Need for a Standardized Approach to Characterizing, Permitting, and Constructing Landfills in Karst Geologic Settings

Abstract

The challenges presented by geohazards play a significant role in the permitting of environmental facilities, particularly those situated in karst geologic settings. With regards to landfills, and specifically to municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, regulators have a significant responsibility to protect the environment and must make decisions regarding the siting and permitting of these facilities. While these decisions are based on their objective assessment of site-specific characterization information, their decisions are often scrutinized by the public and by the owner/permittee...entities that often (and usually) have contrasting interpretations of the same site characterization information. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has initiated an innovative approach to help the agency in the decision-making process by convening a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprised of several agencyand industry-recognized experts who are experienced in the investigation, characterization, permitting, and construction of engineered facilities in karst settings. Through a process involving the compilation and assessment of various site-specific factors, the TAG is working with FDEP personnel to develop specific and objective guidelines that can be used by owners, permitees, consultants, and the agency in developing investigation, characterization, design, construction, operations, and monitoring strategies for facilities overlying karst geologic conditions. The activities of FDEP and its TAG are actively reviewed by the public, who have also been requested by FDEP to participate in the process of developing these guidelines. The objectives for making this presentation are twofold, specifically to provide information to and then solicit information from the conference participants (and readers). The approach being taken by FDEP and the TAG focuses on technical