HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200127_New_67-81ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Mr. Elijah Morton
Morton Trucking Inc.
121 Garnet Lane
Jacksonville, North Carolina 28546
Re: Pete Morton Mine
Onslow County
White Oak River Basin
Dear Mr. Morton:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
January 27, 2020
The application for a mining permit for the above referenced mine site has been found
to meet the requirements of G.S. 74-51 of The Mining Act of 1971. As we have received the
required security to cover this application, I am enclosing the mining permit.
The conditions of Mining Permit No. 67-81 were based primarily upon information
supplied in the application with conditions added as necessary to insure compliance with The
Mining Act of 1971. G.S. 74-65 states that the issuance of a mining permit does not
supersede or otherwise affect or prevent the enforcement of any zoning regulation or
ordinance duly adopted by an incorporated city or county or by any agency or department of
the State of North Carolina.
As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 25.9 acres and the amount of land
you are approved to disturb is 22.7 acres.
Please review the permit and contact Judy Wehner, Assistant State Mining Specialist,
at (919) 707-9220 of any objection or questions concerning the terms of the permit.
DMijw
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Dan Sams, PE
Ms Mr. William Gerringer-DOL,
Sincerely, 2a:7` 'tom
David Miller, PE
State Mining Engineer
Mine and Quarry Bureau, w/o enclosures
D_E Q.y� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
:/ 512 North Salisbury Street 11612 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612
919.707.9200
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL AND LAND RESOURCES
PERMIT
for the operation of a mining activity
In accordance with the provisions of G.S. 74-46 through 68, "The Mining
Act of 1971," Mining Permit Rule 15A NCAC 5 B, and other applicable
laws, rules and regulations
Permission is hereby granted to:
Morton Trucking Inc.
Pete Morton Mine
Onslow County - Permit No. 67-81
for the operation of a
Sand Mine and Borrow Pit
which shall provide that the usefulness, productivity and scenic values of
all lands and waters affected by this mining operation will receive the
greatest practical degree of protection and restoration.
Page 2
In accordance with the application for this mining permit, which is hereby approved by the
Department of Environmental Quality, hereinafter referred to as the Department, and in
conformity with the approved Reclamation Plan attached to and incorporated as part of this
permit, provisions must be made for the protection of the surrounding environment and for
reclamation of the land and water affected by the permitted mining operation. This permit is
expressly conditioned upon compliance with all the requirements of the approved Reclamation
Plan. However, completed performance of the approved Reclamation Plan is a separable
obligation, secured by the bond or other security on file with the Department, and may survive
the revocation or suspension of this permit.
This permit is not transferable by the permittee with the following exception: If another
operator succeeds to the interest of the permittee in the permitted mining operation, by virtue
of a sale, lease, assignment or otherwise, the Department may release the permittee from the
duties imposed upon him by the conditions of his permit and by the Mining Act with reference
to the permitted operation, and transfer the permit to the successor operator, provided that
both operators have complied with the requirements of the Mining Act and that the successor
operator agrees to assume the duties of the permittee with reference to reclamation of the
affected land and posts a suitable bond or other security.
In the event that the Department determines that the permittee or permittee's successor is not
complying with the Reclamation Plan or other terms and conditions of this permit, or is failing
to achieve the purposes and requirements of the Mining Act, the Department may give the
operator written notice of its intent to modify, revoke or suspend the permit, or its intent to
modify the Reclamation Plan as incorporated in the permit. The operator shall have right to a
hearing at a designated time and place on any proposed modification, revocation or
suspension by the Department. Alternatively and in addition to the above, the Department
may institute other enforcement procedures authorized by law.
Definitions
Wherever used or referred to in this permit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
terms shall have the same meaning as supplied by the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-49.
This permit is valid for the life of the site or life of lease, if applicable, as defined by Session
Law 2017-209 and has no expiration date. However, all provisions of GS 74-51 and GS 74-52
still apply for new, transferred and modified mining permits.
Conditions
This permit shall be subject to the provisions of the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-46, et. seq., and
to the following conditions and limitations:
OPERATING CONDITIONS:
1. A. Any wastewater processing or mine dewatering shall be in accordance with the
permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission.
Page 3
B. Any stormwater runoff from the affected areas at the site shall be in accordance
with any applicable permit requirements and regulations promulgated by the
Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission. It shall be the permittee's responsibility to contact
the Stormwater Program to secure any necessary stormwater permits or other
approval documents.
2. A. Any mining process producing air contamination emissions shall be subject to
the permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission and enforced by the Division of Air Quality.
B. During mining operations, water trucks or other means that may be necessary
shall be utilized to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area.
3. A. Sufficient buffer shall be maintained between any affected land and any adjoining
waterway or wetland to prevent sedimentation of that waterway or wetland from
erosion of the affected land and to preserve the integrity of the natural
watercourse or wetland.
B. Any mining activity affecting waters of the State, waters of the U. S., or wetlands
shall be in accordance with the requirements and regulations promulgated and
enforced by the N. C. Environmental Management Commission.
4. A. Adequate mechanical barriers including but not limited to diversions, earthen
dikes, sediment check dams, sediment retarding structures, rip rap pits, or
ditches shall be provided in the initial stages of any land disturbance and
maintained to prevent sediment from discharging onto adjacent surface areas or
into any lake, wetland or natural watercourse in proximity to the affected land.
B. All drainage from the affected areas around the mine excavations shall be
diverted internal to said excavations.
C. Mining activities shall occur as indicated on the Mining Site Plan sealed
November 19, 2019 and the supplemental information received on July 26, 2019,
September 30, 2019 and November 26, 2019.
D. Fencing shall be installed along the southern Existing Haul Road. The purpose of
the fence is to prevent inadvertent access to the site. The fence is to be a
minimum four foot high chain link fence with one strand of barbed wire at the top.
5. All affected area boundaries (22.7 acres) shall be permanently marked at the site on
100-foot intervals unless the line of sight allows for larger spacing intervals.
Page 4
6. The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle, which can be
retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control measure, structure, or
device. In any event, exposed slopes or any excavated channels, the erosion of which.
may cause off -site damage because of sedimentation, shall be planted or otherwise
provided with ground cover, devices or structures sufficient to restrain such erosion.
7. The affected land shall be graded so as to prevent collection of pools of water that are,
or likely to become, noxious or foul. Necessary structures such as drainage ditches or
conduits shall be constructed or installed when required to prevent such conditions.
8. Existing vegetation or vegetated earthen berms shall be maintained between the mine
and public thoroughfares whenever practical to screen the operation from the public.
9. A. Sufficient buffer shall be maintained between any excavation and any mining
permit boundary to protect adjacent property.
B. Buffers shall be maintained as indicated on the Mining Site Plan sealed
November 19, 2019.
10. A. No on -site disposal of refuse or other solid waste that is generated outside of the
mining permit 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, Department of Environmental Quality. The method of disposal
shall be consistent with the approved reclamation plan.
B. Mining refuse as defined by G.S. 74-49 (14) of The Mining Act of 1971
generated on -site and directly associated with the mining activity may be
disposed of in a designated refuse area. All other waste products must be
disposed of in a disposal facility approved by the Division of Waste
Management. No petroleum products, acids, solvents or their storage containers
or any other material that may be considered hazardous shall be disposed of
within the permitted area.
C. For the purposes of this permit, the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land
Resources considers the following materials to be "mining refuse" (in addition to
those specifically listed under G.S. 74-49 (14) of the N.C. Mining Act of 1971):
1. on -site generated land clearing debris
2. conveyor belts
3. wire cables
4. v-belts
5. steel reinforced air hoses
6. drill steel
Page 5
D. If mining refuse is to be permanently disposed within the mining permit
boundary, the following information must be provided to and approved by the
Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources rip or to commencement of such
disposal:
1. the approximate boundaries and size of the refuse disposal area;
2. a list of refuse items to be disposed;
3. verification that a minimum of 4 feet of cover will be provided over the
refuse;
4. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the
seasonally high water table; and,
5. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be established.
11. An Annual Reclamation Report and Annual Operating Fee of $400.00 shall be
submitted to the Department by July 1 of each year until reclamation is completed and
approved for release by the Department.
12. The operator shall notify the Department in writing of the desire to delete, modify or
otherwise change any part of the mining, reclamation, or erosion/sediment control plan
contained in the approved application for a mining permit or any approved revision to it.
Approval to implement such changes must be obtained from the Department prior to
on -site implementation of the revisions.
13. The security, which was posted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 74-54 in the form of a $20,000.00
Surety bond, is sufficient to cover the operation as indicated in the approved
application. This security must remain in force for this permit to be valid. The total
affected land shall not exceed the bonded acreage.
14. A. Authorized representatives of the Division of Archives and History shall be
granted access to the site to determine the presence of significant
archaeological resources.
B. Pursuant to N. C. G. S. 70 Article 3, "The Unmarked Human Burial and Human
Skeletal Remains Protection Act," should the operator or any person in his
employ encounter human skeletal remains, immediate notification shall be
provided to the county medical examiner and the chief archaeologist, North
Carolina Division of Archives and History.
Page 6
APPROVED RECLAMATION PLAN
The Mining Permit incorporates this Reclamation Plan, the performance of which is a condition
on the continuing validity of that Mining Permit. Additionally, the Reclamation Plan is a
separable obligation of the permittee, which continues beyond the terms of the Mining Permit.
The approved plan provides:
Minimum Standards as Provided by G.S. 74-53
1. The final slopes in all excavations in soil, sand, gravel and other unconsolidated
materials shall be at such an angle as to minimize the possibility of slides and be
consistent with the future use of the land.
2. Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property must be provided in all
excavations in rock.
3. All overburden and spoil shall be left in a configuration which is in accordance with
accepted conservation practices and which is suitable for the proposed subsequent use
of the land.
4. No small pools of water shall be allowed to collect or remain on the mined area that are,
or are likely to become noxious, odious or foul.
5. The revegetation plan shall conform to accepted and recommended agronomic and
reforestation practices as established by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment
Station and the North Carolina Forest Service.
6. Permittee shall conduct reclamation activities pursuant to the Reclamation Plan herein
incorporated. These activities shall be conducted according to the time schedule
included in the plan, which shall to the extent feasible provide reclamation simultaneous
with mining operations and in any event, provide reclamation at the earliest practicable
time after completion or termination of mining on any segment of the permit area and
shall be completed within two years after completion or termination of mining.
RECLAMATION CONDITIONS:
1. Provided further, and subject to the Reclamation schedule, the planned reclamation
shall be to restore the mine excavation to a lake area and to grade and revegetate the
adjacent disturbed areas.
2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned
future use are as follows:
A. The lake area shall be excavated to maintain a minimum water depth of four feet
measured from the low water table elevation.
Page 7
3.
B. The side slopes to the lake excavation shall be graded to a 3 horizontal to 1
vertical or flatter to the water line and 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter below the
water line.
C. Any areas used for wastepiles, screening, stockpiling or other processing shall
be leveled and smoothed.
D. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On -site
disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Condition Nos. 10A
through D.
E. The affected land shall be graded to prevent the collection of noxious or foul
water.
Revegetation Plan:
After site preparation, all disturbed land areas shall be revegetated as per the
Revegetaion Plan approved by Timothy M Stewart, PE, f Parker and Associates Inc. on
May 13, 2019 or the following:
Permanent Seedina Specifications
Dates
February 15- April 1
April 1- July 31
August 1- October
October 25- February 15
Soil Amendments
Species Rate, Lbs/Acre
Kobe Lespedeza 10
Bahiagrass 50
Redtop 1
Winter rye (grain) 15
Common Bermuda 50
Lespedeza (unscarified) 30
German millet 40
Rye (grain- temporary) 120
Lime - 2000 Ibs/acre or follow recommendations from a soil test.
Fertilizer - 1000 Ibs/acre 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, or follow recommendations from a
soil test.
Mulch - All seeded areas shall be mulched using small grain straw at a rate
of 2000 Ibs/acre and anchored appropriately.
Page 8
Whenever possible, disturbed areas should be vegetated with native warm season
grasses such as switch grass, Indian grass, bluestem and gamma grass.
In addition, the permittee shall consult with a professional wildlife biologist with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission to enhance post -project wildlife habitat at the site.
4. Reclamation Plan:
Reclamation shall be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible. In
any event, reclamation shall be initiated as soon as feasible after completion or
termination of mining of any mine segment under permit. Final reclamation, including
revegetation, shall be completed within two years of completion or termination of
mining.
Permit issued this 27th day of January, 2020.
S. Daniel Smith, Director
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
By Authority of the Secretary
Of the Department of Environmental Quality
NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF
MINING PERMIT
You have previously expressed an interest and/or are listed as an adjoining
landowner in the application for a mining permit filed by Morton Trucking Inc. to conduct
mining activities off SR 1533 (Hines Stump Church Road in Onslow County. The
mining permit (no. 67-81) was issued on January 27, 2020.
North Carolina law allows persons aggrieved by the issuance of a mining permit
to contest the decision by filing a petition for a contested case in the Office of
Administrative Hearings pursuant to N.C.G.S. 150E-23 of the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA).
If you believe that you are an aggrieved party within the meaning of the APA, a
petition for a contested case must be filed in the Office of Administrative Hearings
within sixty (60) days of the mailing of this notice to you.
If you file a contested case petition, it must be in writing and in the form
prescribed by N.C. General Statutes 1506-23. File the original petition and one copy
with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC
27699-6714.
Any questions about filing a petition may be directed to the Clerk of the Office of
Administrative Hearings by telephoning (919) 431-3000.
You must serve the Department of Environmental Quality by mailing a copy of
the petition to Mr. Bill Lane, Registered Agent and General Counsel, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, 1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-
1601.
This notice was mailed on
S. Daniel Smith
Director
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Brenda Harris
Mining Program Secretary