NC0032131_Authorization to Construct_19970908

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
September 8, 1997
Mr. Spencer Robbins
Tweetsie Railroad, Incorporated
Post Office Box 388
Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605
Avt917A
C:0EHNR
Subject: NPDES Permit No. NC0032131
Authorization to Construct
Tweetsie Railroad
Watauga County
Dear Mr. Robbins:
A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received June 31, 1997 by the Division and final plans and
specifications for the subject project have been reviewed and found to be satisfactory. Authorization is hereby granted for the
construction of facilities at the above referenced plant discharging treated effluent into the Middle Fork of the South Fork of
the New River in the New River Basin. Specifically, this Authorization to Construct authorizes:
construction of:
• A 35,000 gpd package type extended aeration wastewater treatment plant (in addition to an existing 35,000 gpd
train) consisting of a 10,500 gallon aerated flow equalization tank, a 35,000 gallon diffused aeration basin, two
secondary clarifiers arranged in series,
• A 70,000 gpd dual cell tertiary filtration system with integrated chlorine contact and dechlorination chambers
including dual tablet chlorinators and dechlorinators,
• All necessary piping and appurtenances, and
modification of:
• The existing dechlorination chamber to provide diffused air for the purpose of post aeration.
This Authorization to Construct is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit No.
NC0032131 issued December 29, 1995, and shall be subject to revocation unless the wastewater treatment facilities are
constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit No. NC0032131.
The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance with G.S. 143-215.1 and in a
manner approved by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions, the
Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as may be required by this Division, such as the
construction of additional or replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
The Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number [phone], shall be notified at least forty-eight (48)
hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an in -place inspection can be made. Such notification to the
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

Permit No. NC0032131
Authorization to Construct
Tweetsie Railroad WWTP
September 8, 1997
Page 2
regional supervisor shall be made during the normal office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday,
excluding State Holidays.
Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a certification must be received
from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit,
this Authorization to Construct and the approved plans and specifications. Mail the Certification to the Permits and
Engineering Unit, P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, NC 27626-0535.
Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, the Permittee shall employ a certified
wastewater treatment plant operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator
must hold a certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a certified hack -up operator of the
appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. The ORC of the facility must
visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, III, and IV facility at least daily, excluding weekends and holidays,
and must properly manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and must comply with all other
conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. Once the facility is classified, the Permittee must submit a letter to the
Certification Commission which designates the operator in responsible charge within thirty days after the wastewater
treatment facilities are 50% complete.
A copy of the approved plans and specifications shall be maintained on file by the Permittee for the life of the
facility.
The Operational Agreement between the Permittee and the Environmental Management Commission is incorporated
herein by reference and is a condition of this Permit. Noncompliance with the terms of the Operational Agreement shall
subject the Permittee to all sanctions provided by G. S. 143-215.6 for violation of or failure to act in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Permit.
Failure to abide by the requirements contained in this Authorization to Construct may subject the Permittee to an
enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-
215.6C.
The issuance of this Authorization to Construct does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all
statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government agencies (local, state, and federal)
which have jurisdiction.

Permit No. NC0032131
Authorization to Construct
Tweetsie Railroad WWTP
September 8, 1997
Page 3
One (1) set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. If you have any questions or need
additional information, please contact Mr. Mark McIntire, telephone number [phone], extension 553.
Sincerely,
?t4( Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Central Files
NPDES Unit (Permit file)
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Davis -Martin -Powell & Associates, Inc. / Kenneth Keel, P.E.
218 Gatewood Avenue, Suite 102
High Point, NC 27262

Permit No. NC0032131
Authorization to Construct
Tweetsie Railroad WWTP
September 8, 1997
Page 4
Engineer's Certification
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the
project, , for the
Project Name Location
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation
of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and
intent of the approved plans and specifications.
Signature Registration No.
Date

Tweetsie Railroad, Inc.
NC0032131
Discharge Point
Latitude 36°09'53"
Longitude 81°38'47"
ROAD CLASSIFICATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
HARD SURFACE
LIGHT -DUTY ROAD, HARD OR
IMPROVED SURFACE
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
HARD SURFACE =MI= UNIMPROVED ROAD = =
Latitude 36°09'53" Longitude
Map # C12 NW Sub -basin 05-07-01
Stream Class WS-IV Trout
Discharge Class 100 % Domestic
Receiving Stream Middle Fork of South Fork of New River
Design Q 0.070 MGD Permit expires 1 1 / 30/ 00
81038'47
0
SCALE 1:24 000
1 MILE
7000 FEET
0
1 KILOMETER
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
Tweetsie Railroad
NC0032131
Watagua County
Package Treatment Plant