Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121220_Renewal_45-02 `•r iINA 6, NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources Land Quality Section Tracy E.Davis,PE,CPM December 20, 2012 Beverly Eaves Perdue,Governor Director Dee Freeman,Secretary Mr. Jeff Barrett Oldcastle Industrial Minerals, Inc APAC-Atlantic, Inc. 639 Fanning Bridge Road Fletcher, North Carolina 28732 RE: Mining Permit No. 45-02 APAC-Atlantic Inc. Quarry Henderson County French Broad River Basin Dear Mr. Barrett: Your application for renewal of the above referenced mining permit has been approved. A copy of the renewed permit is enclosed. The new expiration date is December 20, 2022. The conditions in the permit renewal were based primarily upon the initial application. Modifications were made as indicated by the renewal request and as required to insure compliance with The Mining Act of 1971. 1 would like to draw your particular attention to the following conditions where minor additions or changes were made: Operating Condition Nos. 3C, 413, 10B and 14. As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 121.57 acres and the amount of land you are approved to disturb is 77.80 acres. An adjustment has been made to the affected acreage because of more accurate aerial photography. Please review the renewed permit and contact Judy Wehner, Assistant State Mining Specialist, at (919) 707-9220 should you have any questions concerning this matter. incerely, � c Janet . Boyer, P tate Mining Specialist and Quality Section JSBTw Enclosures cc: Ms. Shawna Riddle Ms. Shannon Deaton-WRC, w/enclosures Mr. William Gerringer-DOL, Mine and Quarry Bureau, w/o enclosures 1612 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1612-Telephone 919-707-9220/FAX:919-733-2876 512 North Salisbury Street,Raleigh,North Carolina 27604-Internet:http://portal.ncdenr.orglweb/Ir/land-quality An Equal Opportunity\Affirmative Action Employer—50%Recycled 110%Post Consumer Paper DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF 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: Oldcastle Materials, Inc. doing business as APAC-Atlantic, Inc. APAC-Atlantic, Inc. Quarry Henderson County- Permit No. 45-02 for the operation of a Limestone/Crushed Stone Quarry 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. MINING PERMIT EXPIRATION DATE: December 20, 2022 Page 2 In accordance with the application for this mining permit, which is hereby approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 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 expiration, 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. Modifications December 23, 1992: This permit has been modified to include approximately 42 acres, bringing the total permitted acreage to approximately 122 acres as indicated on the Mining Plan dated March 22, 1991 and revised July 23, 1992. March 14, 1994: This permit has been modified to allow the relocation of the processing plant, relocation of Kimsey Creek, expansion of the pit, and construction of the associated erosion and sediment control measures as indicated on the Mine Plan, Sheets 1 through 6 of 6, (sheets 3, 4, and 5 were last revised 12/16/93) all sealed by Mr. Gary T. Tweed on October 4, 1993. December 20, 2006: This permit has been transferred in its entirety from Fletcher Limestone Company Inc. to Oldcastle Industrial Minerals DBA Fletcher Limestone. Page 3 y March 24, 2009: This permit has been modified to change the corporate name from Oldcast'le Industrial Minerals DBA Fletcher Limestone to Oldcastle Materials, Inc. doing business as APAC Atlantic, Inc. Expiration Date This permit shall be effective from the date of its issuance until December 20, 2022. 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. Wastewater and Quarry ewatering 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 storm water 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 Storm Water Section, Division of Water Quality, to secure any necessary storm water permits or other approval documents. 2. Air Quality and Dust Control A. Any mining related process producing air contaminant emissions including fugitive dust shall be subject to the requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission and enforced by the Division of Air Quality. B. Any access roads shall be sufficiently stabilized. During quarry operation, water trucks or other means that may be necessary shall be utilized to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area. 3. Buffer Zones A. 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. Page 4 B. 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. C. All buffer zones shown on the Mine Map last revised October 4, 2012 shall be maintained to protect adjoining property. These buffer zones, with the exception of the installation of required sediment control measures and approved earthen berms, shall remain undisturbed. 4. Erosion and Sediment Control A. Adequate mechanical barriers including, but not limited to diversions, earthen dikes, silt check dams, silt 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 mining activities, including the installation and maintenance of all erosion and sedimentation control measures, shall be conducted as indicated on the Mine Map last revised October 4, 2012 and supplemental information received by the Land Quality Section on September 15, 2012 and November 1, 2012. C. Whenever possible, drainage from the affected area around the mine excavation shall be diverted internal to said excavation. D. An erosion and sediment control plan(s) shall be submitted to the Department for approval prior to any land disturbing activities not indicated on the revised erosion control plan or mine maps submitted with the approved application for a mining permit and any approved revisions to it. Such areas include, but are not limited to, expansion outside of the approved pit area, creek crossings, or expansion of overburden or waste disposal areas. 5. Groundwater Protection Groundwater monitoring wells shall be installed and monitored as deemed appropriate by the Department. 6. Graded Slopes and Fills A. 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 siltation, shall be planted or otherwise provided with groundcover, devices or structures sufficient to restrain such erosion. Page 5 B. Overburden cut slopes along the perimeter of any pit expansion conducted after December 23, 1992 shall be graded to a minimum 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter and shall be stabilized within 60 days of completion. Furthermore, a minimum ten (10) foot wide horizontal safety bench shall be provided at the top of the rock and at the toe of any overburden slope constructed after December 23, 1992. 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. Blasting The operator shall monitor each blast with a seismograph located at a distance no farther than the closest off site regularly occupied structure not owned or leased by the operator. A seismographic record including peak particle velocity, air overpressure, and vibration frequency levels shall be kept for each blast (except as provided under Sections B. and D. of this permit). The following blasting conditions shall be observed by the mine operator to prevent hazard to persons and adjacent property from surface blasting: A. Ground Vibration With Monitoring: In all blasting operations, the maximum peak particle velocity of any component of ground motion shall not exceed Figure 1 (below) at the immediate location of any regularly occupied building outside of the permitted area such as a dwelling house, church, school, or public, commercial or institutional building. ..a i 4. i- G.. irwuec a.4 a.4 _ I Oa 1 l 1 8� c `Jitaratia�n Fr.�:,i.r�L-ric{. H.Z Page 6 B. Ground Vibration Without Monitoring: In the event of seismograph malfunction or other condition which prevents monitoring, blasting shall be conducted in accordance with the following formulas: W= (D/Ds)2 Ds = D W1/2 V= 160(Ds)-1.6 W = Maximum charge weight of explosives per delay period of 8.0 milliseconds or more (pounds). D = Distance from the blast site to the nearest inhabited building not owned or leased by the mine operator (feet). Ds = Scaled distance factor. V = Peak Particle Velocity (inches per second). The peak particle velocity of any component shall not exceed 1.0 inch per second, for the purposes of this Section. C. Air blast With Monitoring: Air blast overpressure resulting from surface blasting shall not exceed 129 decibels linear (dBL) as measured at the immediate location of any regularly occupied building not owned or leased by the operator outside of the permitted area such as a dwelling house, church, school, or public, commercial or institutional building, unless an alternate level based on the sensitivity of the seismograph microphone as specified below is being used: Lower Frequency Limit of Max Level, Measuring System, in Hz in dBL 0.1 Hz or lower-flat response 134 peak 2.0 Hz or lower-flat response 133 peak 6.0 Hz or lower-flat response 129 peak D. Air blast Without Monitoring: In the event of seismograph malfunction or other condition which prevents monitoring, blasting shall be conducted in accordance with the following formulas: U = 82 (D/V V .33)-1.2 To convert U (psi) to P (dBL): P = 20 x log (U/2.9x10-9) Page 7 Confined Air blast/Overpressure (dBL) for quarry situation: A = P - 35 U = Unconfined air overpressure (pounds per square inch). W = Maximum charge weight of explosives per delay period of 8.0 milliseconds or more (pounds). D = Distance from the blast site to the nearest inhabited building not owned or leased by the mine operator (feet). P = Unconfined air overpressure (decibels). A = Air blast or air overpressure for typical quarry situations (decibels). The air blast/overpressure shall not exceed 129 decibels, for the purposes of this Section. E. Record Keeping: The operator shall maintain records on each individual blast describing: the total number of holes; pattern of holes and delay of intervals; depth and size of holes; type and total pounds of explosives; maximum pounds per delay interval; amount of stemming and burden for each hole; blast location; distance from blast to closest offsite regularly occupied structure; and weather conditions at the time of the blast. Records shall be maintained at the permittee's mine office and copies shall be provided to the Department upon request. F. Excessive Ground Vibration/Air blast Reporting_ If ground vibration or Air blast limits are exceeded, the operator will immediately report the event with causes and corrective actions to the Department. Use of explosives at the blast site that produced the excessive reading shall cease until corrective actions approved by the Department are taken. However, blasting may occur in other approved areas within the permitted boundary. Authorization to blast at the blast site may be*granted at the time of the verbal reporting of the high ground vibration or high air blast reading if the circumstances justify verbal approval. Failure to report will constitute a permit violation. G. Flyrock Prevention: The operator shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that flyrock is not thrown beyond areas where the access is temporarily or permanently guarded by the operator. Failure to take corrective measures to prevent flyrock and repeated instances of flyrock shall be considered a violation of the Mining Permit. Page 8 H. Flyrock Reporting: Should fyrock occur beyond the permitted and guarded areas, the operator shall immediately report the incident to the Department. Further use of explosives on the mine site shall be suspended until the following actions have been taken: 1. A thorough investigation as to the cause(s) of the incident shall be conducted. 2. A report detailing the investigation shall be provided to the Department within 10 days of the incident. The report shall, at a minimum, document the cause(s) of the incident along with technical and management actions that will be taken to prevent further incidents. The report shall meet with the approval of the Department before blasting may resume at the mine site. I. Studies: The operator shall provide to the Department a copy of the findings of any seismic studies conducted at the mine site in response to an exceedence of a level allowed by these blasting conditions. The operator shall make every reasonable effort to incorporate the studies' recommendations into the production blasting program. J. Notice: The operator shall, when requested by the Department, give 24 hour advance notice to the Land Quality Section Regional Office prior to any blast during a period for which notice is requested. 9. High Wall Barrier A physical barrier consisting of large boulders placed end-to-end or fencing shall be maintained at all times along the perimeter of any highwall to prevent inadvertent public access. In addition, a minimum 10 foot wide horizontal safety bench shall be provided at the junction between the top of rock and the toe of any overburden cut slope disturbed after December 23, 1992. 10. Visual Screening A. Existing vegetation shall be maintained between the mine and public thoroughfares to screen the operation from the public. Additional screening methods, such as constructing earthen berms, shall be employed as deemed appropriate by the Department. Page 9 B. Vegetated earthen berms shall be located and constructed as shown on the Mine ` Map last revised October 4, 2012. In addition to grasses, long leaf and/or Virginia pines or other acceptable evergreen species shall be planted as deemed appropriate by the Department to improve visual and noise buffering. 11. Plan Modification 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 and any approved revisions to it. Approval to implement such changes must be obtained from the Department prior to on-site implementation of the revisions. 12. 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 Land Quality Section, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 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 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 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 Land Resources prior 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; Page 10 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. 13. Annual Reclamation Report An Annual Reclamation Report shall be submitted on a form supplied by the Department by February 1 of each year until reclamation is completed and approved. 14. Bonding The security, which was posted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 74-54 in the form of a $186,000.00 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. 15. Archaeological Resources Authorized representatives of the Division of Archives and History shall be granted access to the site to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources. Page 11 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 allow the quarry excavation to fill with water, provide a permanent barricade (fence) along the top of any high wall, and grade and revegetate any areas in unconsolidated material. 2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned future use are as follows: Page 12 A. All areas of unconsolidated material such as overburden or waste piles shall be graded to a 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter slope and terraced as necessary to insure slope stability. B. Any settling ponds and sediment control basins shall be backfilled, graded, and stabilized or cleaned out and made into acceptable lake areas. C. The processing, stockpile, and other disturbed areas neighboring the mine excavation shall be leveled and smoothed. D. Compacted surfaces shall be disced, subsoiled or otherwise prepared before revegetation. E. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On-site disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Conditions Nos. 12.A. through D. - F. 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 following: Permanent Seeding Specifications Dates Species Rate, Lbs/Acre February 15-April 1 Korean Lespedeza 10 Fescue 40 Redtop 1 Winter rye (grain) 15 April 1- July 31 Common Bermuda 50 August 1- October 25 Lespedeza (unscarified) 30 German millet 40 October 25- February 15 Rye (grain-temporary) 120 Soil Amendments Lime- 2000 lbs/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. Page 13 Mulch- All seeded areas shall be mulched using small grain straw at a rate of 2000 ' Ibs/acre and anchored appropriately. 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. This permit, issued to Fletcher Limestone Company Inc. September 13, 1972, renewed September 27, 1982, renewed and modified December 23, 1992, modified March 14, 1994, renewed January 22, 2003 transferred Oldcastle Industrial Materials DBA Fletcher Limestone December 20, 2006 and modified March 24, 2009, is hereby renewed this 20th day of December, 2012 pursuant to G.S. 74-51. By: I UV racy E. Davis, Director Division f Energy, Mineral and Land Resources By Authority of the Secretary Of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources P 1•� NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources Land Quality Section Tracy E. Davis, PE,CPM Beverly Eaves Perdue,Governor Director November 27, 2012 Dee Freeman,Secretary Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested 7008 1300 0000 1126 1976 Mr. Jeff Barrett Oldcastle Industrial Minerals, Inc APAC Atlantic, Inc. 639 Fanning Bridge Road Fletcher, North Carolina 28732 RE: Mining Permit No. 45-02 -APAC-Atlantic Inc. Quarry Henderson County - French Broad River Basin Dear Mr. Barrett: The review has been completed on the renewal request your company submitted for the referenced mine site. However, the following is needed to continue processing your application: The reclamation bond was calculated for this site using the information submitted on the revised mine map. The reclamation bond for this site has been calculated to be $186,000.00. The calculation worksheet is enclosed for your review and the bond or. balance ($62,800.00) will be required prior to approval of this renewal. For your convenience, I have enclosed a bond form, an assignment of a savings account form and irrevocable standby letter of credit form for your use in securing the required bond. The name on the security must be the same as the name appearing on the application for a mining permit, i.e., Oldcastle Materials, Inc. doing business as APAC-Atlantic, Inc. In addition to one of these alternatives, you may, upon request, substitute a cash deposit. Please be advised that the renewal request cannot be completed until the new bond amount has been received. As required by G.S. 74-51 (h), you are hereby advised that you have 60 days from the date of your receipt of this letter to submit the reclamation bond. if you are unable to meet this deadline and wish to request additional time, you must submit information, in writing, to the Director clearly indicating why the deadline can not be met and request that an extension of time be granted. 1612 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1612-Telephone 919-707-9220/FAX:919-733-2876 512 North Salisbury Street,Raleigh,North Carolina 27604-Internet:httn://portal.ncdenr.oro/web/lrAand-quality An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer—50%Recycled 110%Post Consumer Paper .., � - .. r � L - I: � � � _ - _ _ - '. _ _ r .1 •r .. . ,. I., .. , � `��. ,t_ ' •, l ,1._ - -_��• t,.:�: - ., � . I. ..�.1 - - _. ' � � � .. -1 '1�.�. // � - ��_ A, . CERTIFIED MAIL Mr. Barrett Page Two In order to complete the processing of your renewal request, please forward the bond to my attention at the following address: Land Quality Section Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1612 Please contact_meat (919) 707-9220 if you have any questions. - Sincerely, I 0'� 't, J dith A. Wehner Assistant State Mining Specialist Land Quality Section Enclosures: Bond Forms Bond Calculation Worksheet cc: Ms. Shawna Riddle L.i f