.13
Deadline for making demonstrations.

Ground-Water Monitoring and Corrective Action
257.21
Applicability.
257.22
Ground-water monitoring systems.
257.23
Ground-water sampling and analysis requirements.
257.24
Detection monitoring program.
257.25
Assessment monitoring program.
257.26
Assessment of corrective measures.
257.27
Selection of remedy.
257.28
Implementation of the corrective action program.
257.29
[Reserved]

Recordkeeping Requirements
257.30
Recordkeeping requirements.
Subpart C [Reserved]

Subpart D—Standards for the Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals in Landfills and Surface Impoundments

General Provisions
257.50
Scope and purpose.
257.51
Effective date of this subpart.
257.52
Applicability of other regulations.
257.53
Definitions.

Location Restrictions
257.60
Placement above the uppermost aquifer.
257.61
Wetlands.
257.62
Fault areas.
257.63
Seismic impact zones.
257.64
Unstable areas.

Design Criteria
257.70
Design criteria for new CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill.
257.71
Liner design criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments.
257.72
Design criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment.
257.73
Structural integrity criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments.
257.74
Structural integrity criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment.

Operating Criteria
257.80
Air criteria.
257.81
Run-on and run-off controls for CCR landfills.
257.82
Hydrologic and hydraulic capacity requirements for CCR surface impoundments.
257.83
Inspection requirements for CCR surface impoundments.
257.84
Inspection requirements for CCR landfills.

Groundwater Monitoring and Corrective Action
257.90
Applicability.
257.91
Groundwater monitoring systems.
257.92
[Reserved]
257.93
Groundwater sampling and analysis requirements.
257.94
Detection monitoring program.
257.95
Assessment monitoring program.
257.96
Assessment of corrective measures.
257.97
Selection of remedy.
257.98
Implementation of the corrective action program.

Closure and Post-Closure Care
257.100
Inactive CCR surface impoundments.
257.101
Closure or retrofit of CCR units.
257.102
Criteria for conducting the closure or retrofit of CCR units.
257.103
Alternative closure requirements.
257.104
Post-closure care requirements.

Recordkeeping, Notification, and Posting of Information to the Internet
257.105
Recordkeeping requirements.
257.106
Notification requirements.
257.107
Publicly accessible internet site requirements.
Appendix I to Part 257—Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
Appendix II to Part 257
Appendix III to Part 257—Constituents for Detection Monitoring
Appendix IV to Part 257—Constituents for Assessment Monitoring

Authority:
42 U.S.C. 6907(a)(3), 6912(a)(1), 6944(a), and 6949a(c); 33 U.S.C. 1345(d) and (e).

Source:
44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and Practices
§ 257.1
Scope and purpose.
(a) Unless otherwise provided, the criteria in §§ 257.1 through 257.4 are adopted for determining which solid waste disposal facilities and practices pose a reasonable probability of adverse effects on health or the environment under sections 1008(a)(3) and 4004(a) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (The Act). Unless otherwise provided, the criteria in §§ 257.5 through 257.30 are adopted for purposes of ensuring that non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal units that receive very small quantity generator (VSQG) waste do not present risks to human health and the environment taking into account the practicable capability of such units in accordance with section 4010(c) of the Act. Unless otherwise provided, the criteria in §§ 257.50 through 257.107 are adopted for determining which CCR landfills and CCR surface impoundments pose a reasonable probability of adverse effects on health or the environment under sections 1008(a)(3) and 4004(a) of the Act.
(1) Facilities failing to satisfy any of the criteria in §§ 257.1 through 257.4 or §§ 257.5 through 257.30 or §§ 257.50 through 257.107 are considered open dumps, which are prohibited under section 4005 of the Act.
(2) Practices failing to satisfy any of the criteria in §§ 257.1 through 257.4 or §§ 257.5 through 257.30 or §§ 257.50 through 257.107 constitute open dumping, which is prohibited under section 4005 of the Act.
(b) These criteria also provide guidelines for the disposal of sewage sludge on the land when the sewage sludge is not used or disposed through a practice regulated in 40 CFR part 503.
(c) These criteria apply to all solid waste disposal facilities and practices with the following exceptions:
(1) The criteria do not apply to agricultural wastes, including manures and crop residues, returned to the soil as fertilizers or soil conditioners.
(2) The criteria do not apply to overburden resulting from mining operations intended for return to the mine site.
(3) The criteria do not apply to the land application of domestic sewage or treated domestic sewage.
(4) The criteria do not apply to the location and operation of septic tanks. The criteria do, however, apply to the disposal of septic tank pumpings.
(5) The criteria do not apply to solid or dissolved materials in irrigation return flows.
(6) The criteria do not apply to industrial discharges which are point sources subject to permits under section 402 of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
(7) The criteria do not apply to source, special nuclear or byproduct material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (68 Stat. 923).
(8) The criteria do not apply to hazardous waste disposal facilities which are subject to regulation under subtitle C of the Act.
(9) The criteria do not apply to disposal of solid waste by underground well injection subject to the regulations (40 CFR part 146) for the Underground Injection Control Program (UICP) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3007 et seq.
(10) The criteria of this part do not apply to municipal solid waste landfill units, which are subject to the revised criteria contained in part 258 of this chapter.
(11) The criteria do not apply to the use or disposal sewage sludge on the land when the sewage sludge is used or disposed in accordance with 40 CFR part 503.
(12) Except as otherwise specifically provided in subpart D of this part, the criteria in subpart A of this part do not apply to CCR landfills, CCR surface impoundments, and lateral expansions of CCR units, as those terms are defined in subpart D of this part. Such units are instead subject to subpart D of this part.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 47052, Sept. 23, 1981; 56 FR 51016, Oct. 9, 1991; 58 FR 9385, Feb. 19, 1993; 61 FR 34269, July 1, 1996; 80 FR 21467, Apr. 17, 2015; 81 FR 85804, Nov. 28, 2016]
§ 257.2
Definitions.
The definitions set forth in section 1004 of the Act apply to this part. Special definitions of general concern to this part are provided below, and definitions especially pertinent to particular sections of this part are provided in those sections.
CCR landfill means an area of land or an excavation that receives CCR and which is not a surface impoundment, an underground injection well, a salt dome formation, a salt bed formation, an underground or surface coal mine, or a cave. For purposes of this subpart, a CCR landfill also includes sand and gravel pits and quarries that receive CCR, CCR piles, and any practice that does not meet the definition of a beneficial use of CCR.
CCR surface impoundment means a natural topographic depression, man-made excavation, or diked area, which is designed to hold an accumulation of CCR and liquids, and the unit treats, stores, or disposes of CCR.
Construction and demolition (C&D) landfill means a solid waste disposal facility subject to the requirements of subparts A or B of this part that receives construction and demolition waste and does not receive hazardous waste (defined in § 261.3 of this chapter) or industrial solid waste (defined in § 258.2 of this chapter). Only a C&D landfill that meets the requirements of subpart B of this part may receive very small quantity generator waste (defined in § 260.10 of this chapter). A C&D landfill typically receives any one or more of the following types of solid wastes: Roadwork material, excavated material, demolition waste, construction/renovation waste, and site clearance waste.
Disposal means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such solid waste or hazardous waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including ground waters.
Domestic septage is either liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, portable toilet, Type III marine sanitation device, or similar treatment works that receives only domestic sewage. Domestic septage does not include liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar treatment works that receives either commercial wastewater or industrial wastewater and does not include grease removed from a grease trap at a restaurant.
Facility means all contiguous land and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land used for the disposal of solid waste.
Land application unit means an area where wastes are applied onto or incorporated into the soil surface (excluding manure spreading operations) for agricultural purposes or for treatment and disposal.
Landfill means an area of land or an excavation in which wastes are placed for permanent disposal, and that is not a land application unit, surface impoundment, injection well, or waste pile.
Leachate means liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste and contains soluble, suspended or miscible materials removed from such wastes.
Municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) unit means a discrete area of land or an excavation that receives household waste, and that is not a land application unit, surface impoundment, injection well, or waste pile, as those terms are defined in this section. A MSWLF unit also may receive other types of RCRA Subtitle D wastes, such as commercial solid waste, nonhazardous sludge, and industrial solid waste. Such a landfill may be publicly or privately owned. A MSWLF unit may be a new MSWLF unit, an existing MSWLF unit or a lateral expansion. A construction and demolition landfill that receives residential lead-based paint waste and does not receive any other household waste is not a MSWLF unit.
Open dump means a facility for the disposal of solid waste which does not comply with this part.
Practice means the act of disposal of solid waste.
Residential lead-based paint waste means waste containing lead-based paint, which is generated as a result of activities such as abatement, rehabilitation, renovation and remodeling in homes and other residences. The term residential lead-based paint waste includes, but is not limited to, lead-based paint debris, chips, dust, and sludges.
Sanitary landfill means a facility for the disposal of solid waste which complies with this part.
Sewage sludge means solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. Sewage sludge includes, but is not limited to, domestic septage; scum or solids removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment processes; and a material derived from sewage sludge. Sewage sludge does not include ash generated during the firing of sewage sludge in a sewage sludge incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.
Sludge means any solid, semisolid, or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effect.
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities, but does not include solid or dissolved materials in domestic sewage, or solid or dissolved material in irrigation return flows or industrial discharges which are point sources subject to permits under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (86 Stat. 880), or source, special nuclear, or byproduct material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 923).
State means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Surface impoundment or impoundment means a facility or part of a facility that is a natural topographic depression, human-made excavation, or diked area formed primarily of earthen materials (although it may be lined with human-made materials), that is designed to hold an accumulation of liquid wastes or wastes containing free liquids and that is not an injection well. Examples of surface impoundments are holding storage, settling, and aeration pits, ponds, and lagoons.
Waste pile or pile means any noncontainerized accumulation of solid, nonflowing waste that is used for treatment or storage.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 58910, Oct. 12, 1979; 56 FR 51016, Oct. 9, 1991; 58 FR 9385, Feb. 19, 1993; 68 FR 36495, June 18, 2003; 81 FR 85804, Nov. 28, 2016]
§ 257.3
Criteria for classification of solid waste disposal facilities and practices.
Solid waste disposal facilities or practices which violate any of the following criteria pose a reasonable probability of adverse effects on health or the environment:
§ 257.3-1
Floodplains.
(a) Facilities or practices in floodplains shall not restrict the flow of the base flood, reduce the temporary water storage capacity of the floodplain, or result in washout of solid waste, so as to pose a hazard to human life, wildlife, or land or water resources.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) Based flood means a flood that has a 1 percent or greater chance of recurring in any year or a flood of a magnitude equalled or exceeded once in 100 years on the average over a significantly long period.
(2) Floodplain means the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood-prone areas of offshore islands, which are inundated by the base flood.
(3) Washout means the carrying away of solid waste by waters of the base flood.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 54708, Sept. 21, 1979]
§ 257.3-2
Endangered species.
(a) Facilities or practices shall not cause or contribute to the taking of any endangered or threatened species of plants, fish, or wildlife.
(b) The facility or practice shall not result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of endangered or threatened species as identified in 50 CFR part 17.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) Endangered or threatened species means any species listed as such pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.
(2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of critical habitat which appreciably diminishes the likelihood of the survival and recovery of threatened or endangered species using that habitat.
(3) Taking means harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting or attempting to engage in such conduct.
§ 257.3-3
Surface water.
(a) For purposes of section 4004(a) of the Act, a facility shall not cause a discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States that is in violation of the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under section 402 of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
(b) For purposes of section 4004(a) of the Act, a facility shall not cause a discharge of dredged material or fill material to waters of the United States that is in violation of the requirements under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
(c) A facility or practice shall not cause non-point source pollution of waters of the United States that violates applicable legal requirements implementing an areawide or Statewide water quality management plan that has been approved by the Administrator under section 208 of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
(d) Definitions of the terms Discharge of dredged material, Point source, Pollutant, Waters of the United States, and Wetlands can be found in the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., and implementing regulations, specifically 33 CFR part 323 (42 FR 37122, July 19, 1977).
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 47052, Sept. 23, 1981]
§ 257.3-4
Ground water.
(a) A facility or practice shall not contaminate an underground drinking water source beyond the solid waste boundary or beyond an alternative boundary specified in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
(b)(1) For purposes of section 1008(a)(3) of the Act or section 405(d) of the CWA, a party charged with open dumping or a violation of section 405(e) with respect to sewage sludge that is not used or disposed through a practice regulated in 40 CFR part 503 may demonstrate that compliance should be determined at an alternative boundary in lieu of the solid waste boundary. The court shall establish an alternative boundary only if it finds that such a change would not result in contamination of ground water which may be needed or used for human consumption. This finding shall be based on analysis and consideration of all of the following factors that are relevant:
(i) The hydrogeological characteristics of the facility and surrounding land, including any natural attenuation and dilution characteristics of the aquifer;
(ii) The volume and physical and chemical characteristics of the leachate;
(iii) The quantity, quality, and direction of flow of ground water underlying the facility;
(iv) The proximity and withdrawal rates of ground-water users;
(v) The availability of alternative drinking water supplies;
(vi) The existing quality of the ground water, including other sources of contamination and their cumulative impacts on the ground water;
(vii) Public health, safety, and welfare effects.
(2) For purposes of sections 4004(a) and 1008(a)(3), the State may establish an alternative boundary for a facility to be used in lieu of the solid waste boundary only if it finds that such a change would not result in the contamination of ground water which may be needed or used for human consumption. Such a finding shall be based on an analysis and consideration of all of the factors identified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that are relevant.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) Aquifer means a geologic formation, group of formations, or portion of a formation capable of yielding usable quantities of ground water to wells or springs.
(2) Contaminate means introduce a substance that would cause:
(i) The concentration of that substance in the ground water to exceed the maximum contaminant level specified in appendix I, or
(ii) An increase in the concentration of that substance in the ground water where the existing concentration of that substance exceeds the maximum contaminant level specified in appendix I.
(3) Ground water means water below the land surface in the zone of saturation.
(4) Underground drinking water source means:
(i) An aquifer supplying drinking water for human consumption, or
(ii) An aquifer in which the ground water contains less than 10,000 mg/1 total dissolved solids.
(5) Solid waste boundary means the outermost perimeter of the solid waste (projected in the horizontal plane) as it would exist at completion of the disposal activity.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 47052, Sept. 23, 1981; 58 FR 9386, Feb. 19, 1993]
§ 257.3-5
Application to land used for the production of food-chain crops (interim final).
(a) Cadmium. A facility or practice concerning application of solid waste to within one meter (three feet) of the surface of land used for the production of food-chain crops shall not exist or occur, unless in compliance with all requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) (i) through (iii) of this section or all requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) (i) through (iv) of this section.
(1)(i) The pH of the solid waste and soil mixture is 6.5 or greater at the time of each solid waste application, except for solid waste containing cadmium at concentrations of 2 mg/kg (dry weight) or less.
(ii) The annual application of cadmium from solid waste does not exceed 0.5 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) on land used for production of tobacco, leafy vegetables or root crops grown for human consumption. For other food-chain crops, the annual cadmium application rate does not exceed:
Time period | Annual Cd application rate (kg/ha)
Present to June 30, 1984 | 2.0
July 1, 1984 to December 31, 1986 | 1.25
Beginning January 1, 1987 | 0.5
(iii) The cumulative application of cadmium from solid waste does not exceed the levels in either paragraph (a)(1)(iii)(A) or (B) of this section.
(A)
Soil cation exchange capacity (meq/100g) | Maximum cumulative application (kg/ha) | Background soil pH less than 6.5 | Background soil pH more than 6.5
Less than 5 | 5 | 5
5 to 15 | 5 | 10
More than 15 | 5 | 20
(B) For soils with a background pH of less than 6.5, the cumulative cadmium application rate does not exceed the levels below: Provided, That the pH of the solid waste and soil mixture is adjusted to and maintained at 6.5 or greater whenever food-chain crops are grown.
Soil cation exchange capacity (meq/100g) | Maximum cumulative application (kg/ha)
Less than 5 | 5
5 to 15 | 10
More than 15 | 20
(2)(i) The only food-chain crop produced is animal feed.
(ii) The pH of the solid waste and soil mixture is 6.5 or greater at the time of solid waste application or at the time the crop is planted, whichever occurs later, and this pH level is maintained whenever food-chain crops are grown.
(iii) There is a facility operating plan which demonstrates how the animal feed will be distributed to preclude ingestion by humans. The facility operating plan describes the measures to be taken to safeguard against possible health hazards from cadmium entering the food chain, which may result from alternative land uses.
(iv) Future property owners are notified by a stipulation in the land record or property deed which states that the property has received solid waste at high cadmium application rates and that food-chain crops should not be grown, due to a possible health hazard.
(b) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). Solid waste containing concentrations of PCBs equal to or greater than 10 mg/kg (dry weight) is incorporated into the soil when applied to land used for producing animal feed, including pasture crops for animals raised for milk. Incorporation of the solid waste into the soil is not required if it is assured that the PCB content is less than 0.2 mg/kg (actual weight) in animal feed or less than 1.5 mg/kg (fat basis) in milk.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) Animal feed means any crop grown for consumption by animals, such as pasture crops, forage, and grain.
(2) Background soil pH means the pH of the soil prior to the addition of substances that alter the hydrogen ion concentration.
(3) Cation exchange capacity means the sum of exchangeable cations a soil can absorb expressed in milli-equivalents per 100 grams of soil as determined by sampling the soil to the depth of cultivation or solid waste placement, whichever is greater, and analyzing by the summation method for distinctly acid soils or the sodium acetate method for neutral, calcareous or saline soils (“Methods of Soil Analysis, Agronomy Monograph No. 9.” C. A. Black, ed., American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin. pp 891-901, 1965).
(4) Food-chain crops means tobacco, crops grown for human consumption, and animal feed for animals whose products are consumed by humans.
(5) Incorporated into the soil means the injection of solid waste beneath the surface of the soil or the mixing of solid waste with the surface soil.
(6) Pasture crops means crops such as legumes, grasses, grain stubble and stover which are consumed by animals while grazing.
(7) pH means the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentration.
(8) Root crops means plants whose edible parts are grown below the surface of the soil.
(9) Soil pH is the value obtained by sampling the soil to the depth of cultivation or solid waste placement, whichever is greater, and analyzing by the electrometric method. (“Methods of Soil Analysis, Agronomy Monograph No. 9,” C.A. Black, ed., American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, pp. 914-926, 1965.)
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 54708, Sept. 21, 1979]
§ 257.3-6
Disease.
(a) Disease Vectors. The facility or practice shall not exist or occur unless the on-site population of disease vectors is minimized through the periodic application of cover material or other techniques as appropriate so as to protect public health.
(b) Sewage sludge and septic tank pumpings (Interim Final). A facility or practice involving disposal of sewage sludge or septic tank pumpings shall not exist or occur unless in compliance with paragraphs (b) (1), (2) or (3) of this section.
(1) Sewage sludge that is applied to the land surface or is incorporated into the soil is treated by a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens prior to application or incorporation. Public access to the facility is controlled for at least 12 months, and grazing by animals whose products are consumed by humans is prevented for at least one month. Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens are listed in appendix II, section A. (These provisions do not apply to sewage sludge disposed of by a trenching or burial operation.)
(2) Septic tank pumpings that are applied to the land surface or incorporated into the soil are treated by a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens (as listed in appendix II, section A), prior to application or incorporation, unless public access to the facility is controlled for at least 12 months and unless grazing by animals whose products are consumed by humans is prevented for at least one month. (These provisions do not apply to septic tank pumpings disposed of by a trenching or burial operation.)
(3) Sewage sludge or septic tank pumpings that are applied to the land surface or are incorporated into the soil are treated by a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens, prior to application or incorporation, if crops for direct human consumption are grown within 18 months subsequent to application or incorporation. Such treatment is not required if there is no contact between the solid waste and the edible portion of the crop; however, in this case the solid waste is treated by a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens, prior to application; public access to the facility is controlled for at least 12 months; and grazing by animals whose products are consumed by humans is prevented for at least one month. If crops for direct human consumption are not grown within 18 months of application or incorporation, the requirements of paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section apply. Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens are listed in appendix II, section B.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) Crops for direct human consumption means crops that are consumed by humans without processing to minimize pathogens prior to distribution to the consumer.
(2) Disease vector means rodents, flies, and mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease to humans.
(3) Incorporated into the soil means the injection of solid waste beneath the surface of the soil or the mixing of solid waste with the surface soil.
(4) Periodic application of cover material means the application and compaction of soil or other suitable material over disposed solid waste at the end of each operating day or at such frequencies and in such a manner as to reduce the risk of fire and to impede vectors access to the waste.
(5) Trenching or burial operation means the placement of sewage sludge or septic tank pumpings in a trench or other natural or man-made depression and the covering with soil or other suitable material at the end of each operating day such that the wastes do not migrate to the surface.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 54708, Sept. 21, 1979]
§ 257.3-7
Air.
(a) The facility or practice shall not engage in open burning of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial solid waste. This requirement does not apply to infrequent burning of agricultural wastes in the field, silvicultural wastes for forest management purposes, land-clearing debris, diseased trees, debris from emergency clean-up operations, and ordnance.
(b) For purposes of section 4004(a) of the Act, the facility shall not violate applicable requirements developed under a State Implementation Plan (SIP) approved or promulgated by the Administrator pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act, as amended.
(c) As used in this section “open burning” means the combustion of solid waste without (1) control of combustion air to maintain adequate temperature for efficient combustion, (2) containment of the combustion reaction in an enclosed device to provide sufficient residence time and mixing for complete combustion, and (3) control of the emission of the combustion products.
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 54708, Sept. 21, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 47052, Sept. 23, 1981]
§ 257.3-8
Safety.
(a) Explosive gases. The concentration of explosive gases generated by the facility or practice shall not exceed:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the lower explosive limit for the gases in facility structures (excluding gas control or recovery system components); and
(2) The lower explosive limit for the gases at the property boundary.
(b) Fires. A facility or practice shall not pose a hazard to the safety of persons or property from fires. This may be accomplished through compliance with § 257.3-7 and through the periodic application of cover material or other techniques as appropriate.
(c) Bird hazards to aircraft. A facility or practice disposing of putrescible wastes that may attract birds and which occurs within 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) of any airport runway used by turbojet aircraft or within 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of any airport runway used by only piston-type aircraft shall not pose a bird hazard to aircraft.
(d) Access. A facility or practice shall not allow uncontrolled public access so as to expose the public to potential health and safety hazards at the disposal site.
(e) As used in this section:
(1) Airport means public-use airport open to the public without prior permission and without restrictions within the physical capacities of available facilities.
(2) Bird hazard means an increase in the likelihood of bird/aircraft collisions that may cause damage to the aircraft or injury to its occupants.
(3) Explosive gas means methane (CH4).
(4) Facility structures means any buildings and sheds or utility or drainage lines on the facility.
(5) Lower explosive limit means the lowest percent by volume of a mixture of explosive gases which will propagate a flame in air at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure.
(6) Periodic application of cover material means the application and compaction of soil or other suitable material over disposed solid waste at the end of each operating day or at such frequencies and in such a manner as to reduce the risk of fire and to impede disease vectors' access to the waste.
(7) Putrescible wastes means solid waste which contains organic matter capable of being decomposed by microorganisms and of such a character and proportion as to be capable of attracting or providing food for birds.
§ 257.4
Effective date.
These criteria become effective October 15, 1979.

Subpart B—Disposal Standards for the Receipt of Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Wastes at Non-Municipal Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal Units

Source:
61 FR 34269, July 1, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
§ 257.5
Disposal standards for owners/operators of non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal units that receive Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) waste.
(a) Applicability. (1) The requirements in this section apply to owners/operators of any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that receives VSQG hazardous waste, as defined in 40 CFR 260.10. Non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal units that meet the requirements of this section may receive VSQG wastes. Any owner/operator of a non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that receives VSQG hazardous waste continues to be subject to the requirements in §§ 257.3-2, 257.3-3, 257.3-5, 257.3-6, 257.3-7, and 257.3-8(a), (b), and (d).
(2) Any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that is receiving VSQG hazardous waste as of January 1, 1998, must be in compliance with the requirements in §§ 257.7 through 257.13 and § 257.30 by January 1, 1998, and the requirements in §§ 257.21 through 257.28 by July 1, 1998.
(3) Any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that does not meet the requirements in this section may not receive VSQG wastes.
(4) Any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that is not receiving VSQG Hazardous waste as of January 1, 1998, continues to be subject to the requirements in §§ 257.1 through 257.4.
(5) Any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that first receives VSQG hazardous waste after January 1, 1998, must be in compliance with §§ 257.7 through 257.30 prior to the receipt of VSQG hazardous waste.
(b) Definitions.
Active life means the period of operation beginning with the initial receipt of solid waste and ending at the final receipt of solid waste.
Existing unit means any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that is receiving VSQG hazardous waste as of January 1, 1998.
Facility means all contiguous land and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land used for the disposal of non-municipal non-hazardous waste.
Lateral expansion means a horizontal expansion of the waste boundaries of an existing non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit.
New unit means any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that has not received VSQG hazardous waste prior to January 1, 1998.
State means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
State Director means the chief administrative officer of the lead state agency responsible for implementing the state permit program for 40 CFR part 257, subpart B and 40 CFR part 258 regulated facilities.
Uppermost aquifer means the geologic formation nearest the natural ground surface that is an aquifer, as well as, lower aquifers that are hydraulically interconnected with this aquifer within the facility's property boundary.
Waste management unit boundary means a vertical surface located at the hydraulically downgradient limit of the unit. This vertical surface extends down into the uppermost aquifer.
[61 FR 34269, July 1, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 57044, Oct. 23, 1998; 81 FR 85804, Nov. 28, 2016]

Location Restrictions
§ 257.7
[Reserved]
§ 257.8
Floodplains.
(a) Owners or operators of new units, existing units, and lateral expansions located in 100-year floodplains must demonstrate that the unit will not restrict the flow of the 100-year flood, reduce the temporary water storage capacity of the floodplain, or result in washout of solid waste so as to pose a hazard to human health and the environment. The owner or operator must place the demonstration in the operating record and notify the State Director that it has been placed in the operating record.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) Floodplain means the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood- prone areas of offshore islands, that are inundated by the 100-year flood.
(2) 100-year flood means a flood that has a 1-percent or greater chance of recurring in any given year or a flood of a magnitude equalled or exceeded once in 100 years on the average over a significantly long period.
(3) Washout means the carrying away of solid waste by waters of the base flood.
§ 257.9
Wetlands.
(a) Owners or operators of new units and lateral expansions shall not locate such units in wetlands, unless the owner or operator can make the following demonstrations to the Director of an approved State:
(1) Where applicable under section 404 of the Clean Water Act or applicable State wetlands laws, the presumption that a practicable alternative to the proposed landfill is available which does not involved wetlands is clearly rebutted:
(2) The construction and operation of the unit will not:
(i) Cause or contribute to violations of any applicable State water quality standard;
(ii) Violate any applicable toxic effluent standard or prohibition under Section 307 of the Clean Water Act;
(iii) Jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of a critical habitat, protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and
(iv) Violate any requirement under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 for the protection of a marine sanctuary;
(3) The unit will not cause or contribute to significant degradation of wetlands. The owner/operator must demonstrate the integrity of the unit and its ability to protect ecological resources by addressing the following factors:
(i) Erosion, stability, and migration potential of native wetland soils, muds and deposits used to support the unit;
(ii) Erosion, stability, and migration potential of dredged and fill materials used to support the unit;
(iii) The volume and chemical nature of the waste managed in the unit;
(iv) Impacts on fish, wildlife, and other aquatic resources and their habitat from release of the waste;
(v) The potential effects of catastrophic release of waste to the wetland and the resulting impacts on the environment; and
(vi) Any additional factors, as necessary, to demonstrate that ecological resources in the wetland are sufficiently protected.
(4) To the extent required under section 404 of the Clean Water Act or applicable State wetlands laws, steps have been taken to attempt to achieve no net loss of wetlands (as defined by acreage and function) by first avoiding impacts to wetlands to the maximum extent practicable as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, then minimizing unavoidable impacts to the maximum extent practicable, and finally offsetting remaining unavoidable wetland impacts through all appropriate and practicable compensatory mitigation actions (e.g., restoration of existing degraded wetlands or creation of man-made wetlands); and
(5) Sufficient information is available to make a reasonable determination with respect to these demonstrations.
(b) For purposes of this section, wetlands means those areas that are defined in 40 CFR 232.2(r).
§§ 257.10-257.12
[Reserved]
§ 257.13
Deadline for making demonstrations.
Existing units that cannot make the demonstration specified in § 257.8(a) pertaining to floodplains by January 1, 1998, must not accept VSQG hazardous waste for disposal.
[61 FR 34269, July 1, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 85805, Nov. 28, 2016]

Ground-Water Monitoring and Corrective Action
§ 257.21
Applicability.
(a) The requirements in this section apply to units identified in § 257.5(a), except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Ground-water monitoring requirements under §§ 257.22 through 257.25 may be suspended by the Director of an approved State for a unit identified in § 257.5(a) if the owner or operator can demonstrate that there is no potential for migration of hazardous constituents from that unit to the uppermost aquifer during the active life of the unit plus 30 years. This demonstration must be certified by a qualified ground-water scientist and approved by the Director of an approved State, and must be based upon:
(1) Site-specific field collected measurements, sampling, and analysis of physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting contaminant fate and transport; and
(2) Contaminant fate and transport predictions that maximize contaminant migration and consider impacts on human health and environment.
(c) Owners and operators of facilities identified in § 257.5(a) must comply with the ground-water monitoring requirements of this section according to the following schedule unless an alternative schedule is specified under paragraph (d) of this section:
(1) Existing units and lateral expansions must be in compliance with the ground-water monitoring requirements specified in §§ 257.22 through 257.25 by July 1, 1998.
(2) New units identified in § 257.5(a) must be in compliance with the ground-water monitoring requirements specified in §§ 257.22 through 257.25 before waste can be placed in the unit.
(d) The Director of an approved State may specify an alternative schedule for the owners or operators of existing units and lateral expansions to comply with the ground-water monitoring requirements specified in §§ 257.22 through 257.25. This schedule must ensure that 50 percent of all existing units are in compliance by July 1, 1998, and all existing units are in compliance by July 1, 1999. In setting the compliance schedule, the Director of an approved State must consider potential risks posed by the unit to human health and the environment. The following factors should be considered in determining potential risk:
(1) Proximity of human and environmental receptors;
(2) Design of the unit;
(3) Age of the unit;
(4) The size of the unit; and
(5) Resource value of the underlying aquifer, including:
(i) Current and future uses;
(ii) Proximity and withdrawal rate of users; and
(iii) Ground-water quality and quantity.
(e) Once established at a unit, ground-water monitoring shall be conducted throughout the active life plus 30 years. The Director of an approved State may decrease the 30 year period if the owner/operator demonstrates that a shorter period of time is adequate to protect human health and the environment and the Director approves the demonstration.
(f) For the purposes of this section, a qualified ground-water scientist is a scientist or engineer who has received a baccalaureate or post-graduate degree in the natural sciences or engineering and has sufficient training and experience in ground-water hydrology and related fields as may be demonstrated by State registration, professional Certifications, or completion of accredited university programs that enable that individual to make sound professional judgments regarding ground-water monitoring, contaminant fate and transport, and corrective-action.
(g) The Director of an approved State may establish alternative schedules for demonstrating compliance with § 257.22(d)(2), pertaining to notification of placement of certification in operating record; § 257.24(c)(1), pertaining to notification that statistically significant increase (SSI) notice is in operating record; § 257.24(c) (2) and (3), pertaining to an assessment monitoring program; § 257.25(b), pertaining to sampling and analyzing appendix II of part 258 constituents; § 257.25(d)(1), pertaining to placement of notice (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258 constituents detected) in record and notification of notice in record; § 257.25(d)(2), pertaining to sampling for appendix I and II of 40 CFR part 258; § 257.25(g), pertaining to notification (and placement of notice in record) of SSI above ground-water protection standard; §§ 257.25(g)(1)(iv) and 257.26(a), pertaining to assessment of corrective measures; § 257.27(a), pertaining to selection of remedy and notification of placement in record; § 257.28(c)(4), pertaining to notification of placement in record (alternative corrective action measures); and § 257.28(f), pertaining to notification of placement in record (certification of remedy completed).
(h) Directors of approved States can use the flexibility in paragraph (i) of this section for any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that receives VSQG waste, if the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit:
(1) Disposes of less than 20 tons of non-municipal waste daily, based on an annual average; and
(2) Has no evidence of ground-water contamination; and either
(3) Serves a community that experiences an annual interruption of at least three consecutive months of surface transportation that prevents access to a regional waste management facility; or
(4) Serves a community that has no practicable waste management alternative and the non-municipal solid waste disposal facility is located in an area that annually receives less than or equal to 25 inches of precipitation.
(5) Owners/operators of any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit that meets the criteria in paragraph (h) of this section must place in the operating record information demonstrating this.
(i) Directors of approved States may allow any non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit meeting the criteria in paragraph (h) of this section to:
(1) Use alternatives to the ground-water monitoring system prescribed in §§ 257.22 through 257.25 so long as the alternatives will detect and, if necessary, assess the nature or extent of contamination from the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit on a site-specific basis; or establish and use, on a site-specific basis, an alternative list of indicator parameters for some or all of the constituents listed in appendix I (Appendix I of 40 CFR part 258. Alternative indicator parameters approved by the Director of an approved State under this section must ensure detection of contamination from the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit.
(2) If contamination is detected through the use of any alternative to the ground-water monitoring system prescribed in §§ 257.22 through 257.25, the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit owner or operator must perform expanded monitoring to determine whether the detected contamination is an actual release from the non-municipal solid waste disposal unit and, if so, to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. The Director of the approved State shall establish a schedule for the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit owner or operator to submit results from expanded monitoring in a manner that ensures protection of human health and the environment.
(i) If expanded monitoring indicates that contamination from the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit has reached the saturated zone, the owner or operator must install ground-water monitoring wells and sample these wells in accordance with §§ 257.22 through 257.25.
(ii) If expanded monitoring indicates that contamination from the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit is present in the unsaturated zone or on the surface, the Director of an approved State shall establish a schedule for the owner or operator to submit a description of any necessary corrective measures. The schedule shall ensure corrective measures, where necessary, are undertaken in a timely manner that protects human health and the environment. The proposed corrective measures are subject to revision and approval by the Director of the approved State. The owner or operator must implement the corrective measures according to a schedule established by the Director of the approved State.
(3) When considering whether to allow alternatives to a ground-water monitoring system prescribed in §§ 257.22 through 257.25, including alternative indicator parameters, the Director of an approved State shall consider at least the following factors:
(i) The geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the site;
(ii) The impact of manmade and natural features on the effectiveness of an alternative technology;
(iii) Climatic factors that may influence the selection, use, and reliability of alternative ground-water monitoring procedures; and
(iv) The effectiveness of indicator parameters in detecting a release.
(4) The Director of an approved State can require an owner or operator to comply with the requirements of §§ 257.22 through 257.25, where it is determined by the Director that using alternatives to ground-water monitoring approved under this paragraph are inadequate to detect contamination and, if necessary, to assess the nature and extent of contamination.
[61 FR 34269, July 1, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 85805, Nov. 28, 2016]
§ 257.22
Ground-water monitoring systems.
(a) A ground-water monitoring system must be installed that consists of a sufficient number of wells, installed at appropriate locations and depths, to yield ground-water samples from the uppermost aquifer (as defined in § 257.5(b)) that:
(1) Represent the quality of background ground water that has not been affected by leakage from a unit. A determination of background quality may include sampling of wells that are not hydraulically upgradient of the waste management area where:
(i) Hydrogeologic conditions do not allow the owner or operator to determine what wells are hydraulically upgradient; or
(ii) Sampling at other wells will provide an indication of background ground-water quality that is as representative or more representative than that provided by the upgradient wells; and
(2) Represent the quality of ground water passing the relevant point of compliance specified by the Director of an approved State or at the waste management unit boundary in an unapproved State. The downgradient monitoring system must be installed at the relevant point of compliance specified by the Director of an approved State or at the waste management unit boundary in an unapproved State that ensures detection of ground-water contamination in the uppermost aquifer. The relevant point of compliance specified by the Director of an approved State shall be no more than 150 meters from the waste management unit boundary and shall be located on land owned by the owner of the facility. In determining the relevant point of compliance the State Director shall consider at least the following factors: the hydrogeologic characteristics of the unit and surrounding land, the volume and physical and chemical characteristics of the leachate, the quantity, quality and direction of flow of ground water, the proximity and withdrawal rate of the ground-water users, the availability of alternative drinking water supplies, the existing quality of the ground water, including other sources of contamination and their cumulative impacts on the ground water, and whether the ground water is currently used or reasonably expected to be used for drinking water, public health, safety, and welfare effects, and practicable capability of the owner or operator. When physical obstacles preclude installation of ground-water monitoring wells at the relevant point of compliance at existing units, the down-gradient monitoring system may be installed at the closest practicable distance hydraulically down-gradient from the relevant point of compliance specified by the Director of an approved State that ensures detection of groundwater contamination in the uppermost aquifer.
(b) The Director of an approved State may approve a multi-unit ground-water monitoring system instead of separate ground-water monitoring systems for each unit when the facility has several units, provided the multi-unit ground-water monitoring system meets the requirement of § 257.22(a) and will be as protective of human health and the environment as individual monitoring systems for each unit, based on the following factors:
(1) Number, spacing, and orientation of the units;
(2) Hydrogeologic setting;
(3) Site history;
(4) Engineering design of the units; and
(5) Type of waste accepted at the units.
(c) Monitoring wells must be cased in a manner that maintains the integrity of the monitoring well bore hole. This casing must be screened or perforated and packed with gravel or sand, where necessary, to enable collection of ground-water samples. The annular space (i.e., the space between the bore hole and well casing) above the sampling depth must be sealed to prevent contamination of samples and the ground water.
(1) The owner or operator must notify the State Director that the design, installation, development, and decommission of any monitoring wells, piezometers and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices documentation has been placed in the operating record; and
(2) The monitoring wells, piezometers, and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices must be operated and maintained so that they perform to design specifications throughout the life of the monitoring program.
(d) The number, spacing, and depths of monitoring systems shall be:
(1) Determined based upon site-specific technical information that must include thorough characterization of:
(i) Aquifer thickness, ground-water flow rate, ground-water flow direction including seasonal and temporal fluctuations in ground-water flow; and
(ii) Saturated and unsaturated geologic units and fill materials overlying the uppermost aquifer, materials comprising the uppermost aquifer, and materials comprising the confining unit defining the lower boundary of the uppermost aquifer; including, but not limited to: thicknesses, stratigraphy, lithology, hydraulic conductivities, porosities and effective porosities.
(2) Certified by a qualified ground-water scientist or approved by the Director of an approved State. Within 14 days of this certification, the owner or operator must notify the State Director that the certification has been placed in the operating record.
§ 257.23
Ground-water sampling and analysis requirements.
(a) The ground-water monitoring program must include consistent sampling and analysis procedures that are designed to ensure monitoring results that provide an accurate representation of ground-water quality at the background and downgradient wells installed in compliance with § 257.22(a). The owner or operator must notify the State Director that the sampling and analysis program documentation has been placed in the operating record and the program must include procedures and techniques for:
(1) Sample collection;
(2) Sample preservation and shipment;
(3) Analytical procedures;
(4) Chain of custody control; and
(5) Quality assurance and quality control.
(b) The ground-water monitoring program must include sampling and analytical methods that are appropriate for ground-water sampling and that accurately measure hazardous constituents and other monitoring parameters in ground-water samples. Ground-water samples shall not be field-filtered prior to laboratory analysis.
(c) The sampling procedures and frequency must be protective of human health and the environment.
(d) Ground-water elevations must be measured in each well immediately prior to purging, each time ground water is sampled. The owner or operator must determine the rate and direction of ground-water flow each time ground water is sampled. Ground-water elevations in wells which monitor the same waste management area must be measured within a period of time short enough to avoid temporal variations in ground-water flow which could preclude accurate determination of ground-water flow rate and direction.
(e) The owner or operator must establish background ground-water quality in a hydraulically upgradient or background well(s) for each of the monitoring parameters or constituents required in the particular ground-water monitoring program that applies to the unit, as determined under § 257.24(a), or § 257.25(a). Background ground-water quality may be established at wells that are not located hydraulically upgradient from the unit if it meets the requirements of § 257.22(a)(1).
(f) The number of samples collected to establish ground-water quality data must be consistent with the appropriate statistical procedures determined pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section. The sampling procedures shall be those specified under § 257.24(b) for detection monitoring, § 257.25 (b) and (d) for assessment monitoring, and § 257.26(b) for corrective action.
(g) The owner or operator must specify in the operating record one of the following statistical methods to be used in evaluating ground-water monitoring data for each hazardous constituent. The statistical test chosen shall be conducted separately for each hazardous constituent in each well.
(1) A parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by multiple comparisons procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's mean and the background mean levels for each constituent.
(2) An analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on ranks followed by multiple comparisons procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's median and the background median levels for each constituent.
(3) A tolerance or prediction interval procedure in which an interval for each constituent is established from the distribution of the background data, and the level of each constituent in each compliance well is compared to the upper tolerance or prediction limit.
(4) A control chart approach that gives control limits for each constituent.
(5) Another statistical test method that meets the performance standards of paragraph (h) of this section. The owner or operator must place a justification for this alternative in the operating record and notify the State Director of the use of this alternative test. The justification must demonstrate that the alternative method meets the performance standards of paragraph (h) of this section.
(h) Any statistical method chosen under paragraph (g) of this section shall comply with the following performance standards, as appropriate:
(1) The statistical method used to evaluate ground-water monitoring data shall be appropriate for the distribution of chemical parameters or hazardous constituents. If the distribution of the chemical parameters or hazardous constituents is shown by the owner or operator to be inappropriate for a normal theory test, then the data should be transformed or a distribution-free theory test should be used. If the distributions for the constituents differ, more than one statistical method may be needed.
(2) If an individual well comparison procedure is used to compare an individual compliance well constituent concentration with background constituent concentrations or a ground-water protection standard, the test shall be done at a Type I error level no less than 0.01 for each testing period. If a multiple comparisons procedure is used, the Type I experiment wise error rate for each testing period shall be no less than 0.05; however, the Type I error of no less than 0.01 for individual well comparisons must be maintained. This performance standard does not apply to tolerance intervals, prediction intervals, or control charts.
(3) If a control chart approach is used to evaluate ground-water monitoring data, the specific type of control chart and its associated parameter values shall be protective of human health and the environment. The parameters shall be determined after considering the number of samples in the background data base, the data distribution, and the range of the concentration values for each constituent of concern.
(4) If a tolerance interval or a predictional interval is used to evaluate ground-water monitoring data, the levels of confidence and, for tolerance intervals, the percentage of the population that the interval must contain, shall be protective of human health and the environment. These parameters shall be determined after considering the number of samples in the background data base, the data distribution, and the range of the concentration values for each constituent of concern.
(5) The statistical method shall account for data below the limit of detection with one or more statistical procedures that are protective of human health and the environment. Any practical quantitation limit (pql) that is used in the statistical method shall be the lowest concentration level that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions that are available to the facility.
(6) If necessary, the statistical method shall include procedures to control or correct for seasonal and spatial variability as well as temporal correlation in the data.
(i) The owner or operator must determine whether or not there is a statistically significant increase over background values for each parameter or constituent required in the particular ground-water monitoring program that applies to the unit, as determined under §§ 257.24(a) or 257.25(a).
(1) In determining whether a statistically significant increase has occurred, the owner or operator must compare the ground-water quality of each parameter or constituent at each monitoring well designated pursuant to § 257.22(a)(2) to the background value of that constituent, according to the statistical procedures and performance standards specified under paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section.
(2) Within a reasonable period of time after completing sampling and analysis, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over background at each monitoring well.
§ 257.24
Detection monitoring program.
(a) Detection monitoring is required at facilities identified in § 257.5(a) at all ground-water monitoring wells defined under §§ 257.22 (a)(1) and (a)(2). At a minimum, a detection monitoring program must include the monitoring for the constituents listed in appendix I of 40 CFR part 258.
(1) The Director of an approved State may delete any of the appendix I (Appendix I of 40 CFR part 258) monitoring parameters for a unit if it can be shown that the removed constituents are not reasonably expected to be contained in or derived from the waste contained in the unit.
(2) The Director of an approved State may establish an alternative list of indicator parameters for a unit, in lieu of some or all of the constituents in appendix I to 40 CFR part 258, if the alternative parameters provide a reliable indication of releases from the unit to the ground water. In determining alternative parameters, the Director shall consider the following factors:
(i) The types, quantities, and concentrations of constituents in waste managed at the unit;
(ii) The mobility, stability, and persistence of waste constituents or their reaction products in the unsaturated zone beneath the unit;
(iii) The detectability of indicator parameters, waste constituents, and reaction products in the ground water; and
(iv) The concentration or values and coefficients of variation of monitoring parameters or constituents in the groundwater background.
(b) The monitoring frequency for all constituents listed in appendix I to 40 CFR part 258, or in the alternative list approved in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, shall be at least semiannual during the active life of the unit plus 30 years. A minimum of four independent samples from each well (background and downgradient) must be collected and analyzed for the appendix I (Appendix I of 40 CFR part 258) constituents, or the alternative list approved in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, during the first semiannual sampling event. At least one sample from each well (background and downgradient) must be collected and analyzed during subsequent semiannual sampling events. The Director of an approved State may specify an appropriate alternative frequency for repeated sampling and analysis for appendix I (Appendix I of 40 CFR part 258) constituents, or the alternative list approved in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, during the active life plus 30 years. The alternative frequency during the active life shall be no less than annual. The alternative frequency shall be based on consideration of the following factors:
(1) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(2) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(3) Ground-water flow rates;
(4) Minimum distance between upgradient edge of the unit and downgradient monitoring well screen (minimum distance of travel); and
(5) Resource value of the aquifer.
(c) If the owner or operator determines, pursuant to § 257.23(g), that there is a statistically significant increase over background for one or more of the constituents listed in appendix I to 40 CFR part 258, or in the alternative list approved in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, at any monitoring well at the boundary specified under § 257.22(a)(2), the owner or operator:
(1) Must, within 14 days of this finding, place a notice in the operating record indicating which constituents have shown statistically significant changes from background levels, and notify the State Director that this notice was placed in the operating record; and
(2) Must establish an assessment monitoring program meeting the requirements of § 257.25 within 90 days except as provided for in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(3) The owner/operator may demonstrate that a source other than the unit caused the contamination or that the statistically significant increase resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in ground-water quality. A report documenting this demonstration must be certified by a qualified ground-water scientist or approved by the Director of an approved State and be placed in the operating record. If a successful demonstration is made and documented, the owner or operator may continue detection monitoring as specified in this section. If, after 90 days, a successful demonstration is not made, the owner or operator must initiate an assessment monitoring program as required in § 257.25.
§ 257.25
Assessment monitoring program.
(a) Assessment monitoring is required whenever a statistically significant increase over background has been detected for one or more of the constituents listed in appendix I of 40 CFR part 258 or in the alternative list approved in accordance with § 257.24(a)(2).
(b) Within 90 days of triggering an assessment monitoring program, and annually thereafter, the owner or operator must sample and analyze the ground water for all constituents identified in appendix II of 40 CFR part 258. A minimum of one sample from each downgradient well must be collected and analyzed during each sampling event. For any constituent detected in the downgradient wells as the result of the complete appendix II (Appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) analysis, a minimum of four independent samples from each well (background and downgradient) must be collected and analyzed to establish background for the new constituents. The Director of an approved State may specify an appropriate subset of wells to be sampled and analyzed for appendix II (Appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents during assessment monitoring. The Director of an approved State may delete any of the appendix II (Appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) monitoring parameters for a unit if it can be shown that the removed constituents are not reasonably expected to be in or derived from the waste contained in the unit.
(c) The Director of an approved State may specify an appropriate alternate frequency for repeated sampling and analysis for the full set of appendix II (Appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents, or the alternative list approved in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, during the active life plus 30 years considering the following factors:
(1) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(2) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(3) Ground-water flow rates;
(4) Minimum distance between upgradient edge of the unit and downgradient monitoring well screen (minimum distance of travel);
(5) Resource value of the aquifer; and
(6) Nature (fate and transport) of any constituents detected in response to this section.
(d) After obtaining the results from the initial or subsequent sampling events required in paragraph (b) of this section, the owner or operator must:
(1) Within 14 days, place a notice in the operating record identifying the appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents that have been detected and notify the State Director that this notice has been placed in the operating record;
(2) Within 90 days, and on at least a semiannual basis thereafter, resample all wells specified by § 257.22(a) to this section, conduct analyses for all constituents in appendix I (Appendix I of 40 CFR part 258) to this part or in the alternative list approved in accordance with § 257.24(a)(2), and for those constituents in appendix II to 40 CFR part 258 that are detected in response to paragraph (b) of this section, and record their concentrations in the facility operating record. At least one sample from each well (background and downgradient) must be collected and analyzed during these sampling events. The Director of an approved State may specify an alternative monitoring frequency during the active life plus 30 years for the constituents referred to in this paragraph. The alternative frequency for appendix I (appendix I of 40 CFR part 258) constituents, or the alternative list approved in accordance with § 257.24(a)(2), during the active life shall be no less than annual. The alternative frequency shall be based on consideration of the factors specified in paragraph (c) of this section;
(3) Establish background concentrations for any constituents detected pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (d)(2) of this section; and
(4) Establish ground-water protection standards for all constituents detected pursuant to paragraph (b) or (d) of this section. The ground-water protection standards shall be established in accordance with paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section.
(e) If the concentrations of all appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents are shown to be at or below background values, using the statistical procedures in § 257.23(g), for two consecutive sampling events, the owner or operator must notify the State Director of this finding and may return to detection monitoring.
(f) If the concentrations of any appendix II (appendix II of part 258) constituents are above background values, but all concentrations are below the ground-water protection standard established under paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section, using the statistical procedures in § 257.23(g), the owner or operator must continue assessment monitoring in accordance with this section.
(g) If one or more appendix II (appendix II of CFR part 258) constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the ground-water protection standard established under paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section in any sampling event, the owner or operator must, within 14 days of this finding, place a notice in the operating record identifying the appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents that have exceeded the ground-water protection standard and notify the State Director and all appropriate local government officials that the notice has been placed in the operating record. The owner or operator also:
(1)(i) Must characterize the nature and extent of the release by installing additional monitoring wells as necessary;
(ii) Must install at least one additional monitoring well at the facility boundary in the direction of contaminant migration and sample this well in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section;
(iii) Must notify all persons who own the land or reside on the land that directly overlies any part of the plume of contamination if contaminants have migrated off-site if indicated by sampling of wells in accordance paragraph (g)(1) of this section; and
(iv) Must initiate an assessment of corrective measures as required by § 257.26 within 90 days; or
(2) May demonstrate that a source other than the non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit caused the contamination, or that the statistically significant increase resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in ground-water quality. A report documenting this demonstration must be certified by a qualified ground-water scientist or approved by the Director of an approved State and placed in the operating record. If a successful demonstration is made the owner or operator must continue monitoring in accordance with the assessment monitoring program pursuant to this § 257.25, and may return to detection monitoring if the appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents are at or below background as specified in paragraph (e) of this section. Until a successful demonstration is made, the owner or operator must comply with § 257.25(g) including initiating an assessment of corrective measures.
(h) The owner or operator must establish a ground-water protection standard for each appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituent detected in the ground-water. The ground-water protection standard shall be:
(1) For constituents for which a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been promulgated under section 1412 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (codified) under 40 CFR part 141, the MCL for that constituent;
(2) For constituents for which MCLs have not been promulgated, the background concentration for the constituent established from wells in accordance with § 257.22(a)(1); or
(3) For constituents for which the background level is higher than the MCL identified under subparagraph (h)(1) of this section or health based levels identified under paragraph (i)(1) of this section, the background concentration.
(i) The Director of an approved State may establish an alternative ground-water protection standard for constituents for which MCLs have not been established. These ground-water protection standards shall be appropriate health based levels that satisfy the following criteria:
(1) The level is derived in a manner consistent with Agency guidelines for assessing the health risks of environmental pollutants (51 FR 33992, 34006, 34014, 34028, September 24, 1986);
(2) The level is based on scientifically valid studies conducted in accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act Good Laboratory Practice Standards (40 CFR part 792) or equivalent;
(3) For carcinogens, the level represents a concentration associated with an excess lifetime cancer risk level (due to continuous lifetime exposure) within the 1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−6 range; and
(4) For systemic toxicants, the level represents a concentration to which the human population (including sensitive subgroups) could be exposed to on a daily basis that is likely to be without appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime. For purposes of this subpart, systemic toxicants include toxic chemicals that cause effects other than cancer or mutation.
(j) In establishing ground-water protection standards under paragraph (i) of this section, the Director of an approved State may consider the following:
(1) Multiple contaminants in the ground water;
(2) Exposure threats to sensitive environmental receptors; and
(3) Other site-specific exposure or potential exposure to ground water.
§ 257.26
Assessment of corrective measures.
(a) Within 90 days of finding that any of the constituents listed in appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR Part 258) have been detected at a statistically significant level exceeding the ground-water protection standards defined under § 257.25 (h) or (i), the owner or operator must initiate an assessment of corrective measures. Such an assessment must be completed within a reasonable period of time.
(b) The owner or operator must continue to monitor in accordance with the assessment monitoring program as specified in § 257.25.
(c) The assessment shall include an analysis of the effectiveness of potential corrective measures in meeting all of the requirements and objectives of the remedy as described under § 257.27, addressing at least the following:
(1) The performance, reliability, ease of implementation, and potential impacts of appropriate potential remedies, including safety impacts, cross-media impacts, and control of exposure to any residual contamination;
(2) The time required to begin and complete the remedy;
(3) The costs of remedy implementation; and
(4) The institutional requirements such as State or local permit requirements or other environmental or public health requirements that may substantially affect implementation of the remedy(s).
(d) The owner or operator must discuss the results of the corrective measures assessment, prior to the selection of remedy, in a public meeting with interested and affected parties.
§ 257.27
Selection of remedy.
(a) Based on the results of the corrective measures assessment conducted under § 257.26, the owner or operator must select a remedy that, at a minimum, meets the standards listed in paragraph (b) of this section. The owner or operator must notify the State Director, within 14 days of selecting a remedy, that a report describing the selected remedy has been placed in the operating record and how it meets the standards in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Remedies must:
(1) Be protective of human health and the environment;
(2) Attain the ground-water protection standard as specified pursuant to §§ 257.25 (h) or (i);
(3) Control the source(s) of releases so as to reduce or eliminate, to the maximum extent practicable, further releases of appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents into the environment that may pose a threat to human health or the environment; and
(4) Comply with standards for management of wastes as specified in § 257.28(d).
(c) In selecting a remedy that meets the standards of § 257.27(b), the owner or operator shall consider the following evaluation factors:
(1) The long- and short-term effectiveness and protectiveness of the potential remedy(s), along with the degree of certainty that the remedy will prove successful based on consideration of the following:
(i) Magnitude of reduction of existing risks;
(ii) Magnitude of residual risks in terms of likelihood of further releases due to waste remaining following implementation of a remedy;
(iii) The type and degree of long-term management required, including monitoring, operation, and maintenance;
(iv) Short-term risks that might be posed to the community, workers, or the environment during implementation of such a remedy, including potential threats to human health and the environment associated with excavation, transportation, and re-disposal or containment;
(v) Time until full protection is achieved;
(vi) Potential for exposure of humans and environmental receptors to remaining wastes, considering the potential threat to human health and the environment associated with excavation, transportation, re-disposal, or containment;
(vii) Long-term reliability of the engineering and institutional controls; and
(viii) Potential need for replacement of the remedy.
(2) The effectiveness of the remedy in controlling the source to reduce further releases based on consideration of the following factors:
(i) The extent to which containment practices will reduce further releases;
(ii) The extent to which treatment technologies may be used.
(3) The ease or difficulty of implementing a potential remedy(s) based on consideration of the following types of factors:
(i) Degree of difficulty associated with constructing the technology;
(ii) Expected operational reliability of the technologies;
(iii) Need to coordinate with and obtain necessary approvals and permits from other agencies;
(iv) Availability of necessary equipment and specialists; and
(v) Available capacity and location of needed treatment, storage, and disposal services.
(4) Practicable capability of the owner or operator, including a consideration of the technical and economic capability.
(5) The degree to which community concerns are addressed by a potential remedy(s).
(d) The owner or operator shall specify as part of the selected remedy a schedule(s) for initiating and completing remedial activities. Such a schedule must require the initiation of remedial activities within a reasonable period of time taking into consideration the factors set forth in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(8) of this section. The owner or operator must consider the following factors in determining the schedule of remedial activities:
(1) Extent and nature of contamination;
(2) Practical capabilities of remedial technologies in achieving compliance with ground-water protection standards established under §§ 257.25 (g) or (h) and other objectives of the remedy;
(3) Availability of treatment or disposal capacity for wastes managed during implementation of the remedy;
(4) Desirability of utilizing technologies that are not currently available, but which may offer significant advantages over already available technologies in terms of effectiveness, reliability, safety, or ability to achieve remedial objectives;
(5) Potential risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contamination prior to completion of the remedy;
(6) Resource value of the aquifer including:
(i) Current and future uses;
(ii) Proximity and withdrawal rate of users;
(iii) Ground-water quantity and quality;
(iv) The potential damage to wildlife, crops, vegetation, and physical structures caused by exposure to waste constituent;
(v) The hydrogeologic characteristic of the unit and surrounding land;
(vi) Ground-water removal and treatment costs; and
(vii) The cost and availability of alternative water supplies.
(7) Practicable capability of the owner or operator.
(8) Other relevant factors.
(e) The Director of an approved State may determine that remediation of a release of an appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituent from the unit is not necessary if the owner or operator demonstrates to the Director of the approved state that:
(1) The ground-water is additionally contaminated by substances that have originated from a source other than the unit and those substances are present in concentrations such that cleanup of the release from the unit would provide no significant reduction in risk to actual or potential receptors; or
(2) The constituent(s) is present in ground water that:
(i) Is not currently or reasonably expected to be a source of drinking water; and
(ii) Is not hydraulically connected with waters to which the hazardous constituents are migrating or are likely to migrate in a concentration(s) that would exceed the ground-water protection standards established under § 257.25 (h) or (i); or
(3) Remediation of the release(s) is technically impracticable; or
(4) Remediation results in unacceptable cross-media impacts.
(f) A determination by the Director of an approved State pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section shall not affect the authority of the State to require the owner or operator to undertake source control measures or other measures that may be necessary to eliminate or minimize further releases to the ground-water, to prevent exposure to the ground-water, or to remediate the ground-water to concentrations that are technically practicable and significantly reduce threats to human health or the environment.
§ 257.28
Implementation of the corrective action program.
(a) Based on the schedule established under § 257.27(d) for initiation and completion of remedial activities the owner/operator must:
(1) Establish and implement a corrective action ground-water monitoring program that:
(i) At a minimum, meets the requirements of an assessment monitoring program under § 257.25;
(ii) Indicates the effectiveness of the corrective action remedy; and
(iii) Demonstrates compliance with ground-water protection standard pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.
(2) Implement the corrective action remedy selected under § 257.27; and
(3) Take any interim measures necessary to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Interim measures should, to the greatest extent practicable, be consistent with the objectives of and contribute to the performance of any remedy that may be required pursuant to § 257.27. The following factors must be considered by an owner or operator in determining whether interim measures are necessary:
(i) Time required to develop and implement a final remedy;
(ii) Actual or potential exposure of nearby populations or environmental receptors to hazardous constituents;
(iii) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies or sensitive ecosystems;
(iv) Further degradation of the ground-water that may occur if remedial action is not initiated expeditiously;
(v) Weather conditions that may cause hazardous constituents to migrate or be released;
(vi) Risks of fire or explosion, or potential for exposure to hazardous constituents as a result of an accident or failure of a container or handling system; and
(vii) Other situations that may pose threats to human health and the environment.
(b) An owner or operator may determine, based on information developed after implementation of the remedy has begun or other information, that compliance with requirements of § 257.27(b) are not being achieved through the remedy selected. In such cases, the owner or operator must implement other methods or techniques that could practicably achieve compliance with the requirements, unless the owner or operator makes the determination under § 257.28(c).
(c) If the owner or operator determines that compliance with requirements under § 257.27(b) cannot be practically achieved with any currently available methods, the owner or operator must:
(1) Obtain certification of a qualified ground-water scientist or approval by the Director of an approved State that compliance with requirements under § 257.27(b) cannot be practically achieved with any currently available methods;
(2) Implement alternate measures to control exposure of humans or the environment to residual contamination, as necessary to protect human health and the environment; and
(3) Implement alternate measures for control of the sources of contamination, or for removal or decontamination of equipment, units, devices, or structures that are:
(i) Technically practicable; and
(ii) Consistent with the overall objective of the remedy.
(4) Notify the State Director within 14 days that a report justifying the alternative measures prior to implementing the alternative measures has been placed in the operating record.
(d) All solid wastes that are managed pursuant to a remedy required under § 257.27, or an interim measure required under § 257.28(a)(3), shall be managed in a manner:
(1) That is protective of human health and the environment; and
(2) That complies with applicable RCRA requirements.
(e) Remedies selected pursuant to § 257.27 shall be considered complete when:
(1) The owner or operator complies with the ground-water protection standards established under §§ 257.25 (h) or (i) at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the ground-water monitoring well system established under § 257.22(a).
(2) Compliance with the ground-water protection standards established under §§ 257.25 (h) or (i) has been achieved by demonstrating that concentrations of appendix II (appendix II of Part 258) constituents have not exceeded the ground-water protection standard(s) for a period of three consecutive years using the statistical procedures and performance standards in § 257.23 (g) and (h). The Director of an approved State may specify an alternative length of time during which the owner or operator must demonstrate that concentrations of appendix II (appendix II of 40 CFR part 258) constituents have not exceeded the ground-water protection standard(s) taking into consideration:
(i) Extent and concentration of the release(s);
(ii) Behavior characteristics of the hazardous constituents in the ground-water;
(iii) Accuracy of monitoring or modeling techniques, including any seasonal, meteorological, or other environmental variabilities that may affect the accuracy; and
(iv) Characteristics of the ground-water.
(3) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied.
(f) Upon completion of the remedy, the owner or operator must notify the State Director within 14 days that a certification that the remedy has been completed in compliance with the requirements of § 257.28(e) has been placed in the operating record. The certification must be signed by the owner or operator and by a qualified ground-water scientist or approved by the Director of an approved State.
§ 257.29
[Reserved]

Recordkeeping Requirements
§ 257.30
Recordkeeping requirements.
(a) The owner/operator of a non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit must record and retain near the facility in an operating record or in an alternative location approved by the Director of an approved State the following information as it becomes available:
(1) Any location restriction demonstration required under §§ 257.7 through 257.12; and
(2) Any demonstration, certification, finding, monitoring, testing, or analytical data required in §§ 257.21 through 257.28.
(b) The owner/operator must notify the State Director when the documents from paragraph (a) of this section have been placed or added to the operating record, and all information contained in the operating record must be furnished upon request to the State Director or be made available at all reasonable times for inspection by the State Director.
(c) The Director of an approved State can set alternative schedules for recordkeeping and notification requirements as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, except for the notification requirements in § 257.25(g)(1)(iii).
(d) The Director of an approved state program may receive electronic documents only if the state program includes the requirements of 40 CFR Part 3—(Electronic reporting).
[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, as amended at 70 FR 59888, Oct. 13, 2005]
Subpart C [Reserved]

Subpart D—Standards for the Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals in Landfills and Surface Impoundments

Source:
80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, unless otherwise noted.
§ 257.50
Scope and purpose.
(a) This subpart establishes minimum national criteria for purposes of determining which solid waste disposal facilities and solid waste management practices do not pose a reasonable probability of adverse effects on health or the environment under sections 1008(a)(3) and 4004(a) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
(b) This subpart applies to owners and operators of new and existing landfills and surface impoundments, including any lateral expansions of such units that dispose or otherwise engage in solid waste management of CCR generated from the combustion of coal at electric utilities and independent power producers. Unless otherwise provided in this subpart, these requirements also apply to disposal units located off-site of the electric utility or independent power producer. This subpart also applies to any practice that does not meet the definition of a beneficial use of CCR.
(c) This subpart also applies to inactive CCR surface impoundments at active electric utilities or independent power producers, regardless of the fuel currently used at the facility to produce electricity.
(d) This subpart does not apply to CCR landfills that have ceased receiving CCR prior to October 19, 2015.
(e) This subpart does not apply to electric utilities or independent power producers that have ceased producing electricity prior to October 19, 2015.
(f) This subpart does not apply to wastes, including fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization materials generated at facilities that are not part of an electric utility or independent power producer, such as manufacturing facilities, universities, and hospitals. This subpart also does not apply to fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization materials, generated primarily from the combustion of fuels (including other fossil fuels) other than coal, for the purpose of generating electricity unless the fuel burned consists of more than fifty percent (50%) coal on a total heat input or mass input basis, whichever results in the greater mass feed rate of coal.
(g) This subpart does not apply to practices that meet the definition of a beneficial use of CCR.
(h) This subpart does not apply to CCR placement at active or abandoned underground or surface coal mines.
(i) This subpart does not apply to municipal solid waste landfills that receive CCR.
§ 257.51
Effective date of this subpart.
The requirements of this subpart take effect on October 19, 2015.
§ 257.52
Applicability of other regulations.
(a) Compliance with the requirements of this subpart does not affect the need for the owner or operator of a CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or lateral expansion of a CCR unit to comply with all other applicable federal, state, tribal, or local laws or other requirements.
(b) Any CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or lateral expansion of a CCR unit continues to be subject to the requirements in §§ 257.3-1, 257.3-2, and 257.3-3.
§ 257.53
Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this subpart. Terms not defined in this section have the meaning given by RCRA.
Acre foot means the volume of one acre of surface area to a depth of one foot.
Active facility or active electric utilities or independent power producers means any facility subject to the requirements of this subpart that is in operation on October 19, 2015. An electric utility or independent power producer is in operation if it is generating electricity that is provided to electric power transmission systems or to electric power distribution systems on or after October 19, 2015. An off-site disposal facility is in operation if it is accepting or managing CCR on or after October 19, 2015.
Active life or in operation means the period of operation beginning with the initial placement of CCR in the CCR unit and ending at completion of closure activities in accordance with § 257.102.
Active portion means that part of the CCR unit that has received or is receiving CCR or non-CCR waste and that has not completed closure in accordance with § 257.102.
Aquifer means a geologic formation, group of formations, or portion of a formation capable of yielding usable quantities of groundwater to wells or springs.
Area-capacity curves means graphic curves which readily show the reservoir water surface area, in acres, at different elevations from the bottom of the reservoir to the maximum water surface, and the capacity or volume, in acre-feet, of the water contained in the reservoir at various elevations.
Areas susceptible to mass movement means those areas of influence (i.e., areas characterized as having an active or substantial possibility of mass movement) where, because of natural or human-induced events, the movement of earthen material at, beneath, or adjacent to the CCR unit results in the downslope transport of soil and rock material by means of gravitational influence. Areas of mass movement include, but are not limited to, landslides, avalanches, debris slides and flows, soil fluctuation, block sliding, and rock fall.
Beneficial use of CCR means the CCR meet all of the following conditions:
(1) The CCR must provide a functional benefit;
(2) The CCR must substitute for the use of a virgin material, conserving natural resources that would otherwise need to be obtained through practices, such as extraction;
(3) The use of the CCR must meet relevant product specifications, regulatory standards or design standards when available, and when such standards are not available, the CCR is not used in excess quantities; and
(4) When unencapsulated use of CCR involving placement on the land of 12,400 tons or more in non-roadway applications, the user must demonstrate and keep records, and provide such documentation upon request, that environmental releases to groundwater, surface water, soil and air are comparable to or lower than those from analogous products made without CCR, or that environmental releases to groundwater, surface water, soil and air will be at or below relevant regulatory and health-based benchmarks for human and ecological receptors during use.
Closed means placement of CCR in a CCR unit has ceased, and the owner or operator has completed closure of the CCR unit in accordance with § 257.102 and has initiated post-closure care in accordance with § 257.104.
Coal combustion residuals (CCR) means fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization materials generated from burning coal for the purpose of generating electricity by electric utilities and independent power producers.
CCR fugitive dust means solid airborne particulate matter that contains or is derived from CCR, emitted from any source other than a stack or chimney.
CCR landfill or landfill means an area of land or an excavation that receives CCR and which is not a surface impoundment, an underground injection well, a salt dome formation, a salt bed formation, an underground or surface coal mine, or a cave. For purposes of this subpart, a CCR landfill also includes sand and gravel pits and quarries that receive CCR, CCR piles, and any practice that does not meet the definition of a beneficial use of CCR.
CCR pile or pile means any non-containerized accumulation of solid, non-flowing CCR that is placed on the land. CCR that is beneficially used off-site is not a CCR pile.
CCR surface impoundment or impoundment means a natural topographic depression, man-made excavation, or diked area, which is designed to hold an accumulation of CCR and liquids, and the unit treats, stores, or disposes of CCR.
CCR unit means any CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or lateral expansion of a CCR unit, or a combination of more than one of these units, based on the context of the paragraph(s) in which it is used. This term includes both new and existing units, unless otherwise specified.
Dike means an embankment, berm, or ridge of either natural or man-made materials used to prevent the movement of liquids, sludges, solids, or other materials.
Displacement means the relative movement of any two sides of a fault measured in any direction.
Disposal means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste as defined in section 1004(27) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act into or on any land or water so that such solid waste, or constituent thereof, may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including groundwaters. For purposes of this subpart, disposal does not include the storage or the beneficial use of CCR.
Downstream toe means the junction of the downstream slope or face of the CCR surface impoundment with the ground surface.
Encapsulated beneficial use means a beneficial use of CCR that binds the CCR into a solid matrix that minimizes its mobilization into the surrounding environment.
Existing CCR landfill means a CCR landfill that receives CCR both before and after October 19, 2015, or for which construction commenced prior to October 19, 2015 and receives CCR on or after October 19, 2015. A CCR landfill has commenced construction if the owner or operator has obtained the federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction and a continuous on-site, physical construction program had begun prior to October 19, 2015.
Existing CCR surface impoundment means a CCR surface impoundment that receives CCR both before and after October 19, 2015, or for which construction commenced prior to October 19, 2015 and receives CCR on or after October 19, 2015. A CCR surface impoundment has commenced construction if the owner or operator has obtained the federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction and a continuous on-site, physical construction program had begun prior to October 19, 2015.
Facility means all contiguous land, and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land, used for treating, storing, disposing, or otherwise conducting solid waste management of CCR. A facility may consist of several treatment, storage, or disposal operational units (e.g., one or more landfills, surface impoundments, or combinations of them).
Factor of safety (Safety factor) means the ratio of the forces tending to resist the failure of a structure to the forces tending to cause such failure as determined by accepted engineering practice.
Fault means a fracture or a zone of fractures in any material along which strata on one side have been displaced with respect to that on the other side.
Flood hydrograph means a graph showing, for a given point on a stream, the discharge, height, or other characteristic of a flood as a function of time.
Freeboard means the vertical distance between the lowest point on the crest of the impoundment dike and the surface of the waste contained therein.
Free liquids means liquids that readily separate from the solid portion of a waste under ambient temperature and pressure.
Groundwater means water below the land surface in a zone of saturation.
Hazard potential classification means the possible adverse incremental consequences that result from the release of water or stored contents due to failure of the diked CCR surface impoundment or mis-operation of the diked CCR surface impoundment or its appurtenances. The hazardous potential classifications include high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, and low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, which terms mean:
(1) High hazard potential CCR surface impoundment means a diked surface impoundment where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
(2) Low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment means a diked surface impoundment where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the surface impoundment owner's property.
(3) Significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment means a diked surface impoundment where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns.
Height means the vertical measurement from the downstream toe of the CCR surface impoundment at its lowest point to the lowest elevation of the crest of the CCR surface impoundment.
Holocene means the most recent epoch of the Quaternary period, extending from the end of the Pleistocene Epoch, at 11,700 years before present, to present.
Hydraulic conductivity means the rate at which water can move through a permeable medium (i.e., the coefficient of permeability).
Inactive CCR surface impoundment means a CCR surface impoundment that no longer receives CCR on or after October 19, 2015 and still contains both CCR and liquids on or after October 19, 2015.
Incised CCR surface impoundment means a CCR surface impoundment which is constructed by excavating entirely below the natural ground surface, holds an accumulation of CCR entirely below the adjacent natural ground surface, and does not consist of any constructed diked portion.
Indian country or Indian lands means:
(1) All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running throughout the reservation;
(2) All dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of the State; and
(3) All Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights of way running through the same.
Indian Tribe or Tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or community recognized by the Secretary of the Interior and exercising substantial governmental duties and powers on Indian lands.
Inflow design flood means the flood hydrograph that is used in the design or modification of the CCR surface impoundments and its appurtenant works.
In operation means the same as active life.
Karst terrain means an area where karst topography, with its characteristic erosional surface and subterranean features, is developed as the result of dissolution of limestone, dolomite, or other soluble rock. Characteristic physiographic features present in karst terranes include, but are not limited to, dolines, collapse shafts (sinkholes), sinking streams, caves, seeps, large springs, and blind valleys.
Lateral expansion means a horizontal expansion of the waste boundaries of an existing CCR landfill or existing CCR surface impoundment made after October 19, 2015.
Liquefaction factor of safety means the factor of safety (safety factor) determined using analysis under liquefaction conditions.
Lithified earth material means all rock, including all naturally occurring and naturally formed aggregates or masses of minerals or small particles of older rock that formed by crystallization of magma or by induration of loose sediments. This term does not include man-made materials, such as fill, concrete, and asphalt, or unconsolidated earth materials, soil, or regolith lying at or near the earth surface.
Maximum horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material means the maximum expected horizontal acceleration at the ground surface as depicted on a seismic hazard map, with a 98% or greater probability that the acceleration will not be exceeded in 50 years, or the maximum expected horizontal acceleration based on a site-specific seismic risk assessment.
New CCR landfill means a CCR landfill or lateral expansion of a CCR landfill that first receives CCR or commences construction after October 19, 2015. A new CCR landfill has commenced construction if the owner or operator has obtained the federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction and a continuous on-site, physical construction program had begun after October 19, 2015. Overfills are also considered new CCR landfills.
New CCR surface impoundment means a CCR surface impoundment or lateral expansion of an existing or new CCR surface impoundment that first receives CCR or commences construction after October 19, 2015. A new CCR surface impoundment has commenced construction if the owner or operator has obtained the federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction and a continuous on-site, physical construction program had begun after October 19, 2015.
Operator means the person(s) responsible for the overall operation of a CCR unit.
Overfill means a new CCR landfill constructed over a closed CCR surface impoundment.
Owner means the person(s) who owns a CCR unit or part of a CCR unit.
Poor foundation conditions mean those areas where features exist which indicate that a natural or human-induced event may result in inadequate foundation support for the structural components of an existing or new CCR unit. For example, failure to maintain static and seismic factors of safety as required in §§ 257.73(e) and 257.74(e) would cause a poor foundation condition.
Probable maximum flood means the flood that may be expected from the most severe combination of critical meteorologic and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably possible in the drainage basin.
Qualified person means a person or persons trained to recognize specific appearances of structural weakness and other conditions which are disrupting or have the potential to disrupt the operation or safety of the CCR unit by visual observation and, if applicable, to monitor instrumentation.
Qualified professional engineer means an individual who is licensed by a state as a Professional Engineer to practice one or more disciplines of engineering and who is qualified by education, technical knowledge and experience to make the specific technical certifications required under this subpart. Professional engineers making these certifications must be currently licensed in the state where the CCR unit(s) is located.
Recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices means engineering maintenance or operation activities based on established codes, widely accepted standards, published technical reports, or a practice widely recommended throughout the industry. Such practices generally detail approved ways to perform specific engineering, inspection, or mechanical integrity activities.
Retrofit means to remove all CCR and contaminated soils and sediments from the CCR surface impoundment, and to ensure the unit complies with the requirements in § 257.72
Representative sample means a sample of a universe or whole (e.g., waste pile, lagoon, and groundwater) which can be expected to exhibit the average properties of the universe or whole. See EPA publication SW-846, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, Chapter 9 (available at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/testmethods/sw846/online/index.htm) for a discussion and examples of representative samples.
Run-off means any rainwater, leachate, or other liquid that drains over land from any part of a CCR landfill or lateral expansion of a CCR landfill.
Run-on means any rainwater, leachate, or other liquid that drains over land onto any part of a CCR landfill or lateral expansion of a CCR landfill.
Sand and gravel pit or quarry means an excavation for the extraction of aggregate, minerals or metals. The term sand and gravel pit and/or quarry does not include subsurface or surface coal mines.
Seismic factor of safety means the factor of safety (safety factor) determined using analysis under earthquake conditions using the peak ground acceleration for a seismic event with a 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years, equivalent to a return period of approximately 2,500 years, based on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seismic hazard maps for seismic events with this return period for the region where the CCR surface impoundment is located.
Seismic impact zone means an area having a 2% or greater probability that the maximum expected horizontal acceleration, expressed as a percentage of the earth's gravitational pull (g), will exceed 0.10 g in 50 years.
Slope protection means engineered or non-engineered measures installed on the upstream or downstream slope of the CCR surface impoundment to protect the slope against wave action or erosion, including but not limited to rock riprap, wooden pile, or concrete revetments, vegetated wave berms, concrete facing, gabions, geotextiles, or fascines.
Solid waste management or management means the systematic administration of the activities which provide for the collection, source separation, storage, transportation, processing, treatment, or disposal of solid waste.
State means any of the fifty States in addition to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
State Director means the chief administrative officer of the lead state agency responsible for implementing the state program regulating disposal in CCR landfills, CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of a CCR unit.
Static factor of safety means the factor of safety (safety factor) determined using analysis under the long-term, maximum storage pool loading condition, the maximum surcharge pool loading condition, and under the end-of-construction loading condition.
Structural components mean liners, leachate collection and removal systems, final covers, run-on and run-off systems, inflow design flood control systems, and any other component used in the construction and operation of the CCR unit that is necessary to ensure the integrity of the unit and that the contents of the unit are not released into the environment.
Unstable area means a location that is susceptible to natural or human-induced events or forces capable of impairing the integrity, including structural components of some or all of the CCR unit that are responsible for preventing releases from such unit. Unstable areas can include poor foundation conditions, areas susceptible to mass movements, and karst terrains.
Uppermost aquifer means the geologic formation nearest the natural ground surface that is an aquifer, as well as lower aquifers that are hydraulically interconnected with this aquifer within the facility's property boundary. Upper limit is measured at a point nearest to the natural ground surface to which the aquifer rises during the wet season.
Waste boundary means a vertical surface located at the hydraulically downgradient limit of the CCR unit. The vertical surface extends down into the uppermost aquifer.
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 37991, July 2, 2015]

Location Restrictions
§ 257.60
Placement above the uppermost aquifer.
(a) New CCR landfills, existing and new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units must be constructed with a base that is located no less than 1.52 meters (five feet) above the upper limit of the uppermost aquifer, or must demonstrate that there will not be an intermittent, recurring, or sustained hydraulic connection between any portion of the base of the CCR unit and the uppermost aquifer due to normal fluctuations in groundwater elevations (including the seasonal high water table). The owner or operator must demonstrate by the dates specified in paragraph (c) of this section that the CCR unit meets the minimum requirements for placement above the uppermost aquifer.
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For an existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than October 17, 2018.
(2) For a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(3) The owner or operator has completed the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section when the demonstration is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(e).
(4) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(1).
(5) An owner or operator of a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit who fails to make the demonstration showing compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited from placing CCR in the CCR unit.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(e), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(e), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(e).
§ 257.61
Wetlands.
(a) New CCR landfills, existing and new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units must not be located in wetlands, as defined in § 232.2 of this chapter, unless the owner or operator demonstrates by the dates specified in paragraph (c) of this section that the CCR unit meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section.
(1) Where applicable under section 404 of the Clean Water Act or applicable state wetlands laws, a clear and objective rebuttal of the presumption that an alternative to the CCR unit is reasonably available that does not involve wetlands.
(2) The construction and operation of the CCR unit will not cause or contribute to any of the following:
(i) A violation of any applicable state or federal water quality standard;
(ii) A violation of any applicable toxic effluent standard or prohibition under section 307 of the Clean Water Act;
(iii) Jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of a critical habitat, protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and
(iv) A violation of any requirement under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 for the protection of a marine sanctuary.
(3) The CCR unit will not cause or contribute to significant degradation of wetlands by addressing all of the following factors:
(i) Erosion, stability, and migration potential of native wetland soils, muds and deposits used to support the CCR unit;
(ii) Erosion, stability, and migration potential of dredged and fill materials used to support the CCR unit;
(iii) The volume and chemical nature of the CCR;
(iv) Impacts on fish, wildlife, and other aquatic resources and their habitat from release of CCR;
(v) The potential effects of catastrophic release of CCR to the wetland and the resulting impacts on the environment; and
(vi) Any additional factors, as necessary, to demonstrate that ecological resources in the wetland are sufficiently protected.
(4) To the extent required under section 404 of the Clean Water Act or applicable state wetlands laws, steps have been taken to attempt to achieve no net loss of wetlands (as defined by acreage and function) by first avoiding impacts to wetlands to the maximum extent reasonable as required by paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section, then minimizing unavoidable impacts to the maximum extent reasonable, and finally offsetting remaining unavoidable wetland impacts through all appropriate and reasonable compensatory mitigation actions (e.g., restoration of existing degraded wetlands or creation of man-made wetlands); and
(5) Sufficient information is available to make a reasoned determination with respect to the demonstrations in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section.
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the demonstrations required by paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For an existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than October 17, 2018.
(2) For a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(3) The owner or operator has completed the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section when the demonstration is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(e).
(4) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(1).
(5) An owner or operator of a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit who fails to make the demonstrations showing compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited from placing CCR in the CCR unit.
(d) The owner or operator must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(e), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(e), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(e).
§ 257.62
Fault areas.
(a) New CCR landfills, existing and new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units must not be located within 60 meters (200 feet) of the outermost damage zone of a fault that has had displacement in Holocene time unless the owner or operator demonstrates by the dates specified in paragraph (c) of this section that an alternative setback distance of less than 60 meters (200 feet) will prevent damage to the structural integrity of the CCR unit.
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For an existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than October 17, 2018.
(2) For a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(3) The owner or operator has completed the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section when the demonstration is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(e).
(4) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(1).
(5) An owner or operator of a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit who fails to make the demonstration showing compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited from placing CCR in the CCR unit.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(e), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(e), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(e).
§ 257.63
Seismic impact zones.
(a) New CCR landfills, existing and new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units must not be located in seismic impact zones unless the owner or operator demonstrates by the dates specified in paragraph (c) of this section that all structural components including liners, leachate collection and removal systems, and surface water control systems, are designed to resist the maximum horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material for the site.
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For an existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than October 17, 2018.
(2) For a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(3) The owner or operator has completed the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section when the demonstration is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(e).
(4) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(1).
(5) An owner or operator of a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit who fails to make the demonstration showing compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited from placing CCR in the CCR unit.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(e), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(e), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(e).
§ 257.64
Unstable areas.
(a) An existing or new CCR landfill, existing or new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit must not be located in an unstable area unless the owner or operator demonstrates by the dates specified in paragraph (d) of this section that recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices have been incorporated into the design of the CCR unit to ensure that the integrity of the structural components of the CCR unit will not be disrupted.
(b) The owner or operator must consider all of the following factors, at a minimum, when determining whether an area is unstable:
(1) On-site or local soil conditions that may result in significant differential settling;
(2) On-site or local geologic or geomorphologic features; and
(3) On-site or local human-made features or events (both surface and subsurface).
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in either paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) For an existing CCR landfill or existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than October 17, 2018.
(2) For a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must complete the demonstration no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(3) The owner or operator has completed the demonstration required by paragraph (a) of this section when the demonstration is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(e).
(4) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment or existing CCR landfill who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by the date specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(1) or (d)(1), respectively.
(5) An owner or operator of a new CCR landfill, new CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit who fails to make the demonstration showing compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited from placing CCR in the CCR unit.
(e) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(e), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(e), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(e).

Design Criteria
§ 257.70
Design criteria for new CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill.
(a)(1) New CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with either a composite liner that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section or an alternative composite liner that meets the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, and a leachate collection and removal system that meets the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) Prior to construction of an overfill the underlying surface impoundment must meet the requirements of § 257.102(d).
(b) A composite liner must consist of two components; the upper component consisting of, at a minimum, a 30-mil geomembrane liner (GM), and the lower component consisting of at least a two-foot layer of compacted soil with a hydraulic conductivity of no more than 1 × 10−7 centimeters per second (cm/sec). GM components consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE) must be at least 60-mil thick. The GM or upper liner component must be installed in direct and uniform contact with the compacted soil or lower liner component. The composite liner must be:
(1) Constructed of materials that have appropriate chemical properties and sufficient strength and thickness to prevent failure due to pressure gradients (including static head and external hydrogeologic forces), physical contact with the CCR or leachate to which they are exposed, climatic conditions, the stress of installation, and the stress of daily operation;
(2) Constructed of materials that provide appropriate shear resistance of the upper and lower component interface to prevent sliding of the upper component including on slopes;
(3) Placed upon a foundation or base capable of providing support to the liner and resistance to pressure gradients above and below the liner to prevent failure of the liner due to settlement, compression, or uplift; and
(4) Installed to cover all surrounding earth likely to be in contact with the CCR or leachate.
(c) If the owner or operator elects to install an alternative composite liner, all of the following requirements must be met:
(1) An alternative composite liner must consist of two components; the upper component consisting of, at a minimum, a 30-mil GM, and a lower component, that is not a geomembrane, with a liquid flow rate no greater than the liquid flow rate of two feet of compacted soil with a hydraulic conductivity of no more than 1 × 10−7 cm/sec. GM components consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE) must be at least 60-mil thick. If the lower component of the alternative liner is compacted soil, the GM must be installed in direct and uniform contact with the compacted soil.
(2) The owner or operator must obtain certification from a qualified professional engineer that the liquid flow rate through the lower component of the alternative composite liner is no greater than the liquid flow rate through two feet of compacted soil with a hydraulic conductivity of 1 × 10−7 cm/sec. The hydraulic conductivity for the two feet of compacted soil used in the comparison shall be no greater than 1 × 10−7 cm/sec. The hydraulic conductivity of any alternative to the two feet of compacted soil must be determined using recognized and generally accepted methods. The liquid flow rate comparison must be made using Equation 1 of this section, which is derived from Darcy's Law for gravity flow through porous media.
Where,
Q = flow rate (cubic centimeters/second);
A = surface area of the liner (squared centimeters);
q = flow rate per unit area (cubic centimeters/second/squared centimeter);
k = hydraulic conductivity of the liner (centimeters/second);
h = hydraulic head above the liner (centimeters); and
t = thickness of the liner (centimeters).
(3) The alternative composite liner must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section.
(d) The leachate collection and removal system must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to collect and remove leachate from the landfill during the active life and post-closure care period. The leachate collection and removal system must be:
(1) Designed and operated to maintain less than a 30-centimeter depth of leachate over the composite liner or alternative composite liner;
(2) Constructed of materials that are chemically resistant to the CCR and any non-CCR waste managed in the CCR unit and the leachate expected to be generated, and of sufficient strength and thickness to prevent collapse under the pressures exerted by overlying waste, waste cover materials, and equipment used at the CCR unit; and
(3) Designed and operated to minimize clogging during the active life and post-closure care period.
(e) Prior to construction of the CCR landfill or any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill, the owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer that the design of the composite liner (or, if applicable, alternative composite liner) and the leachate collection and removal system meets the requirements of this section.
(f) Upon completion of construction of the CCR landfill or any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill, the owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer that the composite liner (or, if applicable, alternative composite liner) and the leachate collection and removal system has been constructed in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(g) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(f), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(f), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(f).
§ 257.71
Liner design criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments.
(a)(1) No later than October 17, 2016, the owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment must document whether or not such unit was constructed with any one of the following:
(i) A liner consisting of a minimum of two feet of compacted soil with a hydraulic conductivity of no more than 1 × 10−7 cm/sec;
(ii) A composite liner that meets the requirements of § 257.70(b); or
(iii) An alternative composite liner that meets the requirements of § 257.70(c).
(2) The hydraulic conductivity of the compacted soil must be determined using recognized and generally accepted methods.
(3) An existing CCR surface impoundment is considered to be an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment if either:
(i) The owner or operator of the CCR unit determines that the CCR unit is not constructed with a liner that meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section; or
(ii) The owner or operator of the CCR unit fails to document whether the CCR unit was constructed with a liner that meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(4) All existing unlined CCR surface impoundments are subject to the requirements of § 257.101(a).
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer attesting that the documentation as to whether a CCR unit meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is accurate.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(f), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(f), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(f).
§ 257.72
Liner design criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment.
(a) New CCR surface impoundments and lateral expansions of existing and new CCR surface impoundments must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with either a composite liner or an alternative composite liner that meets the requirements of § 257.70(b) or (c).
(b) Any liner specified in this section must be installed to cover all surrounding earth likely to be in contact with CCR. Dikes shall not be constructed on top of the composite liner.
(c) Prior to construction of the CCR surface impoundment or any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must obtain certification from a qualified professional engineer that the design of the composite liner or, if applicable, the design of an alternative composite liner complies with the requirements of this section.
(d) Upon completion, the owner or operator must obtain certification from a qualified professional engineer that the composite liner or if applicable, the alternative composite liner has been constructed in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(e) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(f), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(f), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(f).
§ 257.73
Structural integrity criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments.
(a) The requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section apply to all existing CCR surface impoundments, except for those existing CCR surface impoundments that are incised CCR units. If an incised CCR surface impoundment is subsequently modified (e.g., a dike is constructed) such that the CCR unit no longer meets the definition of an incised CCR unit, the CCR unit is subject to the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section.
(1) No later than, December 17, 2015, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must place on or immediately adjacent to the CCR unit a permanent identification marker, at least six feet high showing the identification number of the CCR unit, if one has been assigned by the state, the name associated with the CCR unit and the name of the owner or operator of the CCR unit.
(2) Periodic hazard potential classification assessments. (i) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct initial and periodic hazard potential classification assessments of the CCR unit according to the timeframes specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The owner or operator must document the hazard potential classification of each CCR unit as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, or a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment. The owner or operator must also document the basis for each hazard potential classification.
(ii) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial hazard potential classification and each subsequent periodic classification specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section was conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(3) Emergency Action Plan (EAP)—(i) Development of the plan. No later than April 17, 2017, the owner or operator of a CCR unit determined to be either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment under paragraph (a)(2) of this section must prepare and maintain a written EAP. At a minimum, the EAP must:
(A) Define the events or circumstances involving the CCR unit that represent a safety emergency, along with a description of the procedures that will be followed to detect a safety emergency in a timely manner;
(B) Define responsible persons, their respective responsibilities, and notification procedures in the event of a safety emergency involving the CCR unit;
(C) Provide contact information of emergency responders;
(D) Include a map which delineates the downstream area which would be affected in the event of a CCR unit failure and a physical description of the CCR unit; and
(E) Include provisions for an annual face-to-face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders.
(ii) Amendment of the plan. (A) The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section may amend the written EAP at any time provided the revised plan is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(6). The owner or operator must amend the written EAP whenever there is a change in conditions that would substantially affect the EAP in effect.
(B) The written EAP must be evaluated, at a minimum, every five years to ensure the information required in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section is accurate. As necessary, the EAP must be updated and a revised EAP placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(6).
(iii) Changes in hazard potential classification. (A) If the owner or operator of a CCR unit determines during a periodic hazard potential assessment that the CCR unit is no longer classified as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, then the owner or operator of the CCR unit is no longer subject to the requirement to prepare and maintain a written EAP beginning on the date the periodic hazard potential assessment documentation is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5).
(B) If the owner or operator of a CCR unit classified as a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment subsequently determines that the CCR unit is properly re-classified as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, then the owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare a written EAP for the CCR unit as required by paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section within six months of completing such periodic hazard potential assessment.
(iv) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the written EAP, and any subsequent amendment of the EAP, meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(v) Activation of the EAP. The EAP must be implemented once events or circumstances involving the CCR unit that represent a safety emergency are detected, including conditions identified during periodic structural stability assessments, annual inspections, and inspections by a qualified person.
(4) The CCR unit and surrounding areas must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with vegetated slopes of dikes not to exceed a height of 6 inches above the slope of the dike, except for slopes which are protected with an alternate form(s) of slope protection.
(b) The requirements of paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section apply to an owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment that either:
(1) Has a height of five feet or more and a storage volume of 20 acre-feet or more; or
(2) Has a height of 20 feet or more.
(c)(1) No later than October 17, 2016, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must compile a history of construction, which shall contain, to the extent feasible, the information specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (xi) of this section.
(i) The name and address of the person(s) owning or operating the CCR unit; the name associated with the CCR unit; and the identification number of the CCR unit if one has been assigned by the state.
(ii) The location of the CCR unit identified on the most recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 71/2 minute or 15 minute topographic quadrangle map, or a topographic map of equivalent scale if a USGS map is not available.
(iii) A statement of the purpose for which the CCR unit is being used.
(iv) The name and size in acres of the watershed within which the CCR unit is located.
(v) A description of the physical and engineering properties of the foundation and abutment materials on which the CCR unit is constructed.
(vi) A statement of the type, size, range, and physical and engineering properties of the materials used in constructing each zone or stage of the CCR unit; the method of site preparation and construction of each zone of the CCR unit; and the approximate dates of construction of each successive stage of construction of the CCR unit.
(vii) At a scale that details engineering structures and appurtenances relevant to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit, detailed dimensional drawings of the CCR unit, including a plan view and cross sections of the length and width of the CCR unit, showing all zones, foundation improvements, drainage provisions, spillways, diversion ditches, outlets, instrument locations, and slope protection, in addition to the normal operating pool surface elevation and the maximum pool surface elevation following peak discharge from the inflow design flood, the expected maximum depth of CCR within the CCR surface impoundment, and any identifiable natural or manmade features that could adversely affect operation of the CCR unit due to malfunction or mis-operation.
(viii) A description of the type, purpose, and location of existing instrumentation.
(ix) Area-capacity curves for the CCR unit.
(x) A description of each spillway and diversion design features and capacities and calculations used in their determination.
(xi) The construction specifications and provisions for surveillance, maintenance, and repair of the CCR unit.
(xii) Any record or knowledge of structural instability of the CCR unit.
(2) Changes to the history of construction. If there is a significant change to any information compiled under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must update the relevant information and place it in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(9).
(d) Periodic structural stability assessments. (1) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct initial and periodic structural stability assessments and document whether the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit is consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for the maximum volume of CCR and CCR wastewater which can be impounded therein. The assessment must, at a minimum, document whether the CCR unit has been designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with:
(i) Stable foundations and abutments;
(ii) Adequate slope protection to protect against surface erosion, wave action, and adverse effects of sudden drawdown;
(iii) Dikes mechanically compacted to a density sufficient to withstand the range of loading conditions in the CCR unit;
(iv) Vegetated slopes of dikes and surrounding areas not to exceed a height of six inches above the slope of the dike, except for slopes which have an alternate form or forms of slope protection;
(v) A single spillway or a combination of spillways configured as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(v)(A) of this section. The combined capacity of all spillways must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to adequately manage flow during and following the peak discharge from the event specified in paragraph (d)(1)(v)(B) of this section.
(A) All spillways must be either:
(1) Of non-erodible construction and designed to carry sustained flows; or
(2) Earth- or grass-lined and designed to carry short-term, infrequent flows at non-erosive velocities where sustained flows are not expected.
(B) The combined capacity of all spillways must adequately manage flow during and following the peak discharge from a:
(1) Probable maximum flood (PMF) for a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment; or
(2) 1000-year flood for a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment; or
(3) 100-year flood for a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment.
(vi) Hydraulic structures underlying the base of the CCR unit or passing through the dike of the CCR unit that maintain structural integrity and are free of significant deterioration, deformation, distortion, bedding deficiencies, sedimentation, and debris which may negatively affect the operation of the hydraulic structure; and
(vii) For CCR units with downstream slopes which can be inundated by the pool of an adjacent water body, such as a river, stream or lake, downstream slopes that maintain structural stability during low pool of the adjacent water body or sudden drawdown of the adjacent water body.
(2) The periodic assessment described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section must identify any structural stability deficiencies associated with the CCR unit in addition to recommending corrective measures. If a deficiency or a release is identified during the periodic assessment, the owner or operator unit must remedy the deficiency or release as soon as feasible and prepare documentation detailing the corrective measures taken.
(3) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial assessment and each subsequent periodic assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(e) Periodic safety factor assessments. (1) The owner or operator must conduct an initial and periodic safety factor assessments for each CCR unit and document whether the calculated factors of safety for each CCR unit achieve the minimum safety factors specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section for the critical cross section of the embankment. The critical cross section is the cross section anticipated to be the most susceptible of all cross sections to structural failure based on appropriate engineering considerations, including loading conditions. The safety factor assessments must be supported by appropriate engineering calculations.
(i) The calculated static factor of safety under the long-term, maximum storage pool loading condition must equal or exceed 1.50.
(ii) The calculated static factor of safety under the maximum surcharge pool loading condition must equal or exceed 1.40.
(iii) The calculated seismic factor of safety must equal or exceed 1.00.
(iv) For dikes constructed of soils that have susceptibility to liquefaction, the calculated liquefaction factor of safety must equal or exceed 1.20.
(2) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial assessment and each subsequent periodic assessment specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section meets the requirements of this section.
(f) Timeframes for periodic assessments—(1) Initial assessments. Except as provided by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial assessments required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section no later than October 17, 2016. The owner or operator has completed an initial assessment when the owner or operator has placed the assessment required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5), (10), and (12).
(2) Use of a previously completed assessment(s) in lieu of the initial assessment(s). The owner or operator of the CCR unit may elect to use a previously completed assessment to serve as the initial assessment required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section provided that the previously completed assessment(s):
(i) Was completed no earlier than 42 months prior to October 17, 2016; and
(ii) Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section.
(3) Frequency for conducting periodic assessments. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct and complete the assessments required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section every five years. The date of completing the initial assessment is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent assessment. If the owner or operator elects to use a previously completed assessment(s) in lieu of the initial assessment as provided by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the date of the report for the previously completed assessment is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent assessment. The owner or operator may complete any required assessment prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed assessment(s) into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing subsequent assessments is based on the date of completing the previous assessment. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(3), the owner or operator has completed an assessment when the relevant assessment(s) required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5), (10), and (12).
(4) Closure of the CCR unit. An owner or operator of a CCR unit who either fails to complete a timely safety factor assessment or fails to demonstrate minimum safety factors as required by paragraph (e) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(b)(2).
(g) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(f), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(f), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(f).
§ 257.74
Structural integrity criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment.
(a) The requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section apply to all new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment, except for those new CCR surface impoundments that are incised CCR units. If an incised CCR surface impoundment is subsequently modified (e.g., a dike is constructed) such that the CCR unit no longer meets the definition of an incised CCR unit, the CCR unit is subject to the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section.
(1) No later than the initial receipt of CCR, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must place on or immediately adjacent to the CCR unit a permanent identification marker, at least six feet high showing the identification number of the CCR unit, if one has been assigned by the state, the name associated with the CCR unit and the name of the owner or operator of the CCR unit.
(2) Periodic hazard potential classification assessments. (i) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct initial and periodic hazard potential classification assessments of the CCR unit according to the timeframes specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The owner or operator must document the hazard potential classification of each CCR unit as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, or a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment. The owner or operator must also document the basis for each hazard potential classification.
(ii) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial hazard potential classification and each subsequent periodic classification specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section was conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(3) Emergency Action Plan (EAP)—(i) Development of the plan. Prior to the initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit, the owner or operator of a CCR unit determined to be either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment under paragraph (a)(2) of this section must prepare and maintain a written EAP. At a minimum, the EAP must:
(A) Define the events or circumstances involving the CCR unit that represent a safety emergency, along with a description of the procedures that will be followed to detect a safety emergency in a timely manner;
(B) Define responsible persons, their respective responsibilities, and notification procedures in the event of a safety emergency involving the CCR unit;
(C) Provide contact information of emergency responders;
(D) Include a map which delineates the downstream area which would be affected in the event of a CCR unit failure and a physical description of the CCR unit; and
(E) Include provisions for an annual face-to-face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders.
(ii) Amendment of the plan. (A) The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section may amend the written EAP at any time provided the revised plan is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(6). The owner or operator must amend the written EAP whenever there is a change in conditions that would substantially affect the EAP in effect.
(B) The written EAP must be evaluated, at a minimum, every five years to ensure the information required in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section is accurate. As necessary, the EAP must be updated and a revised EAP placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(6).
(iii) Changes in hazard potential classification. (A) If the owner or operator of a CCR unit determines during a periodic hazard potential assessment that the CCR unit is no longer classified as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, then the owner or operator of the CCR unit is no longer subject to the requirement to prepare and maintain a written EAP beginning on the date the periodic hazard potential assessment documentation is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5).
(B) If the owner or operator of a CCR unit classified as a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment subsequently determines that the CCR unit is properly re-classified as either a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment or a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, then the owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare a written EAP for the CCR unit as required by paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section within six months of completing such periodic hazard potential assessment.
(iv) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the written EAP, and any subsequent amendment of the EAP, meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(v) Activation of the EAP. The EAP must be implemented once events or circumstances involving the CCR unit that represent a safety emergency are detected, including conditions identified during periodic structural stability assessments, annual inspections, and inspections by a qualified person.
(4) The CCR unit and surrounding areas must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with vegetated slopes of dikes not to exceed a height of six inches above the slope of the dike, except for slopes which are protected with an alternate form(s) of slope protection.
(b) The requirements of paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section apply to an owner or operator of a new CCR surface impoundment and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment that either:
(1) Has a height of five feet or more and a storage volume of 20 acre-feet or more; or
(2) Has a height of 20 feet or more.
(c)(1) No later than the initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit, the owner or operator unit must compile the design and construction plans for the CCR unit, which must include, to the extent feasible, the information specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (xi) of this section.
(i) The name and address of the person(s) owning or operating the CCR unit; the name associated with the CCR unit; and the identification number of the CCR unit if one has been assigned by the state.
(ii) The location of the CCR unit identified on the most recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 71/2 minute or 15 minute topographic quadrangle map, or a topographic map of equivalent scale if a USGS map is not available.
(iii) A statement of the purpose for which the CCR unit is being used.
(iv) The name and size in acres of the watershed within which the CCR unit is located.
(v) A description of the physical and engineering properties of the foundation and abutment materials on which the CCR unit is constructed.
(vi) A statement of the type, size, range, and physical and engineering properties of the materials used in constructing each zone or stage of the CCR unit; the method of site preparation and construction of each zone of the CCR unit; and the dates of construction of each successive stage of construction of the CCR unit.
(vii) At a scale that details engineering structures and appurtenances relevant to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit, detailed dimensional drawings of the CCR unit, including a plan view and cross sections of the length and width of the CCR unit, showing all zones, foundation improvements, drainage provisions, spillways, diversion ditches, outlets, instrument locations, and slope protection, in addition to the normal operating pool surface elevation and the maximum pool surface elevation following peak discharge from the inflow design flood, the expected maximum depth of CCR within the CCR surface impoundment, and any identifiable natural or manmade features that could adversely affect operation of the CCR unit due to malfunction or mis-operation.
(viii) A description of the type, purpose, and location of existing instrumentation.
(ix) Area-capacity curves for the CCR unit.
(x) A description of each spillway and diversion design features and capacities and calculations used in their determination.
(xi) The construction specifications and provisions for surveillance, maintenance, and repair of the CCR unit.
(xii) Any record or knowledge of structural instability of the CCR unit.
(2) Changes in the design and construction. If there is a significant change to any information compiled under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must update the relevant information and place it in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(13).
(d) Periodic structural stability assessments. (1) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct initial and periodic structural stability assessments and document whether the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit is consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for the maximum volume of CCR and CCR wastewater which can be impounded therein. The assessment must, at a minimum, document whether the CCR unit has been designed, constructed, operated, and maintained with:
(i) Stable foundations and abutments;
(ii) Adequate slope protection to protect against surface erosion, wave action, and adverse effects of sudden drawdown;
(iii) Dikes mechanically compacted to a density sufficient to withstand the range of loading conditions in the CCR unit;
(iv) Vegetated slopes of dikes and surrounding areas not to exceed a height of six inches above the slope of the dike, except for slopes which have an alternate form or forms of slope protection;
(v) A single spillway or a combination of spillways configured as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(v)(A) of this section. The combined capacity of all spillways must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to adequately manage flow during and following the peak discharge from the event specified in paragraph (d)(1)(v)(B) of this section.
(A) All spillways must be either:
(1) Of non-erodible construction and designed to carry sustained flows; or
(2) Earth- or grass-lined and designed to carry short-term, infrequent flows at non-erosive velocities where sustained flows are not expected.
(B) The combined capacity of all spillways must adequately manage flow during and following the peak discharge from a:
(1) Probable maximum flood (PMF) for a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment; or
(2) 1000-year flood for a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment; or
(3) 100-year flood for a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment.
(vi) Hydraulic structures underlying the base of the CCR unit or passing through the dike of the CCR unit that maintain structural integrity and are free of significant deterioration, deformation, distortion, bedding deficiencies, sedimentation, and debris which may negatively affect the operation of the hydraulic structure; and
(vii) For CCR units with downstream slopes which can be inundated by the pool of an adjacent water body, such as a river, stream or lake, downstream slopes that maintain structural stability during low pool of the adjacent water body or sudden drawdown of the adjacent water body.
(2) The periodic assessment described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section must identify any structural stability deficiencies associated with the CCR unit in addition to recommending corrective measures. If a deficiency or a release is identified during the periodic assessment, the owner or operator unit must remedy the deficiency or release as soon as feasible and prepare documentation detailing the corrective measures taken.
(3) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial assessment and each subsequent periodic assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(e) Periodic safety factor assessments. (1) The owner or operator must conduct an initial and periodic safety factor assessments for each CCR unit and document whether the calculated factors of safety for each CCR unit achieve the minimum safety factors specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (v) of this section for the critical cross section of the embankment. The critical cross section is the cross section anticipated to be the most susceptible of all cross sections to structural failure based on appropriate engineering considerations, including loading conditions. The safety factor assessments must be supported by appropriate engineering calculations.
(i) The calculated static factor of safety under the end-of-construction loading condition must equal or exceed 1.30. The assessment of this loading condition is only required for the initial safety factor assessment and is not required for subsequent assessments.
(ii) The calculated static factor of safety under the long-term, maximum storage pool loading condition must equal or exceed 1.50.
(iii) The calculated static factor of safety under the maximum surcharge pool loading condition must equal or exceed 1.40.
(iv) The calculated seismic factor of safety must equal or exceed 1.00.
(v) For dikes constructed of soils that have susceptibility to liquefaction, the calculated liquefaction factor of safety must equal or exceed 1.20.
(2) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial assessment and each subsequent periodic assessment specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section meets the requirements of this section.
(f) Timeframes for periodic assessments—(1) Initial assessments. Except as provided by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial assessments required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section prior to the initial receipt of CCR in the unit. The owner or operator has completed an initial assessment when the owner or operator has placed the assessment required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5), (10), and (12).
(2) Frequency for conducting periodic assessments. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct and complete the assessments required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section every five years. The date of completing the initial assessment is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent assessment. The owner or operator may complete any required assessment prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed assessment(s) into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing subsequent assessments is based on the date of completing the previous assessment. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(2), the owner or operator has completed an assessment when the relevant assessment(s) required by paragraphs (a)(2), (d), and (e) of this section has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(f)(5), (10), and (12).
(3) Failure to document minimum safety factors during the initial assessment. Until the date an owner or operator of a CCR unit documents that the calculated factors of safety achieve the minimum safety factors specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, the owner or operator is prohibited from placing CCR in such unit.
(4) Closure of the CCR unit. An owner or operator of a CCR unit who either fails to complete a timely periodic safety factor assessment or fails to demonstrate minimum safety factors as required by paragraph (e) of this section is subject to the requirements of § 257.101(c).
(g) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(f), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(f), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(f).

Operating Criteria
§ 257.80
Air criteria.
(a) The owner or operator of a CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit must adopt measures that will effectively minimize CCR from becoming airborne at the facility, including CCR fugitive dust originating from CCR units, roads, and other CCR management and material handling activities.
(b) CCR fugitive dust control plan. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare and operate in accordance with a CCR fugitive dust control plan as specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) of this section. This requirement applies in addition to, not in place of, any applicable standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
(1) The CCR fugitive dust control plan must identify and describe the CCR fugitive dust control measures the owner or operator will use to minimize CCR from becoming airborne at the facility. The owner or operator must select, and include in the CCR fugitive dust control plan, the CCR fugitive dust control measures that are most appropriate for site conditions, along with an explanation of how the measures selected are applicable and appropriate for site conditions. Examples of control measures that may be appropriate include: Locating CCR inside an enclosure or partial enclosure; operating a water spray or fogging system; reducing fall distances at material drop points; using wind barriers, compaction, or vegetative covers; establishing and enforcing reduced vehicle speed limits; paving and sweeping roads; covering trucks transporting CCR; reducing or halting operations during high wind events; or applying a daily cover.
(2) If the owner or operator operates a CCR landfill or any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill, the CCR fugitive dust control plan must include procedures to emplace CCR as conditioned CCR. Conditioned CCR means wetting CCR with water to a moisture content that will prevent wind dispersal, but will not result in free liquids. In lieu of water, CCR conditioning may be accomplished with an appropriate chemical dust suppression agent.
(3) The CCR fugitive dust control plan must include procedures to log citizen complaints received by the owner or operator involving CCR fugitive dust events at the facility.
(4) The CCR fugitive dust control plan must include a description of the procedures the owner or operator will follow to periodically assess the effectiveness of the control plan.
(5) The owner or operator of a CCR unit must prepare an initial CCR fugitive dust control plan for the facility no later than October 19, 2015, or by initial receipt of CCR in any CCR unit at the facility if the owner or operator becomes subject to this subpart after October 19, 2015. The owner or operator has completed the initial CCR fugitive dust control plan when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(1).
(6) Amendment of the plan. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of this section may amend the written CCR fugitive dust control plan at any time provided the revised plan is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(1). The owner or operator must amend the written plan whenever there is a change in conditions that would substantially affect the written plan in effect, such as the construction and operation of a new CCR unit.
(7) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer that the initial CCR fugitive dust control plan, or any subsequent amendment of it, meets the requirements of this section.
(c) Annual CCR fugitive dust control report. The owner or operator of a CCR unit must prepare an annual CCR fugitive dust control report that includes a description of the actions taken by the owner or operator to control CCR fugitive dust, a record of all citizen complaints, and a summary of any corrective measures taken. The initial annual report must be completed no later than 14 months after placing the initial CCR fugitive dust control plan in the facility's operating record. The deadline for completing a subsequent report is one year after the date of completing the previous report. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the owner or operator has completed the annual CCR fugitive dust control report when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(2).
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(g), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(g), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(g).
§ 257.81
Run-on and run-off controls for CCR landfills.
(a) The owner or operator of an existing or new CCR landfill or any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill must design, construct, operate, and maintain:
(1) A run-on control system to prevent flow onto the active portion of the CCR unit during the peak discharge from a 24-hour, 25-year storm; and
(2) A run-off control system from the active portion of the CCR unit to collect and control at least the water volume resulting from a 24-hour, 25-year storm.
(b) Run-off from the active portion of the CCR unit must be handled in accordance with the surface water requirements under § 257.3-3.
(c) Run-on and run-off control system plan—(1) Content of the plan. The owner or operator must prepare initial and periodic run-on and run-off control system plans for the CCR unit according to the timeframes specified in paragraphs (c)(3) and (4) of this section. These plans must document how the run-on and run-off control systems have been designed and constructed to meet the applicable requirements of this section. Each plan must be supported by appropriate engineering calculations. The owner or operator has completed the initial run-on and run-off control system plan when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(3).
(2) Amendment of the plan. The owner or operator may amend the written run-on and run-off control system plan at any time provided the revised plan is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(3). The owner or operator must amend the written run-on and run-off control system plan whenever there is a change in conditions that would substantially affect the written plan in effect.
(3) Timeframes for preparing the initial plan—(i) Existing CCR landfills. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare the initial run-on and run-off control system plan no later than October 17, 2016.
(ii) New CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill. The owner or operator must prepare the initial run-on and run-off control system plan no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(4) Frequency for revising the plan. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare periodic run-on and run-off control system plans required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section every five years. The date of completing the initial plan is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent plan. The owner or operator may complete any required plan prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed plan into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing a subsequent plan is based on the date of completing the previous plan. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(4), the owner or operator has completed a periodic run-on and run-off control system plan when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(3).
(5) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial and periodic run-on and run-off control system plans meet the requirements of this section.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(g), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(g), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(g).
§ 257.82
Hydrologic and hydraulic capacity requirements for CCR surface impoundments.
(a) The owner or operator of an existing or new CCR surface impoundment or any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment must design, construct, operate, and maintain an inflow design flood control system as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
(1) The inflow design flood control system must adequately manage flow into the CCR unit during and following the peak discharge of the inflow design flood specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(2) The inflow design flood control system must adequately manage flow from the CCR unit to collect and control the peak discharge resulting from the inflow design flood specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(3) The inflow design flood is:
(i) For a high hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, as determined under § 257.73(a)(2) or § 257.74(a)(2), the probable maximum flood;
(ii) For a significant hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, as determined under § 257.73(a)(2) or § 257.74(a)(2), the 1,000-year flood;
(iii) For a low hazard potential CCR surface impoundment, as determined under § 257.73(a)(2) or § 257.74(a)(2), the 100-year flood; or
(iv) For an incised CCR surface impoundment, the 25-year flood.
(b) Discharge from the CCR unit must be handled in accordance with the surface water requirements under § 257.3-3.
(c) Inflow design flood control system plan—(1) Content of the plan. The owner or operator must prepare initial and periodic inflow design flood control system plans for the CCR unit according to the timeframes specified in paragraphs (c)(3) and (4) of this section. These plans must document how the inflow design flood control system has been designed and constructed to meet the requirements of this section. Each plan must be supported by appropriate engineering calculations. The owner or operator of the CCR unit has completed the inflow design flood control system plan when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(4).
(2) Amendment of the plan. The owner or operator of the CCR unit may amend the written inflow design flood control system plan at any time provided the revised plan is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(4). The owner or operator must amend the written inflow design flood control system plan whenever there is a change in conditions that would substantially affect the written plan in effect.
(3) Timeframes for preparing the initial plan—(i) Existing CCR surface impoundments. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare the initial inflow design flood control system plan no later than October 17, 2016.
(ii) New CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment. The owner or operator must prepare the initial inflow design flood control system plan no later than the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(4) Frequency for revising the plan. The owner or operator must prepare periodic inflow design flood control system plans required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section every five years. The date of completing the initial plan is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first periodic plan. The owner or operator may complete any required plan prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed plan into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing a subsequent plan is based on the date of completing the previous plan. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(4), the owner or operator has completed an inflow design flood control system plan when the plan has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(4).
(5) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the initial and periodic inflow design flood control system plans meet the requirements of this section.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(g), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(g), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(g).
§ 257.83
Inspection requirements for CCR surface impoundments.
(a) Inspections by a qualified person. (1) All CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment must be examined by a qualified person as follows:
(i) At intervals not exceeding seven days, inspect for any appearances of actual or potential structural weakness and other conditions which are disrupting or have the potential to disrupt the operation or safety of the CCR unit;
(ii) At intervals not exceeding seven days, inspect the discharge of all outlets of hydraulic structures which pass underneath the base of the surface impoundment or through the dike of the CCR unit for abnormal discoloration, flow or discharge of debris or sediment; and
(iii) At intervals not exceeding 30 days, monitor all CCR unit instrumentation.
(iv) The results of the inspection by a qualified person must be recorded in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(5).
(2) Timeframes for inspections by a qualified person—(i) Existing CCR surface impoundments. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the inspections required under paragraph (a) of this section no later than October 19, 2015.
(ii) New CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the inspections required under paragraph (a) of this section upon initial receipt of CCR by the CCR unit.
(b) Annual inspections by a qualified professional engineer. (1) If the existing or new CCR surface impoundment or any lateral expansion of the CCR surface impoundment is subject to the periodic structural stability assessment requirements under § 257.73(d) or § 257.74(d), the CCR unit must additionally be inspected on a periodic basis by a qualified professional engineer to ensure that the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit is consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering standards. The inspection must, at a minimum, include:
(i) A review of available information regarding the status and condition of the CCR unit, including, but not limited to, files available in the operating record (e.g., CCR unit design and construction information required by §§ 257.73(c)(1) and 257.74(c)(1), previous periodic structural stability assessments required under §§ 257.73(d) and 257.74(d), the results of inspections by a qualified person, and results of previous annual inspections);
(ii) A visual inspection of the CCR unit to identify signs of distress or malfunction of the CCR unit and appurtenant structures; and
(iii) A visual inspection of any hydraulic structures underlying the base of the CCR unit or passing through the dike of the CCR unit for structural integrity and continued safe and reliable operation.
(2) Inspection report. The qualified professional engineer must prepare a report following each inspection that addresses the following:
(i) Any changes in geometry of the impounding structure since the previous annual inspection;
(ii) The location and type of existing instrumentation and the maximum recorded readings of each instrument since the previous annual inspection;
(iii) The approximate minimum, maximum, and present depth and elevation of the impounded water and CCR since the previous annual inspection;
(iv) The storage capacity of the impounding structure at the time of the inspection;
(v) The approximate volume of the impounded water and CCR at the time of the inspection;
(vi) Any appearances of an actual or potential structural weakness of the CCR unit, in addition to any existing conditions that are disrupting or have the potential to disrupt the operation and safety of the CCR unit and appurtenant structures; and
(vii) Any other change(s) which may have affected the stability or operation of the impounding structure since the previous annual inspection.
(3) Timeframes for conducting the initial inspection—(i) Existing CCR surface impoundments. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section no later than January 19, 2016.
(ii) New CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial annual inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section is completed no later than 14 months following the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(4) Frequency of inspections. (i) Except as provided for in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct the inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section on an annual basis. The date of completing the initial inspection report is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent inspection. Any required inspection may be conducted prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed inspection report into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing subsequent inspection reports is based on the date of completing the previous inspection report. For purposes of this section, the owner or operator has completed an inspection when the inspection report has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(6).
(ii) In any calendar year in which both the periodic inspection by a qualified professional engineer and the quinquennial (occurring every five years) structural stability assessment by a qualified professional engineer required by §§ 257.73(d) and 257.74(d) are required to be completed, the annual inspection is not required, provided the structural stability assessment is completed during the calendar year. If the annual inspection is not conducted in a year as provided by this paragraph (b)(4)(ii), the deadline for completing the next annual inspection is one year from the date of completing the quinquennial structural stability assessment.
(5) If a deficiency or release is identified during an inspection, the owner or operator must remedy the deficiency or release as soon as feasible and prepare documentation detailing the corrective measures taken.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(g), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(g), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(g).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 37992, July 2, 2015]
§ 257.84
Inspection requirements for CCR landfills.
(a) Inspections by a qualified person. (1) All CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill must be examined by a qualified person as follows:
(i) At intervals not exceeding seven days, inspect for any appearances of actual or potential structural weakness and other conditions which are disrupting or have the potential to disrupt the operation or safety of the CCR unit; and
(ii) The results of the inspection by a qualified person must be recorded in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(8).
(2) Timeframes for inspections by a qualified person—(i) Existing CCR landfills. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the inspections required under paragraph (a) of this section no later than October 19, 2015.
(ii) New CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the inspections required under paragraph (a) of this section upon initial receipt of CCR by the CCR unit.
(b) Annual inspections by a qualified professional engineer. (1) Existing and new CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill must be inspected on a periodic basis by a qualified professional engineer to ensure that the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the CCR unit is consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering standards. The inspection must, at a minimum, include:
(i) A review of available information regarding the status and condition of the CCR unit, including, but not limited to, files available in the operating record (e.g., the results of inspections by a qualified person, and results of previous annual inspections); and
(ii) A visual inspection of the CCR unit to identify signs of distress or malfunction of the CCR unit.
(2) Inspection report. The qualified professional engineer must prepare a report following each inspection that addresses the following:
(i) Any changes in geometry of the structure since the previous annual inspection;
(ii) The approximate volume of CCR contained in the unit at the time of the inspection;
(iii) Any appearances of an actual or potential structural weakness of the CCR unit, in addition to any existing conditions that are disrupting or have the potential to disrupt the operation and safety of the CCR unit; and
(iv) Any other change(s) which may have affected the stability or operation of the CCR unit since the previous annual inspection.
(3) Timeframes for conducting the initial inspection—(i) Existing CCR landfills. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section no later than January 19, 2016.
(ii) New CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must complete the initial annual inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section no later than 14 months following the date of initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit.
(4) Frequency of inspections. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct the inspection required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section on an annual basis. The date of completing the initial inspection report is the basis for establishing the deadline to complete the first subsequent inspection. Any required inspection may be conducted prior to the required deadline provided the owner or operator places the completed inspection report into the facility's operating record within a reasonable amount of time. In all cases, the deadline for completing subsequent inspection reports is based on the date of completing the previous inspection report. For purposes of this section, the owner or operator has completed an inspection when the inspection report has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(g)(9).
(5) If a deficiency or release is identified during an inspection, the owner or operator must remedy the deficiency or release as soon as feasible and prepare documentation detailing the corrective measures taken.
(c) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(g), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(g), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(g).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 37992, July 2, 2015]

Groundwater Monitoring and Corrective Action
§ 257.90
Applicability.
(a) All CCR landfills, CCR surface impoundments, and lateral expansions of CCR units are subject to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements under §§ 257.90 through 257.98.
(b) Initial timeframes—(1) Existing CCR landfills and existing CCR surface impoundments. No later than October 17, 2017, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must be in compliance with the following groundwater monitoring requirements:
(i) Install the groundwater monitoring system as required by § 257.91;
(ii) Develop the groundwater sampling and analysis program to include selection of the statistical procedures to be used for evaluating groundwater monitoring data as required by § 257.93;
(iii) Initiate the detection monitoring program to include obtaining a minimum of eight independent samples for each background and downgradient well as required by § 257.94(b); and
(iv) Begin evaluating the groundwater monitoring data for statistically significant increases over background levels for the constituents listed in appendix III of this part as required by § 257.94.
(2) New CCR landfills, new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units. Prior to initial receipt of CCR by the CCR unit, the owner or operator must be in compliance with the groundwater monitoring requirements specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section. In addition, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the detection monitoring program to include obtaining a minimum of eight independent samples for each background well as required by § 257.94(b).
(c) Once a groundwater monitoring system and groundwater monitoring program has been established at the CCR unit as required by this subpart, the owner or operator must conduct groundwater monitoring and, if necessary, corrective action throughout the active life and post-closure care period of the CCR unit.
(d) In the event of a release from a CCR unit, the owner or operator must immediately take all necessary measures to control the source(s) of releases so as to reduce or eliminate, to the maximum extent feasible, further releases of contaminants into the environment. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with all applicable requirements in §§ 257.96, 257.97, and 257.98.
(e) Annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report. For existing CCR landfills and existing CCR surface impoundments, no later than January 31, 2018, and annually thereafter, the owner or operator must prepare an annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report. For new CCR landfills, new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units, the owner or operator must prepare the initial annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report no later than January 31 of the year following the calendar year a groundwater monitoring system has been established for such CCR unit as required by this subpart, and annually thereafter. For the preceding calendar year, the annual report must document the status of the groundwater monitoring and corrective action program for the CCR unit, summarize key actions completed, describe any problems encountered, discuss actions to resolve the problems, and project key activities for the upcoming year. For purposes of this section, the owner or operator has prepared the annual report when the report is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(1). At a minimum, the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report must contain the following information, to the extent available:
(1) A map, aerial image, or diagram showing the CCR unit and all background (or upgradient) and downgradient monitoring wells, to include the well identification numbers, that are part of the groundwater monitoring program for the CCR unit;
(2) Identification of any monitoring wells that were installed or decommissioned during the preceding year, along with a narrative description of why those actions were taken;
(3) In addition to all the monitoring data obtained under §§ 257.90 through 257.98, a summary including the number of groundwater samples that were collected for analysis for each background and downgradient well, the dates the samples were collected, and whether the sample was required by the detection monitoring or assessment monitoring programs;
(4) A narrative discussion of any transition between monitoring programs (e.g., the date and circumstances for transitioning from detection monitoring to assessment monitoring in addition to identifying the constituent(s) detected at a statistically significant increase over background levels); and
(5) Other information required to be included in the annual report as specified in §§ 257.90 through 257.98.
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 51807, Aug. 5, 2016]
§ 257.91
Groundwater monitoring systems.
(a) Performance standard. The owner or operator of a CCR unit must install a groundwater monitoring system that consists of a sufficient number of wells, installed at appropriate locations and depths, to yield groundwater samples from the uppermost aquifer that:
(1) Accurately represent the quality of background groundwater that has not been affected by leakage from a CCR unit. A determination of background quality may include sampling of wells that are not hydraulically upgradient of the CCR management area where:
(i) Hydrogeologic conditions do not allow the owner or operator of the CCR unit to determine what wells are hydraulically upgradient; or
(ii) Sampling at other wells will provide an indication of background groundwater quality that is as representative or more representative than that provided by the upgradient wells; and
(2) Accurately represent the quality of groundwater passing the waste boundary of the CCR unit. The downgradient monitoring system must be installed at the waste boundary that ensures detection of groundwater contamination in the uppermost aquifer. All potential contaminant pathways must be monitored.
(b) The number, spacing, and depths of monitoring systems shall be determined based upon site-specific technical information that must include thorough characterization of:
(1) Aquifer thickness, groundwater flow rate, groundwater flow direction including seasonal and temporal fluctuations in groundwater flow; and
(2) Saturated and unsaturated geologic units and fill materials overlying the uppermost aquifer, materials comprising the uppermost aquifer, and materials comprising the confining unit defining the lower boundary of the uppermost aquifer, including, but not limited to, thicknesses, stratigraphy, lithology, hydraulic conductivities, porosities and effective porosities.
(c) The groundwater monitoring system must include the minimum number of monitoring wells necessary to meet the performance standards specified in paragraph (a) of this section, based on the site-specific information specified in paragraph (b) of this section. The groundwater monitoring system must contain:
(1) A minimum of one upgradient and three downgradient monitoring wells; and
(2) Additional monitoring wells as necessary to accurately represent the quality of background groundwater that has not been affected by leakage from the CCR unit and the quality of groundwater passing the waste boundary of the CCR unit.
(d) The owner or operator of multiple CCR units may install a multiunit groundwater monitoring system instead of separate groundwater monitoring systems for each CCR unit.
(1) The multiunit groundwater monitoring system must be equally as capable of detecting monitored constituents at the waste boundary of the CCR unit as the individual groundwater monitoring system specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section for each CCR unit based on the following factors:
(i) Number, spacing, and orientation of each CCR unit;
(ii) Hydrogeologic setting;
(iii) Site history; and
(iv) Engineering design of the CCR unit.
(2) If the owner or operator elects to install a multiunit groundwater monitoring system, and if the multiunit system includes at least one existing unlined CCR surface impoundment as determined by § 257.71(a), and if at any time after October 19, 2015 the owner or operator determines in any sampling event that the concentrations of one or more constituents listed in appendix IV to this part are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard established under § 257.95(h) for the multiunit system, then all unlined CCR surface impoundments comprising the multiunit groundwater monitoring system are subject to the closure requirements under § 257.101(a) to retrofit or close.
(e) Monitoring wells must be cased in a manner that maintains the integrity of the monitoring well borehole. This casing must be screened or perforated and packed with gravel or sand, where necessary, to enable collection of groundwater samples. The annular space (i.e., the space between the borehole and well casing) above the sampling depth must be sealed to prevent contamination of samples and the groundwater.
(1) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must document and include in the operating record the design, installation, development, and decommissioning of any monitoring wells, piezometers and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices. The qualified professional engineer must be given access to this documentation when completing the groundwater monitoring system certification required under paragraph (f) of this section.
(2) The monitoring wells, piezometers, and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices must be operated and maintained so that they perform to the design specifications throughout the life of the monitoring program.
(f) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the groundwater monitoring system has been designed and constructed to meet the requirements of this section. If the groundwater monitoring system includes the minimum number of monitoring wells specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the certification must document the basis supporting this determination.
(g) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.92
[Reserved]
§ 257.93
Groundwater sampling and analysis requirements.
(a) The groundwater monitoring program must include consistent sampling and analysis procedures that are designed to ensure monitoring results that provide an accurate representation of groundwater quality at the background and downgradient wells required by § 257.91. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must develop a sampling and analysis program that includes procedures and techniques for:
(1) Sample collection;
(2) Sample preservation and shipment;
(3) Analytical procedures;
(4) Chain of custody control; and
(5) Quality assurance and quality control.
(b) The groundwater monitoring program must include sampling and analytical methods that are appropriate for groundwater sampling and that accurately measure hazardous constituents and other monitoring parameters in groundwater samples. For purposes of §§ 257.90 through 257.98, the term constituent refers to both hazardous constituents and other monitoring parameters listed in either appendix III or IV of this part.
(c) Groundwater elevations must be measured in each well immediately prior to purging, each time groundwater is sampled. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must determine the rate and direction of groundwater flow each time groundwater is sampled. Groundwater elevations in wells which monitor the same CCR management area must be measured within a period of time short enough to avoid temporal variations in groundwater flow which could preclude accurate determination of groundwater flow rate and direction.
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must establish background groundwater quality in a hydraulically upgradient or background well(s) for each of the constituents required in the particular groundwater monitoring program that applies to the CCR unit as determined under § 257.94(a) or § 257.95(a). Background groundwater quality may be established at wells that are not located hydraulically upgradient from the CCR unit if it meets the requirements of § 257.91(a)(1).
(e) The number of samples collected when conducting detection monitoring and assessment monitoring (for both downgradient and background wells) must be consistent with the statistical procedures chosen under paragraph (f) of this section and the performance standards under paragraph (g) of this section. The sampling procedures shall be those specified under § 257.94(b) through (d) for detection monitoring, § 257.95(b) through (d) for assessment monitoring, and § 257.96(b) for corrective action.
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must select one of the statistical methods specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (5) of this section to be used in evaluating groundwater monitoring data for each specified constituent. The statistical test chosen shall be conducted separately for each constituent in each monitoring well.
(1) A parametric analysis of variance followed by multiple comparison procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's mean and the background mean levels for each constituent.
(2) An analysis of variance based on ranks followed by multiple comparison procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's median and the background median levels for each constituent.
(3) A tolerance or prediction interval procedure, in which an interval for each constituent is established from the distribution of the background data and the level of each constituent in each compliance well is compared to the upper tolerance or prediction limit.
(4) A control chart approach that gives control limits for each constituent.
(5) Another statistical test method that meets the performance standards of paragraph (g) of this section.
(6) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the selected statistical method is appropriate for evaluating the groundwater monitoring data for the CCR management area. The certification must include a narrative description of the statistical method selected to evaluate the groundwater monitoring data.
(g) Any statistical method chosen under paragraph (f) of this section shall comply with the following performance standards, as appropriate, based on the statistical test method used:
(1) The statistical method used to evaluate groundwater monitoring data shall be appropriate for the distribution of constituents. Normal distributions of data values shall use parametric methods. Non-normal distributions shall use non-parametric methods. If the distribution of the constituents is shown by the owner or operator of the CCR unit to be inappropriate for a normal theory test, then the data must be transformed or a distribution-free (non-parametric) theory test must be used. If the distributions for the constituents differ, more than one statistical method may be needed.
(2) If an individual well comparison procedure is used to compare an individual compliance well constituent concentration with background constituent concentrations or a groundwater protection standard, the test shall be done at a Type I error level no less than 0.01 for each testing period. If a multiple comparison procedure is used, the Type I experiment wise error rate for each testing period shall be no less than 0.05; however, the Type I error of no less than 0.01 for individual well comparisons must be maintained. This performance standard does not apply to tolerance intervals, prediction intervals, or control charts.
(3) If a control chart approach is used to evaluate groundwater monitoring data, the specific type of control chart and its associated parameter values shall be such that this approach is at least as effective as any other approach in this section for evaluating groundwater data. The parameter values shall be determined after considering the number of samples in the background data base, the data distribution, and the range of the concentration values for each constituent of concern.
(4) If a tolerance interval or a predictional interval is used to evaluate groundwater monitoring data, the levels of confidence and, for tolerance intervals, the percentage of the population that the interval must contain, shall be such that this approach is at least as effective as any other approach in this section for evaluating groundwater data. These parameters shall be determined after considering the number of samples in the background data base, the data distribution, and the range of the concentration values for each constituent of concern.
(5) The statistical method must account for data below the limit of detection with one or more statistical procedures that shall at least as effective as any other approach in this section for evaluating groundwater data. Any practical quantitation limit that is used in the statistical method shall be the lowest concentration level that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions that are available to the facility.
(6) If necessary, the statistical method must include procedures to control or correct for seasonal and spatial variability as well as temporal correlation in the data.
(h) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must determine whether or not there is a statistically significant increase over background values for each constituent required in the particular groundwater monitoring program that applies to the CCR unit, as determined under § 257.94(a) or § 257.95(a).
(1) In determining whether a statistically significant increase has occurred, the owner or operator must compare the groundwater quality of each constituent at each monitoring well designated pursuant to § 257.91(a)(2) or (d)(1) to the background value of that constituent, according to the statistical procedures and performance standards specified under paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section.
(2) Within 90 days after completing sampling and analysis, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over background for any constituent at each monitoring well.
(i) The owner or operator must measure “total recoverable metals” concentrations in measuring groundwater quality. Measurement of total recoverable metals captures both the particulate fraction and dissolved fraction of metals in natural waters. Groundwater samples shall not be field-filtered prior to analysis.
(j) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.94
Detection monitoring program.
(a) The owner or operator of a CCR unit must conduct detection monitoring at all groundwater monitoring wells consistent with this section. At a minimum, a detection monitoring program must include groundwater monitoring for all constituents listed in appendix III to this part.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the monitoring frequency for the constituents listed in appendix III to this part shall be at least semiannual during the active life of the CCR unit and the post-closure period. For existing CCR landfills and existing CCR surface impoundments, a minimum of eight independent samples from each background and downgradient well must be collected and analyzed for the constituents listed in appendix III and IV to this part no later than October 17, 2017. For new CCR landfills, new CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units, a minimum of eight independent samples for each background well must be collected and analyzed for the constituents listed in appendices III and IV to this part during the first six months of sampling.
(c) The number of samples collected and analyzed for each background well and downgradient well during subsequent semiannual sampling events must be consistent with § 257.93(e), and must account for any unique characteristics of the site, but must be at least one sample from each background and downgradient well.
(d) The owner or operator of a CCR unit may demonstrate the need for an alternative monitoring frequency for repeated sampling and analysis for constituents listed in appendix III to this part during the active life and the post-closure care period based on the availability of groundwater. If there is not adequate groundwater flow to sample wells semiannually, the alternative frequency shall be no less than annual. The need to vary monitoring frequency must be evaluated on a site-specific basis. The demonstration must be supported by, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section.
(1) Information documenting that the need for less frequent sampling. The alternative frequency must be based on consideration of the following factors:
(i) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(ii) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone; and
(iii) Groundwater flow rates.
(2) Information documenting that the alternative frequency will be no less effective in ensuring that any leakage from the CCR unit will be discovered within a timeframe that will not materially delay establishment of an assessment monitoring program.
(3) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration for an alternative groundwater sampling and analysis frequency meets the requirements of this section. The owner or operator must include the demonstration providing the basis for the alternative monitoring frequency and the certification by a qualified professional engineer in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e).
(e) If the owner or operator of the CCR unit determines, pursuant to § 257.93(h) that there is a statistically significant increase over background levels for one or more of the constituents listed in appendix III to this part at any monitoring well at the waste boundary specified under § 257.91(a)(2), the owner or operator must:
(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, within 90 days of detecting a statistically significant increase over background levels for any constituent, establish an assessment monitoring program meeting the requirements of § 257.95.
(2) The owner or operator may demonstrate that a source other than the CCR unit caused the statistically significant increase over background levels for a constituent or that the statistically significant increase resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. The owner or operator must complete the written demonstration within 90 days of detecting a statistically significant increase over background levels to include obtaining a certification from a qualified professional engineer verifying the accuracy of the information in the report. If a successful demonstration is completed within the 90-day period, the owner or operator of the CCR unit may continue with a detection monitoring program under this section. If a successful demonstration is not completed within the 90-day period, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate an assessment monitoring program as required under § 257.95. The owner or operator must also include the demonstration in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e), in addition to the certification by a qualified professional engineer.
(3) The owner or operator of a CCR unit must prepare a notification stating that an assessment monitoring program has been established. The owner or operator has completed the notification when the notification is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(5).
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.95
Assessment monitoring program.
(a) Assessment monitoring is required whenever a statistically significant increase over background levels has been detected for one or more of the constituents listed in appendix III to this part.
(b) Within 90 days of triggering an assessment monitoring program, and annually thereafter, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must sample and analyze the groundwater for all constituents listed in appendix IV to this part. The number of samples collected and analyzed for each well during each sampling event must be consistent with § 257.93(e), and must account for any unique characteristics of the site, but must be at least one sample from each well.
(c) The owner or operator of a CCR unit may demonstrate the need for an alternative monitoring frequency for repeated sampling and analysis for constituents listed in appendix IV to this part during the active life and the post-closure care period based on the availability of groundwater. If there is not adequate groundwater flow to sample wells semiannually, the alternative frequency shall be no less than annual. The need to vary monitoring frequency must be evaluated on a site-specific basis. The demonstration must be supported by, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section.
(1) Information documenting that the need for less frequent sampling. The alternative frequency must be based on consideration of the following factors:
(i) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(ii) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone; and
(iii) Groundwater flow rates.
(2) Information documenting that the alternative frequency will be no less effective in ensuring that any leakage from the CCR unit will be discovered within a timeframe that will not materially delay the initiation of any necessary remediation measures.
(3) The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer stating that the demonstration for an alternative groundwater sampling and analysis frequency meets the requirements of this section. The owner or operator must include the demonstration providing the basis for the alternative monitoring frequency and the certification by a qualified professional engineer in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e).
(d) After obtaining the results from the initial and subsequent sampling events required in paragraph (b) of this section, the owner or operator must:
(1) Within 90 days of obtaining the results, and on at least a semiannual basis thereafter, resample all wells that were installed pursuant to the requirements of § 257.91, conduct analyses for all parameters in appendix III to this part and for those constituents in appendix IV to this part that are detected in response to paragraph (b) of this section, and record their concentrations in the facility operating record. The number of samples collected and analyzed for each background well and downgradient well during subsequent semiannual sampling events must be consistent with § 257.93(e), and must account for any unique characteristics of the site, but must be at least one sample from each background and downgradient well;
(2) Establish groundwater protection standards for all constituents detected pursuant to paragraph (b) or (d) of this section. The groundwater protection standards must be established in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section; and
(3) Include the recorded concentrations required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section, identify the background concentrations established under § 257.94(b), and identify the groundwater protection standards established under paragraph (d)(2) of this section in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e).
(e) If the concentrations of all constituents listed in appendices III and IV to this part are shown to be at or below background values, using the statistical procedures in § 257.93(g), for two consecutive sampling events, the owner or operator may return to detection monitoring of the CCR unit. The owner or operator must prepare a notification stating that detection monitoring is resuming for the CCR unit. The owner or operator has completed the notification when the notification is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(7).
(f) If the concentrations of any constituent in appendices III and IV to this part are above background values, but all concentrations are below the groundwater protection standard established under paragraph (h) of this section, using the statistical procedures in § 257.93(g), the owner or operator must continue assessment monitoring in accordance with this section.
(g) If one or more constituents in appendix IV to this part are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard established under paragraph (h) of this section in any sampling event, the owner or operator must prepare a notification identifying the constituents in appendix IV to this part that have exceeded the groundwater protection standard. The owner or operator has completed the notification when the notification is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(8). The owner or operator of the CCR unit also must:
(1) Characterize the nature and extent of the release and any relevant site conditions that may affect the remedy ultimately selected. The characterization must be sufficient to support a complete and accurate assessment of the corrective measures necessary to effectively clean up all releases from the CCR unit pursuant to § 257.96. Characterization of the release includes the following minimum measures:
(i) Install additional monitoring wells necessary to define the contaminant plume(s);
(ii) Collect data on the nature and estimated quantity of material released including specific information on the constituents listed in appendix IV of this part and the levels at which they are present in the material released;
(iii) Install at least one additional monitoring well at the facility boundary in the direction of contaminant migration and sample this well in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and
(iv) Sample all wells in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section to characterize the nature and extent of the release.
(2) Notify all persons who own the land or reside on the land that directly overlies any part of the plume of contamination if contaminants have migrated off-site if indicated by sampling of wells in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this section. The owner or operator has completed the notifications when they are placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(8).
(3) Within 90 days of finding that any of the constituents listed in appendix IV to this part have been detected at a statistically significant level exceeding the groundwater protection standards the owner or operator must either:
(i) Initiate an assessment of corrective measures as required by § 257.96; or
(ii) Demonstrate that a source other than the CCR unit caused the contamination, or that the statistically significant increase resulted from error in sampling, analysis, statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. Any such demonstration must be supported by a report that includes the factual or evidentiary basis for any conclusions and must be certified to be accurate by a qualified professional engineer. If a successful demonstration is made, the owner or operator must continue monitoring in accordance with the assessment monitoring program pursuant to this section, and may return to detection monitoring if the constituents in appendices III and IV to this part are at or below background as specified in paragraph (e) of this section. The owner or operator must also include the demonstration in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e), in addition to the certification by a qualified professional engineer.
(4) If a successful demonstration has not been made at the end of the 90 day period provided by paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must initiate the assessment of corrective measures requirements under § 257.96.
(5) If an assessment of corrective measures is required under § 257.96 by either paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (g)(4) of this section, and if the CCR unit is an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment as determined by § 257.71(a), then the CCR unit is subject to the closure requirements under § 257.101(a) to retrofit or close. In addition, the owner or operator must prepare a notification stating that an assessment of corrective measures has been initiated.
(h) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must establish a groundwater protection standard for each constituent in appendix IV to this part detected in the groundwater. The groundwater protection standard shall be:
(1) For constituents for which a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been established under §§ 141.62 and 141.66 of this title, the MCL for that constituent;
(2) For constituents for which an MCL has not been established, the background concentration for the constituent established from wells in accordance with § 257.91; or
(3) For constituents for which the background level is higher than the MCL identified under paragraph (h)(1) of this section, the background concentration.
(i) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.96
Assessment of corrective measures.
(a) Within 90 days of finding that any constituent listed in appendix IV to this part has been detected at a statistically significant level exceeding the groundwater protection standard defined under § 257.95(h), or immediately upon detection of a release from a CCR unit, the owner or operator must initiate an assessment of corrective measures to prevent further releases, to remediate any releases and to restore affected area to original conditions. The assessment of corrective measures must be completed within 90 days, unless the owner or operator demonstrates the need for additional time to complete the assessment of corrective measures due to site-specific conditions or circumstances. The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer attesting that the demonstration is accurate. The 90-day deadline to complete the assessment of corrective measures may be extended for no longer than 60 days. The owner or operator must also include the demonstration in the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report required by § 257.90(e), in addition to the certification by a qualified professional engineer.
(b) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must continue to monitor groundwater in accordance with the assessment monitoring program as specified in § 257.95.
(c) The assessment under paragraph (a) of this section must include an analysis of the effectiveness of potential corrective measures in meeting all of the requirements and objectives of the remedy as described under § 257.97 addressing at least the following:
(1) The performance, reliability, ease of implementation, and potential impacts of appropriate potential remedies, including safety impacts, cross-media impacts, and control of exposure to any residual contamination;
(2) The time required to begin and complete the remedy;
(3) The institutional requirements, such as state or local permit requirements or other environmental or public health requirements that may substantially affect implementation of the remedy(s).
(d) The owner or operator must place the completed assessment of corrective measures in the facility's operating record. The assessment has been completed when it is placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(10).
(e) The owner or operator must discuss the results of the corrective measures assessment at least 30 days prior to the selection of remedy, in a public meeting with interested and affected parties.
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.97
Selection of remedy.
(a) Based on the results of the corrective measures assessment conducted under § 257.96, the owner or operator must, as soon as feasible, select a remedy that, at a minimum, meets the standards listed in paragraph (b) of this section. This requirement applies to, not in place of, any applicable standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The owner or operator must prepare a semiannual report describing the progress in selecting and designing the remedy. Upon selection of a remedy, the owner or operator must prepare a final report describing the selected remedy and how it meets the standards specified in paragraph (b) of this section. The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer that the remedy selected meets the requirements of this section. The report has been completed when it is placed in the operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(12).
(b) Remedies must:
(1) Be protective of human health and the environment;
(2) Attain the groundwater protection standard as specified pursuant to § 257.95(h);
(3) Control the source(s) of releases so as to reduce or eliminate, to the maximum extent feasible, further releases of constituents in appendix IV to this part into the environment;
(4) Remove from the environment as much of the contaminated material that was released from the CCR unit as is feasible, taking into account factors such as avoiding inappropriate disturbance of sensitive ecosystems;
(5) Comply with standards for management of wastes as specified in § 257.98(d).
(c) In selecting a remedy that meets the standards of paragraph (b) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit shall consider the following evaluation factors:
(1) The long- and short-term effectiveness and protectiveness of the potential remedy(s), along with the degree of certainty that the remedy will prove successful based on consideration of the following:
(i) Magnitude of reduction of existing risks;
(ii) Magnitude of residual risks in terms of likelihood of further releases due to CCR remaining following implementation of a remedy;
(iii) The type and degree of long-term management required, including monitoring, operation, and maintenance;
(iv) Short-term risks that might be posed to the community or the environment during implementation of such a remedy, including potential threats to human health and the environment associated with excavation, transportation, and re-disposal of contaminant;
(v) Time until full protection is achieved;
(vi) Potential for exposure of humans and environmental receptors to remaining wastes, considering the potential threat to human health and the environment associated with excavation, transportation, re-disposal, or containment;
(vii) Long-term reliability of the engineering and institutional controls; and
(viii) Potential need for replacement of the remedy.
(2) The effectiveness of the remedy in controlling the source to reduce further releases based on consideration of the following factors:
(i) The extent to which containment practices will reduce further releases; and
(ii) The extent to which treatment technologies may be used.
(3) The ease or difficulty of implementing a potential remedy(s) based on consideration of the following types of factors:
(i) Degree of difficulty associated with constructing the technology;
(ii) Expected operational reliability of the technologies;
(iii) Need to coordinate with and obtain necessary approvals and permits from other agencies;
(iv) Availability of necessary equipment and specialists; and
(v) Available capacity and location of needed treatment, storage, and disposal services.
(4) The degree to which community concerns are addressed by a potential remedy(s).
(d) The owner or operator must specify as part of the selected remedy a schedule(s) for implementing and completing remedial activities. Such a schedule must require the completion of remedial activities within a reasonable period of time taking into consideration the factors set forth in paragraphs (d)(1) through (6) of this section. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must consider the following factors in determining the schedule of remedial activities:
(1) Extent and nature of contamination, as determined by the characterization required under § 257.95(g);
(2) Reasonable probabilities of remedial technologies in achieving compliance with the groundwater protection standards established under § 257.95(h) and other objectives of the remedy;
(3) Availability of treatment or disposal capacity for CCR managed during implementation of the remedy;
(4) Potential risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contamination prior to completion of the remedy;
(5) Resource value of the aquifer including:
(i) Current and future uses;
(ii) Proximity and withdrawal rate of users;
(iii) Groundwater quantity and quality;
(iv) The potential damage to wildlife, crops, vegetation, and physical structures caused by exposure to CCR constituents;
(v) The hydrogeologic characteristic of the facility and surrounding land; and
(vi) The availability of alternative water supplies; and
(6) Other relevant factors.
(e) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).
§ 257.98
Implementation of the corrective action program.
(a) Within 90 days of selecting a remedy under § 257.97, the owner or operator must initiate remedial activities. Based on the schedule established under § 257.97(d) for implementation and completion of remedial activities the owner or operator must:
(1) Establish and implement a corrective action groundwater monitoring program that:
(i) At a minimum, meets the requirements of an assessment monitoring program under § 257.95;
(ii) Documents the effectiveness of the corrective action remedy; and
(iii) Demonstrates compliance with the groundwater protection standard pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) Implement the corrective action remedy selected under § 257.97; and
(3) Take any interim measures necessary to reduce the contaminants leaching from the CCR unit, and/or potential exposures to human or ecological receptors. Interim measures must, to the greatest extent feasible, be consistent with the objectives of and contribute to the performance of any remedy that may be required pursuant to § 257.97. The following factors must be considered by an owner or operator in determining whether interim measures are necessary:
(i) Time required to develop and implement a final remedy;
(ii) Actual or potential exposure of nearby populations or environmental receptors to any of the constituents listed in appendix IV of this part;
(iii) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies or sensitive ecosystems;
(iv) Further degradation of the groundwater that may occur if remedial action is not initiated expeditiously;
(v) Weather conditions that may cause any of the constituents listed in appendix IV to this part to migrate or be released;
(vi) Potential for exposure to any of the constituents listed in appendix IV to this part as a result of an accident or failure of a container or handling system; and
(vii) Other situations that may pose threats to human health and the environment.
(b) If an owner or operator of the CCR unit, determines, at any time, that compliance with the requirements of § 257.97(b) is not being achieved through the remedy selected, the owner or operator must implement other methods or techniques that could feasibly achieve compliance with the requirements.
(c) Remedies selected pursuant to § 257.97 shall be considered complete when:
(1) The owner or operator of the CCR unit demonstrates compliance with the groundwater protection standards established under § 257.95(h) has been achieved at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the groundwater monitoring well system established under § 257.91.
(2) Compliance with the groundwater protection standards established under § 257.95(h) has been achieved by demonstrating that concentrations of constituents listed in appendix IV to this part have not exceeded the groundwater protection standard(s) for a period of three consecutive years using the statistical procedures and performance standards in § 257.93(f) and (g).
(3) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied.
(d) All CCR that are managed pursuant to a remedy required under § 257.97, or an interim measure required under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, shall be managed in a manner that complies with all applicable RCRA requirements.
(e) Upon completion of the remedy, the owner or operator must prepare a notification stating that the remedy has been completed. The owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer attesting that the remedy has been completed in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. The report has been completed when it is placed in the operating record as required by § 257.105(h)(13).
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(h), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(h), and the internet requirements specified in § 257.107(h).

Closure and Post-Closure Care
§ 257.100
Inactive CCR surface impoundments.
(a) Inactive CCR surface impoundments are subject to all of the requirements of this subpart applicable to existing CCR surface impoundments.
(b)-(d) [Reserved]
(e) Timeframes for certain inactive CCR surface impoundments. (1) An inactive CCR surface impoundment for which the owner or operator has completed the actions by the deadlines specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section is eligible for the alternative timeframes specified in paragraphs (e)(2) through (6) of this section. The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the applicable recordkeeping, notification, and internet requirements associated with these provisions. For the inactive CCR surface impoundment:
(i) The owner or operator must have prepared and placed in the facility's operating record by December 17, 2015, a notification of intent to initiate closure of the inactive CCR surface impoundment pursuant to § 257.105(i)(1);
(ii) The owner or operator must have provided notification to the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority by January 19, 2016, of the intent to initiate closure of the inactive CCR surface impoundment pursuant to § 257.106(i)(1); and
(iii) The owner or operator must have placed on its CCR Web site by January 19, 2016, the notification of intent to initiate closure of the inactive CCR surface impoundment pursuant to § 257.107(i)(1).
(2) Location restrictions. (i) No later than April 16, 2020, the owner or operator of the inactive CCR surface impoundment must:
(A) Complete the demonstration for placement above the uppermost aquifer as set forth by § 257.60(a), (b), and (c)(3);
(B) Complete the demonstration for wetlands as set forth by § 257.61(a), (b), and (c)(3);
(C) Complete the demonstration for fault areas as set forth by § 257.62(a), (b), and (c)(3);
(D) Complete the demonstration for seismic impact zones as set forth by § 257.63(a), (b), and (c)(3); and
(E) Complete the demonstration for unstable areas as set forth by § 257.64(a), (b), (c), and (d)(3).
(ii) An owner or operator of an inactive CCR surface impoundment who fails to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section is subject to the closure requirements of § 257.101(b)(1).
(3) Design criteria. The owner or operator of the inactive CCR surface impoundment must:
(i) No later than April 17, 2018, complete the documentation of liner type as set forth by § 257.71(a) and (b).
(ii) No later than June 16, 2017, place on or immediately adjacent to the CCR unit the permanent identification marker as set forth by § 257.73(a)(1).
(iii) No later than October 16, 2018, prepare and maintain an Emergency Action Plan as set forth by § 257.73(a)(3).
(iv) No later than April 17, 2018, compile a history of construction as set forth by § 257.73(b) and (c).
(v) No later than April 17, 2018, complete the initial hazard potential classification, structural stability, and safety factor assessments as set forth by § 257.73(a)(2), (b), (d), (e), and (f).
(4) Operating criteria. The owner or operator of the inactive CCR surface impoundment must:
(i) No later than April 18, 2017, prepare the initial CCR fugitive dust control plan as set forth in § 257.80(b).
(ii) No later than April 17, 2018, prepare the initial inflow design flood control system plan as set forth in § 257.82(c).
(iii) No later than April 18, 2017, initiate the inspections by a qualified person as set forth by § 257.83(a).
(iv) No later than July 19, 2017, complete the initial annual inspection by a qualified professional engineer as set forth by § 257.83(b).
(5) Groundwater monitoring and corrective action. The owner or operator of the inactive CCR surface impoundment must:
(i) No later than April 17, 2019, comply with groundwater monitoring requirements set forth in §§ 257.90(b) and 257.94(b); and
(ii) No later than August 1, 2019, prepare the initial groundwater monitoring and corrective action report as set forth in § 257.90(e).
(6) Closure and post-closure care. The owner or operator of the inactive CCR surface impoundment must:
(i) No later than April 17, 2018, prepare an initial written closure plan as set forth in § 257.102(b); and
(ii) No later than April 17, 2018, prepare an initial written post-closure care plan as set forth in § 257.104(d).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 51807, Aug. 5, 2016]
§ 257.101
Closure or retrofit of CCR units.
(a) The owner or operator of an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment, as determined under § 257.71(a), is subject to the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(3) of this section, if at any time after October 19, 2015 an owner or operator of an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment determines in any sampling event that the concentrations of one or more constituents listed in appendix IV to this part are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard established under § 257.95(h) for such CCR unit, within six months of making such determination, the owner or operator of the existing unlined CCR surface impoundment must cease placing CCR and non-CCR wastestreams into such CCR surface impoundment and either retrofit or close the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(2) An owner or operator of an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment that closes in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section must include a statement in the notification required under § 257.102(g) or (k)(5) that the CCR surface impoundment is closing or retrofitting under the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) The timeframe specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not apply if the owner or operator complies with the alternative closure procedures specified in § 257.103.
(4) At any time after the initiation of closure under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the owner or operator may cease closure activities and initiate a retrofit of the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102(k).
(b) The owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment is subject to the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (b)(4) of this section, within six months of determining that an existing CCR surface impoundment has not demonstrated compliance with any location standard specified in §§ 257.60(a), 257.61(a), 257.62(a), 257.63(a), and 257.64(a), the owner or operator of the CCR surface impoundment must cease placing CCR and non-CCR wastestreams into such CCR unit and close the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(2) Within six months of either failing to complete the initial or any subsequent periodic safety factor assessment required by § 257.73(e) by the deadlines specified in § 257.73(f)(1) through (3) or failing to document that the calculated factors of safety for the existing CCR surface impoundment achieve the minimum safety factors specified in § 257.73(e)(1)(i) through (iv), the owner or operator of the CCR surface impoundment must cease placing CCR and non-CCR wastestreams into such CCR unit and close the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(3) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment that closes in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1) or (2) of this section must include a statement in the notification required under § 257.102(g) that the CCR surface impoundment is closing under the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) or (2) of this section.
(4) The timeframe specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply if the owner or operator complies with the alternative closure procedures specified in § 257.103.
(c) The owner or operator of a new CCR surface impoundment is subject to the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(1) Within six months of either failing to complete the initial or any subsequent periodic safety factor assessment required by § 257.74(e) by the deadlines specified in § 257.74(f)(1) through (3) or failing to document that the calculated factors of safety for the new CCR surface impoundment achieve the minimum safety factors specified in § 257.74(e)(1)(i) through (v), the owner or operator of the CCR surface impoundment must cease placing CCR and non-CCR wastestreams into such CCR unit and close the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(2) An owner or operator of an new CCR surface impoundment that closes in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section must include a statement in the notification required under § 257.102(g) that the CCR surface impoundment is closing under the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) The owner or operator of an existing CCR landfill is subject to the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (d)(3) of this section, within six months of determining that an existing CCR landfill has not demonstrated compliance with the location restriction for unstable areas specified in § 257.64(a), the owner or operator of the CCR unit must cease placing CCR and non-CCR waste streams into such CCR landfill and close the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(2) An owner or operator of an existing CCR landfill that closes in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this section must include a statement in the notification required under § 257.102(g) that the CCR landfill is closing under the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(3) The timeframe specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section does not apply if the owner or operator complies with the alternative closure procedures specified in § 257.103.
§ 257.102
Criteria for conducting the closure or retrofit of CCR units.
(a) Closure of a CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit must be completed either by leaving the CCR in place and installing a final cover system or through removal of the CCR and decontamination of the CCR unit, as described in paragraphs (b) through (j) of this section. Retrofit of a CCR surface impoundment must be completed in accordance with the requirements in paragraph (k) of this section.
(b) Written closure plan—(1) Content of the plan. The owner or operator of a CCR unit must prepare a written closure plan that describes the steps necessary to close the CCR unit at any point during the active life of the CCR unit consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. The written closure plan must include, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section.
(i) A narrative description of how the CCR unit will be closed in accordance with this section.
(ii) If closure of the CCR unit will be accomplished through removal of CCR from the CCR unit, a description of the procedures to remove the CCR and decontaminate the CCR unit in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
(iii) If closure of the CCR unit will be accomplished by leaving CCR in place, a description of the final cover system, designed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, and the methods and procedures to be used to install the final cover. The closure plan must also discuss how the final cover system will achieve the performance standards specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
(iv) An estimate of the maximum inventory of CCR ever on-site over the active life of the CCR unit.
(v) An estimate of the largest area of the CCR unit ever requiring a final cover as required by paragraph (d) of this section at any time during the CCR unit's active life.
(vi) A schedule for completing all activities necessary to satisfy the closure criteria in this section, including an estimate of the year in which all closure activities for the CCR unit will be completed. The schedule should provide sufficient information to describe the sequential steps that will be taken to close the CCR unit, including identification of major milestones such as coordinating with and obtaining necessary approvals and permits from other agencies, the dewatering and stabilization phases of CCR surface impoundment closure, or installation of the final cover system, and the estimated timeframes to complete each step or phase of CCR unit closure. When preparing the written closure plan, if the owner or operator of a CCR unit estimates that the time required to complete closure will exceed the timeframes specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the written closure plan must include the site-specific information, factors and considerations that would support any time extension sought under paragraph (f)(2) of this section.
(2) Timeframes for preparing the initial written closure plan—(i) Existing CCR landfills and existing CCR surface impoundments. No later than October 17, 2016, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare an initial written closure plan consistent with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(ii) New CCR landfills and new CCR surface impoundments, and any lateral expansion of a CCR unit. No later than the date of the initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit, the owner or operator must prepare an initial written closure plan consistent with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(iii) The owner or operator has completed the written closure plan when the plan, including the certification required by paragraph (b)(4) of this section, has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(4).
(3) Amendment of a written closure plan. (i) The owner or operator may amend the initial or any subsequent written closure plan developed pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section at any time.
(ii) The owner or operator must amend the written closure plan whenever:
(A) There is a change in the operation of the CCR unit that would substantially affect the written closure plan in effect; or
(B) Before or after closure activities have commenced, unanticipated events necessitate a revision of the written closure plan.
(iii) The owner or operator must amend the closure plan at least 60 days prior to a planned change in the operation of the facility or CCR unit, or no later than 60 days after an unanticipated event requires the need to revise an existing written closure plan. If a written closure plan is revised after closure activities have commenced for a CCR unit, the owner or operator must amend the current closure plan no later than 30 days following the triggering event.
(4) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a written certification from a qualified professional engineer that the initial and any amendment of the written closure plan meets the requirements of this section.
(c) Closure by removal of CCR. An owner or operator may elect to close a CCR unit by removing and decontaminating all areas affected by releases from the CCR unit. CCR removal and decontamination of the CCR unit are complete when constituent concentrations throughout the CCR unit and any areas affected by releases from the CCR unit have been removed and groundwater monitoring concentrations do not exceed the groundwater protection standard established pursuant to § 257.95(h) for constituents listed in appendix IV to this part.
(d) Closure performance standard when leaving CCR in place—(1) The owner or operator of a CCR unit must ensure that, at a minimum, the CCR unit is closed in a manner that will:
(i) Control, minimize or eliminate, to the maximum extent feasible, post-closure infiltration of liquids into the waste and releases of CCR, leachate, or contaminated run-off to the ground or surface waters or to the atmosphere;
(ii) Preclude the probability of future impoundment of water, sediment, or slurry;
(iii) Include measures that provide for major slope stability to prevent the sloughing or movement of the final cover system during the closure and post-closure care period;
(iv) Minimize the need for further maintenance of the CCR unit; and
(v) Be completed in the shortest amount of time consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.
(2) Drainage and stabilization of CCR surface impoundments. The owner or operator of a CCR surface impoundment or any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment must meet the requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section prior to installing the final cover system required under paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
(i) Free liquids must be eliminated by removing liquid wastes or solidifying the remaining wastes and waste residues.
(ii) Remaining wastes must be stabilized sufficient to support the final cover system.
(3) Final cover system. If a CCR unit is closed by leaving CCR in place, the owner or operator must install a final cover system that is designed to minimize infiltration and erosion, and at a minimum, meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, or the requirements of the alternative final cover system specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section.
(i) The final cover system must be designed and constructed to meet the criteria in paragraphs (d)(3)(i)(A) through (D) of this section. The design of the final cover system must be included in the written closure plan required by paragraph (b) of this section.
(A) The permeability of the final cover system must be less than or equal to the permeability of any bottom liner system or natural subsoils present, or a permeability no greater than 1 × 10−5 cm/sec, whichever is less.
(B) The infiltration of liquids through the closed CCR unit must be minimized by the use of an infiltration layer that contains a minimum of 18 inches of earthen material.
(C) The erosion of the final cover system must be minimized by the use of an erosion layer that contains a minimum of six inches of earthen material that is capable of sustaining native plant growth.
(D) The disruption of the integrity of the final cover system must be minimized through a design that accommodates settling and subsidence.
(ii) The owner or operator may select an alternative final cover system design, provided the alternative final cover system is designed and constructed to meet the criteria in paragraphs (f)(3)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section. The design of the final cover system must be included in the written closure plan required by paragraph (b) of this section.
(A) The design of the final cover system must include an infiltration layer that achieves an equivalent reduction in infiltration as the infiltration layer specified in paragraphs (d)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.
(B) The design of the final cover system must include an erosion layer that provides equivalent protection from wind or water erosion as the erosion layer specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(C) of this section.
(C) The disruption of the integrity of the final cover system must be minimized through a design that accommodates settling and subsidence.
(iii) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a written certification from a qualified professional engineer that the design of the final cover system meets the requirements of this section.
(e) Initiation of closure activities. Except as provided for in paragraph (e)(4) of this section and § 257.103, the owner or operator of a CCR unit must commence closure of the CCR unit no later than the applicable timeframes specified in either paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) The owner or operator must commence closure of the CCR unit no later than 30 days after the date on which the CCR unit either:
(i) Receives the known final receipt of waste, either CCR or any non-CCR waste stream; or
(ii) Removes the known final volume of CCR from the CCR unit for the purpose of beneficial use of CCR.
(2)(i) Except as provided by paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator must commence closure of a CCR unit that has not received CCR or any non-CCR waste stream or is no longer removing CCR for the purpose of beneficial use within two years of the last receipt of waste or within two years of the last removal of CCR material for the purpose of beneficial use.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit may secure an additional two years to initiate closure of the idle unit provided the owner or operator provides written documentation that the CCR unit will continue to accept wastes or will start removing CCR for the purpose of beneficial use. The documentation must be supported by, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section. The owner or operator may obtain two-year extensions provided the owner or operator continues to be able to demonstrate that there is reasonable likelihood that the CCR unit will accept wastes in the foreseeable future or will remove CCR from the unit for the purpose of beneficial use. The owner or operator must place each completed demonstration, if more than one time extension is sought, in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(5) prior to the end of any two-year period.
(A) Information documenting that the CCR unit has remaining storage or disposal capacity or that the CCR unit can have CCR removed for the purpose of beneficial use; and
(B) Information demonstrating that that there is a reasonable likelihood that the CCR unit will resume receiving CCR or non-CCR waste streams in the foreseeable future or that CCR can be removed for the purpose of beneficial use. The narrative must include a best estimate as to when the CCR unit will resume receiving CCR or non-CCR waste streams. The situations listed in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(B)(1) through (4) of this section are examples of situations that would support a determination that the CCR unit will resume receiving CCR or non-CCR waste streams in the foreseeable future.
(1) Normal plant operations include periods during which the CCR unit does not receive CCR or non-CCR waste streams, such as the alternating use of two or more CCR units whereby at any point in time one CCR unit is receiving CCR while CCR is being removed from a second CCR unit after its dewatering.
(2) The CCR unit is dedicated to a coal-fired boiler unit that is temporarily idled (e.g., CCR is not being generated) and there is a reasonable likelihood that the coal-fired boiler will resume operations in the future.
(3) The CCR unit is dedicated to an operating coal-fired boiler (i.e., CCR is being generated); however, no CCR are being placed in the CCR unit because the CCR are being entirely diverted to beneficial uses, but there is a reasonable likelihood that the CCR unit will again be used in the foreseeable future.
(4) The CCR unit currently receives only non-CCR waste streams and those non-CCR waste streams are not generated for an extended period of time, but there is a reasonable likelihood that the CCR unit will again receive non-CCR waste streams in the future.
(iii) In order to obtain additional time extension(s) to initiate closure of a CCR unit beyond the two years provided by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must include with the demonstration required by paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section the following statement signed by the owner or operator or an authorized representative:
I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this demonstration and all attached documents, and that, based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the submitted information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.
(3) For purposes of this subpart, closure of the CCR unit has commenced if the owner or operator has ceased placing waste and completes any of the following actions or activities:
(i) Taken any steps necessary to implement the written closure plan required by paragraph (b) of this section;
(ii) Submitted a completed application for any required state or agency permit or permit modification; or
(iii) Taken any steps necessary to comply with any state or other agency standards that are a prerequisite, or are otherwise applicable, to initiating or completing the closure of a CCR unit.
(4) The timeframes specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this section do not apply to any of the following owners or operators:
(i) [Reserved]
(ii) An owner or operator of an existing unlined CCR surface impoundment closing the CCR unit as required by § 257.101(a);
(iii) An owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment closing the CCR unit as required by § 257.101(b);
(iv) An owner or operator of a new CCR surface impoundment closing the CCR unit as required by § 257.101(c); or
(v) An owner or operator of an existing CCR landfill closing the CCR unit as required by § 257.101(d).
(f) Completion of closure activities. (1) Except as provided for in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the owner or operator must complete closure of the CCR unit:
(i) For existing and new CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill, within six months of commencing closure activities.
(ii) For existing and new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment, within five years of commencing closure activities.
(2)(i) Extensions of closure timeframes. The timeframes for completing closure of a CCR unit specified under paragraphs (f)(1) of this section may be extended if the owner or operator can demonstrate that it was not feasible to complete closure of the CCR unit within the required timeframes due to factors beyond the facility's control. If the owner or operator is seeking a time extension beyond the time specified in the written closure plan as required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the demonstration must include a narrative discussion providing the basis for additional time beyond that specified in the closure plan. The owner or operator must place each completed demonstration, if more than one time extension is sought, in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(6) prior to the end of any two-year period. Factors that may support such a demonstration include:
(A) Complications stemming from the climate and weather, such as unusual amounts of precipitation or a significantly shortened construction season;
(B) Time required to dewater a surface impoundment due to the volume of CCR contained in the CCR unit or the characteristics of the CCR in the unit;
(C) The geology and terrain surrounding the CCR unit will affect the amount of material needed to close the CCR unit; or
(D) Time required or delays caused by the need to coordinate with and obtain necessary approvals and permits from a state or other agency.
(ii) Maximum time extensions. (A) CCR surface impoundments of 40 acres or smaller may extend the time to complete closure by no longer than two years.
(B) CCR surface impoundments larger than 40 acres may extend the timeframe to complete closure of the CCR unit multiple times, in two-year increments. For each two-year extension sought, the owner or operator must substantiate the factual circumstances demonstrating the need for the extension. No more than a total of five two-year extensions may be obtained for any CCR surface impoundment.
(C) CCR landfills may extend the timeframe to complete closure of the CCR unit multiple times, in one-year increments. For each one-year extension sought, the owner or operator must substantiate the factual circumstances demonstrating the need for the extension. No more than a total of two one-year extensions may be obtained for any CCR landfill.
(iii) In order to obtain additional time extension(s) to complete closure of a CCR unit beyond the times provided by paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must include with the demonstration required by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section the following statement signed by the owner or operator or an authorized representative:
I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this demonstration and all attached documents, and that, based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the submitted information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.
(3) Upon completion, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer verifying that closure has been completed in accordance with the closure plan specified in paragraph (b) of this section and the requirements of this section.
(g) No later than the date the owner or operator initiates closure of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must prepare a notification of intent to close a CCR unit. The notification must include the certification by a qualified professional engineer for the design of the final cover system as required by § 257.102(d)(3)(iii), if applicable. The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(7).
(h) Within 30 days of completion of closure of the CCR unit, the owner or operator must prepare a notification of closure of a CCR unit. The notification must include the certification by a qualified professional engineer as required by § 257.102(f)(3). The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(8).
(i) Deed notations. (1) Except as provided by paragraph (i)(4) of this section, following closure of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must record a notation on the deed to the property, or some other instrument that is normally examined during title search.
(2) The notation on the deed must in perpetuity notify any potential purchaser of the property that:
(i) The land has been used as a CCR unit; and
(ii) Its use is restricted under the post-closure care requirements as provided by § 257.104(d)(1)(iii).
(3) Within 30 days of recording a notation on the deed to the property, the owner or operator must prepare a notification stating that the notation has been recorded. The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(9).
(4) An owner or operator that closes a CCR unit in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section is not subject to the requirements of paragraphs (i)(1) through (3) of this section.
(j) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the closure recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(i), the closure notification requirements specified in § 257.106(i), and the closure Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(i).
(k) Criteria to retrofit an existing CCR surface impoundment. (1) To retrofit an existing CCR surface impoundment, the owner or operator must:
(i) First remove all CCR, including any contaminated soils and sediments from the CCR unit; and
(ii) Comply with the requirements in § 257.72.
(iii) A CCR surface impoundment undergoing a retrofit remains subject to all other requirements of this subpart, including the requirement to conduct any necessary corrective action.
(2) Written retrofit plan—(i) Content of the plan. The owner or operator must prepare a written retrofit plan that describes the steps necessary to retrofit the CCR unit consistent with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. The written retrofit plan must include, at a minimum, all of the following information:
(A) A narrative description of the specific measures that will be taken to retrofit the CCR unit in accordance with this section.
(B) A description of the procedures to remove all CCR and contaminated soils and sediments from the CCR unit.
(C) An estimate of the maximum amount of CCR that will be removed as part of the retrofit operation.
(D) An estimate of the largest area of the CCR unit that will be affected by the retrofit operation.
(E) A schedule for completing all activities necessary to satisfy the retrofit criteria in this section, including an estimate of the year in which retrofit activities of the CCR unit will be completed.
(ii) Timeframes for preparing the initial written retrofit plan. (A) No later than 60 days prior to date of initiating retrofit activities, the owner or operator must prepare an initial written retrofit plan consistent with the requirements specified in paragraph (k)(2) of this section. For purposes of this subpart, initiation of retrofit activities has commenced if the owner or operator has ceased placing waste in the unit and completes any of the following actions or activities:
(1) Taken any steps necessary to implement the written retrofit plan;
(2) Submitted a completed application for any required state or agency permit or permit modification; or
(3) Taken any steps necessary to comply with any state or other agency standards that are a prerequisite, or are otherwise applicable, to initiating or completing the retrofit of a CCR unit.
(B) The owner or operator has completed the written retrofit plan when the plan, including the certification required by paragraph (k)(2)(iv) of this section, has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(j)(1).
(iii) Amendment of a written retrofit plan. (A) The owner or operator may amend the initial or any subsequent written retrofit plan at any time.
(B) The owner or operator must amend the written retrofit plan whenever:
(1) There is a change in the operation of the CCR unit that would substantially affect the written retrofit plan in effect; or
(2) Before or after retrofit activities have commenced, unanticipated events necessitate a revision of the written retrofit plan.
(C) The owner or operator must amend the retrofit plan at least 60 days prior to a planned change in the operation of the facility or CCR unit, or no later than 60 days after an unanticipated event requires the revision of an existing written retrofit plan. If a written retrofit plan is revised after retrofit activities have commenced for a CCR unit, the owner or operator must amend the current retrofit plan no later than 30 days following the triggering event.
(iv) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a written certification from a qualified professional engineer that the activities outlined in the written retrofit plan, including any amendment of the plan, meet the requirements of this section.
(3) Deadline for completion of activities related to the retrofit of a CCR unit. Any CCR surface impoundment that is being retrofitted must complete all retrofit activities within the same time frames and procedures specified for the closure of a CCR surface impoundment in § 257.102(f) or, where applicable, § 257.103.
(4) Upon completion, the owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified professional engineer verifying that the retrofit activities have been completed in accordance with the retrofit plan specified in paragraph (k)(2) of this section and the requirements of this section.
(5) No later than the date the owner or operator initiates the retrofit of a CCR unit, the owner or operator must prepare a notification of intent to retrofit a CCR unit. The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(j)(5).
(6) Within 30 days of completing the retrofit activities specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this section, the owner or operator must prepare a notification of completion of retrofit activities. The notification must include the certification by a qualified professional engineer as required by paragraph (k)(4) of this section. The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(j)(6).
(7) At any time after the initiation of a CCR unit retrofit, the owner or operator may cease the retrofit and initiate closure of the CCR unit in accordance with the requirements of § 257.102.
(8) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the retrofit recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(j), the retrofit notification requirements specified in § 257.106(j), and the retrofit Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(j).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 51808, Aug. 5, 2016]
§ 257.103
Alternative closure requirements.
The owner or operator of a CCR landfill, CCR surface impoundment, or any lateral expansion of a CCR unit that is subject to closure pursuant to § 257.101(a), (b)(1), or (d) may continue to receive CCR in the unit provided the owner or operator meets the requirements of either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.
(a)(1) No alternative CCR disposal capacity. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 257.101(a), (b)(1), or (d), a CCR unit may continue to receive CCR if the owner or operator of the CCR unit certifies that the CCR must continue to be managed in that CCR unit due to the absence of alternative disposal capacity both on-site and off-site of the facility. To qualify under this paragraph (a)(1), the owner or operator of the CCR unit must document that all of the following conditions have been met:
(i) No alternative disposal capacity is available on-site or off-site. An increase in costs or the inconvenience of existing capacity is not sufficient to support qualification under this section;
(ii) The owner or operator has made, and continues to make, efforts to obtain additional capacity. Qualification under this subsection lasts only as long as no alternative capacity is available. Once alternative capacity is identified, the owner or operator must arrange to use such capacity as soon as feasible;
(iii) The owner or operator must remain in compliance with all other requirements of this subpart, including the requirement to conduct any necessary corrective action; and
(iv) The owner or operator must prepare an annual progress report documenting the continued lack of alternative capacity and the progress towards the development of alternative CCR disposal capacity.
(2) Once alternative capacity is available, the CCR unit must cease receiving CCR and initiate closure following the timeframes in § 257.102(e) and (f).
(3) If no alternative capacity is identified within five years after the initial certification, the CCR unit must cease receiving CCR and close in accordance with the timeframes in § 257.102(e) and (f).
(b)(1) Permanent cessation of a coal-fired boiler(s) by a date certain. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 257.101(a), (b)(1), and (d), a CCR unit may continue to receive CCR if the owner or operator certifies that the facility will cease operation of the coal-fired boilers within the timeframes specified in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section, but in the interim period (prior to closure of the coal-fired boiler), the facility must continue to use the CCR unit due to the absence of alternative disposal capacity both on-site and off-site of the facility. To qualify under this paragraph (b)(1), the owner or operator of the CCR unit must document that all of the following conditions have been met:
(i) No alternative disposal capacity is available on-site or off-site. An increase in costs or the inconvenience of existing capacity is not sufficient to support qualification under this section.
(ii) The owner or operator must remain in compliance with all other requirements of this subpart, including the requirement to conduct any necessary corrective action; and
(iii) The owner or operator must prepare an annual progress report documenting the continued lack of alternative capacity and the progress towards the closure of the coal-fired boiler.
(2) For a CCR surface impoundment that is 40 acres or smaller, the coal-fired boiler must cease operation and the CCR surface impoundment must have completed closure no later than October 17, 2023.
(3) For a CCR surface impoundment that is larger than 40 acres, the coal-fired boiler must cease operation, and the CCR surface impoundment must complete closure no later than October 17, 2028.
(4) For a CCR landfill, the coal-fired boiler must cease operation, and the CCR landfill must complete closure no later than April 19, 2021.
(c) Required notices and progress reports. An owner or operator of a CCR unit that closes in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section must complete the notices and progress reports specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section.
(1) Within six months of becoming subject to closure pursuant to § 257.101(a), (b)(1), or (d), the owner or operator must prepare and place in the facility's operating record a notification of intent to comply with the alternative closure requirements of this section. The notification must describe why the CCR unit qualifies for the alternative closure provisions under either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, in addition to providing the documentation and certifications required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.
(2) The owner or operator must prepare the periodic progress reports required by paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) or (b)(1)(iii), in addition to describing any problems encountered and a description of the actions taken to resolve the problems. The annual progress reports must be completed according to the following schedule:
(i) The first annual progress report must be prepared no later than 13 months after completing the notification of intent to comply with the alternative closure requirements required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(ii) The second annual progress report must be prepared no later than 12 months after completing the first annual progress report. Additional annual progress reports must be prepared within 12 months of completing the previous annual progress report.
(iii) The owner or operator has completed the progress reports specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section when the reports are placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(10).
(3) An owner or operator of a CCR unit must also prepare the notification of intent to close a CCR unit as required by § 257.102(g).
(d) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(i), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(i), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(i).
§ 257.104
Post-closure care requirements.
(a) Applicability. (1) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2) of this section, § 257.104 applies to the owners or operators of CCR landfills, CCR surface impoundments, and all lateral expansions of CCR units that are subject to the closure criteria under § 257.102.
(2) An owner or operator of a CCR unit that elects to close a CCR unit by removing CCR as provided by § 257.102(c) is not subject to the post-closure care criteria under this section.
(b) Post-closure care maintenance requirements. Following closure of the CCR unit, the owner or operator must conduct post-closure care for the CCR unit, which must consist of at least the following:
(1) Maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the final cover system, including making repairs to the final cover as necessary to correct the effects of settlement, subsidence, erosion, or other events, and preventing run-on and run-off from eroding or otherwise damaging the final cover;
(2) If the CCR unit is subject to the design criteria under § 257.70, maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the leachate collection and removal system and operating the leachate collection and removal system in accordance with the requirements of § 257.70; and
(3) Maintaining the groundwater monitoring system and monitoring the groundwater in accordance with the requirements of §§ 257.90 through 257.98.
(c) Post-closure care period. (1) Except as provided by paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must conduct post-closure care for 30 years.
(2) If at the end of the post-closure care period the owner or operator of the CCR unit is operating under assessment monitoring in accordance with § 257.95, the owner or operator must continue to conduct post-closure care until the owner or operator returns to detection monitoring in accordance with § 257.95.
(d) Written post-closure plan—(1) Content of the plan. The owner or operator of a CCR unit must prepare a written post-closure plan that includes, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) A description of the monitoring and maintenance activities required in paragraph (b) of this section for the CCR unit, and the frequency at which these activities will be performed;
(ii) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person or office to contact about the facility during the post-closure care period; and
(iii) A description of the planned uses of the property during the post-closure period. Post-closure use of the property shall not disturb the integrity of the final cover, liner(s), or any other component of the containment system, or the function of the monitoring systems unless necessary to comply with the requirements in this subpart. Any other disturbance is allowed if the owner or operator of the CCR unit demonstrates that disturbance of the final cover, liner, or other component of the containment system, including any removal of CCR, will not increase the potential threat to human health or the environment. The demonstration must be certified by a qualified professional engineer, and notification shall be provided to the State Director that the demonstration has been placed in the operating record and on the owners or operator's publicly accessible Internet site.
(2) Deadline to prepare the initial written post-closure plan—(i) Existing CCR landfills and existing CCR surface impoundments. No later than October 17, 2016, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare an initial written post-closure plan consistent with the requirements specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(ii) New CCR landfills, new CCR surface impoundments, and any lateral expansion of a CCR unit. No later than the date of the initial receipt of CCR in the CCR unit, the owner or operator must prepare an initial written post-closure plan consistent with the requirements specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(iii) The owner or operator has completed the written post-closure plan when the plan, including the certification required by paragraph (d)(4) of this section, has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(4).
(3) Amendment of a written post-closure plan. (i) The owner or operator may amend the initial or any subsequent written post-closure plan developed pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section at any time.
(ii) The owner or operator must amend the written closure plan whenever:
(A) There is a change in the operation of the CCR unit that would substantially affect the written post-closure plan in effect; or
(B) After post-closure activities have commenced, unanticipated events necessitate a revision of the written post-closure plan.
(iii) The owner or operator must amend the written post-closure plan at least 60 days prior to a planned change in the operation of the facility or CCR unit, or no later than 60 days after an unanticipated event requires the need to revise an existing written post-closure plan. If a written post-closure plan is revised after post-closure activities have commenced for a CCR unit, the owner or operator must amend the written post-closure plan no later than 30 days following the triggering event.
(4) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must obtain a written certification from a qualified professional engineer that the initial and any amendment of the written post-closure plan meets the requirements of this section.
(e) Notification of completion of post-closure care period. No later than 60 days following the completion of the post-closure care period, the owner or operator of the CCR unit must prepare a notification verifying that post-closure care has been completed. The notification must include the certification by a qualified professional engineer verifying that post-closure care has been completed in accordance with the closure plan specified in paragraph (d) of this section and the requirements of this section. The owner or operator has completed the notification when it has been placed in the facility's operating record as required by § 257.105(i)(13).
(f) The owner or operator of the CCR unit must comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in § 257.105(i), the notification requirements specified in § 257.106(i), and the Internet requirements specified in § 257.107(i).
[80 FR 21468, Apr. 17, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 51808, Aug. 5, 2016]

Recordkeeping, Notification, and Posting of Information to the Internet
§ 257.105
Recordkeeping requirements.
(a) Each owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of this subpart must maintain files of all information required by this section in a written operating record at their facility.
(b) Unless specified otherwise, each file must be retained for at least five years following the date of each occurrence, measurement, maintenance, corrective action, report, record, or study.
(c) An owner or operator of more than one CCR unit subject to the provisions of this subpart may comply with the requirements of this section in one recordkeeping system provided the system identifies each file by the name of each CCR unit. The files may be maintained on microfilm, on a computer, on computer disks, on a storage system accessible by a computer, on magnetic tape disks, or on microfiche.
(d) The owner or operator of a CCR unit must submit to the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority any demonstration or documentation required by this subpart, if requested, when such information is not otherwise available on the owner or operator's publicly accessible Internet site.
(e) Location restrictions. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the demonstrations documenting whether or not the CCR unit is in compliance with the requirements under §§ 257.60(a), 257.61(a), 257.62(a), 257.63(a), and 257.64(a), as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record.
(f) Design criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information, as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record:
(1) The design and construction certifications as required by § 257.70(e) and (f).
(2) The documentation of liner type as required by § 257.71(a).
(3) The design and construction certifications as required by § 257.72(c) and (d).
(4) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator stating that the permanent identification marker was installed as required by §§ 257.73(a)(1) and 257.74(a)(1).
(5) The initial and periodic hazard potential classification assessments as required by §§ 257.73(a)(2) and 257.74(a)(2).
(6) The emergency action plan (EAP), and any amendment of the EAP, as required by §§ 257.73(a)(3) and 257.74(a)(3), except that only the most recent EAP must be maintained in the facility's operating record irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(7) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording the annual face-to-face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders as required by §§ 257.73(a)(3)(i)(E) and 257.74(a)(3)(i)(E).
(8) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording all activations of the emergency action plan as required by §§ 257.73(a)(3)(v) and 257.74(a)(3)(v).
(9) The history of construction, and any revisions of it, as required by § 257.73(c), except that these files must be maintained until the CCR unit completes closure of the unit in accordance with § 257.102.
(10) The initial and periodic structural stability assessments as required by §§ 257.73(d) and 257.74(d).
(11) Documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release as required by §§ 257.73(d)(2) and 257.74(d)(2).
(12) The initial and periodic safety factor assessments as required by §§ 257.73(e) and 257.74(e).
(13) The design and construction plans, and any revisions of it, as required by § 257.74(c), except that these files must be maintained until the CCR unit completes closure of the unit in accordance with § 257.102.
(g) Operating criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information, as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record:
(1) The CCR fugitive dust control plan, and any subsequent amendment of the plan, required by § 257.80(b), except that only the most recent control plan must be maintained in the facility's operating record irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) The annual CCR fugitive dust control report required by § 257.80(c).
(3) The initial and periodic run-on and run-off control system plans as required by § 257.81(c).
(4) The initial and periodic inflow design flood control system plan as required by § 257.82(c).
(5) Documentation recording the results of each inspection and instrumentation monitoring by a qualified person as required by § 257.83(a).
(6) The periodic inspection report as required by § 257.83(b)(2).
(7) Documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release as required by §§ 257.83(b)(5) and 257.84(b)(5).
(8) Documentation recording the results of the weekly inspection by a qualified person as required by § 257.84(a).
(9) The periodic inspection report as required by § 257.84(b)(2).
(h) Groundwater monitoring and corrective action. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information, as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record:
(1) The annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report as required by § 257.90(e).
(2) Documentation of the design, installation, development, and decommissioning of any monitoring wells, piezometers and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices as required by § 257.91(e)(1).
(3) The groundwater monitoring system certification as required by § 257.91(f).
(4) The selection of a statistical method certification as required by § 257.93(f)(6).
(5) Within 30 days of establishing an assessment monitoring program, the notification as required by § 257.94(e)(3).
(6) The results of appendices III and IV to this part constituent concentrations as required by § 257.95(d)(1).
(7) Within 30 days of returning to a detection monitoring program, the notification as required by § 257.95(e).
(8) Within 30 days of detecting one or more constituents in appendix IV to this part at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard, the notifications as required by § 257.95(g).
(9) Within 30 days of initiating the assessment of corrective measures requirements, the notification as required by § 257.95(g)(5).
(10) The completed assessment of corrective measures as required by § 257.96(d).
(11) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording the public meeting for the corrective measures assessment as required by § 257.96(e).
(12) The semiannual report describing the progress in selecting and designing the remedy and the selection of remedy report as required by § 257.97(a), except that the selection of remedy report must be maintained until the remedy has been completed.
(13) Within 30 days of completing the remedy, the notification as required by § 257.98(e).
(i) Closure and post-closure care. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information, as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record:
(1) The notification of intent to initiate closure of the CCR unit as required by § 257.100(c)(1).
(2) The annual progress reports of closure implementation as required by § 257.100(c)(2)(i) and (ii).
(3) The notification of closure completion as required by § 257.100(c)(3).
(4) The written closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, as required by § 257.102(b), except that only the most recent closure plan must be maintained in the facility's operating record irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(5) The written demonstration(s), including the certification required by § 257.102(e)(2)(iii), for a time extension for initiating closure as required by § 257.102(e)(2)(ii).
(6) The written demonstration(s), including the certification required by § 257.102(f)(2)(iii), for a time extension for completing closure as required by § 257.102(f)(2)(i).
(7) The notification of intent to close a CCR unit as required by § 257.102(g).
(8) The notification of completion of closure of a CCR unit as required by § 257.102(h).
(9) The notification recording a notation on the deed as required by § 257.102(i).
(10) The notification of intent to comply with the alternative closure requirements as required by § 257.103(c)(1).
(11) The annual progress reports under the alternative closure requirements as required by § 257.103(c)(2).
(12) The written post-closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, as required by § 257.104(d), except that only the most recent closure plan must be maintained in the facility's operating record irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(13) The notification of completion of post-closure care period as required by § 257.104(e).
(j) Retrofit criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information, as it becomes available, in the facility's operating record:
(1) The written retrofit plan, and any amendment of the plan, as required by § 257.102(k)(2), except that only the most recent retrofit plan must be maintained in the facility's operating record irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) The notification of intent that the retrofit activities will proceed in accordance with the alternative procedures in § 257.103.
(3) The annual progress reports required under the alternative requirements as required by § 257.103.
(4) The written demonstration(s), including the certification in § 257.102(f)(2)(iii), for a time extension for completing retrofit activities as required by § 257.102(k)(3).
(5) The notification of intent to initiate retrofit of a CCR unit as required by § 257.102(k)(5).
(6) The notification of completion of retrofit activities as required by § 257.102(k)(6).
§ 257.106
Notification requirements.
(a) The notifications required under paragraphs (e) through (i) of this section must be sent to the relevant State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority before the close of business on the day the notification is required to be completed. For purposes of this section, before the close of business means the notification must be postmarked or sent by electronic mail (email). If a notification deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the notification deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
(b) If any CCR unit is located in its entirety within Indian Country, the notifications of this section must be sent to the appropriate Tribal authority. If any CCR unit is located in part within Indian Country, the notifications of this section must be sent both to the appropriate State Director and Tribal authority.
(c) Notifications may be combined as long as the deadline requirement for each notification is met.
(d) Unless otherwise required in this section, the notifications specified in this section must be sent to the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority within 30 days of placing in the operating record the information required by § 257.105.
(e) Location restrictions. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority that each demonstration specified under § 257.105(e) has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible internet site.
(f) Design criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority when information has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible internet site. The owner or operator must:
(1) Within 60 days of commencing construction of a new CCR unit, provide notification of the availability of the design certification specified under § 257.105(f)(1) or (3). If the owner or operator of the CCR unit elects to install an alternative composite liner, the owner or operator must also submit to the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority a copy of the alternative composite liner design.
(2) No later than the date of initial receipt of CCR by a new CCR unit, provide notification of the availability of the construction certification specified under § 257.105(f)(1) or (3).
(3) Provide notification of the availability of the documentation of liner type specified under § 257.105(f)(2).
(4) Provide notification of the availability of the initial and periodic hazard potential classification assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(5).
(5) Provide notification of the availability of emergency action plan (EAP), and any revisions of the EAP, specified under § 257.105(f)(6).
(6) Provide notification of the availability of documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording the annual face-to-face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders specified under § 257.105(f)(7).
(7) Provide notification of documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording all activations of the emergency action plan specified under § 257.105(f)(8).
(8) Provide notification of the availability of the history of construction, and any revision of it, specified under § 257.105(f)(9).
(9) Provide notification of the availability of the initial and periodic structural stability assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(10).
(10) Provide notification of the availability of the documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release specified under § 257.105(f)(11).
(11) Provide notification of the availability of the initial and periodic safety factor assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(12).
(12) Provide notification of the availability of the design and construction plans, and any revision of them, specified under § 257.105(f)(13).
(g) Operating criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority when information has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible internet site. The owner or operator must:
(1) Provide notification of the availability of the CCR fugitive dust control plan, or any subsequent amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(g)(1).
(2) Provide notification of the availability of the annual CCR fugitive dust control report specified under § 257.105(g)(2).
(3) Provide notification of the availability of the initial and periodic run-on and run-off control system plans specified under § 257.105(g)(3).
(4) Provide notification of the availability of the initial and periodic inflow design flood control system plans specified under § 257.105(g)(4).
(5) Provide notification of the availability of the periodic inspection reports specified under § 257.105(g)(6).
(6) Provide notification of the availability of the documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release specified under § 257.105(g)(7).
(7) Provide notification of the availability of the periodic inspection reports specified under § 257.105(g)(9).
(h) Groundwater monitoring and corrective action. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority when information has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible internet site. The owner or operator must:
(1) Provide notification of the availability of the annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report specified under § 257.105(h)(1).
(2) Provide notification of the availability of the groundwater monitoring system certification specified under § 257.105(h)(3).
(3) Provide notification of the availability of the selection of a statistical method certification specified under § 257.105(h)(4).
(4) Provide notification that an assessment monitoring programs has been established specified under § 257.105(h)(5).
(5) Provide notification that the CCR unit is returning to a detection monitoring program specified under § 257.105(h)(7).
(6) Provide notification that one or more constituents in appendix IV to this part have been detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard and the notifications to land owners specified under § 257.105(h)(8).
(7) Provide notification that an assessment of corrective measures has been initiated specified under § 257.105(h)(9).
(8) Provide notification of the availability of assessment of corrective measures specified under § 257.105(h)(10).
(9) Provide notification of the availability of the semiannual report describing the progress in selecting and designing the remedy and the selection of remedy report specified under § 257.105(h)(12).
(10) Provide notification of the completion of the remedy specified under § 257.105(h)(13).
(i) Closure and post-closure care. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority when information has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible Internet site. The owner or operator must:
(1) Provide notification of the intent to initiate closure of the CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(1).
(2) Provide notification of the availability of the annual progress reports of closure implementation specified under § 257.105(i)(2).
(3) Provide notification of closure completion specified under § 257.105(i)(3).
(4) Provide notification of the availability of the written closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(i)(4).
(5) Provide notification of the availability of the demonstration(s) for a time extension for initiating closure specified under § 257.105(i)(5).
(6) Provide notification of the availability of the demonstration(s) for a time extension for completing closure specified under § 257.105(i)(6).
(7) Provide notification of intent to close a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(7).
(8) Provide notification of completion of closure of a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(8).
(9) Provide notification of the deed notation as required by § 257.105(i)(9).
(10) Provide notification of intent to comply with the alternative closure requirements specified under § 257.105(i)(10).
(11) The annual progress reports under the alternative closure requirements as required by § 257.105(i)(11).
(12) Provide notification of the availability of the written post-closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(i)(12).
(13) Provide notification of completion of post-closure care specified under § 257.105(i)(13).
(j) Retrofit criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must notify the State Director and/or appropriate Tribal authority when information has been placed in the operating record and on the owner or operator's publicly accessible Internet site. The owner or operator must:
(1) Provide notification of the availability of the written retrofit plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(j)(1).
(2) Provide notification of intent to comply with the alternative retrofit requirements specified under § 257.105(j)(2).
(3) The annual progress reports under the alternative retrofit requirements as required by § 257.105(j)(3).
(4) Provide notification of the availability of the demonstration(s) for a time extension for completing retrofit activities specified under § 257.105(j)(4).
(5) Provide notification of intent to initiate retrofit of a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(j)(5).
(6) Provide notification of completion of retrofit activities specified under § 257.105(j)(6).
§ 257.107
Publicly accessible Internet site requirements.
(a) Each owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to the requirements of this subpart must maintain a publicly accessible Internet site (CCR Web site) containing the information specified in this section. The owner or operator's Web site must be titled “CCR Rule Compliance Data and Information.”
(b) An owner or operator of more than one CCR unit subject to the provisions of this subpart may comply with the requirements of this section by using the same Internet site for multiple CCR units provided the CCR Web site clearly delineates information by the name or identification number of each unit.
(c) Unless otherwise required in this section, the information required to be posted to the CCR Web site must be made available to the public for at least five years following the date on which the information was first posted to the CCR Web site.
(d) Unless otherwise required in this section, the information must be posted to the CCR Web site within 30 days of placing the pertinent information required by § 257.105 in the operating record.
(e) Location restrictions. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place each demonstration specified under § 257.105(e) on the owner or operator's CCR Web site.
(f) Design criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information on the owner or operator's CCR Web site:
(1) Within 60 days of commencing construction of a new unit, the design certification specified under § 257.105(f)(1) or (3).
(2) No later than the date of initial receipt of CCR by a new CCR unit, the construction certification specified under § 257.105(f)(1) or (3).
(3) The documentation of liner type specified under § 257.105(f)(2).
(4) The initial and periodic hazard potential classification assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(5).
(5) The emergency action plan (EAP) specified under § 257.105(f)(6), except that only the most recent EAP must be maintained on the CCR Web site irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(6) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording the annual face-to-face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders specified under § 257.105(f)(7).
(7) Documentation prepared by the owner or operator recording any activation of the emergency action plan specified under § 257.105(f)(8).
(8) The history of construction, and any revisions of it, specified under § 257.105(f)(9).
(9) The initial and periodic structural stability assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(10).
(10) The documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release specified under § 257.105(f)(11).
(11) The initial and periodic safety factor assessments specified under § 257.105(f)(12).
(12) The design and construction plans, and any revisions of them, specified under § 257.105(f)(13).
(g) Operating criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information on the owner or operator's CCR Web site:
(1) The CCR fugitive dust control plan, or any subsequent amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(g)(1) except that only the most recent plan must be maintained on the CCR Web site irrespective of the time requirement specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) The annual CCR fugitive dust control report specified under § 257.105(g)(2).
(3) The initial and periodic run-on and run-off control system plans specified under § 257.105(g)(3).
(4) The initial and periodic inflow design flood control system plans specified under § 257.105(g)(4).
(5) The periodic inspection reports specified under § 257.105(g)(6).
(6) The documentation detailing the corrective measures taken to remedy the deficiency or release specified under § 257.105(g)(7).
(7) The periodic inspection reports specified under § 257.105(g)(9).
(h) Groundwater monitoring and corrective action. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information on the owner or operator's CCR Web site:
(1) The annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report specified under § 257.105(h)(1).
(2) The groundwater monitoring system certification specified under § 257.105(h)(3).
(3) The selection of a statistical method certification specified under § 257.105(h)(4).
(4) The notification that an assessment monitoring programs has been established specified under § 257.105(h)(5).
(5) The notification that the CCR unit is returning to a detection monitoring program specified under § 257.105(h)(7).
(6) The notification that one or more constituents in appendix IV to this part have been detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard and the notifications to land owners specified under § 257.105(h)(8).
(7) The notification that an assessment of corrective measures has been initiated specified under § 257.105(h)(9).
(8) The assessment of corrective measures specified under § 257.105(h)(10).
(9) The semiannual reports describing the progress in selecting and designing remedy and the selection of remedy report specified under § 257.105(h)(12), except that the selection of the remedy report must be maintained until the remedy has been completed.
(10) The notification that the remedy has been completed specified under § 257.105(h)(13).
(i) Closure and post-closure care. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information on the owner or operator's CCR Web site:
(1) The notification of intent to initiate closure of the CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(1).
(2) The annual progress reports of closure implementation specified under § 257.105(i)(2).
(3) The notification of closure completion specified under § 257.105(i)(3).
(4) The written closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(i)(4).
(5) The demonstration(s) for a time extension for initiating closure specified under § 257.105(i)(5).
(6) The demonstration(s) for a time extension for completing closure specified under § 257.105(i)(6).
(7) The notification of intent to close a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(7).
(8) The notification of completion of closure of a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(i)(8).
(9) The notification recording a notation on the deed as required by § 257.105(i)(9).
(10) The notification of intent to comply with the alternative closure requirements as required by § 257.105(i)(10).
(11) The annual progress reports under the alternative closure requirements as required by § 257.105(i)(11).
(12) The written post-closure plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(i)(12).
(13) The notification of completion of post-closure care specified under § 257.105(i)(13).
(j) Retrofit criteria. The owner or operator of a CCR unit subject to this subpart must place the following information on the owner or operator's CCR Web site:
(1) The written retrofit plan, and any amendment of the plan, specified under § 257.105(j)(1).
(2) The notification of intent to comply with the alternative retrofit requirements as required by § 257.105(j)(2).
(3) The annual progress reports under the alternative retrofit requirements as required by § 257.105(j)(3).
(4) The demonstration(s) for a time extension for completing retrofit activities specified under § 257.105(j)(4).
(5) The notification of intent to retrofit a CCR unit specified under § 257.105(j)(5).
(6) The notification of completion of retrofit activities specified under § 257.105(j)(6).
Pt. 257, App. I

Appendix I to Part 257—Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) Promulgated Under the Safe Drinking Water Act
Chemical | CAS No. | MCL ­(mg/l)
Arsenic | 7440-38-2 | 0.05
Barium | 7440-39-3 | 1.0
Benzene | 71-343-2 | 0.005
Cadmium | 7440-43-9 | 0.01
Carbon tetrachloride | 56-23-5 | 0.005
Chromium (hexavalent) | 7440-47-3 | 0.05
2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid | 94-75-7 | 0.1
1,4-Dichlorobenzene | 106-46-7 | 0.075
1,2-Dichloroethane | 107-06-2 | 0.005
1,1-Dichloroethylene | 75-35-4 | 0.007
Endrin | 75-20-8 | 0.0002
Fluoride | 7 | 4.0
Lindane | 58-89-9 | 0.004
Lead | 7439-92-1 | 0.05
Mercury | 7439-97-6 | 0.002
Methoxychlor | 72-43-5 | 0.1
Nitrate | | 10.0
Selenium | 7782-49-2 | 0.01
Silver | 7440-22-4 | 0.05
Toxaphene | 8001-35-2 | 0.005
1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 71-55-6 | 0.2
Trichloroethylene | 79-01-6 | 0.005
2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy acetic acid | 93-76-5 | 0.01
Vinyl chloride | 75-01-4 | 0.002
[56 FR 51016, Oct. 9, 1991]
Pt. 257, App. II

Appendix II to Part 257

A. Processes To Significantly Reduce Pathogens
Aerobic digestion: The process is conducted by agitating sludge with air or oxygen to maintain aerobic conditions at residence times ranging from 60 days at 15 °C to 40 days at 20 °C, with a volatile solids reduction of at least 38 percent.
Air Drying: Liquid sludge is allowed to drain and/or dry on under-drained sand beds, or paved or unpaved basins in which the sludge is at a depth of nine inches. A minimum of three months is needed, two months of which temperatures average on a daily basis above 0 °C.
Anaerobic digestion: The process is conducted in the absence of air at residence times ranging from 60 days at 20 °C to 15 days at 35 to 55 °C, with a volatile solids reduction of at least 38 percent.
Composting: Using the within-vessel, static aerated pile or windrow composting methods, the solid waste is maintained at minimum operating conditions of 40 °C for 5 days. For four hours during this period the temperature exceeds 55 °C.
Lime Stabilization: Sufficient lime is added to produce a pH of 12 after 2 hours of contact.
Other methods: Other methods or operating conditions may be acceptable if pathogens and vector attraction of the waste (volatile solids) are reduced to an extent equivalent to the reduction achieved by any of the above methods.

B. Processes To Further Reduce Pathogens
Composting: Using the within-vessel composting method, the solid waste is maintained at operating conditions of 55 °C or greater for three days. Using the static aerated pile composting method, the solid waste is maintained at operating conditions of 55 °C or greater for three days. Using the windrow composting method, the solid waste attains a temperature of 55 °C or greater for at least 15 days during the composting period. Also, during the high temperature period, there will be a minimum of five turnings of the windrow.
Heat drying: Dewatered sludge cake is dried by direct or indirect contact with hot gases, and moisture content is reduced to 10 percent or lower. Sludge particles reach temperatures well in excess of 80 °C, or the wet bulb temperature of the gas stream in contact with the sludge at the point where it leaves the dryer is in excess of 80 °C.
Heat treatment: Liquid sludge is heated to temperatures of 180 °C for 30 minutes.
Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion: Liquid sludge is agitated with air or oxygen to maintain aerobic conditions at residence times of 10 days at 55-60 °C, with a volatile solids reduction of at least 38 percent.
Other methods: Other methods or operating conditions may be acceptable if pathogens and vector attraction of the waste (volatile solids) are reduced to an extent equivalent to the reduction achieved by any of the above methods.
Any of the processes listed below, if added to the processes described in Section A above, further reduce pathogens. Because the processes listed below, on their own, do not reduce the attraction of disease vectors, they are only add-on in nature.
Beta ray irradiation: Sludge is irradiated with beta rays from an accelerator at dosages of at least 1.0 megarad at room temperature (ca. 20 °C).
Gamma ray irradiation: Sludge is irradiated with gamma rays from certain isotopes, such as ^{60} Cobalt and ^{137} Cesium, at dosages of at least 1.0 megarad at room temperature (ca. 20 °C).
Pasteurization: Sludge is maintained for at least 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 70 °C.
Other methods: Other methods or operating conditions may be acceptable if pathogens are reduced to an extent equivalent to the reduction achieved by any of the above add-on methods.
Pt. 257, App. III

Appendix III to Part 257—Constituents for Detection Monitoring
Common name ^1
Boron
Calcium
Chloride
Fluoride
pH
Sulfate
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
^1 Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
[80 FR 21500, Apr. 17, 2015]
Pt. 257, App. IV

Appendix IV to Part 257—Constituents for Assessment Monitoring
Common name ^1
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Cobalt
Fluoride
Lead
Lithium
Mercury
Molybdenum
Selenium
Thallium
Radium 226 and 228 combined
^1 Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
[80 FR 21500, Apr. 17, 2015]