AQ_F_0100308_20221129_CMPL_CmpltRpt

Complaint Investigation Report County: Alamance
Region: WSRO
NC Dept. of Environmental Quality Suspect: Alamance Aggregates,LLC
Division of Air Quality Facility ID# 0100308
Record# 25158
Regional Investigator: Bryant, Chris Suspect: Alamance Aggregates,LLC
Regional Co-investigator: Suspect Contact: Chad Threatt
Partner Agency: Physical Location: 342 Clark Road- Snow Camp
Date Complaint Received: 11/08/2022 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 552
Received By: Bryant, Chris City/State/Zip: Snow Camp NC 27349
Date assigned: 11/08/2022 Telephone: [phone]
Alternate Telephone: [phone]
Investigation date: 11/08/2022 Complainant: Anonymous
Follow-up date: 11/18/2022 Complainant Address:
Report submit date: 11/29/2022 City/State/Zip:
Telephone(H):
Complaint type: DUST Telephone(W):
Complaint description: Call Back Required? No Response Requested
Referral to DAQ: Unknown
Situation Dangerous: Violation documented:
Occurring Now: NCFS Permit:
Signature: d2� DMM Report Date:1112912022
Summary of investigation:
On November 8,2022,WSRO Environmental Specialist Chris Bryant received an anonymous emailed
complaint concerning dust and particulates coming from the Alamance Aggregates, LCC in Snow Camp,NC.
The complainant stated that the crushing and blasting operations were causing a detriment to their health. The
email went on to say that the dust travels beyond the property boundary and collects on the cars,houses, and
local properties. The dust complaint also addressed fugitive dusts being generated from the truck traffic at the
facility.
This inspector spoke with complainant on Tuesday,November 8 at which time the Alamance citizen echoed the
concerns of the email. According to the complainant,the most substantial air quality issues revolved around
fugitive dust being created by the blasting, crushing, screening and truck traffic. The complainant also described
"metallic silica dust"odors associated with the site.The citizen also claimed that local neighbors were having
similar issues.
After the discussion with the complainant,this inspector contacted the Alamance Aggregates facility contact,
Chad Threatt,to review air quality compliance issues.According to the facility's permit,the company must take
steps to reduce dust emissions. In regards to the crushing operation,the facility must property use and maintain
the wet suppression systems. 15A NCAC 2D .0524 [40 CFR 60.674] dictates that the facility must perform and
document(at least monthly)periodic inspections on the spray nozzles and take corrective actions within 24
hours.. The facility had conducted visible emission testing on April 26,2022. This emission test was conducted

during full production and all visible emissions were evaluated to be below 5%(most were 0%). The results of
the test were approved on May 10,2022. During the conversation,the facility contact stated that the facility was
properly using the wet suppression systems and the visible emissions were comparable to those seen in May.
Mr. Threatt also said the wet suppression system have been functioning properly and only normal maintenance
has been needed.No malfunction events have occurred or were reported,according to Mr. Threatt. He also
assured the inspector that the facility was using their water truck to keep the road,parking lot, and piles watered
down. The facility contact stated that the facility was blasting and following the regulations and required by NC
DEMLR.
On the evening of November 8,2022,the complainant sent this inspector several images of a dust cloud which
appeared to be above the Alamance Aggregates location. The exact location or timeframe of the photo is not
clear. The email description said the photo was taken on Whitehouse Court and that the dust clouds were
worsening both in severity and duration.
On November 9,this inspector responded to the complainant to review the air quality concerns and discuss a
course of action. The aspects of air quality compliance focused on the fugitive dust control. The blasting and
mining concerns were forward to the WSRO DEMLR staff, including Compliance Supervisor Tamera Eplin. A
follow-up discussion was held with the land resources team on November 16, 2022. A plan was formulated to
do a facility investigation on Friday,November 18. This site visit would include an observation of the blasting
operation and include DAQ and DEMLR Staff
The field complaint investigation on November 18,2022 began with an observation of the entrance and exit
roads. The roads consisted mostly of larger rock sizes and did not appear to be producing much dust. The
entrance was not dry but not saturated either. A general visual observation was made of the property boundary
and no fugitive dust appeared to be occurring.As blasting had not begun at this time,no dust issues were
occurring. Once on-site,Mr. Bryant(with other DEQ members)met with Chad Threatt. This included several
DEMLR team members including specialists Kimberly Turney,Jalen Hairston, and Robert Deans. Also present
was Mining Engineer David Miller.Mr. Threatt presented this inspector with a copy of a weekly maintenance
documents,which included documentation of the wet suppression system. He also stated that the facility has a
dedicated water truck and large pond to supply water.Mr. Threatt also discussed the blasting requirementswith
the DEMLR staff. The facility's Air Quality permit does not regulate blasting at this facility. After the
conversation,the group went to the facility's adjacent property on Whitehouse Court. The DEQ staff was able to
view the blast from the at a location that was comparable to the description left by the complainant. The blast
started at 1p exactly. For several minutes no dust could be seen,but after about three minutes a light dust cloud
was seen directly over the facility. The cloud(with an opacity of less than 10%)drifted faintly to the property
boundary and had completely dissipated within 5 minutes.None of the dust appeared to travel past the property
boundary.

Photo 1 location of observation 11/18/2022
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Photo 2 dust observation 11/18/2022