The Bourne landfill, at its present location, began in an area which is now known as Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, located immediately on the left as you drive into the facility (see the site map on the back cover.) This unlined area ceased accepting waste in 1999 and is now closed and capped. In addition to a cap, it also has a network of gas extraction wells that capture landfill gas that is then piped to a flare located in the northeast corner of the site. The purpose of the flare is to burn landfill gas that might otherwise be vented into the atmosphere. This serves to reduce air emissions, control odors, and prevent off-site migration. All future capped areas will have a similar network.
Across from Phases 1A, 1B, 1C is another unlined landfill area known as Phase 1D. This area is capped with an interim system. ISWM, in cooperation with DEP, plans to excavate the old waste material, process it to recover metals and landfill or incinerate (at SEMASS) the remaining waste and soils.
Phase 2, the first lined landfill cell, began receiving non-MSW in 1999. Located in the far northeast corner of the facility, Phase 2 is currently inactive and is slated for capping in the summer of 2002. As with Phase 2, and all future landfill cells, precipitation that falls on the landfill and trickles through the waste, otherwise known as leachate, is collected in special pipes under the waste and is pumped to holding tanks. This liquid is then sent off-site for proper disposal.
In March 2001, ISWM received permission to operate Phase 3. This is also a lined landfill cell like Phase 2, but it has additional layers of protection and a leak detection system. All future landfill cells will consist of this "double composite liner" design. Bourne’s landfill was one of the first facilities in Massachusetts to install this state-of-the-art liner system. For a more detailed explanation of this system, please visit our website. Phase 3 is immediately adjacent to Phase 2 and will eventually connect to its southern slope. The final stage of Phase 3 is currently in the design process and will occupy the area north of the existing DPW salt barn.
Phase 3 is also the location of our temporary waste processing station where we pull out mixed wood for fuel markets, recoverable metals and other materials. Currently, ISWM has a DEP grant to explore ways to remove clean, untreated wood from incoming loads and to explore markets for this product.
Phase 4 will be the next cell developed and will be located in the space previously occupied by Phase 1D. If that project is successful, and the economic analysis and DEP supports it, ISWM may decide to remove the waste from Phases 1A, 1B, 1C and create a new area called Phase 5. If this does not occur, then the valley between Phases 1A, 1B, 1C and the new landfill areas will be filled to create future capacity.
The final area of cell development is Phase 6. This area is where the original DPW buildings and current office trailers are located at the southern end of the old landfill parcel. After these buildings are relocated to the new parcel to the south, this area can then be used for future landfill capacity. With the purchase of the land to the south, directly adjacent to Phase 6, ISWM will be able to create a larger cell than would otherwise have been possible by eliminating a 100 foot buffer normally required when building next to abutting land. This will extend the site life that is currently projected to last about 20 years. After the landfill closes it will be monitored and maintained for at least 30 years utilizing a pre-established post-closure fund required by DEP regulations. Currently, ISWM has over $1,320,000 set aside for this purpose. At that point, Bourne could then continue to run its processing/transfer facilities indefinitely.
To achieve full site development, ISWM is continuing to go through extensive permitting and review with DEP, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs MEPA Unit (MEPA), the Cape Cod Commission (CCC) and the Bourne Board of Health (BOH.) As part of moving from a small town dump to a regional lined landfill operation, ISWM is also updating its environmental, health and safety programs. Additionally, Barnstable County personnel take quarterly groundwater, surfacewater and leachate samples. The test results are then submitted to both DEP and BOH. Finally, ISWM staff regularly monitors landfill gas probes and the gas flare and reports the results to DEP and BOH on a quarterly basis.