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Addressing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country: Strategies & Challenges

Learn about open dumps vs. landfills, site assessments, data collection, safety training, a case study, and more on managing illegal dumps in Indian Country. Discover the mission, community services, and major differences between dump types.

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Addressing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country: Strategies & Challenges

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  1. Site AssessmentsGoing Out in The Field Laura J. Weber Solid Waste Project Manager St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  2. What’s the difference? Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  3. Presentation Summary • Overview of SRMT’s SW Program • Open Dump & Subtitle D Landfill • Defining Open Dump Assessment • Data • Safety Training • Case Study Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  4. SRMT’s Solid Waste Program Mission: To promote environmental protection through the use of sound solid waste management practices while contributing to the economic and social progress of the community. Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  5. SRMT’s SW Community Service Agency Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  6. What Are the Major Differences Between an Open Dump & Subtitle D Landfill? Subtitle D Landfill Open Dumps Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  7. Open Dump Definition • Open dumps are areas where waste is disposed without proper controls such as: • Regular application of cover • Controlled access to site • Environmental controls Source: http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/tribal/pdftxt/opendump.pdf • Based on this definition, does size make a difference? Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  8. What is an Open Dump Site Assessment? • An open dump site assessment is: • A process of collecting, analyzing & evaluating site data • Use data to determine the potential environmental and health threat to the community • Make recommendations for site remediation & cleanup Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  9. Data to Collect • Solid Waste Survey Form • Field Guide for OMDS Data Gathering/Entry Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  10. Safety Training • 40 hr HAZWOPER is best • 24 hr HAZWOPER is sufficient • First Responder Awareness is good • Site conditions may determine what level of training is needed based on OSHA regulations • http://www.osha.gov/html/faq-hazwoper.html#faq1 Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  11. Other Considerations • Equipment • Personal Protection for workers • Tracking & Evaluation • Reporting • Political • Community Members Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  12. SRMT’s Case Study • In 2004, SRMT Environment Division began investigating a large open dump site • Things known at time of first site visit: • Site owned by community member • Materials consisted of mainly C&D wastes • Owner was willing to walk the site with us and provide us information Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  13. Equipment for First Site Visit • Emergency Response Vehicle w/ HAZMAT Equipment • Photo Ionization Detector • Gloves • Boots – steel toe & shank • Portable radio and/or cell phone • Camera • GPS • Field notebook Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  14. Data Collected from First Site Visit • Pond located adjacent to dump area • Three distinct open dump sites made up the entire area • Materials at the site included: • lead acid batteries, waste oil; tires; fuel containers; and C&D wastes. Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  15. Additional Work Since 2004 • Owner entered into a consent agreement with the Tribe to cleanup the site • EPA performed an open dump characterization study in 2005 • Majority of materials were identified as C&D wastes • In 2009, decision made to develop a remedial action plan for site • Need to understand geology of site and potential for groundwater pollution to make recommendation for site cleanup & closure. • Ownership of site changes Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  16. 2010 Site Assessment • Another site assessment was conducted to collect geological, groundwater, and surface water data. • Dug test pits • Explosion gas studies Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  17. Value of Pictures 2007 2004 2004 2010 Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  18. Value of Pictures Con’t April 2010 2007 June 2010 Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  19. Value of Pictures Con’t Collect Information about potential responsible parties PRP’s Labels provide Information about contents Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

  20. Laura J. Weber Solid Waste Project Manager St. Regis Mohawk Tribe M-F, 6:30 AM -2:30 PM EST 518-651-9926 Laura.weber@srmt-nsn.gov www.srmtenv.org Questions? Addressing & Managing Illegal Dumps in Indian Country

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