40 CFR §264.228
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)At closure, the owner or operator must:
- (1)Remove or decontaminate all waste residues, contaminated containment system components (liners, etc.), contaminated subsoils, and structures and equipment contaminated with waste and leachate, and manage them as hazardous waste unless § 261.3(d) of this chapter applies; or
- (2)
- (i)Eliminate free liquids by removing liquid wastes or solidifying the remaining wastes and waste residues;
- (ii)Stabilize remaining wastes to a bearing capacity sufficient to support final cover; and
- (iii)Cover the surface impoundment with a final cover designed and constructed to:
- (A)Provide long-term minimization of the migration of liquids through the closed impoundment;
- (B)Function with minimum maintenance;
- (C)Promote drainage and minimize erosion or abrasion of the final cover;
- (D)Accommodate settling and subsidence so that the cover's integrity is maintained; and
- (E)Have a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of any bottom liner system or natural subsoils present.
- (b)If some waste residues or contaminated materials are left in place at final closure, the owner or operator must comply with all post-closure requirements contained in §§ 264.117 through 264.120, including maintenance and monitoring throughout the post- closure care period (specified in the permit under § 264.117). The owner or operator must:
- (1)Maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the final cover, including making repairs to the cap as necessary to correct the effects of settling, subsidence, erosion, or other events;
- (2)Maintain and monitor the leak detection system in accordance with §§ 264.221(c)(2)(iv) and (3) and 264.226(d), and comply with all other applicable leak detection system requirements of this part;
- (3)Maintain and monitor the ground-water monitoring system and comply with all other applicable requirements of subpart F of this part; and
- (4)Prevent run-on and run-off from eroding or otherwise damaging the final cover.
- (c)
- (1)If an owner or operator plans to close a surface impoundment in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and the impoundment does not comply with the liner requirements of § 264.221(a) and is not exempt from them in accordance with § 264.221(b), then:
- (i)The closure plan for the impoundment under § 264.112 must include both a plan for complying with paragraph (a)(1) of this section and a contingent plan for complying with paragraph (a)(2) of this section in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure; and
- (ii)The owner or operator must prepare a contingent post-closure plan under § 264.118 for complying with paragraph (b) of this section in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure.
- (2)The cost estimates calculated under §§ 264.142 and 264.144 for closure and post-closure care of an impoundment subject to this paragraph must include the cost of complying with the contingent closure plan and the contingent post-closure plan, but are not required to include the cost of expected closure under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
- (1)If an owner or operator plans to close a surface impoundment in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and the impoundment does not comply with the liner requirements of § 264.221(a) and is not exempt from them in accordance with § 264.221(b), then: