Community Relations - Fact Sheets

Landfill Cap Construction
H&L #1 Landfill

Fact Sheet #1
June 2002

Danville, Illinois

Where is the H&L #1 Landfill site located?

The H&L #1 Landfill site is located south of Danville, Illinois between Highland Boulevard, the Vermilion River and Interstate 74. The shaded area on the map indicates the location of the site.

What is the H&L #1 Landfill site?

The H&L #1 Landfill site is a 56-acre landfill owned by the City of Danville. The landfill accepted general refuse and industrial waste for approximately 40 years. Local residents and industries were known to use H&L #1 Landfill for waste disposal.

In 1999, H&L #1 Landfill was identified by the Illinois EPA for inclusion in Governor George Ryan’s Illinois FIRST funding program. H&L #1 Landfill was one of thirty-three abandoned landfills identified to receive this funding. The Illinois FIRST funding will be combined with a contribution from the City of Danville to pay for the engineering and construction of the landfill cap. All future maintenance of the site fencing, landfill cap and turf will be paid for by the City of Danville.

What will happen during the Illinois EPA's construction activities?

Upcoming work by the Illinois EPA at H&L #1 Landfill will focus on the construction of an engineered cap and landfill gas vents. The engineered cap will aid in the control of surface water runoff and erosion of the landfill cover. The cap will also minimize the seeping of rainwater into the landfill thereby reducing the amount of leachate produced by the landfill.

Currently there is no problem with landfill gas production from the H&L #1 Landfill. However, the Illinois EPA has included landfill gas management into the design of the landfill cap. The cap design includes the construction of several passive gas vents to control the buildup of gas in the landfill. Gas from the landfill would be directed toward the middle of the landfill where it would be released to the air through passive gas vents.

Before, during and after construction of the landfill cap, the fencing around the site will be maintained. The fencing makes it difficult for trespassers to enter the site and helps reduce the risk of damage to the cap.

The Illinois EPA's construction contractor, WRS Infrastructure (WRS), will perform the following activities beginning in the summer of 2002:

• Clear existing vegetation from the site. WRS will clear trees and their roots and other vegetation to prepare the site for recontouring.
• Grade the site and stabilize the slopes. WRS will construct a grade of approximately 2.5% to promote the flow of rainwater (as clean surface water) off the site. The slope will then be stabilized by the addition of clay from the borrow area.
• Transport and stockpile tire chips. The Illinois EPA will use tire chips generated from the clean-up of a local Danville Industry, Coultas Recycling, on part of this project. The landfill design calls for a layer of gravel or similar granular material to promote the migration of gas into the gas vents. Coultas Recycling has a stockpile of used tires that will be chipped and used as a substitute for the gravel in the gas migration layer. Tire Shredders Unlimited will begin shredding and stockpiling the chips at the landfill before other construction activities begin.
• Excavate the borrow area and stockpile soil and fill. The cap will be constructed of clean soil obtained from the borrow area, which is a nearby off-site source.
• Construct the landfill cap. Clean soil from the borrow area will be spread on the site and compacted with a sheepsfoot roller. The sheepsfoot roller looks like a steamroller with points or knuckles on the roller, which concentrate the pressure of the roller to the soil. The layer of compacted soil will be approximately 24 inches thick. The cover will be tested to ensure a quality cap.
• Establish a topsoil layer and seed for vegetation. WRS will distribute topsoil over the compacted soil cap. The cap will then be seeded in order to establish turf over the entire site. The turf will help to prevent erosion and environmental wear of the cap.

What measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the public during the construction of the cap?

A site safety plan will be developed for the H&L #1 Landfill site. The plan is required for the protection of the workers on the site and the community surrounding the site. During the cap construction activities, WRS will provide safety measures for the protection of the surrounding community. The safety plan will include procedures for fire protection, decontamination of equipment, materials storage, barriers, warning signs, danger lights, etc. Measures will be taken to protect the surrounding environment from silting, erosion and other damage.

How will truck traffic to and from the landfill site be routed?

The City of Danville will work with the contractor on a plan to ensure that truck traffic is directed to and from H&L #1 Landfill in a safe and orderly manner.

What will the site be used for in the future?

The H&L #1 Landfill will not be suitable for any public use. The site will remain fenced after the capping is completed. The City of Danville will continue to operate and maintain the leachate collection system and mow and maintain the turf cover.

How can I learn more about the site?

A repository of site information has been established at the Danville Public Library, 319 North Vermilion Street. Phone: (217) 477-5220.

If you have any questions or comments about the site, please contact: