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Home My WebLink About20210614_NOV ��n�51A1£q, ROY COOPER Governor JOHN NICHOLSON Interim Secretary BRIAN WRENN NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality June 23,2021 NOTICE OF VIOLATION OF THE MINING ACT OF 1971 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED ***add number********* Mr. Charles Britt Britt's Landscaping 186 Southport-Supply Road Supply,North Carolina 28462 RE: Expired Mining Permit No. 10-33 Britt's Landscaping Mine#1 Brunswick County Lumber River Basin Dear Mr. Britt: This is to advise that you and/or your firm is in violation of Reclamation Condition No.4 of Mining Permit No. 10- 33 for failure to complete final reclamation at the Britt's Landscaping Mine#1 in Brunswick County within 2 years of completion of mining. Under North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) §74-49 (17), mining terminated at this site by operation of law on December 16,2014,when Permit No. 10-33 expired. In accordance with the permit,final reclamation should have thus been completed by December 16,2016. An inspection by Caroline Dalis with the Wilmington Regional Office from the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR) of the Department of Environmental Quality on June 1, 2021, revealed little or no reclamation efforts and that the site remained virtually unchanged since mining operations ended at Britt's Landscaping Mine #1. However, during the site visit, NC DEMLR observed the handling of inert debris, yard trimmings, and miscellaneous items at the site. Expiration of the permit only precludes further mining operations;reclamation requirements continue to remain in effect. Section §74-56 of the Mining Act of 1971 mandates initiation of bond forfeiture proceedings for failure to reclaim in accordance with the reclamation plan. D North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy,Mineral and Land Resources E Q�� 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1612 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1612 NORTH CAROLINA _ Depa�eaeaf of Environmental mail� 919.707.9200 Notice of Violations Mining Permit No. 10-33 June 23,2021 Page 2 Because you are in violation of The Mining Act of 1971 you are directed To correct the current violations and bring the site into compliance. Please contact this office immediately at 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington,NC 28405 and 910-796-7215 to indicate your intention to comply with the Act. In addition,you are requested to respond in writing to this notice detailing how you have taken the following corrective actions to bring this site into compliance: 1. If you desire to continue mining_Operations at the site, you must: A. Complete and file an original and 5 (five) copies of an application form for a new mining permit for this site along with the required corresponding mine maps. The appropriate mining permit application processing fee is also required. The application for a mining permit, The Mining Act of 1971, the Administrative Rules, and other forms may be downloaded by visiting: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-land-resources/energy-mineral-land- permits/mining-pry am, the web page for the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources' Mining Program. No mining operations may be conducted until a mining permit is issued for this site. This corrective action must be completed WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION. B. Commence adequate reclamation activities on the inactive(oldest)sections of the affected areas at the site and continue said activities until all affected areas where mining has terminated are sufficiently reclaimed. This corrective action must commence WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION. C. Obtain authorization from both the Division of Waste Management and the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources in order to dispose of refuse and other solid waste materials within the boundaries of the mining permit area that were originally generated outside of the mining permit area. 2. If you desire to permanently close the mine, you must: A. Contact David Miller, State Mining Specialist in writing at the letterhead address WITHIN 14 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION.This written response must: i. Confirm that you intend to complete final reclamation of the mine site, ii. Include a schedule with dates that detail a reasonable timeframe for both initiation and completion of the reclamation of all affected areas at the mine site according to the Reclamation Conditions of expired Mining Permit No.10-33. If the future reclamation plan or current conditions vary from the current plan filed with the Department you must submit an updated reclamation plan for all affected areas at the mine site. This plan must include final slopes throughout the site, final cross-sections of all affected areas, permanent measures and/or devices to ensure that all reclaimed areas will be non-erosive, a complete revegetation plan for final reclaimed areas, etc. Notice of Violations Mining Permit No. 10-33 June 23,2021 Page 3 B. Provide a narrative of the future of the site. The one previously provided does a good job explaining the current operation but does not request that the site be released from the mining permit. This narrative should also clarify that none of the cover material will come from the current site,as this would be considered mining. C. Provide a completed release form,requesting the release of the site from the mining permit. This matter is under review for referral to the Director, Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources for enforcement. If a civil penalty is assessed, the amount of the penalty shall be up to $5,000.00 a day for mining without a permit and$500.00 a day for failure to reclaim the site in a timely manner as per the reclamation conditions of the permit,beginning with the date of your receipt of this Notice of Violation(G.S. §74-64). The responsibility also rests with you for notifying this office of your plans to correct the violations. Your response to this letter will be considered as a part of any enforcement action recommendations. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr.Daniel Sams,P.E.,Regional Engineer,at(910)796-7215 or Mr.David Miller, State Mining Specialist, at(919) 707-9228 regarding any questions you might have on this matter. Sincerely, **Name** **Title** **Office** Attachment: Mine Inspection Report cc: Mr. David Miller,P.E. - State Mining Specialist Wilmington Regional Office North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, Land Quality Section MINE INSPECTION REPORT ❑ PERMITTED MINE SITE ® UNPERMITTED MINE SITE 1. MINE NAME: Britt's Landscaping Mine#1 2.MINE LOCATION: LandFill Road NE 3. COUNTY: Brunswick 4. RIVER BASIN: Lumber 5. CASE: 6. OPERATOR: Charles Britt 7. ADDRESS: 186 Southport Supply Road, Supply,NC 28462 8. MINING PERMIT#: 10-33 ❑ N/A 9. PERMIT EXPIRATION DATE: 12/16/2014 ❑ N/A 10. PERSON(S) CONTACTED AT SITE: On-site Personnel 11. PICTURES? ®Yes ❑ No TAKEN BY: C.Dalis-Phone 12. TYPE OF INSPECTION: ❑ A. Initial Inspection(Unpermitted Mine Sites) 1. Size of affected land: ac. (attach sketch map) 2. How was this area measured? Measured by: ® B. Routine Inspection(Permitted Mine Sites) ❑C. Follow-up Inspection 13. Date of last inspection: 04/25/2017 14. Any mining since that date? ❑ Yes ® No If yes,cite evidence of such mining activity: 15. Was mine operating at time of inspection? ® Yes ❑ No If yes,explain: At the time of the site visit NC DEMRL personnel observed on-site personnel handling inert debris and yard trimmings. 16. Is the mine in compliance with the Operating Conditions of the Permit? ❑ Yes ® No ❑ N/A If no, explain: The Permit associated with this site had expired in 2014. The operator has failed to obtain a Permit since the expiration date. In addition, in accordance with Operating Conditions 10.A of the Permit, "No on-site disposal of refuse or other solid waste that is generated outside of the mininglpermit area shall be allowed within the boundaries of the mining permit area unless authorization to conduct said disposal has first been obtained from both the Division of Waste Management and the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources."At the time of the site visit,NC DEMLR personnel observed an accumulation of inert debris,yard trimmings, and an assortment of miscellaneous materials located within the miningipermit area. The mine permit boundaries shall be permanently marked at the site on 100-foot intervals unless the line of sight allows for larger spacing intervals. In addition, the permittee is responsible to secure an NPDES General Permit No. NCG020000 for the stormwater runoff that is occurring from the mining activities at this facility. 17. Is the mine in compliance with the Reclamation Conditions of the Permit? ❑ Yes ® No ❑ N/A If no, explain: At the time of the site visit,NC DEMLR personnel observed exposed slopes associated with the mining pit.The slopes require adequate cover of grass or other groundcover sufficient to restrain accelerated or man- made erosion. 18. Is there any off-site damage? A. ® Yes B. ❑ No C. ❑ None observed If A, describe the type and severity of the damage: During the site visit,NC DEMLR personnel observed that the construction entrance was not maintained properly which may result in the tracking of sediment onto the public roadways. If B or C,is there potential for offsite damage? ❑ Yes ®No Explain: 19. Corrective measures needed and/or taken: Obtain the proper permits from the Division of Waste Management in order to reflect the on-site activities occurring within the Permit area with regards to the on-site disposal of inert debris and yard trimmings. Since the Permit associated with this site had expired in 2014,the operator may either obtain the proper permits from the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) to continue the mining activities or reclaim the mine in accordance with the Reclamation Conditions of the Permit. Please submit a letter to the Wilmingtongional Office within fifteen (15) dqsgpon the receipt of this inspection report to include d response regardingyour intentions with this site. Maintain the construction entrance in accordance with the approved Plan in order to reduce off-site tracking of sediment onto the public roadways. Mark the mine boundaries as indicated on the approved Mine Map and in accordance with the Permit. In addition, obtain an NPDES General Permit No. NCG020000 due to the minim activities that have occurred within the mine permit boundaries. 20. Other recommendations and comments: Ensure that all mining is in compliance with all reclamation conditions of the Permit.For instance,reclamation shall be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible which includes rg adina side slopes to 3:1 or flatter to the water line and 2:1 or flatter below the water line. 21. Is the Annual Reclamation Report+/-map accurate? ❑ Yes ❑ No (Explain) ® Not Reviewed ❑ N/A 2020-2021 ARR has not been received as of yet by the Wilmington Regional Office 22. Follow-up inspection needed? ® Yes ❑ No Proposed date August 2021 23. No. of additional pages of Inspection Report 1 24. Copy of Report sent to operator 06/14/2021 INSPECTED BY: Caroline Dalis DATE 06/01/2021 Telephone No: (910)796-7372 Copy to file Copy to operator Copy to Mining Specialist Y Y 4 - � T aj K r • low _i Alf- IA ow mob do v to Poo do* Ir of r ." � wf4 o ' << < �* } t;!' '7. I� �• :�.� + i .. t �" — "' " 'r. - mac Ne - f 4 , �. �• - !'fir `.r ri . . 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