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NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF
AIR QUALITY
Inspection Report
Date: 10/18/2023
Washington Regional Office
Flowers Timber Company, Inc.
NC Facility ID 9600280
County/FIPS: Wayne/191
Facility Data
Flowers Timber Company, Inc.
140 Greenfield Cemetery Rd.
Seven Springs, NC 28578
Lat: 35d 14.8380m Long: 77d 57.1663m
SIC: 7342 / Disinfecting And Exterminating
NAICS: 56171 / Exterminating and Pest Control Services
Permit Data
Permit 10549 / R01
Issued 9/28/2021
Expires 8/31/2025
Class/Status Synthetic Minor
Permit Status Active
Current Permit Application(s) None
Program Applicability
SIP
Contact Data
Facility Contact
Jeremy Flowers
President
(919) 288-1770
Authorized Contact
Jeremy Flowers
President
(919) 288-1770
Technical Contact
Jeremy Flowers
President
(919) 288-1770
Comments: Based on visual observations and records review, the facility appeared
to operate in compliance with all applicable air quality regulations and permit
conditions at the time of inspection.
Inspector’s Signature:
Date of Signature: October 18, 2023
Compliance Data
Inspection Date 09/26/2023
Inspector’s Name Robert Bright
Operating Status Operating
Compliance Status Compliance - inspection
Action Code FCE
Inspection Result Compliance
Total Actual emissions in TONS/YEAR:
TSP SO2 NOX VOC CO PM10 * HAP
No emissions inventory on record. The emissions inventory is due 06/02/2025.
* Highest HAP Emitted (in pounds)
Five Year Violation History: None
Performed Stack Tests since last FCE: None
Facility Summary:
Flowers Timber (Flowers) consists of (1) a sawmill that operates eight hours per day, five days per week, and 52
weeks per year, and (2) a methyl bromide (MB) log fumigation operation (maximum of 40 batches of logs per
week, up to 395 batches per year).
The facility can be reached from WaRO by taking Hwy 13 to Hwy 70W in Goldsboro. Take Hwy 117S and take a
right onto Arrington Bridge Road. Greenfield Cemetery Road is approximately 10 miles on the left. The facility
entrance is a quarter mile on the right.
I conducted a full compliance evaluation (FCE) on September 26, 2023 with the assistance of Jeremy Flowers,
President of Flowers (Jeremy).
Safety:
Ear plugs, hard hat, safety glasses and vest, and steel-toed shoes are to be worn while onsite.
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Currently Permitted Sources:
Emission
Source ID Emission Source Description Control
System ID
Control System
Description
ES-1
56" circle saw CD-1
Panning, guards, water hose,
barn sweep conveyor with
shields for conveying the
sawdust into a truck
ES-2
Two saw double-end trimmer CD-2
Panning and guards with
conveyor to the chipper and
loading into a truck
ES-3 48" gang edger and two 8" blowers with
chain drag conveyors CD-3 Cyclone
ES-4
One fumigation process utilizing methyl
bromide on import/export commodities in
bulk piles utilizing a 30-foot stack
N/A N/A
Observations:
The sawmill was in operation and no visible emissions were observed from either the bottom of the cyclone
where it empties onto the loadout or the cyclone emission point. The cyclone and associated ductwork were to be
in good working order. The end of the loadout is shrouded approximately three feet below the release point and
underneath the loadout is a pile of sawdust from the ground to the shroud. I advised Jeremy that a portion of the
shroud had become unattached and he said he would correct it. No issues with dust emissions from the sawdust
pile were noted. Jeremy said that he is getting ready to add a 12’ tall, 80’ long wall along the path between the
buffer wall and cyclone/sawdust pile.
During my walkthrough, the wind was N/NE at 8 mph. I observed vehicles traversing the yard, but the fugitive
dust that was generated did not travel past the property boundary. The chipper located on the east side of the
sawmill was in operation and no issues were noted. It, along with the debarker (not in operation), will be added to
the insignificant/exempt list the next time the permit is opened.
The MB fumigation process was not in operation and has not operated since February 2019 as it is currently being
done at the Wilmington port. No concrete pad has been poured in the location where the tarpaulin fumigation will
be conducted. The original vegetative buffer constructed for the initial container fumigations (borders the Red
Hawk subdivision) and the second formed during land-clearing activities to locate the tarpaulin fumigation
process (200’ further west than where fumigation had occurred in containers) were in good condition.
Jeremy has added a portable saw and edger that generate 25% less dust and are working to get another portable
saw in operation. He stated that they are looking to add a second sawmill that will include eight dry batch kilns, a
firewood kiln and woodwaste-fired boiler/steamer. He expressed concern with how to handle the condensate that
would be generated and I said I would ask DWR and advise accordingly (via email on 9/26/2023). He said that
with the addition of this sawmill, the current sawmill would be phased out in 3-4 years.
Regulatory Review:
2D .0202 “Registration of Air Pollution Sources”
Flowers will be required to submit a 2024 emissions inventory when their permit expires in August of 2025. The
facility has been advised of the permit renewal requirements. Compliance is expected.
2D .0512 “Particulates from Wood Products Finishing Plants”
Flowers is required to provide adequate ductwork and properly designed collectors to control emissions of
particulate matter. The cyclone and associated ductwork appeared to be in good working order. Compliance is
indicated.
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2D .0521 “Control of Visible Emissions”
Visible emissions are limited to 20% opacity (except SSM events). No visible emissions were observed.
Compliance is indicated.
2D .0535 "Excess Emissions Reporting and Malfunctions"
Flowers is required to report excess emissions which last for more than four hours and result from a malfunction,
a breakdown of process or control equipment or any other abnormal conditions. Any excess emissions that do not
occur during start-up or shutdown are considered a violation of the applicable standard unless the facility
demonstrates to the Director that the excess emissions are the result of a malfunction. None have been reported.
2D .0540 “Particulates from Fugitive Dust Emission Sources”
Flowers requires the facility to prevent fugitive dust emissions from causing or contributing to substantive
complaints or excess visible emissions beyond the property boundary. Fugitive dust is particulate from processes
that do not pass through a stack or vent. No fugitive emissions were observed leaving the property boundary.
Compliance is indicated.
Note: WaRO has investigated and substantiated two citizen complaints from the adjacent neighborhood. WaRO’s
notification to Flowers regarding the substantiated complaints led to the purchase and operation of the cyclone
and shrouding of the sawmill.
2D .0611 “Monitoring Emissions from Other Sources”
Flowers is required to perform, at a minimum, an annual inspection of the cyclone and associated ductwork and
record the results in a logbook (hard copy or electronic). A logbook of the cyclone/ductwork inspections is kept
in the main office. Compliance is indicated.
2D .1806 "Control and Prohibition of Odorous Emissions"
Flowers shall not operate the facility without implementing management practices that prevent objectionable
odors from going beyond the facility property boundaries. None were detected. Compliance is indicated.
2Q .0315 “Synthetic Minor Facilities”
Methyl bromide emissions are limited to 10 tons per consecutive 12-month period to avoid having to apply for a
Title V permit. Flowers has assumed that 100% of the methyl bromide used is emitted. Annual reports outlining
the previous month and 12-month rolling total are required. Compliance is indicated as the reports have been
received on time and MB emissions are below the 10-ton limit. No fumigation has occurred since the previous
FCE Compliance is indicated.
Facility Compliance Status (5-year):
No compliance-related document has been issued by WaRO in the previous five years.
Comments, Conclusions and Recommendations:
The facility appeared to operate in compliance with all applicable air quality regulations and permit conditions at
the time of inspection.
The potential relocation of the cyclone and associated ductwork noted in previous inspection reports has not
occurred.