§ 21-117. Burial method of disposal.

(a)

The operation of open dumps is prohibited.

(b)

Any person disposing or contemplating the disposal of refuse by burying shall comply with the following requirements. Every sanitary landfill shall be located in an area at least 500 acres in size. Every sanitary landfill shall consist of a planned and systematic method of refuse disposal whereby the waste material is placed so that it is thoroughly compacted and covered at the end of each day's operation, with at least six (6) inches of compacted natural soil, earth, or other nonflammable, nonputrescible material acceptable to the Department of the Environment. A buffer of at least 500 feet between neighboring property lines and the outermost perimeter of landfill cells or a buffer of at least 750 feet between neighboring residences and the outermost perimeter of landfill cells, whichever is the greater, must be maintained. The buffer must contain appropriate screening, vegetation, berms, and fencing sufficient to substantially shield the landfill from view by surrounding residents. The Department of the Environment shall develop landfill site selection and screening criteria for the Council's adoption in the County's Comprehensive Ten Year Solid Waste Management Plan. These criteria may provide for variances from the strict application of the buffer and acreage requirements when site conditions warrant. When the fill is completed, a covering of at least twenty-four (24) inches of compacted natural soil, earth, or other nonflammable, nonputrescible material, acceptable to the Department of the Environment, shall be provided. In case of specialized sanitary landfills licensed for a specific industrial refuse disposal, the thickness and type of daily cover, frequency of application, the thickness of final covering of the completed fill, and the type of materials to satisfy both daily and final cover requirements, must be acceptable to the Department of the Environment. The completed sanitary landfill shall blend with the ground, shall not rise above the height of visual and noise buffers, shall not cause a dust nuisance, and there shall be no further use for disposal purposes after completion. Access shall be prohibited until further authorized construction begins.

(c)

Disposal by burial on owner's property shall be conducted subject to the approval of the Health Officer.

(d)

The acreage requirement and the buffer footage requirement set forth in this Section shall not be applicable to the designated sanitary landfill facilities contained in Chapter Four, Section II, A and B, of the FY 1992-2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan as adopted by CR-44-1992.

(Gen. Res. No. 24-1967, Sec. 10; Gen. Res. No. 31-1967; CB-37-1971; CB-49-1984; CB-10-1993; CB-30-2014)