Stabilized earth berm at Cherry Island is a tall order for Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch's engineers
Monitoring the monumental mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) berm that the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) is erecting around three sides of the Cherry Island Landfil requires careful inspection of each phase of construction by Division of Air & Waste Management inspectors from the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch. When construction is complete, the Cherry Island berm will be one of the highest, most massive, reinforced earth structures ever built over soft soils in the United States. For more information on the project, see the spring issue of Air and Waste Matters newsletter.
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Second Citizens' Scrap Tire Drop-Off Day a Success; Triple Participation and More Tires Than First Event
Last fall's inaugural citizens' scrap tire drop-off day in Sussex County spurred the Division of Air & Waste Management's Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch’s (SHWMB) Scrap Tire Control & Cleanup Program to schedule another drop-off day for disposing of and recycling old tires. The first drop-off day of 2009 belonged to Kent County and took place recently at the Delaware State Fair Grounds in Harrington. Far surpassing the earlier event, more than 40 tons of scrap tires were collected from some 300 passenger vehicles. Stay tuned for more scrap tire drop-off days this year in Delaware.
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Rt. 1 Tanker Spill Contained by DNREC Emergency Response Team With Minimal Environmental Impact
DNREC's Emergency Response Team (ERT) responded April 5 to an overturned gasoline tanker off Route 1 near the Roth Bridge over the C&D Canal. The driver lost control and the tanker, carrying 8,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel, rolled over and came to rest down an embankment 50 feet below the roadway. The tractor landed on its roof, trapping the driver inside the cab.
Gasoline was leaking out of the two hatches at the rear of the trailer. Fire companies’ initial response included extricating the driver and controlling flammable vapors to prevent fire or explosion. Route 1 southbound was completely shut down for several hours. DNREC ERT conducted air monitoring for hazardous conditions throughout the incident.
Once the driver was extricated from the cab, DNREC's ERT worked to transfer gas and diesel fuel from the tanker so that the wreckage could be cleared from the scene and Rt. 1 reopened. |
First, emergency responders and an assisting contractor bonded and grounded the tanker, then ERT members climbed to the top of the tanker and drilled five holes needed to pump the gasoline and diesel into other tank trucks.
Emergency response team members train regularly for confronting these types of incidents. ERT completed their tasks safely and were successful in minimizing environmental impact from the spilled fuel. |
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All… Alphabetical list of links to all DAWM topics. |
Air Quality & Monitoring Information ranging from acid rain to vapor recovery, monitoring and regulations. Also: Emissions monitoring, planning and permitting. |
Cleanup of Contaminated Properties Programs governing cleanup of contaminated sites, lists of certified contractors, financial assistance and remediation. |
Emergency Services Information about emergency services related to environmental incidents – response, investigation, prevention and planning.
DNREC's 24-Hour Complaint Line: |
Environmental Enforcement Enforcement-related information about land, water and air. |
Hazardous Substances Information about hazardous substances and their sources – from arsenic to MTBE. |
Pollution Prevention Program (P2) Non-regulatory assistance to businesses and industrial facilities, in identifying and implementing cost-effective waste reduction opportunties. |
Recycling Where and how to recycle – bottle returns, composting, recycling grants, and the Recycling Public Advisory Committee. |
Regulatory Programs Information on programs and requirements – from above-ground storage tanks to vehicle inspecting and maintenance. |
Waste Information about on how to properly recycle or dispose of solid, infectious and hazardous waste – from hazardous chemicals to tires; cleanup of dumps, and waste regulation. |
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