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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSolid Waste Management Plan DGEIS Summary 1990 TOWN OF SOUTHOLD SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT f SUMMARY Ji i. September 1980 f Dvirka and BarMucci Consulting Engineers i 8yonet,New York ' S.0 SUMMARY This is a Summary of the proposed Solid Waste Management Plan for the Town of Southold. The proposed Plan has been developed as part of a comprehensive planning effort for solid waste that has been necessitated by factors including strict landfilling limitations imposed by the Long Island Landfill Law, the State's 1988 Solid Waste Management Act, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's 1987 Solid Waste Management Plan (as updated), and the new Part 360 solid waste regulations which became effective on December 31, 1988. The proposed Plan has also been prompted by increases in solid waste generation and landfill operating costs, as well as the reduction in available disposal capacity at facilities elsewhere. S.1 Town Setting The Town of Southold is a rural town of approximately 54 square miles located in eastern Suffolk County on Long Island. It is bordered by the Peconic Bays and Gardiners Bay to the south, and the Long Island Sound to the north. The Town, along with the Town ` of Riverhead to the west, comprises the North Fork of the "East End" of Long Island. It also includes the Hamlet of Fishers Island, a small island community covering approximately four square miles. Fishers Island is located only approximately two miles from Connecticut, and approximately 12 miles east of the North Fork of Long Island. The Town supports a large agricultural community, as well as a seasonal tourist population and a number of weekend/part-time residents. Of the various communities in the Town, the larger residential areas are primarily located in Southold, Cutchogue, Greenport, and Mattituck. The Town possesses diverse ecological resources including beaches, bays, estuaries, lakes, freshwater and tidal wetlands, and the upland environment. These resources are the result of natural physiology and existing development patterns, and are important for their preservational, social, aesthetic, and recreational value. The Town comprises 5.3% of Suffolk County's land area, but only 1.5% of the County's population. The largest single land use in the Town is vacant land (40%), while the second largest land use is agricultural land (25%). Other land use such as residential, commercial, and industrial account for much of the remaining land. 2944M/9 S-1 PROv7ED ON RECYCLED PAPM The latest available population projections indicate that the Town's population is expected So increase to 26,100 by the year 2010. The average household size in the Town has decreased from 2.54 to 2.49 persons per household from 1980 to 1988, while there has been an increase in the number of year-round households in the Town from 7,461 to 8,673 over the same period. The following presents a comparison of the Town's size, population, population density, and median income to the rest of Long Island and the East End. Total Estimated Population Med. Family Area Population Density Income (Acres) (1989)_ (Persons/Acre) 1987 Est. Nassau-Suffolk 745,836 2,718,193 3.64 $41,987 Nassau County 179,516 1,328,948 7.40 $45,512 Suffolk County 566,320 1,389,245 2.45 $38,712 5 East End Towns 212,772 114,569 0.54 $31,760 Town of Southold 34,600 21,698 0.63 $35,260 S.2 Current Solid Waste Management The Town owns and operates a solid waste complex on C.R. 48 in Cutchogue that receives most of the municipal solid waste generated and disposed of in the Town. This includes waste from residential, commercial, institutional, agricultural, and some very small industrial sources. The solid waste complex consists of a landfill, a multimaterial recycling area, a permanent household hazardous waste storage facility, a yard waste composting operation, and a holding area for household appliances and tires awaiting transfer to processing facilities. The Town's voluntary recycling program has been in effect at the solid waste complex for several years and has been steadily increasing in scope. The materials included in the recycling effort are: o Newspaper o Plastics o Major household appliances o Clear glass o Metals o Household hazardous o Green glass o Waste oil waste o Brown glass o Old clothes o Leaves o Tires o Batteries o Brush 2944M/9 S-2 P1WV7 D ON RECYCLED PAPER Collection by Town permitted carters is provided for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers on an individual contract basis. Commercial, institutional, and industrial waste generators can also deliver their own wastes to the landfill provided they are permitted by the Town. Residents may also drop off their wastes at the landfill with a permit. In addition to the Town solid waste complex in Cutchogue, there are 5 solid waste processing/disposal operations on Fishers Island for the waste generated by the estimated 309 permanent year-round residents, and approximately 4,000 seasonal residents/visitors who populate the island during the peak summer period. The processing/disposal operations, all located on the extreme western portion of Fishers Island, are the brush area, metals area, cars/tires area, household waste landfill, and the recycling drop-off area. It is estimated that approximately 127 tons per day of municipal solid waste was generated in the Town in 1989. This volume is based on an average of 123 tons per day determined from 1989 scale house data from the solid waste complex, and an estimated average 4 tons per day generation rate for Fishers Island. Future waste stream projections (including Fishers Island) were formulated based on the 1989 data and weighted population estimates through the year 2015, and are as follows: Year Tons Mr day Tons per year 1990 131.8 48,118 1995 141.8 51,758 2000 150.4 54,896 2005 161.4 58,917 2010 173.0 63,153 2015 185.3 67,617 An assessment of the major categories of the waste stream received at the solid waste complex has been conducted as part of the planning effort, and is presented below by percent of weight for the major component categories of the waste stream. 2944M/9 $-3 PROVTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Waste Category % Bir Weight Household garbage 33 Construction and demolition debris 15 Sand/sod 14 Land clearing debris and 15 concrete/asphalt/bricks Rubbish 9 Brush/cleanup debris 7 Leaves/grass/mulch 3 Agricultural debris 1 Recycled paper and metal 3 Other (includes sludge, tires, <1 shellfish debris, and batteries) TOTAL 100% In addition, a detailed compositional analysis of the material components was performed based on the total waste stream. This breakdown is as follows: Waste Composition % by Weight Paper 14.9 Plastics 3.1 Food 6.5 Ferrous Metals 9.2 Nonferrous Metals 0.6 Batteries 0.1 Glass 2.6 Wood 13.0 Rubble 10.3 Rubber 1.1 Dirt and Fines 18.5 Yard Waste 14.5 Sludge 0.7 Bulky Waste 2.6 Misc. 2.4 TOTAL 100%* *Totals may not add to exactly 100% due to rounding. S.3 Alternatives In formulating the Town's proposed Plan, a number of alternative processing methods and implementation alternatives have been evaluated. The alternatives have 2944M/9 S-4 PRVYTED ON RECYCLED PAPER been evaluated for their environmental soundness, applicability, effectiveness, and cost. They include: o Waste Reduction o Land Clearing Debris Recycling o Household Hazardous Waste o Waste-to-Energy Reduction/Recovery Removal o Municipal Solid Waste Composting o Materials Recycling o Landfill Disposal o Agricultural and Yard Waste o Clean Fill Disposal Composting o Methods of Processing/Disposal of o Construction and Demolition Other Wastes Debris (C&D) Recycling Although the State has set a goal of 50% reduction, reuse, and recycling as a benchmark for resource recovery systems, it has been concluded, given the characteristics of its waste stream, that the Town could target a reduction/reuse/recycling (including composting) goal as high as 70% to 75%. The alternatives evaluated for long-term processing or disposal (1996 to 2015) of the 25% to 30% residual portion of the waste stream are: o Existing landfill arrangements o Use of a new, double-lined 15-acre Town landfill adjacent to existing landfill (to be implemented in three 5-acre stages) o Processing at the Brookhaven composting-energy recovery facility (if implemented) o Processing at Huntington energy recovery facility (if 4th Unit is implemented) o Processing at Babylon energy recovery facility (if 3rd Unit is implemented) o Processing at an in-Town mixed solid waste (MSW) composting facility o Yard waste exchange arrangement with a town having an energy recovery facility o Private sector processing/disposal (including possible use of Hempstead's existing energy recovery facility and recently proposed private sector facilities) o Off island long haul to another facility In order to allow adequate time for achieving the goals of the proposed resource recovery system, the planning effort also included an evaluation of legislative/regulatory/legal issues that should be addressed to ensure that, with regard to 2944M/9 S-5 PRaYIED ON RECYCLED PAPER landfilling, the Long Island Landfill Law reflects: 1) the 208 Plan recommendations for landfilling in rural areas; 2) the NYSDEC 1986 Long Island Groundwater Management Program allowances for landfilling in rural areas; 3) the SCDHS' position regarding landfilling in Suffolk County; and 4) the definitions of "resource recovery" correctly be interpreted or defined to allow landfilling without energy recovery or mixed solid waste composting facilities for the waste remaining, providing the resource recovery system exceeds the State's 50% goal and includes intensive reduction/recycling/reuse programs. Additionally, the regulatory analysis also indicated that the Long Island Landfill Law's strict December 1990 deadline could be made more realistic through a 3-year extension. The evaluation conducted as part of the planning effort has concluded that the lined landfilling of a limited portion of the waste stream in rural Long Island areas is provided for in a number of previous technical studies, including those conducted by and certified to the USEPA by NYSDEC as recently as 1986. S.4 Description of Proposed Plan Based upon the analysis of alternatives, the proposed Plan for the Town is expected to result in the effective management of the Town's solid waste in an environmentally sound, cost-effective manner that reflects the social and economic characteristics of the Town, particularly with regards to its rural nature as a farming community with a relatively small population. The proposed Plan involves a "resource recovery system" that could effectively dispose 70% to 75% of the total waste stream through elements of reduction, reuse, recycling, household hazardous waste removal, and yard waste composting. The proposed Plan also includes specific recommendations for the disposal of the 25% to 30% residual waste after implementation of the proposed resource recovery system. Table S-1 at the end of this Summary presents the elements of the proposed Plan. 5.4.1 Proposed Resource Recovery System The proposed Plan contains a number of elements comprising a resource recovery system that could reduce/recycle/reuse up to 70% to 75% of the total waste stream over the life of the Plan (through the year 2015). The proposed resource recovery system includes waste reduction, intensive household and commercial/institutional recycling, major household appliances recycling, tire recycling, household hazardous waste recovery, land clearing and construction and demolition debris recycling, and composting of yard waste, sludge, and low-grade paper. The specific materials addressed in the Plan's resource recovery system include: 2944M/9 S-6 PRD1?ED ON RECYCLED PAPER o Newspaper o Ferrous Metals o Magazines o Nonferrous Metals o Corrugated/Brown Bags o Three Colors of Glass o Other Paperboard o Wood and Lumber o Office Paper o Asphalt o Low-Grade (Other) Paper o Concrete/Brick o PET, HDPE o Tires and Other Plastics o Dirt o Yard Wastes o Textiles o Sludge o Household Hazardous Wastes o Sand/Sod o Batteries (Vehicle and Household) The following sections describe the components of the Town's resource recovery system. Waste Reduction Waste reduction refers to the reduction of solid waste prior to disposal. This is an important consideration since it may affect the sizing or magnitude of individual operations and facilities described in the Plan. Reduction of the volume of waste could be achieved through Town support of legislation and other initiatives that aim to encourage residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional establishments to reduce waste generation at the source or point of packaging. This would effectively reduce the volume of waste that the Town would need to make provisions for with regard to collection, processing, disposal, administration, and financing. Regarding the legislative aspects of waste reduction, the Town would support laws proposed by the County, State, and Federal governments that strive to: o Reduce the volume and type of packaging materials, especially those constituted of plastics, which are essentially nonbiodegradable, nonreusable, and nonrecyclable o Expand the current beverage container deposit law to include a wider array of containers 2944M/9 S-7 PRQY!'FD ON RECYCLED PAPER o Encourage greater use of recycled materials, or products packaged in recycled or recyclable materials o Promote the development of household hazardous waste removal programs o Assist and encourage industrial, commercial, and institutional generators to undertake reduction and recycling programs o Assist and encourage homeowners to undertake backyard composting The Town would also support legislative efforts to establish deposits on batteries as a means of reducing the concentration of metals in various products and residues of solid waste processing. Batteries constitute an easily removable source of potential contamination from the waste stream. In addition to legislative actions, all sectors of the Town (public, commercial, industrial, and institutional establishments) would be encouraged by the Town to reduce the generation of waste which would ultimately become the responsibility of the Town to handle and dispose. This can be accomplished through local and regional public education programs coordinated by the State. For example, homeowners and landscapers should be encouraged to reuse grass clippings, leaves, and chipped brush as compost and mulch on-site rather than bagging and disposing these materials at a solid waste management facility. The NYSDEC estimates that implementation of statewide and local waste reduction efforts, along with continued and expanded voluntary programs and other legislative actions, could reduce solid waste generation by approximately 8% to 10%. This estimate is contained in the State's 1987 Solid Waste Management Plan (and updates) as a statewide goal and is incorporated as one of the goals of the Town's proposed Plan. It is estimated that over the long-term approximately 10% of the Town's waste stream would be reduced by this element of the proposed Plan. Household and Commercial/Institutional Recycling Program A major component of the proposed Plan is a comprehensive recycling program which would provide for the recovery and utilization of reusable "waste" resources. The Plan proposes a mandatory source separation program for recyclable materials generated in the residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors of the Town. 2944M/9 S-8 PROWED ON RECYCLED PAPER Recyclable materials should be source separated and collected, or privately dropped off, in a segregated manner. In the short-term, the segregation of the various recyclables is an interim step that is part of the current voluntary curbside recycling program that has been initiated in the Town. Over the long-term, recyclables should be source separated from the rest of the waste stream, but not necessarily segregated. Collection and transfer of recyclables has proven to be more cost-effective when commingled. The Brookhaven Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) is the recommended facility that would process the Town's collected recyclables. This facility is expected to have the ability to process either segregated or commingled deliveries of materials. It has been demonstrated that mandatory recycling programs are more effective than voluntary programs. The comprehensive recycling analysis for the Town presents a detailed analysis and discussion of the proposed recycling activities and is presented in Appendix F. The materials initially targeted for source separation, curbside collection, and marketing include paper (newspaper and corrugated cardboard), color segregated glass, plastics (PET and HDPE), and ferrous and nonferrous metal containers. Leaves, grass clippings, and brush should also be source separated for the purpose of composting. In addition, separation should be required for land clearing debris, construction and demolition debris, white goods (major household appliances), tires, and household hazardous waste. As previously discussed, commercial/industrial toxic or hazardous waste is currently regulated for proper handling and disposal by Federal and State law. These materials should not be handled by the Town and would be recycled or processed at private sector facilities. The Plan proposes to send collected recyclables to the Brookhaven MRF, which is nearing completion. The Town of Brookhaven has indicated that its MRF will have the capacity to accommodate recyclable materials from Southold. The Brookhaven facility is expected to be operational in 1991. If an East End regional MRF (public or private) is developed in the long-term, Southold would compare the costs and contracted terms of using the Brookhaven MRF to those of the regional facility. If an East End facility is not built, recyclable materials would continue to be sent to the Brookhaven MRF. The Town proposes to have its mandatory source separation and recycling program in place by late 1990 to coincide with the arrangements to use the Brookhaven MRF. It is recommended that the ultimate recycling program be implemented in two stages. During 2944M/9 S-9 PROMED ON RECYCLW PAPER the first stage, or interim phase (late 1990 through late 1991), Southold would enact a Townwide mandatory recycling ordinance to become effective in early 1991, and negotiate draft agreement terms with Brookhaven for use of the Brookhaven MRF. In addition, Southold would continue to operate a recycling transfer area within the Town to process its collected recyclables and utilize available markets while the Brookhaven MRF is permitted and constructed. The existing recycling area on Fishers Island would be expanded to accept more categories of materials. Recyclables would be transported off Fishers Island to be processed with the rest of the Town's recyclables at the Brookhaven MRF. In the second stage, or long-term phase (beginning in early 1992), the Town would construct a recycling transfer system (if necessary) to transport recyclables that are acceptable to the Brookhaven MRF. This can be accomplished through three possible alternatives: 1) private sector total transfer services (including equipment and needed structures), 2) Town sponsored permitting system and required structures with private sector operation, or 3) total Town sponsored permitting system and operation. Future long-term recycling projections for the Town, including Fishers Island, indicate that approximately 23%, or 33 tons per day, of the total waste stream could be recovered through this Plan element by 1995 (not including C&D, land clearing debris, white goods, tires, and household hazardous waste). The 1990 preliminary cost estimates of this Plan element indicate that recycling costs could range from $25 to $50 per ton ($5 million to $13 million over the 20 year planning period), depending on transportation costs and the fee negotiated with the Town of Brookhaven. .Recycling: Major Household Appliances Another aspect of the Plan's resource recovery system recommends that discarded major household appliances (also referred to as "white goods") continue to be temporarily stockpiled and transferred on a regular basis to private recycling facilities. White goods, comprising approximately 1% of the waste stream, include discarded refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, stoves, etc. The 1990 preliminary cost estimates indicate that this Plan element could cost up to $10 per ton. Depending on markets, revenues could be generated from this material. 2944M/9 S-10 PRRVTW ON RECYCLED PAPER Recycling: Tires The proposed Plan also includes discarded tire recycling. It is recommended that a designated portion of the existing landfill site be used to temporarily stockpile tires for shipment to appropriate reprocessing or recycling facilities. A similar area should be maintained on Fishers Island. The temporary stockpile operations should be sized to stockpile up to 1,000 tires at any given time. Using an assumed, generally accepted generation rate of one tire per person per year for the Town's population of 21,798, approximately 22,000 tires per year could require disposal. Alternatively, using an estimated factor for tires in the residential waste stream of 0.64 tons per day (based on 1990 scale house data), with an assumed weight of 25 pounds per tire, an average of approximately 19,000 tires per year would require proper disposal. Based on these estimates, it may be necessary to size a tire stockpile and transfer operation to handle between 19,000 and 22,000 tires per year. This would correspond to an average annual transfer arrangement of approximately 20 shipments per year (1,000 tires per shipment), or approximately one shipment every 2 and 1/2 weeks, with allowances for more frequent shipments during certain peak periods. As discussed in Section 3, there are private processing markets currently available that would accept the tires for recycling. The approximate cost of this Plan element is estimated to range from $40 to $65 per ton, depending on the contractual arrangements with the selected tire processor. Approximately 1% of the total waste stream is covered by this Plan element. Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste Successful and effective household hazardous waste removal programs, known by the acronym S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants), have been shown to be environmentally sound elements of solid waste management systems. A S.T.O.P. program allows for convenient and safe disposal of hazardous chemical wastes found in homes. Although household hazardous wastes typically comprise less than 1% of a municipality's total waste stream, the removal of these materials from the waste stream is important and recommended as part of the Town's solid waste Plan. It is recommended that these wastes be removed to prevent them from entering, and potentially impacting, the environment. Removal of these wastes also reduces the risks and hazards associated with processing or disposing these wastes at solid waste management facilities. 2944M/9 S-11 PRWTED ON RECYC/M PAPER Continued operation of the Town's permanent S.T.O.P.. program will provide residents with a continuous, environmentally safe disposal alternative for unwanted chemical products originating in the home. The daily operation provided by this permanent, full-time facility make participation in the S.T.O.P. program more convenient than periodically scheduled S.T.O.P. days. The permanent facility, centrally located in the Town, provides residents with a convenient drop-off site for these materials. For an area the size of Fishers Island, the development of a full-time S.T.O.P. program and permanent facility would be both impractical and unnecessary. Consequently, it is recommended that a minimum of two collection "events" per year be held on Fishers Island to remove this material from the waste stream. The S.T.O.P. program will allow for the collection of such household hazardous wastes as: o Adhesives o Paint Removers o Alcohol o Paint Thinners o Antifreeze o Pesticides o Brake Fluid o Petroleum Based Solvents o Charcoal Lighter Fluid o Photographic Chemicals and Supplies o Cleaning Solvents o Plant and Insect Spray o Degreasers o Pool Chemicals o Fertilizers o Solvents o Gasoline o Spot Removers o Herbicides o Stain and Varnishes o Kerosene o Wood Preservatives o Paints o Unknown/Unlabeled Containers The resource recovery system proposed in the Town's Plan recommends that the Town work with the East End Recycling Association toward implementing an extensive public awareness, participation, and education program designed to provide information on the importance of properly disposing hazardous materials and the procedures to be followed. The Town's S.T.O.P. program is consistent with the New York State Solid Waste Management Plan guidelines since it can effectively help reduce the quantity of hazardous wastes entering the waste stream. Additionally, the S.T.O.P. program is expected to increase environmental consciousness and encourage residents to segregate and recycle wastes rather than discard them. It is estimated that approximately 1% of the waste 2944M/9 S-12 PROnED ON RECYCLED PAPER stream will be covered by this Plan element. The Town currently pays $200 to $540 per 55-gallon drum for disposal of this waste, depending on whether or not the drum contains pesticides or aerosol products. Recycling: Construction and Demolition Debris The development, planning, permitting, and capital cost of a construction and demolition debris processing facility is expected to be more cost-effective if it is handled by the private sector rather than the Town. Consequently, it is recommended in the proposed Plan that this waste no longer be accepted at Town disposal facilities. The recycling/processing of this waste should become the responsibility of the private sector, as is the case in most Towns on Long Island. This would help to maximize the efficiency of recycling this material. Concrete, rocks, bricks, asphalt, lumber, and pallets are among the components of C&D debris that can be processed and recycled. Current 1990 cost estimates of private sector processing/recycling of this component of the waste stream are in the range of $55 to $115 per ton. It is estimated that approximately 15% of the waste stream is comprised of commercially generated construction and demolition debris that could be recovered by this Plan element. It is recommended that residentially (homeowner) generated clean material remain the responsibility of the Town for a three to five year period. To this end, a two acre (or less) clean fill is recommended as an interim measure to "reclaim" a borrow area (depression) at the existing landfill where sand mining has taken place. Small volumes of clean materials from residential sources could be disposed of in a portion of the borrow area. Over the long-term, private recycling and disposal options would be utilized by the generators of this waste. Transfer services to private sector facilities could be provided by the Town for residentially generated materials after the borrow area has been reclaimed by the clean fill. There are several concrete pits on the western portion of Fishers Island that could be used for disposal of the small quantity of C&D debris generated on the island. This land could be reclaimed for future use through the burial of clean fill in accordance with Part 360-8.6(c). Once these areas are brought to grade, the processing of this material would be handled by the private sector. In addition, contractors on Fishers Island would be encouraged to dispose of this material on-site in accordance with Part 360-8.6(b). 2944M/9 S-13 PRfiVTW ON RECYCLED PAPER Recycling: Land Clearing Debris Similar to construction and demolition debris, it is recommended as part of the proposed Plan that the Town no longer accept land clearing debris at Town facilities. This material would become the responsibility of the private sector with generators responsible for identifying and utilizing appropriate recycling/processing/ disposal facilities. It is estimated that 15% of the Town's waste stream is comprised of commercially generated land clearing debris that could be recovered under this portion of the proposed Plan. The 1990 estimated cost for private sector processing/recycling of this component of the waste stream is in the range of $55 to $115 per ton. It is recommended that Fishers Island dispose of this material in a less than two acre clean fill. In addition, new developments on Fishers Island should be encouraged to use land clearing debris generated on-site for grade adjustment in accordance with Part 360-8.6(b). Recycling: Yard Waste Com sting According to the New York State Solid Waste Management Plan guidelines and the New York State Solid Waste Management Act, composting is one of a variety of methods to reduce the waste stream and promote recycling of resources. Accordingly, the Town recommends that the existing yard waste composting operation become part of the long-term Plan, and that it be expanded to accommodate all of the Town's leaves and brush. Additionally, it is recommended that an evaluation be made of a possible expansion to create a regional or subregional operation. It is also recommended that there be a limited demonstration sludge and low-grade paper cocomposting pilot effort to determine the long-term feasibility of composting these materials. The sewage sludge and low-grade paper cocomposting operation would evaluate the effectiveness of sludge as a nitrogen source to facilitate the decomposition of grass clippings and chipped brush, and would also test the marketability of this type of compost product. If this demonstration project results in a marketable end product, this process should be incorporated into the long-term Plan for the Town. The successful cocomposting and marketing of yard waste with sewage sludge and low-grade paper could provide a cost-effective method of converting solid waste into a reusable end product, and possibly reduce the use of produced or synthetic fertilizers in the Town. Backyard and on-site composting of yard waste by homeowners and landscapers is also recommended under this element as a method of minimizing the required size of the Town's yard waste composting operation. 2944M/9 S-14 PRN W ON RECYCLED PAPER Portions of the existing landfill site should be evaluated for use as additional yard waste composting capacity. An expansion of the yard waste composting operations could enable the Town to make its composting operations available to western Towns, or be part of a subregional yard waste composting effort with one or more East End Towns. It is recommended that the Town participate in an intermunicipal agreement for sending its recyclables and/or mixed waste to another Town for processing, while accepting a similar or agreed upon tonnage of yard waste for composting in return. It is recommended that on Fishers Island there be a small scale (less than 3,000 cubic yards) composting operation for yard waste. This is the preferred alternative when compared to sending this material to the existing operation at the Town's solid waste complex in Cutchogue. Consistent with the goals of the proposed Plan, landscapers should be encouraged by the Town to maintain their own compost piles, or perform this service on-site for their customers. Larger landscaping or land clearing operations should chip brush for ground cover and other uses. It is further recommended that the Town implement a public education program to increase the local demand for end products from both backyard and Town compost operations. Preliminary 1990 cost projections of this Plan element depend on whether the facility is sized to accommodate out-of-Town yard waste. Current estimates range between $20 and $30 per*ton. Approximately 10% of the Town's total waste stream could be recovered as part of this Plan element. S.4.2 Pyr .posed Residual Waste Management The recommended resource recovery system portion of the Plan discussed above is expected to effectively reduce/recycle/reuse (including composting) approximately 70% to 75% of the Town's total waste stream, provided that relatively high participation rates are achieved and markets are available. What follows is a discussion of the recommended actions for the processing and/or disposal of the 25% to 30% residual waste remaining after implementation of the proposed resource recovery system. Based upon the analysis conducted as part of the solid waste planning effort, a staged plan for the 25% to 30% residual waste is recommended. The residual waste portion of the Plan will consist of a long-term phase and a short-term phase. As a result of the size of the Town and uncertainties regarding the Landfill Law and solid waste projects in other Long Island towns, the long-term phase is divided into three stages 2944M/9 S-15 PROYIEO ON RECYCIEO PAPER (1996-2002, 2003-2009, and 2010-2015). The short-term phase (1992-1995) consists of actions that will. provide for continued planning to allow for changes in solid waste projects in other towns, and will reflect a cautious approach to the Town's decision making. In addition, the residual waste portion of the Plan contains recommended actions for the interim period (1990-1992) that will allow for initial Plan start-up. The three stages of the long-term phase will each be approximately six to seven years in duration. This will provide for a periodic evaluation of alternative processing/disposal options for the 25% to 30% residual waste, and allow the Town to pursue a more cost-effective option, should one become available during any one of the three stages. At the end of each stage, a Plan update would be prepared, at least with respect to the residual waste portion of the Town's Plan. This would reflect any new and emerging technologies and changes in the currently proposed processing/disposal options in other towns, particularly the larger western towns. Based upon the current (1990) DGEIS analysis, the preferred option for handling the residual waste would be most efficiently achieved at an energy recovery facility (ERF) in one of the Towns to the west, with reciprocal yard waste composting at a regional yard waste composting operation in Southold. As part of a contract with the town having the energy recovery facility, it is recommended that Southold negotiate terms whereby it would accept an equal quantity of yard waste for composting. Since Southold would be expected to pay a tip fee at the energy recovery facility, fees collected at the composting operation would be used to offset processing costs at the energy recovery facility. jThis option is attractive since it would not require a major capital investment by the Town for a solid waste facility other than a significant expansion of the existing yard waste composting operation. This waste exchange option may be difficult to implement as a result of the complex intermunicipal negotiations and agreements that must be set in place. Consequently, a strong NYSDEC role as a facilitator would be essential for the success of this option in any, or all, of the three stages of the long-term phase. If the Town is unable to implement a yard waste exchange arrangement with a town to the west having or proposing an energy recovery facility with sufficient capacity, then I 2944M/9 S-16 PROWED ON RECYCLED PAPER a 15 acre landfill (needed for the 20 year period 1996-2015), to be implemented in three five acre cells would become the preferred option. The new, state-of-the-art landfill would be double lined and would feature dual leachate collection and treatment systems and methane recovery. The first five acre cell would be sufficient to dispose of the 25% to 30% residual waste for the first stage of the long-term phase (1996-2002). During this period, the evaluation of possible yard waste exchange arrangements with towns in the area having energy recovery processing facilities would continue for possible utilization during the second stage of the long-term phase (2003-2009). If a suitable facility to process the remaining waste is not found to exist before the end of the first 6 to 7 year stage, a second five acre landfill cell would be constructed for use during the second stage of the long-term phase (2003-2009). This would be followed by a third five acre landfill if the ongoing evaluation indicates that it would be necessary for the final long-term stage of the Plan (through 2015). If both the yard waste exchange and landfill options prove unfeasible, then seasonal energy recovery processing at a town to the west that has an energy recovery facility is the recommended option. Under this alternative, the Town would utilize available capacity at the energy recovery facility during off-peak periods (presumably six "winter" months) in conjunction with landfilling of the residual waste at a new Town landfill during peak periods (presumably six "summer" months) when capacity would not be available. As with the previous preferred options, the Town would continue to evaluate alternatives that might become available for possible implementation in a subsequent stage of the long-term phase. It should also be stressed that this regional cooperative approach (consistent with DEC's promotion of intermunicipal cooperation) would be contingent upon either: 1) the implementation of a fourth unit expansion at the Huntington/Smithtown facility; 2) a third unit expansion at the Babylon facility; or 3) the construction of the previously proposed Brookhaven Composting/Energy Recovery Facility (CERF). Recent reports, however, indicate that Brookhaven is considering processing its solid waste at the Hempstead energy recovery facility instead of going forward with the CERF project. In addition, the fourth unit analyses for Huntington/Smithtown have not been completed, and a Babylon third unit has not been officially proposed. As a result of these uncertainties, Southold should simultaneously proceed with evaluations of any permitted private sector solid waste ventures in the area to determine their feasibility in satisfying the Town's needs with regard to the 25% to 30% residual waste. 2944M/9 S-17 PRflV7W ON RECYCLED PAPER The implementation of this multistaged approach would allow for disposal of the 25% to 30% residual waste remaining after the implementation of the Town's resource recovery system without committing to lined landfilling for the full life of the proposed Plan. As part of this staged approach, the proposed Plan would be updated with respect to residuals disposal prior to each stage. The development of five acre incremental landfill cells, sufficient for 6 to 7 year intervals, would allow for a continuous evaluation of energy recovery alternatives and private sector ventures (possibly including solid waste composting) that may become viable in the future. In the short-term phase of the Plan (1992-1995), it is recommended that the Town construct a new, five acre lined landfill for residual waste disposal. The new lined five acre landfill would be located on Town owned land at the existing landfill complex and would feature a double composite liner system, dual leachate collection and treatment systems, and methane recovery. This new landfill would provide for the disposal of the 25% to 30% residual waste until the Town can take the necessary steps to implement the preferred long-term option, and is expected to have a useful life of approximately four to five years, depending on levels of recycling. For the short and long-term phases of the Plan to be implemented, a two year extension (through legislative, regulatory, or legal action) of the landfill closure date mandated by the Long Island Landfill Law would be necessary for continued, but reduced, landfilling at the current site in the interim period (1990-1992) until the new five acre lined landfill (short-term phase) is permitted and completed. j Continued use of Southold's existing landfill would also allow for it to achieve the desired configuration and contour elevations for proper closure and capping. This two year extension would also provide for interim disposal and avoid long haul. This would avoid travel through the western towns and New York City, and would not result in out-of-state or upstate exportation. This arrangement would conform to the' Landfill Law's provision allowing continued landfilling during implementation of a resource recovery system if there is no energy recovery processing available to the Town. If a landfill extension is not granted, then long haul of the Town's waste off Long Island would be necessary until the first five acre cell is completed. 2944M/9 S-18 PRBVTM ON RECYCLW PAPER As part of the 25% to 30% residual portion of the Plan, it is recommended that Fishers Island continue current landfill procedures for approximately one to two years until the existing landfill (which is relatively flat) reaches capacity and can be capped and closed. After that time, the mixed waste and separated recyclables could be transported directly off Fishers Island using collection vehicles rather than a transfer operation and handled with the rest of the Town's waste stream. This arrangement for Fishers Island would correspond to approximately 70 to 100 trips per year, on average, assuming approximately one trip per week during six months of the year, approximately two trips per week during three months of the year, and approximately three trips per week for the remaining three months of the year. The transportation cost would be offset by the elimination of the current landfilling and leasing costs on Fishers Island. The future landfill/disposal with the rest of the Town's waste could be covered through the Town's tax base since it would be combined with the total waste stream of the Town. The collection and transportation could be handled by the Fishers Island Garbage and Refuse District, or it could be open to any Town permitted carters who choose to offer services to residents on Fishers Island. Initial cost estimates were prepared as part of a preliminary cost analysis of various long-term processing/disposal options available to the Town. Processing at a western Long Island town's energy recovery facility with reciprocal yard waste composting, identified as the preferred option, has 20 year costs (1990 dollars) ranging from $18 million to $34 million ($60 to $94 per ton) if the host town is responsible for residuals disposal. Costs for developing a new landfill in three five acre stages, identified as the second ranked long-term option, would range from $26 million to $29 million ($82 to $89 per ton) over the 20 year period. Seasonal processing at the proposed Brookhaven CERF (if implemented), in conjunction with landfilling in a new lined Town landfill during peak periods of the year when capacity is not available, is the third ranked option, with 1990 costs ranging from $26 million to $34 million ($88 to $94 per ton) over the 20 year period of the long-term portion of the Plan. If seasonal processing is carried out with the Towns of Huntington or Babylon, it would result in 1990 costs ranging from $27 million to $59 million ($90 to $141 per ton). 2944M/9 S-19 PRIfVTED ON RECYCLED PAPER These preliminary estimates are presented in 1990 dollars and are preliminary for the purpose of conducting a comparative analysis between alternatives, and will be updated as necessary in the final Plan/FGEIS. Final estimated costs will be determined as a result of detailed engineering design, supplemental EIS analysis, responses to formal procurement procedures, and terms of intermunicipal/contractual agreements. Table S-1 presents a summary of both the proposed resource recovery system and the residual waste portion of the proposed Plan. S.5 Landfill Siting As part of the development of the solid waste Plan, a preliminary landfill siting evaluation was performed. This evaluation was conducted to determine if sites were available within the Town that could be considered in the future for use as a landfill site should the need arise. The results indicate that there are currently 27 areas within the Town, other than the existing site, which could be considered for landfilling in the future. However, in this case the siting analysis would require updating and further evaluation. With regard to the proposed Plan's short-term 5 acre landfill, sufficient space is available at the existing Town solid waste complex to accommodate the new cell. Consequently, the available land at the site would be used for landfilling through the year 1995. Should the Town implement one or more of the additional 5 acre stages beyond 1995, then the siting analysis, which has indicated other potential sites (including land adjacent to the current site), would be updated and used in the final siting determination. S.6 Regional/Neighboring Jurisdictional Involvement Regional alternatives with neighboring Towns were considered and are reflected in the proposed Plan. Islandwide regional possibilities are also possible with the development of a 10-Town (Suffolk County), or 13-Town (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), cooperative to collectively market recyclable materials. This regional effort could provide for substantial assistance in dealing with secondary materials markets. In particular this includes: East End To the West o Shelter Island o Brookhaven o Riverhead o Huntington o East Hampton o Smithtown o Southampton o Babylon 2944M/9 S-20 MWV7'ED ON RECYCLED PAPER S.7 Public Education, Information, and Involvement One of the key components of the proposed Plan will be an effective public education, information, and involvement program. There are numerous ways to inform the public about the Town's current and future recycling and disposal programs. While it may be necessary to perform surveys within the Town to establish the basis for a specific education and involvement program, some areas that are recommended as part of the public participation aspect of the proposed Plan include: o Media coverage of the efforts made by the Town to support and encourage recycling o Public notices, direct mailings, and media promotions of current and new programs o Town assistance to elementary, middle, and high schools in implementing recycling programs for the schools o Town/school sponsored educational events such as essay, picture, and/or logo contests o Town cooperation with schools, and the State, to develop curriculum, special events, and tours concerning recycling and recycling operations o Town advertisements and promotion of the use of compost from the yard waste composting operation o Encouragement by the Town for landscapers and others to promote backyard composting o An outreach and educational effort to public and private users of the landfill to generate cooperation and involvement in new recycling programs o Town discussions with waste haulers to address collection and recycling concerns and to obtain an effective transition as new programs are implemented 2944M/9 S-21 PRVnFD ON RECYC(W PAPER o Assistance from the East End Recycling Association in developing regional educational and involvement programs o Town outreach efforts targeted to seasonal residents, tourists, and seasonal businesses for active participation in recycling and other programs 2944M/9 S-22 PRMFD ON RECYCLED PAPER TABLE S-1 TOWN OF SOUTHOLD DRAFT SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN(1990 thru 2015) BASE PLAN RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR 70%TO 75%OF THE WASTE STREAM i 25%TO 30%RESIDUAL WASTE WASTE REDUCTION REUSE/RECYCLING/COMPOSTING PROGRAM PROCESSING/DISPOSAL OPTIONS" 10% 60%to 65% 25%to 30% ENCOURAGE EFFORTS TO: • CONSTRUCTION&DEMOLITION DEBRIS RECYCLING(15%) SHORT TERM(1992 THRU 1995)- • REDUCE PACKAGING MATERIALS 21 tpd to 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 • HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING(<OS%) - 34 TPD to 41 TPD in 1992 to 35 TPD to 43 TPD in 1995 Recycling&Processing at a Private Facility - OS tpd in 1995 to 1 tpd in 2015 it Develop New,5 Acre Lined Landfill at Existing Solid Waste Disposal On-site Land Disposal and<2 Acte Clem Fill on Fishers Island - Full Ttmc Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off("S.T.OP."): Complex • EXPAND THE CURRENT BEVERAGE Paints,Cleaners T.himers etc • Evaluate Feasibility of Long Term Options Below.Continuously Compare CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAW it LAND CLEARING DEBRIS RECYCLING(15%) - Minimum of Two Collection"Events"Per Ycar on Fishers to Any Permitted Private Sector Ventures that Become Available • INCREASE USE OF RECYCLED 21 tpd in 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 Eland LONG TERM( 996 THRU 2015) MATERIALS Recycling&Processing ar a Private Facility Stages On-site Land Disposal and<2 Acre Clean FB f«New Development • TIRE RECYCLING(<O(,0.5%) 36 TPD o 43 TPD m 1995 ta TPD o t TPD io 2015 on Fishers Island Implement in three 6 0 7 Year Sges one off the options below(in order of • INCREASE USE OF REUSABLE - OS tpd in 1995 to 1 tpd in 2015 preference). If a more cost-effective private sector venture in the arca is PRODUCTS&PACKAGING d.e.. - Stockpile and Transfer to Out-of-Town Tine Recycling/ pertained,hold in abeyance implementation of the following stage(s). RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES) it YARD WASTE COMPOSTING(10%) Processing Facility Update plan for residual waste prior to end of each stage. 14 tpd in 1995 to 19 tpd in 2015 Stockpiled and then Shipped off Fisbers Island • EXPAND LEGISLATION TO Townwide Leaf Composting Facility • AGRICULTURAL/COMMERCIAI✓INSITIUTIONAL • TOP RANKED:YARD WASTE EXCHANGE INCLUDE DEPOSITS FOR Option for Expansion to Accommodate Out-of-Town Yard Wastes RECYCLING(15%1 Use western Ll.Town ERF/CERF(possibly Brookhaven,Huntington/ BATTERIES&TIRES - Pilot Program f« c Coompostiag of Sludge and Low Grade Paper Smithtown,or Babylon,if capacity is made available). With Yard Waste 21 tpd in 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 ERF/CERF Responsible for Bypass/Residuals Disposal • INCREASE PRODUCT - Homeowner/Larndxa r Back and C of Leaves,Grass,& - Town and Private Sector Reduction,Reuse and Recycling Pe Y ompos�B - Fees Collated at Southold's Yard Waste Composting Facility Used to SUBSTITUTION Binh Programs(Offices,Stores,Retail Outlets,eat:.) Offset Costs Associated with Out-of-Town ERF/CERF Processing Discourage Pick-up of Grass Clippings - Sand/S°d Reuse - Requires DEC Assistance in Facilitating and Promoting Exchange • PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY - Small Scale Yard Waste Com ration&On-lot Composting - Town and Private Sector Removal and Recycling of Corrugate Compos"� Pce nn6 vd Arrangement with Western Towne) MODOICATION by Landscapers on Individual Properties on Fishers Island. • RESH)ENTIAL RECYCLING(3%TO 8%) it T'•RANKED:NEW,LINED TOWN LANDFH L* • HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES RECYCLING(1%) 4 tpd to 11 tpd in 1995,6 tpd to IS tpd in 2015 - Develop New Landfill in 5 Acre Stages each f«6 to 7 Year Periods,or - I tpd in 1995 to 2 tpd in 2015 - Use Brookhaven Recycling Facility for Initial 3 to 5 Year Period Longer if Recycling Efforts are Higher than Expected Stockpile and Transfer to a Private Recycling Center. _ If an East End Center is not Developed,Continue to Use Stoves,Rcf igeratrara,Heaters,etc. Brookhaven Recycling Facility or Similar Facility for 3 to 5 it 3-RANKED,SEASONAL OUT-OF-TOWN ENERGY RECOVERY Stockpiled and then Shipped off Fishers Island Year Increments PROCESSING WITH NEW,LINED TOWN LANDFILL- Recycling Rolloff Bins on Fishers Island Expanded to Include - Develop New Landfill in 5 Ase Stages(each with 10 Year Life)to be Plastics and Corrugated then Shipped off Fishers Island Used in Conjuction with Seasonal ERF/CERF Processing Utilize Seasonally Available Capacity at ERF/CFRF INTERIM PERIOD 11990- 19921 • Begin Agressive Impkrnenution of Base Plan to Achieve 70%to 75% Reducion/Recycling/Reuse Goal by 1995. • Acquire through Appropriate Procedures, Available State EQBA Assistance Funds and County Saks Tax Assistance • Begin 2 Year Phase Out of Existing Landfill(and Fishers Island Landfill)to Allow for Proper Grading to Ensure Funds for Closure and Capping of Existing Landfill. Acceptable Slopes for Capping. Requires 2 year extension to Landfill Law deadline. it Continue Use of Remaining Capacity at Fishers Island Landfill (2 to 3'Years) for Non-vecyclable/Non-musable Waste. • Implement Hydrogeelogic Investigation in 1990 and 1991 to Support Capping and Closure Plans for Existing Landfill. it Prepare EIS and Part 360 Permit Application for New, 5 Acre Lined Landfill to be Used for Shon-Term • Submit in 1991, for NYSDEC Approval, Closure and Capping Plan for Existing Landfill. • Note: Requires legal, regulatory, or legislative deteanw[ion that 25% to 30% residual disposal is consistent with landfilling allowances in Landfill Law. ..Includes any of Fishers Island waste delivered to Town facilities.