Community Relations - Fact Sheets

Landfill Cap Construction
H&L #1 Landfill

Fact Sheet #2
April 2003

Danville, Illinois

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

The H&L #1 Landfill site is located south of Danville 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 as one of 33 abandoned landfills to receive Illinois FIRST funding. This 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 fencing, landfill cap and turf at the site will be paid for by the City of Danville.

Why did construction of the cap for H&L #1 Landfill stop?

Cold weather and ice in late fall of 2002 prompted construction activities at the H&L #1 Landfill to be halted. The weather interfered with the excavation of soil and the control of dust at the borrow pit.

When will construction activities resume at the H&L #1 Landfill?

Construction activities are scheduled to resume at H&L #1 Landfill in April 2003. Weather plays a significant role in scheduling construction activities. Therefore, the schedule of cap construction activities at H&L #1 Landfill will be modified, as necessary, to accommodate changing weather conditions.

What construction activities took place at the H&L #1 Landfill site in 2002?

During the 2002 construction season, the Illinois EPA performed the following activities:

• Existing vegetation was cleared from the site in preparation for recontouring of the land;
• A one-foot thick tire chip layer, a porous layer through which landfill gas can migrate, was constructed. This layer will control the buildup of gas in the landfill and direct gas toward the middle of the landfill where it will be released to the air through passive gas vents. Waste tires were used to construct the tire chip layer.
• The borrow area, located near the intersection of Greenwood Cemetery Road and 14th Street, is the source of clean soil for the cap construction. Clean soil was excavated from the borrow area and transported to the site. This work will continue during the 2003 construction season.
• Work to grade the slope of the site to approximately 2.5 percent began during 2002. When completed, this slope will promote the flow of rainwater (as clean surface water) off the site. By decreasing the amount of water soaking into the landfill, the cap will help to decrease the amount of leachate produced by the landfill.

What construction activities will occur at H&L #1 Landfill in 2003?

During the 2003 construction season, the construction of the cap at H&L #1 Landfill will be completed. In order to finish construction of the cap, the following activities must be completed:

• Clean soil will continue to be excavated from the borrow area and transported to the site.
• The slope of the site will be graded to approximately 2.5 percent, to increase the runoff of surface water and reduce the infiltration of water into the landfill.
• A one-foot protective layer of soil will be constructed, to protect the tire chip layer.
• A two-foot clay layer will be constructed, to stabilize the landfill cap and reduce the permeability of the cap.
• A topsoil layer will be constructed and seeded for vegetation, to establish turf over the site and help prevent erosion and environmental wear of the cap.

Approximately how long will it take to complete the remaining construction activities at the H&L #1 Landfill?

At this time, the Illinois EPA estimates that construction of the landfill cap on H&L #1 Landfill will take approximately three months to complete. As stated earlier, weather plays a significant role in scheduling construction activities. Therefore, the schedule of cap construction activities at H&L #1 Landfill may be modified, as necessary, to accommodate changing weather conditions.

How will truck traffic between the H&L #1 Landfill site and the borrow pit be routed?

Truck traffic will be routed on Greenwood Cemetery Road to an entrance on the southeast corner of the landfill.

What measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the public during the construction of the cap?

A site safety plan has been developed for the H&L #1 Landfill site. The plan is required and is designed for the protection of the workers on the site and the community surrounding the site.

The safety plan includes procedures for fire protection, decontamination of equipment, materials storage, barriers, warning signs, danger lights, etc. Additionally, measures will be taken to protect the surrounding environment from silting, erosion and other damage.

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.

What measures will be taken to control dust at the borrow pit and the H&L #1 Landfill site during construction?

During construction at the site and excavation at the borrow pit, water will be sprayed on the soil and roads to keep the production of dust to a minimum.

What will the site be used for in the future?

The H&L #1 Landfill site 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 will mow and maintain the turf cover.

How can I learn more about the site?

A repository of site information was 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: