310023_NOD-2020-PC-0489 Response_20201130

RECEIVED
November 30, 2020
Tom Tharrington
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC 28405
Subject: Response to NOD-2020-PC-0489
Mr. Tharrington,
DEC 0 2 2020
NCDEQ
WILMINGTON RO
I am writing in response to the NOD received for Bowles and Sons Farm #1 in Duplin County on October
29, 2020. The NOD references ponding that occurred on my farm as investigated by Jennifer Ryan on
October 29, 2020.
I would like to note that the ponding that was noted by Ms. Ryan on this date was minor in nature and
confined to areas were a tractor had pulled a grain drill through a few low areas in the area that was
applied to. I documented with pictures on the day she visited the ponding that she refers to, along with
pictures the day after. I would dispute that the land was too saturated on the day I applied, particularly
given the low application rate that was used. Out of an abundance of caution, however, I hauled 12
loads of dirt into these areas and spread them at a cost of $2000, not including the time spent spreading
and leveling the dirt, and reseeding. All of this work has been documented with receipts and pictures of
the areas after the work was completed.
In addition, I will continue to monitor this area during and after irrigation events to insure that ponding
does not occur. I have always operated my farm in compliance with my permit and have had no issues
with my farm since it has been built. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to see copies of the
documents mentioned above, or if there are any other questions. I would ask that you place this letter
in my farm file, so that my response is documented.
Sincerely,
Chris Bowles
Owner