Border Environment Cooperation Commission
South
Central Solid Waste Authority
Solid
Waste Landfill Expansion,
Transfer
Station Improvements and Equipment Replacement
City
of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County, NM
1.
Type
of Project.
The project consists of the expansion of the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill
(MSWL), by opening the second cell, improvements to the transfer station and
the replacement of the operation and maintenance equipment for the South
Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) in Dona Ana County, NM.
2.
Project
Location.
The SCSWA, the project sponsor, is located in Dona Ana County in the State of
New Mexico, approximately 35 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border, and is
located inside the 62-mile border zone.
The current population of Dona Ana County, including the City of Las
Cruces, is approximately 176,000, and the population is
expected to reach 245,000 in the year 2020.
|
|
3. Project Description and Work Tasks
The project consists of the expansion of the SCSWA’s MSWL, by the
construction of a second cell, repairs to the transfer station and the
replacement of the operation and maintenance equipment. The MSWL will serve
most of the County’s existing population. In 1990, Dona Ana County and the City
of Las Cruces entered into an agreement to cooperate and seek solutions to
solid waste disposal problems on a regional basis. The SCSWA was created to
provide solid waste transfer and disposal services to the areas of Dona Ana
County, including the City of Las Cruces. The New Mexico Environment Department
(NMED) issued permits # SWM-071306 and SWM-071307 for the Corralitos landfill
and the transfer station, respectively. The permit for the Corralitos landfill
cover the entire 640 acre site. The city acquired some used equipment and
leased other equipment to operate and maintain the SCSWA’s facilities.
The SCSWA’s landfill facility is divided in east and west phases, the east
phase was divided into 11 cells with typical cells averaging 20 acres in area.
Cell 1 was constructed in 1995 and began operation in 1996. In 2000, Cell 1
began approaching capacity and construction of Cell 2 was started. Because
funding limitation, only half of Cell 2 was developed (Cell 2A). At this time,
cell 2A is approaching its capacity and the SCSWA needs to start the
construction of the remaining Cell 2 (Cell 2B).
When the SCSWA started operation, in 1996, the heavy equipment purchased for
the operation and maintenance of the facility, was already used but in good
condition. At this time the SCSWA intends to replace all of the operation and
maintenance equipment due to the fact the equipment has reached its useful
life, and intends to evaluate the leasing of other equipment.
4. Compliance with International Treaties and Agreements. The project will not have
any international impact, as all operations are monitored and approved by the
NMED. The MSWL will not receive or send waste from or to other sites.
1.
Human Health/Environmental
Need. The project will address
human health and environmental concerns by providing adequate solid waste
collection and disposal for the residents of Dona Ana County and City of Las
Cruces.
The existing City’s Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWL)
facility east phase was designed for eleven (11) cells, Cell 2A has a remaining
life of approximately 6 months. In order for the SCSWA to continue utilizing its
MSWL, a Cell 2B must be constructed and in operation on or before the first
cell is full and closed.
The
project will allow the citizens of Dona Ana County and the surrounding areas to
continue to properly dispose of municipal solid waste. This project minimizes
potential for illegal dumping in and around the city due to the proximity of
the MSWL.
2. Environmental
Assessment. The SCSWA
was granted a permit to operate and maintain a MSWL facility in 1995 from the
NMED, and began operation in 1996. An environmental Assessment was performed
for the Corralitos landfill site during the master planning stage. In addition
an archaeological study report, a geotechnical investigation and endanger and
threatened plant and animal species was conducted for the site.
3.
Compliance with
Environmental and Cultural Resource Laws and Regulations.
The
project complies with all and Environmental and Cultural Laws and regulations
based on the application of the Federal Subtitle D rules, and the NMED
technical guidance.
1.
Appropriate
Technology. The technology utilized for the operation
and maintenance of the SCSWA facilities is the appropriate for the type and
size for these facilities. Since 1996, the facility is being operated in
accordance to NMED regulations.
As
required by the permit, following are some of technical issues addressed in
this report:
Solid
Waste Data
The
SCSWA facility is used for the disposal of municipal solid waste and for waste
consisting exclusively of brush and materials from construction-demolition
activities. These wastes are generated from commercial establishments, light
industries, institutions, offices, residences and construction site located
primarily within Dona Ana County, and consists of similar proportions of
materials, paper, glass, metals, etc., as typical municipal waste.
The
City of Las Cruces implemented a recycling program where containers for
recyclable materials (i.e. glass, paper, plastics, cardboard, etc) are
available to the public at a centralized location. The SCSWA provides an
area within the Transfer Station to conduct the recycling operation.
Landfill construction and operation is the same
for both normal municipal solid waste and construction-demolition waste except
for the frequency of soil cover.
Mixed waste (municipal and industrial) may be
accepted for disposal at the site, except that Class I, industrial
non-hazardous solid waste, may be accepted only if special provisions for such
disposal and special handling procedures are approved by the NMED. Class I
industrial non-hazardous solid waste, hazardous waste, or radioactive waste is
not proposed for this site.
Projected/Recorded
Waste Quantities in SCSWA Service Area.
|
Fiscal Year |
Population |
Recorded Waste Received at Transfer Station (ton) |
Estimated Waste Received at Transfer Station (ton) |
Compacted Volume at Landfill (cy) |
Cumulative Volume Received at Landfill (cy) |
|
96 - 97 |
157,368 |
115,247 |
--- |
288,117 |
288,117 |
|
97 - 98 |
161,522 |
120,022 |
--- |
300,055 |
588,172 |
|
98 - 99 |
165,786 |
124,020 |
--- |
310,049 |
898,221 |
|
99 - 00 |
170,163 |
126,332 |
--- |
315,830 |
1,214,051 |
|
00 - 01 |
174,682 |
116,748 |
--- |
291,871 |
1,505,922 |
|
01 - 02 |
179,922 |
117,714 |
--- |
294,285 |
1,800,207 |
|
02 - 03 |
185,320 |
--- |
122,275 |
305,688 |
2,105,895 |
|
03 - 04 |
190,880 |
--- |
125,943 |
314,858 |
2,420,752 |
|
04 - 05 |
196,606 |
--- |
129,722 |
324,305 |
2,745,057 |
|
05 - 06 |
202,504 |
--- |
133,613 |
334,033 |
3,079,090 |
|
06 - 07 |
208,579 |
--- |
137,622 |
344,055 |
3,423,145 |
|
07 - 08 |
214,836 |
--- |
141,750 |
354,375 |
3,777,520 |
|
08 - 09 |
221,282 |
--- |
146,003 |
365,008 |
4,142,527 |
|
09 - 10 |
227,920 |
--- |
150,383 |
375,958 |
4,518,485 |
|
10 - 11 |
234,757 |
--- |
154,894 |
387,235 |
4,905,720 |
|
11 - 12 |
239,452 |
--- |
159,541 |
398,853 |
5,304,572 |
|
12 - 13 |
244,241 |
--- |
164,327 |
410,818 |
5,715,390 |
|
13 - 14 |
249,126 |
--- |
169,257 |
423,143 |
6,138,532 |
|
14 - 15 |
254,109 |
--- |
174,335 |
435,838 |
6,574,370 |
|
15 - 16 |
259,191 |
--- |
179,565 |
448,913 |
7,023,282 |
|
16 - 17 |
264,375 |
--- |
184,952 |
462,380 |
7,485,662 |
|
17 - 18 |
269,662 |
--- |
190,500 |
476,250 |
7,961,912 |
|
18 - 19 |
275,055 |
--- |
196,215 |
490,538 |
8,452,450 |
|
19 - 20 |
280,556 |
--- |
202,102 |
505,255 |
8,957,705 |
|
20 - 21 |
286,167 |
--- |
208,165 |
520,413 |
9,478,117 |
|
21 - 22 |
291,890 |
--- |
212,328 |
530,820 |
10,008,937 |
Deposition
Rate and Operating Life
The operating life of the
site depends upon the volume of waste material ultimately requiring disposal
and the rate at which the waste material is brought to the site for disposal.
The design solid waste disposal rate utilized in this site application was
approximately 335 tons per day. The compaction operation accomplished at this
landfill is anticipated to obtain a waste material density of approximately 2.5
cubic yard/ton in place.
The volume available
for solid waste disposal is termed air space, and the approximately air space
in the landfill is:
Cell “1”
1,425,000 C.Y.
Cell “2A” 2,413,167 C.Y.
Cell “2B” 3,401,333 C.Y.
Projected Expansion of the Corralitos Regional Landfill East
Phase
|
Fiscal Year |
Cumulative Volume Received at Landfill (cy) |
Cell No. |
Length (ft) |
Width (ft) |
Cover Height (ft) |
Available Volume (cy) |
Adjusted Available Volume (cy) |
Cumulative. Available Volume (cy) |
|
96
- 97 |
288,117 |
Cell
1 |
850 |
1,200 |
60 |
2,266,667 |
1,425,000 |
1,425,000 |
|
97
- 98 |
588,172 |
|
||||||
|
98
- 99 |
898,221 |
|||||||
|
99
- 00 |
1,214,051 |
|||||||
|
00
- 01 |
1,505,922 |
Started Construction of Cell 2A |
||||||
|
01
- 02 |
1,800,207 |
Cell
2A |
385 |
1,200 |
70 |
1,197,778 |
988,167 |
2,413,167 |
|
02
- 03 |
2,105,895 |
|
||||||
|
03
- 04 |
2,420,752 |
Starting Construction of Cell 2B |
||||||
|
04
- 05 |
2,745,057 |
Cell
2B |
385 |
1,200 |
70 |
1,197,778 |
988,167 |
3,401,333 |
|
05
- 06 |
3,079,090 |
|
||||||
|
06
- 07 |
3,423,145 |
Starting Construction of Cell 3 |
||||||
|
07
- 08 |
3,777,520 |
Cell
3 |
820 |
1,200 |
60 |
2,186,667 |
1,362,000 |
4,763,333 |
|
08
- 09 |
4,142,527 |
|
||||||
|
09
- 10 |
4,518,485 |
|||||||
|
10
- 11 |
4,905,720 |
Starting Construction of Cell 4 |
||||||
|
11
- 12 |
5,304,572 |
Cell
4 |
1,210 |
630 |
70 |
1,976,333 |
1,558,200 |
6,321,533 |
|
12
- 13 |
5,715,390 |
|
||||||
|
13
- 14 |
6,138,532 |
|||||||
|
14
- 15 |
6,574,370 |
Starting Construction of Cell 5 |
||||||
|
15
- 16 |
7,023,282 |
Cell
5 |
1,210 |
630 |
70 |
1,976,333 |
1,558,200 |
7,879,733 |
|
16
- 17 |
7,485,662 |
|
||||||
|
17
- 18 |
7,961,912 |
Starting Construction of Cell 6 |
||||||
|
18
- 19 |
8,452,450 |
Cell
6 |
1,210 |
580 |
70 |
1,819,481 |
1,434,533 |
9,314,267 |
|
19
- 20 |
8,957,705 |
|
||||||
|
20
- 21 |
9,478,117 |
Starting Construction of Cell 7 |
||||||
|
21
- 22 |
10,008,937 |
Cell
7 |
1,210 |
580 |
70 |
1,849,556 |
1,461,600 |
10,775,867 |
|
|
Cell
8 |
1,210 |
570 |
70 |
1,788,111 |
1,409,800 |
12,185,667 |
|
|
|
Cell
9 |
1,230 |
570 |
70 |
1,817,667 |
1,436,400 |
13,622,067 |
|
|
|
Cell
10 |
1,210 |
520 |
70 |
1,631,259 |
862,633 |
14,484,700 |
|
|
|
Cell
11 |
1,230 |
520 |
70 |
1,658,222 |
879,900 |
15,364,600 |
|
Environmental
Impact
The development of the
SCSWA Corralitos landfill for the disposal of municipal solid waste will not
adversely impact on the environment or public health. The landfill is designed,
constructed, and operated to confine the solid waste material and prohibit its
release into the environment.
In addition, with the
drainage plan, existing surface and groundwater will be further protected by
site operating procedures which insure that there is minimal contact between
any rainfall runoff and refuse, and that any water which does contact the
waste, such as direct rainfall, will not be discharged from the site.
Other issues addressed
in the report include provisions related to Wet Weather, Windblown Waste,
Endangered Species, Special Waste, Fire Control Facilities, Subsidence, Closure
Plan and Post-Closure Plan.
As part of the
integral project, the SCSWA plans to replace the following equipment:
|
EQUIPMENT |
QUANTITY |
BUDGETED
AMOUNT |
|
Trailer waste transportation |
6 |
$270,000 |
|
Truck Rigs transportation |
3 |
$225,000 |
|
Service Truck |
2 |
$40,000 |
|
Scraper |
1 |
$405,000 |
|
Dozer waste compaction |
1 |
$345,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$1,285,000 |
2. Operation and Maintenance Plan. An operation and maintenance plan is included in the facility
plan. The final operation and maintenance plan must be prepared during final
design and completed and approved by the NMED prior to initiating operations in
the MSWL facility.
3. Compliance with Applicable Design
Standards and Regulations. The
proposed MSWL expansion was developed to comply with all requirements of
Subtitle D Modification from NMED.
1.
Financial
Feasibility. The NADB is currently performing a financial
evaluation to determine the financial feasibility of the project. This analysis will determine what level of
grant SCSWA can receive from this institution and what the impact of the
proposed project on user fees would be under different grant/loan arrangements,
as described below. The findings of the
analysis will be presented to the SCSWA during the second public participation
meeting, which has been scheduled for the last week of January 2003.
The
following table summarizes the estimated
construction cost and purchase of equipment for the proposed project.
|
Financial Structure of SCSWA Facility Improvement Project |
||||
|
Description |
Estimated Cost |
Project
Funding |
||
|
SWEP Funds
(Grant) |
SCSWA Match Fund |
Loan |
||
|
Expansion of Cell 2B – Construction,
Contingency and NMGRT |
$1,183,000 |
$700,000 |
$483,000 |
- |
|
Improvement at
Transfer/Recycling Station - Construction, Contingency and NMGRT |
$137,000 |
- |
- |
$137,000 |
|
Replacement and Additional
Equipment |
$1,285,000 |
- |
- |
$1,285,000 |
|
Administration and
Engineering |
$50,575 |
|
$50,575 |
- |
|
Total |
$2,655,575 |
$700,000 |
$533,575 |
$1,422,000 |
To this date, the
SCSWA has not secured, but is willing to issue Revenue Bonds or get a loan from
NADB for the construction and expansion of the landfill, and the purchase of
equipment.
Proposed Funding
Sources
|
Source |
Amount (US$) |
% |
|
SCSWA
Equity Investment |
627,788 |
24 |
|
NADB
Loan |
1,327,787 |
50 |
|
NADB-SWEP
Grant |
700,000 |
26 |
|
Total |
2,655,575 |
100 % |
2.
Fee
Rate Model: During
the period 1996-2002 the rates increased from $24.45 to $30.70, representing an
increase of about 25%. The proposed rates are not expected to increase I the
next seven years, as shown in the table below. The fee rate model was prepared
by NADB as part of the financial analysis.
PROPOSED RATES
|
YEAR |
RATE PER TON* |
|
2003 |
$30.70 |
|
2004 |
$30.70 |
|
2005 |
$30.70 |
|
2006-2010 |
$30.70 |
3.
Project
Operation and Management. The project
will be managed by the SCSWA, which has been managing successfully the
operation of the existing MSWL facility during several years. The SCSWA has the
authority to adopt utility rate adjustments, thus giving itself the authority
to impose rates, fees and charges. The
operation of the MSWL facility is to be self-supporting from the fees and
charges levied against their users.
* subject to change based on debt security and
lien agreement which is yet to be determined between SCSWA and NADB.
Public Participation
Comprehensive Public
Participation Plan. The SCSWA submitted a public
participation plan to the BECC December 2002, and was approved later that
month. The plan comprises the development of a steering committee, meeting
local organizations, providing project information to then public, holding
public meetings and submitting a final report for the project
Steering Committee: The steering committee was formed form the City
Planning Committee composed of Ellen Smyth, P.E., Director SCSWA; Klaus
Kemmer, City of Las Cruces; Luis Morales, Dona Ana County; Valencia Gavin, Dona
Ana County Zoning Commissioner; Oscar Barrientos, Citizen; Vicki Simmons. The
committee developed the outreach strategies and attended the public meetings.
Local
Organizations: Local organizations contacted include the Kiwanis Club; Knights of
Columbus; Lions Club; Las Cruces Board of Realtors; and Las Cruces Independent
School District. Letters of support were received from the City of Las Cruces,
Dona Ana County, and the Border Environmental Health Commission.
Public Information: Copies of the proposed Facility Plan and final plans
were available at the City Hall and after hours at Branigan Library. Project
informational flyers were available in City Hall, Branigan Library and
delivered to more than 600 customers at the Solid Waste Authority prior to the
public meetings. Public notices were posted at the City Hall and the Branigan
Library.
Public Meetings: Two public meetings were
held, one on January 27th and the other one on April 28th, 2003. The first meeting covered the technical
aspects of the proposed project, and at the second meeting the financial
aspects of the project, which were received from NADB representatives prior to
the meeting, were presented.
Representatives from the consultants, the City, the County, the SCSWA,
BECC and several elected officials were present at the meetings in order to
answer questions.
1.
Definition
and Principles
The
project is consistent with BECC’s definition of sustainable development: “conservation oriented social and economic
development that emphasizes the protection and sustainable use of resources,
while addressing both current and future needs, and present and future impacts
of human actions” and with the four principles:
1) “human
beings are at the center…they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in
harmony with nature”. This principle is
addressed by the purpose of the project, which is to address health risks
associated with the present inadequate capacity of the existing SCSWA
facilities. Healthier lives and better
living conditions will result from this project.
2)
“The right to development…equitably meet…needs
of present and future generations.” The
construction and expansion of the SCSWA facilities will accommodate growth
projected through the year 2020, while addressing a critical need today.
3)
“…environmental protection shall constitute an
integral part of the development process…”
All environmental parameters have been met. The SCSWA has been careful to ensure that natural resources are
protected, plant and animal species of concern are not impacted, and cultural
heritage issues are recognized. Also, the City of Las Cruces in cooperation
with the SCSWA have implemented a recycling program where containers for glass,
paper, plastics and cardboard are available to the public at the city’s
recycling center.
4)
“The
stakeholders…must be part of any related activity.” Stakeholders have been a part of the process
since the early part of the project development. Public participation and
outreach programs have ensured that public input has been received, considered
and employed.
2. Institutional and Capacity Building
The new
expansion will continue to provide the capacity of the SCSWA to provide
necessary quality of life services for its residents. In order to minimize the additional operational burden to the
Community, the technology chosen is the required of typical facilities in use
today. The project will allow the SCSWA
to meet all regulatory requirements relative to Solid Waste disposal.
Additionally, the project includes the purchase of necessary equipment for the
efficient operation of the MSWL facility, brush pick-up and handling, and trash
pick-up and handling as well. This equipment will replace the already worn out
equipment being used at this time, and that has reached its useful life.
3. Conformance with Applicable Local and
Regional Conservation and Development Plans
State legislation and rules from the NMED require development of a Site
Operation Plan to be in place in order to start operation. This project meets
all the requirements of the approval process.
4. Natural Resource Conservation
As mentioned above, the NMED requires a
Site Development Plan addressing equipment, site security, traffic control,
vector control, contaminated water, wet weather operations, waste composition,
waste control, special waste, fire protection, wind control, cover application,
leachate and methane monitoring. Also, recommends improvements to the city’s
recycling program.
The implementation of the project will
enable the SCSWA to keep collecting and disposing adequately the solid waste
generated in the community, it will minimize the risk of polluting soil and
ground water, and will allow for the purchase of the appropriate equipment to
operate the landfill. Also, the recycling program will be improved by providing
for the pick-up of recyclables throughout the County, that will contribute to
the natural resources conservation.
The expansion of the MSWL facility will
comply with state solid waste and health regulations, and is beneficial to the
City. Other aspects of the project will
specifically enhance the quality of life, such as improving the recycling
program. Furthermore, the new expanded facility will further reduce the risk of
public exposure to debris spread uncontrolled throughout the County.
· South Central Solid Waste Regional Management Master Plan
- Permit for South Central Solid Waste Corralitos
Regional Landfill
- Permit for South Central Solid Waste Transfer
and Recycling Facility
- Corralitos Landfill Sitting Study
- Corralitos Landfill Archaeological Study Report
- Corralitos Landfill Geotechnical Report
- Historical Financial Reports SCSWA
- SCSWA Facility Plan
·
SCSWA Landfill Expansion Final Design