This electronic version of Approval AS-15797 was prepared by Ecowaste Industries for informational purposes. Only the printed version issued by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks is the official version. Note that there is no Section 3.4 and Section 3.3 follows Section 3.5.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT,
LANDS AND PARKS

APPROVAL
AS-15797

ECOWASTE INDUSTRIES LTD.
P.O. Box 49200, 2600 - 595 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V7X 1L1

is authorized to operate a special waste storage and treatment facility located at 15111 Williams Road, Richmond, British Columbia, subject to the conditions listed below. Contravention of any of these conditions is a violation of the Waste Management Act and may result in prosecution.

Storage and treatment of special waste is authorized for 15 months from the date of this approval.
(Note: Approval date is December 24, 1998)

1. AUTHORIZED STORAGE AND TREATMENT

1.1 The short-term storage to which this approval is applicable is a special waste management facility, located on land legally described as Lot J except part subdivided by Plan 47993, Section 27; Lot C except part subdivided by Plan 47993, Section 22; Lot B Section 15; all of Block 4 North, Range 5 West; New Westminster District, Plan 19680 and located at 15111 Williams Road, Richmond, British Columbia.

1.2 The source of the special waste is from various sites in the Lower mainland and Vancouver Island.

1.3 The Special Waste that may be managed is limited to the following:

Substance (as specified in the Special Waste Regulation)	Maximum quantity of Special Waste to be stored
Waste environmentally hazardous substances, solid, n.o.s.* (hydrocarbon contaminated soil - benzene, ethybenzene, toluene and xylenes)	20 * 106 kg
Waste pesticides, solid, toxic, n.o.s.* (soil contaminated with pentachlorophenol)
Waste containing tetrachloroethylene (soil contaminated with tetrachloroethylene)

1.4 The works authorized are a special waste pile (the facility) and related appurtenances as directed; including a lined bioremediation basin and approved leachate collection system as shown on the attached Site Plan A.

1.5 The legal description for the location of the facility is: Lot J except part subdivided by Plan 47993, Section 27; Lot C except part subdivided by Plan 47993, Section 22; Lot B Section 15; all of Block 4 North, Range 5 West; New Westminster District, Plan 19680.

1.6 Operation of the facility is authorized for 15 months from the date of this approval

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Special Waste Regulation

The operation and performance of the facility shall comply with the Special Waste Regulation under the Waste Management Act. Provisions of this approval may be in addition to and/or more restrictive than requirements of the Regulation.

2.2 Temporary Storage

Exemptions specified in section 2(15) of the Special Waste Regulation do not apply.

2.3 Units of Measure

The International System of Units (SI) shall be used when submitting plans, specifications, monitoring results and any other information required in connection with this approval.

2.4 Plans

The facility shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the plans entitled: “Sump Details - Richmond Bioremediation Facility Treatment Cell Details”; “Treatment Cell Details - Richmond Bioremediation Facility Treatment Cell Details”; and “Richmond Bioremediation Facility Treatment Cell Details” prepared by Hazco Environmental Services Ltd., dated April 9, 1998. Plans and specifications of any proposed works or modifications or additions to existing works shall be certified by a qualified professional licensed to practice in the province of British Columbia and submitted to the Regional Waste Manager. Construction shall be in accordance with approved plans.

2.5 Operational Requirements

2.5.1 The special waste shall be placed in waste piles located on prepared soil pads. The liner of the waste piles shall be made of 30 mil polyethylene or other impervious material of equivalent compatibility with the waste. The liner shall be installed in such a manner as to provide support and resistance to pressure gradients above and below, and prevent failure due to compression, uplift or settlement.

2.5.2 The waste piles shall be equipped with an approved leachate collection system as noted in clause 2.4 above.

2.5.3 The waste piles shall be covered at all times with a low-permeability liner.

2.5.4 Management of the facility shall be carried out so as to ensure optimal biodegradation of contaminants and to ensure the integrity of the works. Requirements shall include, but not be restricted to, the addition of amendments such as water, air and nutrients as needed.

2.5.5 Special waste shall not be mixed or diluted with any solid or liquid, including waste, water or rain water, or otherwise divided to evade the Special Waste Regulation or similar regulations in other jurisdictions.

2.6 Access Security

Access to the storage facility shall be restricted through fencing or other suitable means acceptable to the Regional Waste Manager. Access to the facility shall be limited to authorized personnel only. Warning signs conforming to Section 8(d) of the Special Waste Regulation are to be located at each entrance to the facility and at other locations as required by the Regional Waste Manager.

2.7 Maintenance of Works

The facility shall be inspected in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Special Waste Regulation. The facility shall be maintained in good working order and the Regional Waste Manager notified of any irregularities at the facility and appropriate remedial action undertaken. Spills of special waste shall be reported in accordance with the Spill Reporting Regulation under the Waste Management Act.

2.8 Loading and Unloading Areas

Loading and unloading areas shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to:

a) contain spills and leaks that may occur during loading and unloading;
b) prevent the release of special waste to ground or surface waters; and
c) contain wash water resulting from the cleaning of contaminated transport vehicles and loading/unloading equipment.

2.9 Contingency Plans

Maintain an approved, up-to-date contingency plan in accordance with the Special Waste Regulation. The plan shall be kept current and any proposed revisions relating to fire protection shall be acceptable to the local assistant to the fire commissioner. Any amendments to the plan shall be submitted to the Regional Waste Manager for approval.

2.10 Performance Standards

Effluent discharge to the environment or municipal works, including any water encountered during the soil excavation process or liquid collected in the approved leachate collection system, shall meet as a minimum: effluent standards prescribed in Schedule 1.2 of the Special Waste Regulation; leachate quality standards prescribed in Table 1 of Schedule 4 of the Special Waste Regulation; and the aquatic life standards prescribed in the Contaminated Sites Regulation. Representative samples of the effluent shall be analyzed via approved methods to confirm its acceptability prior to discharge. All necessary authorizations shall be obtained prior to discharge.

2.11 Delisting

2.11.1 No soil shall be removed form the facility unless the following conditions are met:

a) the soil no longer poses a threat to human health or the environment pursuant to Sections 19(2) and (3) of the Special Waste Regulation; the Regional Waste Manager provides prior written confirmation that the soil may be removed from the facility and used for an authorized purpose; and the Regional Waste Manager is satisfied that conditions of this approval have been met; or

b) the Regional Waste Manager provides prior written confirmation that the soil may be removed from the facility to an authorized off-site facility.

2.11.2 Pursuant to Sections 19(2) and (3) of the Special Waste Regulation, the approved protocol entitled “Protocol for Assessment of Residues from Treatment or Incineration of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Special Wastes”, dated July 3, 1997 and the applicable standards prescribed in the Contaminated Sites Regulation of the Waste Management Act shall be used to demonstrate that the treated soil no longer poses a hazard to human health or the environment.

2.12 Closure Plan

Maintain an approved closure plan in accordance with the Special Waste Regulation. In addition, a final closure plan shall be submitted to the Regional Waste Manager for approval at least 90 days prior to the intended closure date of the facility. The final closure plan shall indicate how the facility will be decommissioned and how the special waste and any residues will be managed. The final closure plan shall also include a terms of reference for an environmental assessment, to be conducted by an independent consultant, addressing potential contamination. The terms of reference shall be to the satisfaction of the Regional Waste Manager.

3. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Chemical Analysis

3.1.1 Laboratory analyzes shall be carried out in accordance with procedures described in the British Columbia Laboratory Manual for the Analysis of Water, Wastewater, Sediment and Biological Materials, or by suitable alternative procedures as approved by the Director.

3.1.2 A copy of the above manual may be purchased from the Queen’s Printer Publication Centre, 2nd Floor, 563 Superior Street, Victoria, B.C., V8V 4R6 (Tel. (250) 387-3309). The manual is also available for review at any Pollution Prevention office.

3.2 Monitoring Program

3.2.1  Groundwater Monitoring Program

Upgradient and downgradient groundwater monitoring wells, as described in attachment B of the report entitled, “Addendum #1 to Supporting Document Special Waste Approval/Permit Application Ecowaste Landfill, Richmond, B.C.”, dated December 2, 1998 and prepared by Seacor, shall be monitored for groundwater elevations and sampled on a frequency of no less than once every 3 months. Samples shall be analyzed for all potential contaminants of concern. Any modifications to the program shall be submitted to the Regional Waste Manager for review.

3.2.2 Waste Records

Maintain up-to-date records, in written or electronically retrievable form, of all special wastes managed at the facility. The records shall be cross-referenced to the specific manifest number (Canadian and American). The records shall be produced upon the request of an officer and shall include:

a. date of receipt or generation;
b. name of generator and origin of the waste;
c. shipping name, identification number, description and physical state;
d. quantity, method and date of storing and/or other methods of management such as bulking or repacking;
e. location of each special waste within the facility and the quantity at each location; and
f. records of special waste shipped offsite during the period, including shipping name and quantity, all consignees involved in the management of the waste until final disposal and the purpose of shipping the waste offsite. Each waste entry shall be cross-referenced with the shipping manifest number(s).

3.2.3 Operating Records

Maintain up-to-date operating records in a written or retrievable electronic form. The records shall be produced upon the request of an officer and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

a. inspections of authorized works and approved spill containment system as required in clause 2.7 above;
b. summary report of all incidents requiring the implementation of the contingency plan;
c. emergency systems testing records;
d. records of all manifest discrepancies; and
e. personnel training records and all relevant training procedures and manuals.

3.2.4 Monitoring of the liquid level in the approved leachate collection system shall be carried out in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Special Waste Regulation. Collected leachate may be removed and recycled back into the facility to maintain moisture. Alternatively, the leachate may be disposed of in a suitable manner as specified in clause 2.10.

3.5 Quarterly Reporting

Prepare and submit a report to the Regional Waste manager, within three months from the date of issuance of this approval and every three months thereafter, which shall include the following information:

3.5.1 Waste Records

a) suitably tabulated records, by shipping name, of quantities of wastes received, internal management of waste residues, and shipments of wastes transported offsite; and
b) waste inventory, current on the last day of each month, tabulated by shipping name, storage method and location.

3.5.2 Operating Records

a) weekly inspections of authorized works and approved spill containment system;
b) summary of all incidents requiring the implementation of the Contingency Plan; and
c) records of manifest discrepancies.

3.5.3 Groundwater Monitoring

Results of groundwater analysis for each well, including the groundwater level.

3.3 Records

Records of inspections of the authorized works and monitoring results shall be available for inspection by an officer.