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Gayle Wilson, Manager of Landfill Operations, introduced Jan McCarr and Jim <br />Bateson of Joyce Engineering, Greensboro, North Carolina, a consulting engineering firm. Jan McCarr <br />began the presentation by stating that siting, design, construction, and operation of landfills is highly <br />regulated and actively managed by county, state, and federal regulations. She then gave a summary of <br />the siting criteria. As regards to wetlands, both sites are within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' <br />threshold. For the Guess Road site, the facility has been designed to avoid infringement on the Neuse <br />River Basin Buffers; this criterion was not applicable to the Eubanks Road site. The 100-year floodplain <br />is not a problem with either site. As to threatened and endangered species, there are none at the Guess <br />Road site, but the engineering firm is still investigating the Eubanks Road site as to being a possible <br />habitat of listed flora. Possible archaeological or historical sites were studied, with none being <br />discovered at the Eubanks Road site, but three (3) areas of interest were identified at the Guess Road <br />site. A final report on this issue will be completed by September 20, 1999. Neither the state-owned <br />recreational lands nor airport location restriction criteria were applicable to either site. As to cover soils, <br />both sites may require offsite borrow source soils. <br />Ms. McCarr emphasized that whatever site chosen will be operated by <br />professionally trained staff and a single point-of-access will be controlled through fencing and gates. <br />Liquids and hazardous wastes will be prohibited at the site, with waste screening conducted to preclude <br />the acceptance of either material. <br />Next, Ms. McGarr addressed transportation issues for both sites. The Guess <br />Road site is approximately 20 miles from the waste generation center, versus approximately two (2) <br />miles for the Eubanks Road site. At the Eubanks Road site, vehicles would use the same access routes <br />that are currently being used at the other landfill sites in the area. At the Guess Road site, the expected <br />daily increase in traffic of 90+ vehicles does not approach design capacities, based on current traffic <br />counts. Additionally, bridge/weight limits should be within capacity. Overall, the additional traffic should <br />not have a negative impact on the surrounding areas. Ms. McCarr then introduced Jim Bateson, a <br />hydrogeologist with the engineering firm, to discuss watershed and groundwater protection. <br />Mr. Bateson began by stating that the Guess Road site has an intensive <br />sedimentation/erosion control and stormwater management to control runoff. With regard to the <br />Eubanks Road site, he stated that surface discharge travels through engineered channels at the closed <br />landfill. Both sites have short and predictable groundwater pathways to allow effective groundwater <br />monitoring. <br />Mr. Bateson then showed a graphic outlining critical areas in the Little River <br />watershed. State rules prohibit new landfills in critical areas, but neither site is located within such an <br />area. Mr. Bateson proceeded to discuss protection procedures for downstream surface water quality and <br />groundwater quality that would be implemented at whatever site was finally chosen. He also stated that <br />a large northernmost portion of the site purchased at Guess Road has no development planned due to <br />the proximity to the Little River. At neither site is well water located within too close a margin, and there <br />is no danger to the health and safety of nearby residents. <br />At the conclusion of Mr. Bateson's remarks, Gayle Wilson summarized the study's <br />findings. He stated that while both sites can be developed, there are significant differences between <br />them, particularly as to size and capacity. As to acquisition costs, there is an option on the Guess Road <br />site, which must be exercised within a short timeframe. The Eubanks Road site initial costs are unknown <br />due to investigation of eminent domain issues. Mr. Wilson stated that some concerns expressed at the <br />Town of Carrboro public hearing need to be addressed. However, Mr. Wilson again emphasized the <br />need for expedient action if the site chosen is Guess Road to maintain the current price of the land with <br />the existing option. Mr. Wilson stated that, if desired, a new site search can be undertaken. However, <br />regardless of which option is chosen, Mr. Wilson suggested that the Board of County Commissioners <br />also consider suggestions as to reducing C&D site waste in the future. <br />3. Questions and Comments from the Board of County Commissioners: <br />Once the presentation was complete, the Commissioners had comments and <br />questions for the consultants.