MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
REGULATION SW-2:
NONHAZARDOUS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS & CRITERIA


Adopted September 23, 1993
Amended February 22, 1996
Last Amended April 28, 2005


TABLE OF CONTENTS


GENERAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
5

A.
Purpose, Scope & Applicability
5
B.
Exclusions
5
C.
Definitions
7
D.
Effective Date
16
E.
Severability
16

PERMIT PROCEDURES
17

SITING CRITERIA
20

A.
Applicability
20
B.
Airport Safety
21
C.
Floodplains
22
D.
Wetlands
22
E.
Fault Areas
22
F.
Seismic Impact Zones
23
G.
Unstable Areas
23
H.
Hydrocarbon Wells & Water Wells
23
I.
Public Water Supplies
23
J.
Surface Water
23
K.
Surface Water Drainage Areas
24
L.
Natural Geology
24
M.
Air Quality
24
N.
Endangered or Threatened Species
24
O.
Historical & Archaeological Areas
25
P.
Parks & Recreational Areas
25
Q.
Forests, Wilderness Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, & Natural Areas
25
R.
Structures
25
S.
Residential Areas
26
T.
Property Line Setbacks (Buffer Zone)
26
U.
Aesthetics & Visibility
27
V.
Local Government Regulations/Solid Waste Management Plans
27
W.
Transportation Factors
27
X.
Noise Factors
28
Y.
Existing Facility Demonstrations
28
Z.
Recordkeeping
28

LANDFILL REQUIREMENTS
29

A.
Applicability
29
B.
Operating Requirements
29
C.
Design Criteria
37
D.
Groundwater Monitoring & Corrective Action Requirements
38
E.
Closure & Post-Closure Care
55
F.
Financial Assurance
59

TRANSFER STATION, STORAGE, COLLECTION, & TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS
80

RUBBISH SITE REQUIREMENTS
82

PROCESSING FACILITY
86

LAND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
88

COMPOSTING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS
94






NONHAZARDOUS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SECTION I. GENERAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Purpose, Scope and Applicability


B. Exclusions

C. Definitions

"Commercial oil field exploration and production waste disposal" means storage, treatment, recovery, processing, disposal or acceptance of oil field exploration and production waste from more than one (1) generator or for a fee.

D. Effective Date

E. Severability
SECTION II. PERMIT PROCEDURES

A. No solid waste management facility shall be operated without an individual permit from the Permit Board or a certificate of coverage under a general permit.

B. The Permit Board may issue a general permit for a specified category or group of facilities that involve similar wastes or have similar operating requirements and restrictions.

C. No new solid waste management facility nor any lateral expansion of an existing facility beyond the area previously approved shall be granted either an individual permit from the Permit Board or a certificate of coverage under a general permit, unless such facility is consistent with the approved local solid waste management plan for the area in which the facility is located. Solid waste management facilities existing prior to the date of Commission approval of the applicable local plan are considered to be consistent with such local plans, even if there is no recognition of such facilities in the plan. However, any lateral expansion of such existing facilities which has not been approved by the Permit Board prior to the date of Commission approval of the plan must be expressly recognized in the plan in order to be considered consistent with the plan.

D. An application for issuance, re-issuance or transfer of an individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit shall be made on forms provided by the Department. In addition to the information required in the application form, the Department may require other information as necessary to evaluate the proposed facility.

E. Applicant Disclosure Statement Requirements

1. Applicants for the issuance, re-issuance or transfer of an individual permit shall also file with the Permit Board or the Permit Board’s designee a disclosure statement in accordance with Section 17-17-501 through 17-17-507, Mississippi Code Annotated, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.


3. For the purposes of Paragraphs E.1 and E.2 of this section, the term "applicants" means any persons, except public agencies, applying for a permit or a certificate of coverage to operate and/or construct a commercial nonhazardous solid waste management facility.

4. If the owner (except a public agency) of a commercial nonhazardous solid waste management facility contracts with any person other than a public agency to operate the facility, the owner shall not allow the contractor to begin operation until disclosure statements with regard to the owner and the contractor have been submitted to and approved by the Permit Board or the Permit Board’s designee in accordance with Section 17-17-501, Mississippi Code Annotated and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. If a public agency applies for a permit and proposes to operate a facility by contract, the contractor shall be required to file a disclosure statement.

F. Notwithstanding the authority and the requirements of Section 17-17-501 through 17-17-507, Mississippi Code Annotated, the Permit Board or the Permit Board's designee may require a reasonable amount of information concerning the financial capability and/or the performance history of an applicant and may use the information in determining whether an individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit should or should not be granted.

G. An application for the issuance, re-issuance, modification or transfer of any solid waste management permit or certificate of coverage and all reports required by the solid waste management permit or other information requested by the Permit Board shall be signed as follows:

1. For a corporation: a president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation;

2. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: a general partner or the proprietor, respectively;

3. For a municipality, county, state, federal, or other public agency; either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official;

4. The signature of a Duly Authorized Representative (DAR) shall be a valid signature under these Regulations, in lieu of the signatures described above provided the following conditions are met;

a. The DAR is an employee of the entity seeking the solid waste management permit or certificate of coverage.

b. The DAR is identified to the Department by the ranking officer of the corporation, partnership, proprietorship, municipality, county, state, federal or other public agency.

c. The DAR is responsible for the overall management of the solid waste facility.

H. When the Department is satisfied that an application for an individual permit is complete, or that a proposed general permit has been completed it shall develop a proposed recommendation as follows:

2. If the proposal applies to the issuance of a general permit or an individual permit for an MSWLF unit, or the modification pertaining to the expansion of an MSWLF unit beyond the permitted capacity or area of an individual permit or a general permit, or the transfer of an individual permit for an MSWLF unit, a public hearing shall be conducted.

3. The Permit Board may conduct a single public hearing on related groups of draft individual or general permits.

I. When the Department determines that an application for coverage under a general permit is complete, the Permit Board or the Permit Board’s designee shall make a decision regarding the issuance of the Certificate of Coverage.

J. Any interested party aggrieved by any action of the Permit Board or the Permit Board's designee with regard to permit or certificate of coverage issuance, denial, modification or revocation may file a written request for a formal hearing in accordance with Section 49-17-29(4)(b), Mississippi Code Annotated.

K. A permit shall not be issued for more than ten (10) years. Any existing permit which does not have an expiration date shall be re-evaluated and may be reissued for a period not to exceed ten (10) years after the date of reissuance. Such re-evaluation shall be limited to an evaluation of:

L. A transfer of an individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit from one person to another shall be made prior to any sale, conveyance, or assignment of the rights in the permit held by the permittee. Any change of more than 50 percent of the equity ownership of the facility or permittee over a sustained period resulting in a new majority owner shall constitute a transfer. A new majority owner for purposes of this provision shall be an individual, partnership, company, or group of affiliated companies. A transfer, as described in this paragraph, must be approved by the Permit Board. All transfers approved by the Permit Board shall be made contingent upon the final sale, conveyance, or assignment of rights in the permit being completed within one year of Permit Board action, and shall be effective on the date of final sale, conveyance, or assignment of rights in the permit.

M. It is the responsibility of the permittee to possess or acquire a sufficient interest in or right to the use of the property for which a permit or certificate of coverage is issued, including the access route. The granting of a permit or a certificate of coverage does not convey any property rights or interest in either real or personal property; nor does it authorize any injury to private property, invasion of personal rights, or impairment of previous contract rights; nor any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations outside the scope of the authority under which a permit or certificate of coverage is issued.

N. Storage, processing, disposal or other placement of waste shall be limited to the area described in the application form required in paragraph D. of this section, unless an amended application is submitted to the Department and approved.

O. When a disaster occurs, such as a tornado, hurricane, or flood, and results in urgent need for public solid waste disposal or processing facilities, the Department may approve a site or facility for immediate operation subject to stipulated conditions and for a limited period of time.

SECTION III. SITING CRITERIA

A. Applicability


a. composting facilities which receive less than 5 tons per day of only natural vegetation, such as yard waste, tree limbs, etc.

b. rubbish sites, processing facilities, and transfer stations, any of which receive only Class II rubbish materials (as described in Section VI.C. of these regulations).

3. The requirements of paragraphs P through U and paragraphs W through Y of this section do not apply to solid waste management facilities which dispose only of industrial solid waste, where such facilities are located on the same industrial property on which the wastes are generated, unless the Permit Board, or where appropriate, the Permit Board's designee determines that such criteria should be applicable (such as property line setbacks).



B. Airport Safety

C. Floodplains

D. Wetlands

3. The owner must demonstrate compliance with paragraph D.1 and D.2 of this section by placing a copy of the permit in the operating record and must notify the Department in writing that it has been placed in the operating record.

E. Fault Areas



F. Seismic Impact Zones

G. Unstable Areas

H. Hydrocarbon Wells and Water Wells

I. Public Water Supplies

3. Any new landfill or land application site proposed for location within a designated local wellhead protection area must comply with any duly adopted ordinances or regulations established pursuant to an approved Wellhead Protection Program.

J. Surface Water

K. Surface Water Drainage Areas

L. Natural Geology

(a) all unused disposal areas of the landfill as of the effective date of these regulations which will receive waste on or after that date, are constructed with a liner according to state requirements; and

(b) the naturally occurring geological materials present below the disposal area generally consist of clays, silty clays, clayey silts, or other soils which are of low permeability.

M. Air Quality

N. Endangered or Threatened Species

O. Historical and Archaeological Areas

P. Parks and Recreational Areas

Q. Forests, Wilderness Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, and Natural Areas

R. Structures

S. Residential Areas

T. Property Line Setbacks (Buffer Zones)

c. For rubbish sites the setback shall be at least 200 feet, except where adequate on-site screening, whether natural or artificial, will restrict the offsite view of the facility, in which case the setback shall be no less than 150 feet.




U. Aesthetics and Visibility

V. Local Government Regulations/Solid Waste Management Plans

W. Transportation Factors


X. Noise Factors

Y. Existing Facility Demonstrations

2. By April 9, 1994, owners of all existing land application sites, rubbish sites, processing facilities, composting facilities, and existing landfills other than MSWLF units which accept waste on or after that date, must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department, compliance or non-applicability with the requirements of paragraphs B, C, and L of this section. The Department may establish a closure schedule for facilities failing to meet this demonstration.

Z. Recordkeeping
SECTION IV. LANDFILL REQUIREMENTS

A. Applicability


3. Notwithstanding paragraphs A.1 and A.2 of this section, the Commission or Permit Board may impose additional requirements on any landfill on a case-by-case basis in order to prevent, abate, control or correct groundwater contamination, public endangerment or as otherwise determined necessary to protect human health, welfare or the environment.

B. Operating Requirements

(1) hazardous waste as defined by and subject to the Mississippi Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and Subtitle C of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act;

(2) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) waste;

(3) liquid wastes as described in Paragraph B.9 of this section;

(4) regulated Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) which have not been properly bagged or contained in such a manner as to prevent the wastes from becoming airborne; and

(5) whole waste tires which have not been shredded, chopped, cut or otherwise processed as described in Section D.2 of the Mississippi Waste Tire Management Regulations.

b. At a minimum, the program required in paragraph B.1.a of this section, must include the following procedures:

(1) The owner must obtain information on any industrial process waste stream, prior to disposal, including the following:

(a) generator's name and address
(b) transporter's name and address
(c) name of the waste
(d) process generating the waste
(e) physical and chemical properties of the waste
(f) quantity of waste
(g) certification from the generator that the waste is not a regulated hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Mississippi Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

(2) The owner shall forward the information required above to the Department and shall not accept the industrial process waste if the Department objects to the disposal of such waste at this facility. If the Department does not object to the disposal of such waste within 14 days of receipt of the information required above, the permittee may assume that the Department has no objections. The Department may require the submission of additional information in order to further describe or characterize the waste.

(3) For purposes of this section, the term "industrial process waste" shall mean any solid waste generated as a result of the manufacture of a product, except uncontaminated packaging materials and containers, uncontaminated machinery components, tires, land clearing or landscaping wastes, office wastes, cafeteria wastes, and construction and demolition wastes.

(4) The owner shall conduct random inspections of incoming loads unless the owner takes other steps to ensure that incoming loads do not contain regulated hazardous wastes or PCB wastes.

(5) The owner shall maintain records of any inspections.

(6) The owner shall insure that all facility personnel are properly trained to recognize regulated hazardous waste and PCB wastes.

(7) The owner shall notify the Department if a regulated hazardous waste or PCB waste is discovered at the facility.


(2) The use of alternate cover materials shall generally require the weekly application of a soil cover, unless otherwise determined by the Department.

(3) Results of all methane monitoring pursuant to paragraph B.4.b. of this section shall be submitted to the Department no later than sixty (60) days following each monitoring period.

b. Open burning of solid waste, except for land clearing debris generated on the site of the facility, shall be prohibited. Open burning of land clearing debris shall be conducted in accordance with Section 3.7.b of the “Air Emission Regulations for the Prevention, Abatement, and Control of Air Contaminants.” An adequate supply of water under pressure at the site or an adequate stockpile of earth reasonably close to the disposal area shall be provided, or there shall be a nearby, organized Fire Department providing service when called. The Department may approve alternate methods of fire protection or waive this requirement when there is no need for fire protection. Should an accidental fire occur, the operator shall immediately take action to extinguish the fire and shall notify the Department by the close of the Department’s next business day.

6. Waste Placement

a. Disposal activity shall be restricted to the area defined in the approved application.

b. For landfills subject to the construction quality assurance (CQA) requirements of Section IV.B.19:
c. For Landfills not subject to the CQA requirements of Section IV.B.19:

8. Run-On/Run-Off Control Systems

a. The owner of a landfill must keep an accurate written daily record of deliveries of solid waste to the facility including but not limited to: the name of the hauler, the source of the waste, the types of waste received and the weight of solid waste measured in tons received at the facility. For those facilities that do not have access to weight scales, the weight should be converted to tons from cubic yards using conversion factors developed or approved by the Department.

15. Annual Report

The owner of a solid waste landfill shall submit an annual report to the Department each year on or before February 28th, to include information describing the operations from the preceding calendar year. At a minimum, the report shall contain the following:

a. aggregate information on the types, amounts and sources of waste received during the calendar year. Listed types should be divided minimally into residential and non-residential wastes. The amounts of waste received should be reported in units of tons, with the amount of waste originating in-state and out-of-state listed separately. The sources of waste should list cities and/or counties individually, with a clear indication of wastes originating from out-of-state.

b. a contour drawing of the landfill showing areas filled during the report year and total cumulative areas filled.

c. the estimated remaining capacity, in terms of volume and years of life remaining.

d. if the owner or contract operator is a private concern, an updated disclosure statement. If all information from the previously submitted disclosure statement is unchanged, a letter stating such may be included in lieu of an updated disclosure statement.

e. an adjusted closure and post-closure cost estimate, if applicable.

f. an audit of the financial assurance document and the end-of-year value of the financial assurance mechanism, if applicable.

g. a modified financial assurance document, if necessary.

16. Contract Operator - Disclosure Requirements

If the owner of a commercial solid waste landfill contracts with any person other than a public agency to operate the facility, the owner shall not allow the contractor to begin operation until a disclosure statement has been submitted to and approved by the Permit Board or the Permit Board’s designee in accordance with Section 17-17-501, Mississippi Code Annotated, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

17 Equipment

Owners of a landfill must insure that adequate numbers and types of operating equipment are provided at all times to properly manage the landfill operation. Replacement equipment shall be promptly brought to the site, as necessary, in the event of equipment breakdown.

18 Excavation of Waste

No excavation of solid waste shall be conducted without approval of the Department.

19 Liner Quality Assurance

At least two weeks prior to disposal of solid waste in any new MSWLF unit or lateral expansion of existing MSWLF unit, or other landfill where deemed necessary by the Permit Board, a construction quality assurance report shall be submitted to the Department. The report shall contain a certification from an independent registered professional engineer that the area has been constructed according to the approved design plans.

20. Operator Certification

a. Each commercial solid waste landfill must be operated by a person who holds a current certificate of competency issued by the Commission in accordance with paragraph G. of this section. Such person must have direct supervision over and be personally responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the landfill.

b. In the event of temporary loss of a certified operator due to illness, death, discharge, or other legitimate cause, written notice shall be given to the Department within 7 days. The continued operation of such system without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for a period not to exceed 180 days, except for good cause shown upon petition to the Commission.

C. Design Criteria

a. with a composite liner as defined by these regulations and a leachate collection system that is designed and constructed to maintain less than a 30-cm depth (11.81 inches) of leachate over the liner, excluding sumps and collection trenches; or
D. Groundwater Monitoring and Corrective Action Requirements
b. The Department may approve an alternative schedule for the owners of existing landfills and lateral expansions to comply with the groundwater monitoring requirements specified in this section. In setting the compliance schedule, the Department must consider potential risks posed by the unit to human health and the environment. The following factors should be considered in determining potential risk:

c. Results of all detection monitoring pursuant to paragraph D.4.a of this section shall be submitted to the Department no later than sixty (60) days following each monitoring period.

b. Within 90 days of triggering an assessment monitoring program, and annually thereafter, the owner must sample and analyze the groundwater 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 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.
Results of all assessment monitoring pursuant to this paragraph shall be submitted to the Department no later than sixty (60) days following each monitoring period.

(3) for carcinogens, the level represents a concentration associated with an excess lifetime cancer risk level (due to a continuous lifetime exposure) within the 1 x 10-4 to 1 x 10-6 range;

b. Remedies must:

E. Closure and Post-Closure Care

(4) a schedule for completing all activities necessary to satisfy the closure requirements in paragraph E.2 of this section.
(1) an infiltration layer that achieves an equivalent reduction in infiltration as the infiltration layer specified in paragraph E.2.a.(1) of this section, and
g. (1) Within ninety (90) days after all landfill units are closed, the owner must record on the deed to the landfill facility property, or some other instrument that is normally examined during title search, a notation and survey plat, prepared by a registered land surveyor, indicating the location and dimensions of the actual filled area with respect to permanently surveyed benchmarks or Section corners, and notify the Department that the notation and survey plat have been recorded and a copy of each has been placed in the operating record.

F. Financial Assurance

Financial assurance requirements under paragraph F apply to owners of MSWLF units and other commercial landfills, except owners who are State or Federal government entities whose debts and liabilities are the debts and liabilities of the State of Mississippi or the United States. The requirements of this paragraph may be applicable to other landfills as determined necessary by the Permit Board.

Next Payment = CE-CV


(4) the financial assurance mechanisms must be legally valid, binding, and enforceable under State of Mississippi and Federal law.

SECTION V. TRANSFER STATION, STORAGE, COLLECTION, AND TRANSPORTATION
REQUIREMENTS


A. Transfer Station Permit Requirements

1. An individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit is required for the operation of a transfer station. The individual permit or certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit must be issued prior to the receipt of any waste.

2. An applicant for a new transfer station shall complete an application for coverage under any applicable general permit or for an individual permit on forms provided by the Department. Such submittal shall demonstrate that the transfer station will comply with all applicable requirements of Sections II, III and V of these regulations and the terms and conditions of a general permit or an individual permit.

3. Owners of existing transfer stations, which have been previously issued an individual permit, may request that their permit be revoked and that they be issued a certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit. Likewise, owners of existing transfer stations, which have been previously issued a certificate of coverage under a general permit, may request that their certificate of coverage be revoked and that they be issued an individual permit.

B. Transfer Stations shall be operated in accordance with the following requirements as well as the general requirements of Section V.C:

1. Access to a transfer station shall not be allowed to the general public unless an attendant is on-site at all times the facility is open.

2. Unless a transfer station is operated within an enclosed building, a wood or wire fence shall be constructed around the facility for the purpose of preventing any windblown litter from escaping the property. The Department may grant a waiver from this requirement if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department another acceptable method of containing the litter.

3. Litter shall be collected at the end of each operating day or as necessary to keep the property reasonably clean.

4. Open burning of solid waste, except for land clearing debris generated on the site of the facility, shall be prohibited at a transfer station.
6. All garbage and other putrescible waste must be removed at least once per week or more frequently where necessary to maintain sanitary conditions at the site.

7. Requirements for Tipping Floor Transfer Stations

a. All tipping floors and other related equipment shall be washed down or other wise cleaned a minimum of once per day to reduce odors and to maintain appropriate sanitary working conditions.

b. All tipping floor and equipment washwater shall be collected and properly disposed of according to the applicable wastewater regulations of the Commission on Environmental Quality.

8. All solid waste transported from a transfer station must be delivered to an authorized waste disposal facility or to another facility acceptable to the Department.

C. Storage, Collection, and Transportation

2. Solid waste containing putrescible materials shall be collected and transported to a disposal facility at a frequency adequate to prevent propagation and attraction of vectors and the creation of a public health nuisance.

3. All vehicles and equipment used for the collection and transportation of a solid waste shall be constructed, operated and maintained to prevent loss of liquids or solid waste material, and to minimize health and safety hazards to solid waste management personnel and the public. Collection vehicles and equipment shall be maintained in a sanitary condition to preclude odors and fly-breeding.

4. Areas where solid wastes are spilled during collection and/or transportation shall be promptly cleaned and remediated.

SECTION VI. RUBBISH SITE REQUIREMENTS

A. 1. An individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit is required for the operation of a rubbish site. The individual permit or certificate of coverage must be issued prior to the receipt of any waste at the site.

2. An applicant for a new rubbish site shall complete an application for coverage under any applicable general permit or an application for an individual permit on forms provided by the Department. Such submittal shall demonstrate that the facility will comply with all applicable requirements of Sections II, III and VI of these regulations and the terms and conditions of a general permit or an individual permit.

3. Owners of existing rubbish sites, which have been issued an individual permit, may request that their permit be revoked and that they be issued a certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit. Likewise, owners of existing rubbish sites, which have previously issued a certificate of coverage under a general permit, may request that their certificate of coverage be revoked and that they be issued an individual permit.

B. A Class I Rubbish Site may receive the following wastes for disposal:

1. construction and demolition debris, such as wood, metal, etc.
2. brick, mortar, concrete, stone, and asphalt
3. cardboard boxes
4. natural vegetation, such as tree limbs, stumps, and leaves.
5. appliances (other than refrigerators and air conditioners) which have had the motor removed
6. furniture
7. plastic, glass, crockery, and metal, except containers
8. sawdust, wood shavings, and wood chips
9. other similar wastes specifically approved by the Department.

C. A Class II Rubbish Site may receive the following wastes for disposal:

1. natural vegetation, such as tree limbs, stumps, and leaves
2. brick, mortar, concrete, stone, and asphalt
3. other similar rubbish specifically approved by the Department.

D. The following wastes shall be prohibited from disposal at all rubbish sites:

1. any acceptable waste which has been contaminated by a pollutant, such as a food or chemical, unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Department that such waste has no adverse effect on the environment.
2. household garbage and other food and drink waste
3. liquids, sludges, and contaminated soils
4. paint, paint buckets, oil containers and chemical containers
5. engines, motors, whole tires, and all types of batteries
6. toxic or hazardous waste 8. medical waste
9. bulk fabric and paper loads, refrigerators, air conditioners, cut or shredded tires, and any metal, glass, plastic, or paper container, unless specifically approved by the Department. The Department shall consider the characteristics of the waste, the operating plan of the site, and other site specific conditions in determining the acceptability of any such waste
10. other waste which are specifically determined by the Department to have an adverse effect on the environment. E. Class I and Class II Rubbish Sites shall be operated in accordance with the following requirements:
2. Adequate security and monitoring shall be established and maintained to prevent uncontrolled access and disposal. An attendant shall be on duty at any time access to the site is unsecured.

3. Disposal of waste shall be limited to wastes described in applicable paragraph B. or C. of this section.
6. If a liner must be constructed at a facility, in whole or in part, as specified in the approved application, at least two weeks prior to disposal in the area, a construction quality assurance report shall be submitted to the Department. The report shall contain a certification from an independent professional engineer registered in Mississippi that the construction of the area was performed in accordance with the plans as stated in the approved application. Construction of the liner may be accomplished at one time with one certification, or in stages, each with a separate certification, as stated in the approved application. 7. A periodic cover consisting of a minimum of six inches of earthen material shall be applied to the wastes at least every two weeks. The Department may alter the frequency of cover depending upon the amount or type of wastes received, the location of the site, and other conditions.

8. Rubbish shall be managed so that it shall not become windblown or attract vectors.

9. Windblown and scattered litter and debris shall be collected from around the entire facility at the end of every operating day and returned to the active working area for proper disposal.

10. Open burning of solid waste, except for land clearing debris generated on the site of the facility, shall be prohibited. Open burning of land clearing debris shall be conducted in accordance with Section 3.7.b of the “Air Emission Regulations for the Prevention, Abatement, and Control of Air Contaminants.”

11. An adequate supply of water under pressure at the site or an adequate stockpile of earthen material reasonably close to the disposal area shall be provided, or there shall be a nearby, organized Fire Department providing service when called. The Department may approve alternate methods of fire protection or waive this requirement when there is no need for fire protection. Should an accidental fire occur, the owner shall immediately take action to extinguish the fire and shall notify the Department by the close of the Department’s next business day.

12. Rubbish shall not be disposed in standing water nor in any manner that may result in washout of waste. Furthermore, the active disposal area shall not be located or constructed in a manner that causes or allows wastes to come into contact with the seasonal high water table.

13. A rubbish site shall be developed and contoured to direct run-on and/or runoff away from the active disposal area and to prevent ponding of water in and over areas of waste disposal.

14. Unloading and disposal of rubbish shall be controlled by the owner and shall be confined to as small an area as practical.

15. Each commercial class I rubbish site must be operated by a person who holds a current certificate of competency issued by the Commission in accordance with Section III.B of the Regulations for the Certification of Operators of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities. Such person must have direct supervision over and be personally responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the rubbish site.

In the event of the temporary loss of a certified operator due to illness, death, discharge, or other legitimate cause, written notice shall be given to the Department within 7 days. Continued operation of such system without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for a period not to exceed 180 days, except for good cause shown upon petition to the Commission.

16. The owner of a rubbish site must keep an accurate written daily record of deliveries of solid waste to the facility including but not limited to: the name of the hauler, the source of the waste, the types of waste received and the weight of solid waste measured in tons received at the facility. For those facilities that do not have access to weight scales, the weight should be converted to tons from cubic yards using conversion factors as developed or approved by the Department. A copy of these records must be maintained by the owner at the rubbish site or at another site approved by the Department. The records shall be made available to the Department for inspection, upon request. 17. The owner of a rubbish site shall submit an annual report to the Department each year no later than February 28th, to include information regarding the facility for the preceding calendar year. At a minimum, the report shall contain the following:
a. the total amount of waste received during the calendar year, in units of tons, and the source of wastes listed by county of origin with a clear indication of wastes originating from out-of-state counties.

b. estimated remaining capacity at the facility, in terms of acreage, or cubic yards, and years remaining; and

d. if the owner of the facility or the contract operator of the facility is a private concern, an updated disclosure statement. If all information from the previously submitted disclosure statement is unchanged, a letter stating such may be included in lieu of an updated disclosure statement.

18. Within 30 days of completing an area, at least two feet of a low permeable earthen cover shall be applied as final cover. Following soil placement, suitable vegetation shall be promptly established and maintained. Any erosion occurring on completed areas shall be promptly repaired. Any area containing waste materials, which has not received waste in the past twelve (12) months shall be covered in accordance with this paragraph. 19. The final cover gradient on a rubbish site shall be a minimum of four percent (4%) and a maximum of twenty-five percent (25%), unless otherwise approved by the Department.

20. The owner shall notify the Department within 14 days upon final closure of the site.

21. The owner shall comply with any additional requirements included in the permit.


SECTION VII. PROCESSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

A. 1. An individual permit or a certificate of coverage of a general permit is required for the operation of a processing facility. An individual permit or certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit must be issued prior to the receipt of any waste.

2. An applicant for a new processing facility shall complete an application for coverage under any applicable general permit or an individual permit on forms provided by the Department. Such submittal shall demonstrate that the facility will comply with all applicable requirements of Sections II, III and VII of these regulations and the terms and conditions of a general permit or an individual permit.

3. Owners of existing processing facilities, which have been issued an individual permit, may request that their permit be revoked and that they be issued a certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit. Likewise, owners of existing processing facilities, which have been previously issued a certificate of coverage under a general permit may request that their certificate of coverage be revoked and that they be issued an individual permit.

B. Processing facilities shall comply with all applicable federal and state air emission and wastewater discharge laws and regulations.

C. Surface drainage in and around the facility shall be controlled to minimize surface water runoff onto, into, and off the treatment area.

D. Any liquids accumulated at the facility, including leachate, washwater, or contaminated rainfall runoff, shall be controlled in a manner that will prevent obnoxious odors and pollution of waters of the State.

E. Processing facilities shall be operated in manner that ensures the health, safety, and aesthetic aspects of a community are not endangered by the location and operation of the facility. Depending on the specific solid waste handling or processing operation involved, several of the operational standards prescribed for solid waste landfill sites may be applicable and shall be followed, if appropriate.

F. The facility shall not accumulate solid waste in quantities that cannot be processed within such times as will preclude the creation of objectionable off-site odors, fly-breeding, or harborage of other vectors. If such accumulations occur, additional solid waste shall not be received until the adverse conditions are abated.

G. If a significant work stoppage should occur at a solid waste processing facility, due to a mechanical breakdown or other cause and is anticipated to last long enough to create objectionable odors, fly-breeding, or harborage of vectors, steps shall be taken to remove the accumulated solid waste from the site to an approved alternate back-up processing or disposal facility.

H. When processing putrescible wastes, all working surfaces that come in contact with wastes shall be washed down or otherwise cleaned as needed to prevent objectionable odors, vector breeding and harborage, nuisance conditions, or other unsanitary conditions.

I. If a facility is not completely enclosed, wire or other type fencing or screening shall be provided when necessary to minimize windblown materials. Litter resulting from the operation shall be collected and returned to the processing area as frequently as necessary to minimize unsightly conditions and fire hazards.

J. Open burning of solid waste, except for land clearing debris generated on the site of the facility, shall be prohibited. An adequate supply of water under pressure at the site or an adequate stockpile of earth reasonably close to the processing area shall be provided, or there shall be a nearby organized Fire Department providing service when called. The Department may approve alternate methods of fire protection or waive this requirement when there is no need for fire protection. Should an accidental fire occur, the owner shall immediately take action to extinguish the fire and shall promptly notify the Department.




SECTION VIII. LAND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. 1. Except as provided for in Section I.B, an individual permit or a certificate of coverage of a general permit is required for the operation of a land application site. An individual permit or certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit must be issued prior to the receipt of any waste.

2. An applicant for a new land application site shall complete an application for coverage under any applicable general permit or for an individual permit on forms provided by the Department. Such submittal shall demonstrate that the facility will comply with all applicable requirements of Sections II, III and VIII of these regulations and the terms and conditions of a general permit or an individual permit.

3. Owners of existing land application sites, which have been issued an individual permit, may request that their permit be revoked and that they be issued a certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit. Likewise, owners of existing land application sites, which have been previously issued a certificate of coverage under a general permit, may request that their certificate of coverage be revoked and that they be issued an individual permit.

B. No waste shall be placed on saturated grounds. Saturation may be determined by digging a hole one-foot deep at the lowest point of the ground and observing for 30 minutes. If water appears in the hole, the soil is considered to be saturated.

C. Land application sites shall be located in a hydrologic section where the historic high water table is at a safe depth below the zone of incorporation.

D. The application area shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from any inhabited building unless the applicant can justify otherwise. Furthermore, the Department may require larger buffer zones when circumstances warrant.

E. Land application of wastes shall be conducted by incorporation into the soil, by injection below the land surface, or by other appropriate means of application, as approved by the Department. Incorporation should normally be accomplished by applying the wastes uniformly and disking or plowing until the waste is adequately turned under the soil or thoroughly mixed with the soil. Incorporation shall be accomplished during or immediately following application.

F. Wastes which contain significant amounts of nitrogen shall be applied at an agronomic rate not to exceed the plant available nitrogen levels specified in Table 1 of this section, unless data can be presented to justify otherwise.

G. The soil pH shall be maintained at or above 6.5 unless otherwise authorized by the Department.

H. The annual loading rate for cadmium shall not exceed 0.45 pounds/acre/year.

I. The cumulative (life-time) application of pollutants shall not exceed the levels specified in Table 2 of this section or where applicable, the levels specified in 40 CFR 503.

J. In addition to the requirements in these regulations, land application of sewage sludge must be conducted in a manner which complies with 40 CFR 503 - Standards for the Use and Disposal of Sewage Sludge, which are incorporated herein and adopted by reference.

K. Where sewage sludge is applied to public contact sites, access to the facility shall be controlled to restrict unauthorized personnel during operation and for at least 12 months following final application.

L. Where sludge is applied, grazing by animals shall be restricted during operation and for 30 days thereafter.

M. Prior to land application, sewage sludges and other pathogen-containing sludges shall be treated by a process to significantly reduce pathogens (PSRP) or by a process to further reduce pathogens (PFRP). The PSRP’s and PFRP’s are listed in Table 3 of this section.

N. Where sludge is applied, no crops that will be consumed raw by humans shall be planted until at least 18 months have passed from the date of the last application. For all other crops grown for indirect human consumption, at least 30 days shall pass between the date of the last application and the date the crop is planted.

O. Limitations may be placed on the loading rates of other contaminants when necessary to protect the environment and public health.

P. Where the permit applicant and the solid waste generator are not the same person, the generator shall be responsible for ensuring that the waste characteristics are compatible with a safe disposal operation. Monitoring data, which characterizes the solid waste, shall be provided to the permittee by the generator on a regular basis as required by the permit. All other monitoring (groundwater, surface water, soils, etc.) shall be the responsibility of the permittee and shall be determined on a site-specific basis.

Q. If substances that may be deleterious to human health are placed on the land in amounts that are in excess of those established as acceptable for growing food chain crops, notice of such shall be given to future landowners (via notice to the deed). When soil analyses show that such levels of contaminants are no longer present, the notice to future landowners shall not be required.





TABLE 2

MAXIMUM CUMULATIVE POLLUTANT LOADING RATES
TO BE APPLIED AT LAND APPLICATION SITES
Metals Loading Rates

TABLE 3

PROCESSES TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE PATHOGENS (PSRP)


Aerobic Digestion: The process is conducted by agitating sludge with air or oxygen to maintain 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 time ranging from 60 days at 20 °C to 15 days at 35 - 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.



PROCESSES TO FURTHER REDUCE PATHOGENS (PFRP)

Composting: Using the within-vessel method, the solid waste is maintained at operating conditions of 55 C or greater for three days. Using the static aerated pile 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 window.

Heat Drying: De-watered 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.

Thermophillic 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 methods described above.


Any of the processes listed below, if added to one of the PSRP processes on Page 92, may be acceptable as the Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens.

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 to the equivalent to the reduction achieved by any of the above methods.

SECTION IX. COMPOSTING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

A. 1. An individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit is required for the operation of a composting facility. The individual permit or certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit must be issued prior to the receipt of any waste.

2. An applicant for a new composting facility shall complete a notification of intent for coverage under any applicable general permit or an application for an individual permit on forms provided by the Department. Such submittal shall demonstrate that the facility will comply with all applicable requirements of Sections II, III and IX of these regulations and the terms and conditions of a general permit or an individual permit.

3. Owners of existing composting facilities, which have been issued an individual permit, may request that their permit be revoked and that they be issued a certificate of coverage under any applicable general permit. Likewise, owners of existing composting facilities which have been previously issued a certificate of coverage under a general permit may request that their certificate of coverage be revoked and that they be issued an individual permit.

B. Requirements for facilities that receive only yard waste or rubbish.

1. Access to the facility shall be closed to the general public unless an attendant is on site.

2. Non-biodegradable bags, as well as all unauthorized waste materials, as determined by the Department, shall be removed from the compost and stored in appropriate containers for ultimate disposal or management at a facility approved by the Department.

3. Open burning of solid waste, except for land clearing debris generated on the site of the facility, shall be prohibited. Immediate action shall be taken to extinguish any accidental fire and the Department shall be notified as soon as possible.

4. Compost offered for use must be produced by a process that encompasses turning on a regular basis to aerate the waste, maintain temperatures, and/or reduce pathogens. Similar technologies that accomplish the same may also be considered by the Department.

5. Surface water drainage shall be diverted around and away from the composting area and controlled to prevent any washing or escape of waste from the property. If the Department deems it necessary, a leachate collection and treatment system may be required.

6. An annual report shall be submitted to the Department on or before February 28th of the following calendar year, which includes the following information:

a. the facility name, address, and permit number;

b. the total quantity, by weight or volume, of the waste received for composting;

c. the total quantity, by weight or volume, of all residuals and recyclables separated from the waste or compost, and a description of how these materials were disposed or managed;

d. the total quantity, by weight or volume, of the compost produced;

e. the total quantity, by weight or volume, of the compost removed from the facility, and a description of how the compost was distributed or used; and,

f. the remaining capacity for storage of compost at the facility based upon the amount of compost on site at the beginning of the year, the amount of compost produced, and the amount removed during the year.

C. Requirements for facilities that receive household garbage, wastewater sludge, animal wastes and manures and/or other solid waste with similar properties or characteristics, as determined by the Department.

1. Design requirements

a. Specifications for site preparation must be included in the engineering design report developed for the site, such as clearing and grubbing, berm construction, drainage control structure, access roads, screening, fencing, etc.

b. Surface water drainage shall be diverted around and away from the composting area and controlled to prevent any escape of waste from the property. Washdown water, leachate and any other contaminated water generated in the facility other than domestic wastewater shall be directed to sumps for use within the process. No discharge of contaminated water shall occur unless specifically allowed by the issuance of a wastewater permit.

c. For facilities which process household garbage, the receiving area and the composting area must be covered with a roof capable of preventing rainfall from directly contacting the waste or compost. Final curing areas are not required to be roofed.

2. Operational Requirements

a. The individual(s) responsible for making the decisions critical to the composting process such as turning, wetting, screening, etc., shall have a knowledge of the biological processes at work and the expertise and knowledge capable of operating the facility in compliance with the requirements of this sections.

b. All waste delivered to the facility must be confined to a designated delivery or receiving area. For facilities which receive household garbage, the waste must be processed within 72 hours or removed and disposed in another appropriate facility.

c. Access to the facility shall be controlled by a permanent fence and gate or enclosed buildings. All access points shall be secured whenever the facility is not open for business or when no authorized personnel are on site.

d. Residuals and recyclables shall be stored in a manner to prevent vector intrusion and aesthetic degradation. Appropriate steps shall be taken as necessary to alleviate any problems with flies, mosquitoes, or other vectors. Recyclables shall be removed at least annually; non-recyclable residuals shall be removed at least weekly.

e. Unless the Permit Board authorizes different operating conditions based upon a sufficient demonstration that such conditions would result in a compost of equal or better quality, the following conditions shall apply:

(1) Where the windrow method of composting is utilized, a temperature of at least 55 °C must be maintained in the windrow for at least three weeks. Aerobic conditions must be maintained during the compost process. The windrow must be turned at least twice weekly during the three-week period.

(2) Where the static aerated pile method of composting is utilized, a temperature of at least 55 °C must be maintained for at least seven days. Aerobic conditions must be maintained during the compost process.

(3) Where the in-vessel method of composting is utilized, a retention time in the vessel must be at least 24 hours with the temperature maintained at 55 °C or higher. A stabilization period of at least seven days must follow the minimum retention period. Temperature in the compost pile must be maintained at least at 55 °C for at least three days during the stabilization period.

3. Testing and Monitoring

a. A composite sample of the compost produced shall be taken and analyzed at intervals of every 20,000 tons of compost produced or every three months, whichever comes first. At a minimum, the following tests shall be conducted:

Parameter Units to be Expressed
Moisture %
Total Nitrogen (as N) % dry weight
Ammonia Nitrogen (as N) % dry weight
Nitrate Nitrogen (as N) % dry weight
Total Phosphorous % dry weight
Total Potassium % dry weight
Organic Matter % dry weight
Reduction in Organic Matter %
pH standard units
Arsenic, Total mg/kg dry weight
Arsenic, TCLP ppm
Barium, Total mg/kg dry weight
Barium, TCLP ppm
Cadmium, Total mg/kg dry weight
Cadmium, TCLP ppm
Chromium, Total mg/kg dry weight
Chromium, TCLP ppm
Copper, Total mg/kg dry weight
Lead, Total mg/kg dry weight
Lead, TCLP ppm
Mercury, Total mg/kg dry weight
Mercury, TCLP ppm
Nickel, Total mg/kg dry weight
Selenium, Total mg/kg dry weight
Selenium, TCLP ppm
Silver, Total mg/kg dry weight
Silver, TCLP ppm
Zinc, Total mg/kg dry weight

c. In addition to the test parameters required in paragraph E.3.b of this section where sewage sludge, animal manures and wastes or other similar wastes are composted, a fecal coliform count shall be conducted before and after composting.

d. The Permit Board may require additional or fewer test parameters or may increase or decrease the frequency of analysis based upon the quantity or characteristics of the waste, the location of the facility, or other factors which the Permit Board deems relevant.

e. Composite samples of the compost taken pursuant to this section shall consist of at least five individual samples of equal volume taken from separate areas along the side of each pile of compost. Each sampling point shall be at a depth of two feet into the pile from the outside surface.

f. Analytical methods for all tests shall be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Department.

g. The Permit Board may require other monitoring activities such as groundwater and/or surface water monitoring.

h. The reduction in organic matter required pursuant to paragraph E.3.b of this section shall be determined by comparing the organic matter content of the feedstock and the organic matter content of the compost product, using the following calculation:

% ROM = [1 - OMP (100 - OMF) } X 100
OMF (100 - OMP)

where % ROM = reduction in organic matter

OMF = % organic matter of the feedstock
(before decomposition)

OMP = % organic matter of the compost
product (after decomposition)

4. Recordkeeping and Reporting.

a. Records shall be maintained at the facility of the quantity of incoming waste, residuals and recyclables, and the quantity and quality of compost produced.

b. Records of analytical testing and monitoring shall be maintained for a period of at least five (5) years, including:

(1) the date of measurement and the person measuring the quantity of incoming waste, residuals, recyclables, and compost produced, and the results thereof;

(2) the dates all analyses were performed;

(3) the person or contract lab who performed all analyses;

(4) the analytical techniques or methods used; and

(5) the results of all analyses.

c. Records shall be available for inspection by Department personnel during normal business hours and shall be sent to the Department upon request.

d. An annual report shall be submitted to the Department on or before February 28th of the following calendar year, which includes the following information:

(1) the facility name, address, and permit number;

(2) the total quantity in weight or volume of waste received at the facility;

(3) the total quantity in weight or volume of all residuals and recyclables separated from the waste or compost, and a description of how these materials were disposed or managed;

(4) the total quantity in tons (dry weight) or volume of waste processed for composting at the facility;

(5) the total quantity in tons (dry weight) or volume of compost produced at the facility;

(6) the total quantity in tons (dry weight) or volume of compost removed from the facility, and a description of how the compost was distributed, used, or disposed; and

(7) the remaining capacity for storage of compost at the facility based upon the amount of compost on site at the beginning of the year, the amount of compost produced, and the amount removed during the year.

D. Classification of Compost

1. Compost shall be classified based upon the type of waste processed, product maturity, particle size, moisture content, and chemical quality.

a. Types of waste processed shall include the following:

(1) yard waste or rubbish only;

(2) sewage sludge;

(3) animal manures and wastes,

(4) household garbage, or other solid waste.

(5) some combination of the above wastes

b. Product maturity.

(1) Mature compost is a highly stabilized compost material that has been exposed to prolonged periods of decomposition. It will not reheat upon standing to greater than 20°C above ambient temperature. The material should be brown to black in color. This level of maturity is indicated by a reduction in organic matter of greater than 60%.

(2) Semi-mature compost is compost material that is at the mesophilic stage. It may reheat upon standing to greater than 20°C above ambient temperature. The material should be light to dark brown in color. This level of maturity is indicated by a reduction in organic matter of greater than or equal to 40% but less than or equal to 60%.

(3) Fresh compost is compost material that has not completed the thermophilic stage and has undergone only partial decomposition. The material will reheat upon standing to greater than 20°C above ambient temperature. The material is usually similar in texture and color to the feedstock of the composting process. This level of maturity is indicated by a reduction in organic matter of greater than or equal to 20% but less than or equal to 40%.

c. Particle size.

The chemical quality of the compost shall be determined by the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) for the following metals, and shall be defined as either good or poor:

Metal Good Quality Poor Quality
Arsenic < 0.5 ppm 0.5 - 5.0 ppm
Barium <10.0 ppm 10.0 - 100 ppm
Cadmium < 0.1 ppm 0.1 - 1.0 ppm
Chromium < 0.5 ppm 0.5 - 5.0 ppm
Lead < 0.5 ppm 0.5 - 5.0 ppm
Mercury <0.02 ppm 0.02 - 0.2 ppm
Selenium < 0.1 ppm 0.1 - 1.0 ppm
Silver < 0.5 ppm 0.5 - 5.0 ppm

2. Compost shall be classified as follows:

a. Class I is compost made only from yard waste and/or other rubbish, which is mature or semi-mature, and is fine or coarse. For such compost, the chemical quality is assumed to be good, and no analytical testing is required unless the Department has reason to believe that the quality of the compost may not be good. If the compost is semi-mature, the moisture content must be less than or equal to 60%

b. Class II is compost made from sewage sludge, or from yard waste/rubbish mixed with sewage sludge, which is mature, fine, and has a good chemical quality.

c. Class III is compost made from household garbage or any other solid wastes with similar properties or characteristics, which is mature, fine, and has a good chemical quality.

d. Class IV is compost made from household garbage or any other solid wastes with similar properties or characteristics, which is mature or semi-mature, and is fine or coarse, and has a good chemical quality. If the compost is semi-mature, the moisture content must be less than or equal to 60%.

e. Class V is compost made from any solid waste which is fresh, or which has a poor chemical quality.

E. Compost distribution and use.

1. Compost classified as Class I or II shall have unrestricted distribution.

2. Compost classified as Class III or IV shall be restricted to use by commercial, agricultural, institutional, or governmental operations. However, if it is used where contact with the general public is likely, such as in a park, only Class III compost may be used.

3. Compost classified as Class V shall only be used as landfill cover, with the specific approval of the Department.

4. Compost, which cannot be processed to meet the definition of one of the five classifications in Part F.2 of this section, must be disposed in a facility approved by the Department.

5. A release form shall be provided to every person who receives for distribution or use compost classified as Class II, III, or IV, which contains, at a minimum, the following information:

a. the name of the person to whom the compost is released, and the date released;

b. the classification and quantity of compost released;

c. the results of the latest chemical analysis of the compost conducted pursuant to paragraph E.3. of this section;

d. the amount of total cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc present in the compost, expressed in pounds per dry ton of compost;

e. the maximum allowable compost application rate (MACAR), in tons per acre, based upon the concentration of total cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc, as computed and restricted in paragraph G.6 of this section;

f. a statement that any application of the compost in excess of the maximum allowable compost application rate as shown on this form is a violation of the laws of the State of Mississippi;

h. the signature of a representative of the compost facility and the person to whom the compost is released.

If the person listed in paragraph G.5.a of this section indicates in the release form that he/she will not distribute or use the compost within the State of Mississippi, or, if the compost will only be used for landfill cover, the information in paragraph G.5.d, G.5.e, or G.5.f of this section are not required to be provided.

6. The maximum allowable compost application rate (MACAR) shall be computed according to the following equation:

{MACAR}M = {MAMAR}M
{CONC}M X 10-6 X 2000


where {MACAR}M = maximum allowable compost application rate, in tons/ac/yr, based upon the specific metals listed in paragraph G.7.a of this section.

[MAMAR}M = maximum allowable metal application rate, in lbs/ac/yr, for each of the metals listed in paragraph G.7.a of this section.

{CONC}M = the total metal concentration, in mg/kg dry weight, for each of the metals listed in paragraph G.7.a of this section.

7. a. Except as provided in paragraphs G.7.b. and G.7.c. of this section, no person who applies or uses compost on land within the State of Mississippi, other than for landfill cover, shall do so in a manner that exceeds the following maximum allowable metal application rates (MAMAR's):

Metal MAMAR (lbs/ac/yr)

Cadmium 0.45
Copper 11.1
Lead 44.5
Nickel 11.1
Zinc 22.2

c. If a person wishing to apply compost to the soil can demonstrate through an analysis of the soil cation exchange capacity and other physical or chemical characteristics of the soil that a higher MAMAR will provide an equal degree of protection to the environment, the Department may approve such application rates.