20210726_Mod_53-05

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
BRIAN WRENN
Director
Norman Divers
Green Meadow, LLC.
12601 Plantside Dr.
Louisville, KY 40299
RE: Colon Mine
Mining Permit No. 53-05
Lee County
Cape Fear River Basin
Dear Mr. Divers:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
July 26, 2021
Your recent request to have the above referenced mining permit modified has been approved. The modification is
to remove the use of Coal Combustion Byproducts (CCBs) structural fill as part of the reclamation plan and to
essentially restore the permit to reflect the mining and reclamation plans as contained in the December 12, 2014,
permit renewal as indicated on the Mine Maps sealed on May 6, 2021, and the supplemental information received
on March 9, 2021 and May 7, 2021. A copy of the modified permit is enclosed.
The conditions in the modified permit were based primarily upon the initial application. Modifications were made
as indicated by the modification request and as required to ensure compliance with The Mining Act of 1971. The
mine name and permit number shall remain the same as before the modification. I would like to draw your particular
attention to the following conditions where minor additions or changes were made: 111.3.C, 111.4.1),111.93, IV, VI,
VI11.2, V111.3.
The issuance of a mining permit and/or any modification to it does not supersede local zoning regulations. The
responsibility of compliance with any applicable zoning regulations lies with you.
As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 371.0 acres and the amount of land you are approved to disturb
is 314.0 acres.
Please contact me at [phone] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
21*1�
David Miller, PE
State Mining Engineer
DM/ap
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Bill Denton, PE
DEQ�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy. Kneral 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
LAND QUALITY SECTION
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:
Green Meadow, LLC
Colon Mine
Lee County - Permit No. 53-05
for the operation of a
Clay Mine
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.

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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.
I. Definitions. G.S. § 74-49.
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, G.S. §74-49.
II. Modifications. G.S. §74-52.
November 4, 1988: This permit has been modified to change the company name from Sanford Brick and
Tile Corporation to Cherokee Sanford Group.
April 10, 1992: This permit has been modified to allow mining on 52 acres and on -site disposal of
petroleum contaminated soils as per the Mine Expansion Map Erosion and Sediment Control Plan sated
November 18, 1991.
July 21, 1992: This permit has been modified to allow crushed brick to be substituted for #57 washed stone
in the upstream faces of all rock check dams.
February 13, 1995: This Permit has been modified to increase the permitted acreage to 1093.18 acres and
the affected acreage to 340 acres as indicated on the modification maps, sheets 1-4 dated May 25, 1994 and
sealed September 12, 1994.
August 2, 1996: This permit has been modified to change the corporate name from Cherokee Sanford
Group, Inc. to Cherokee Sanford Group, LLC.
October 24. 1997: This permit has been modified to revise the sediment and erosion control plan as
indicated on the Site Layout Mine Map dated September 22, 1997 and supplemental information dated
September 17, 1997, to more accurately reflect the field conditions, increase the maximum depth of the

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mine map to 50 feet, allow the dewatering of the pit, and allow two lake areas to be left at the time of final
reclamation.
September 22, 1999: This permit has been modified to add approximately 211.37 acres of mine area that
increases the affected acreage from 340.6 acres to 551.97 acres. This modification includes expanding the
mine area in three areas and the associated erosion and sediment control measures as indicated on the
General Mine Information Map dated June 21, 1999 and the Mine Modification Details Map last revised
September 10, 1999, including the supplemental information dated June 21, 1999 and August 25, 1999.
April 25, 2000: A partial release has been granted, reducing the permitted acreage at this site by 5.01
undisturbed acres to 1088.17 acres.
December 12. 2014: A partial release has been granted, reducing the permitted acreage to 371 acres and
the affected acreage at this site to 349 acres.
January 23, 2015: This permit has been transferred in its entirety from General Shale Brick, Inc. to Green
Meadow, LLC.
April 23, 2015: This permit has been modified to replace the flocculant currently permitted with FLOC-
UL8 and GT Clear, manufactured by Green Technologies, to improve settling efficiency of suspended
solids in the mine discharge water at this site provided these products are used in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions as outlined in the letter and supplemental information received by the Land
Quality Section on April 10, 2015.
June 5, 2015: This permit has been modified to redesign the erosion and sedimentation control measures
throughout the site and reduce the affected acreage to 314 acres as indicated on the Mine Maps last revised
December 315 2014. The modification also includes changing the method for reclaiming the mine by
constructing structural fill using Coal Combustion Byproducts (CCBs) in accordance with the provisions
of the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014 and the terms and conditions of Permit to Construct and Operate
Colon Mine Site Structural Fill Permit No. 5306-STRUC-2015 issued by the Division of Waste
Management on June 5, 2015.
December 1.2017: This permit has been issued for the life of site or the duration of the lease term.
July 26, 2021: This permit has been modified to remove the use of Coal Combustion Byproducts (CCBs)
structural fill as part of the reclamation plan and to essentially restore the permit to reflect the mining and
reclamation plans as contained in the December 12, 2014 permit renewal.
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 G.S. §74-51 and G.S. §74-52 still apply for
new, transferred, and modified mining permits.
III. Operating Conditions. G.S. §74-51.
1. Wastewater and Quarry Dewatering.
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.
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.

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2. Air Quality and Dust Control.
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. Buffer Zones.
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.
C. Buffers shall be maintained as indicated on the Mine Maps sealed May 6, 2021.
D. No land disturbing activities shall be allowed within 50 feet of any wetland or waterway
until proof has been submitted to the Land Quality Section that all necessary
permits/certifications have been obtained from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the
Division of Water Resources
4. Erosion and Sediment Control.
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. In order to improve settling efficiency of suspended solids in the mine discharge water at
this site, the operator shall use the flocculants FLOC-UL8 and GT Clear, manufactured by
Green Technologies, provided these products are used in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions as outlined in the letter and supplemental information received
by the Land Quality Section on April 10, 2015.
C. Whenever possible, all drainage from the affected areas around the mine excavations shall
be diverted internal to said excavations.
D. Mining activities, including the installation and maintenance of the approved sediment
basins and associated diversion channels, shall occur as indicated on the Mine Maps sealed
May 6, 2021, and the supplemental information received on March 9, 2021 and May 7,
2021.
5. Permanently Marked Boundaries.
All affected area boundaries (314 acres) shall be permanently marked at the site on 100-foot
intervals unless the line of sight allows for larger spacing intervals.
6. Graded Slopes and Fills.
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

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of sedimentation, shall be planted, or otherwise provided with ground cover, devices, or structures
sufficient to restrain such erosion.
7. Surface Drainage.
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. Visual Screening.
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. Buffer Between Mining Permit Boundaries and/or Right-of-ways.
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 Mine Maps sealed May 6, 2021.
10. Highwall Barrier
A physical barrier consisting of a fence or earthen berm, etc., shall be maintained around the
perimeter of any highwalI.
11. Refuse Disposal.
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):
i. on -site generated land clearing debris.
ii. conveyor belts.
iii. wire cables.
iv. v-belts.
V. steel reinforced air hoses.
vi. drill steel.
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 prior to commencement of such disposal:

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i. the approximate boundaries and size of the refuse disposal area.
ii. a list of refuse items to be disposed.
iii. verification that a minimum of 4 feet of cover will be provided over the refuse.
iv. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the seasonally
high-water table; and,
V. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be established.
IV. Annual Reclamation Report and Annual Operating Fee Submittal. G.S. §74-55.
An Annual Reclamation Report and Annual Operating Fee of $400.00 shall be submitted to the Department
by September I of each year until reclamation is completed and approved for release by the Department.
V. Prior Approval Required for Plan Modification. G.S. §74-52.
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.
VI. Bonding. G.S. §74-54.
The security, which was posted pursuant to G.S. §74-54 in the form of a $1,000,000.00 blanket 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.
VII. Archaeological Resources. G.S. §70-3.
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 G.S. §70-3, "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.
VIII. Approved Reclamation Plan. G.S. V4-53.
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.
To comply with G.S. §74-53 the approved plan will provide:
1. Minimum Standards.
A. 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.
B. Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property must be provided in all
excavations in rock.

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C. 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.
D. 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.
E. 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.
F. 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.
2. Reclamation Conditions.
A. 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.
B. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned
future use are as follows:
i. The lake area shall be excavated to maintain a minimum water depth of four feet
measured from the low water table elevation.
ii. 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.
iii. All final perimeter side slopes shall be graded to a 3 horizontal to 1 vertical or
flatter slope.
iv. Any settling ponds or sediment basins shall be backfilled and stabilized.
V. Any areas used for waste piles, screening, stockpiling, or other processing shall be
leveled and smoothed.
vi. Compacted surfaces shall be disced, subsoiled or otherwise prepared before
revegetation.
vii. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On -site
disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Condition Nos. III.I LA
through 111.11.D.
viii. The affected land shall be graded to prevent the collection of noxious or foul water.
3. Revegetation Plan.
After site preparation, all disturbed land areas shall be revegetated as per the Revegetation Plan
approved by Thomas M. Yanoschak on May 6, 2021.
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.

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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.
IX. Issuance and Modification Summary. G.S. V4-51 and G.S V4-52.
This permit, issued to Sanford Brick and Tile Company October 3, 1972, renewed October 12, 1982,
transferred to Cherokee Sanford Group Inc. November 4, 1988, modified April 10, 1992 and July 21, 1992,
renewed March 18, 1993, modified February 13, 1995, August 2, 1996, October 24, 1997 and September
22, 1999, renewed March 22, 2004, modified April 6, 2005, renewed December 12, 2014, transferred to
Green Meadow, LLC January 23, 2015, and modified April 23, 2015 and June 5, 2015, is hereby modified
this 26th day of July, 2021 pursuant to G.S. §74-52.
By: / "'7/— — "� I O/L
Brian Wrenn, Director
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
By Authority of the Secretary
Of the Department of Environmental Quality