Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

994 PLANNING FOR NEW PROCESSES: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

to commence construction and/or operation of the proposed

project can be obtained. They are typically as follows:

A state regulatory agency may require that a certificate of

approval be obtained prior to construction of a treatment facil-

ity for handling industrial wastes. A report containing detailed

information about the operation of the treatment facility must

be developed and submitted prior to construction.

Regulations may also require the submission of a permit

application prior to discharge from an industrial source. The

State may also issue a certification in accordance with the Clean

Water Act which confirms that discharges from the facility will

comply with effluent limitations and water quality standards.

SOLID WASTE RELATED REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

Federal Requirements

The major Federal law governing the handling and disposal of

solid waste is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

of 1976 (RCRA). The most significant sections of RCRA are

Subtitle C, which deals with Hazardous Waste Management

and Subtitle D, which deals with Non-hazardous Waste

Management. Regulations pursuant to Subtitle C of RCRA

address identification and listing of hazardous waste, stan-

dards applicable to generators, transporters, and owners and

operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal

facilities and permit requirements for treatment, storage or dis-

posal of hazardous waste. The project will require a permit for

disposal of any solid wastes determined to be hazardous by

the criteria in Section 3001 regulations. Operation practices

of the solid waste management facility are also regulated. In

this regard the work necessary to determine the nature of the

solid waste generated by this facility must be carried out. If the

wastes are determined to be hazardous (Section 3001 Criteria)

the applicable requirements of Subtitle C or RCRA must be

incorporated into the facility design.

Regulations promulgated under Subtitle D or RCRA

establish criteria for the development of State plans for

management of solid waste. No requirements are directly

imposed at the Federal level.

State Requirements

State plans for the management of solid waste (Hazardous

and Non-hazardous) may be at varying stages of develop-

ment. An application for a permit to operate a hazardous

waste management facility may be filed with the state’s DNR

if any solid wastes to be generated at the proposed facility

can be classified as hazardous.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)

The major provision of NEPA which significantly impacts

the planning and scheduling for major industrial facilities

is the need for Federal agencies contemplating major actions,

such as issuing permits, to prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS).

In the case of this coal gasification facility, the requirement

for a Federal EIS would be triggered by the application for

an NPDES permit from EPA and/or a Section 404 or Section

10 permit from the Corps of Engineers for anticipated river

structures. Upon designation of the lead agency based on

discussions with the various Federal agencies and submit-

tal of applications for permits, the EIS would be prepared

according to CEQ final regulations.

SITING THE PROJECT

Geology, Topography, and Soils

Geology studies should be performed to describe the soils,

geologic and topographic setting of the site, particularly with

respect to structural and topographic control of the local and

regional groundwater flow systems. A secondary, albeit very

important, purpose is the identification of potential geologi-

cal hazards within the site area.

Information sought includes physical and chemical

soil characteristics, general topography, paleontology, and

geological framework. Descriptions are sought for aquifer

systems and characteristics including their name, thickness,

depth, stratigraphy, and areal extent. Mineral production and

unique geologic/geomorphic features will be documented.

Pertinent data is summarized in tabular and/or graphic

format.

The results of the geology studies primarily define the

soils, topographic, and geologic setting of the site. Potential

impacts references these descriptive settings to evaluate

impact magnitudes. The impact of plant site preparations

and construction or localized site topography, soils and ero-

sion characteristics, and site physical and economic geology

are assessed. Geological hazards discussed include exces-

sive slopes, unstable soils and fault zones.

Groundwater Hydrology and Water Use

The purpose of the groundwater studies is to understand the

physical and chemical characteristics of the groundwater

regime. This allows for an accurate assessment of groundwater

impacts resulting from the proposed action in addition to for-

mulation of mitigative measures to help alleviate these impacts.

In addition, information necessary for the design of solid waste

handling facilities as prescribed under RCRA is developed.

Information sought includes general topography and

geological framework, description of aquifer systems and

characteristics including their name, thickness, depth, stra-

tigraphy, and areal extent; seasonal groundwater levels, rate,

and direction of flow; aquifer hydraulic properties including

permeability, transmissivity, and storativity; surface water/

groundwater inter-relationships; location of aquifer recharge

and discharge areas; ground water quality; and domestic,

industrial, and municipal groundwater well distribution and

characteristics. Long and short term regional and site specific

(within 5 miles of the site) data is sought. Special efforts are

made to document the location of contaminated areas.

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