NC0000353_Issuance of Permit_20060831

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4 SOF`N ATFRQ Michael F.Easley,Governor
�0 G - William G.Ross Jr.,Secretary
rNorth Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
p Alan W.Klimek,P.E.Director
Division of Water Quality
August 31, 2006
Mr.Vince Sadowiski,Vice President
The Feldspar Corporation
P.O. Box 99
Spruce Pine,North Carolina 28777
Subject: NPDES Permit Issuance
NPDES Permit NC0000353
The Feldspar Corporation
Mitchell County
Dear Mr.Sadowiski:
Division personnel have reviewed and approved your application for renewal of the
subject permit. Accordingly, we are forwarding the attached NPDES discharge permit. This
permit is issued pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1
and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency dated May 9, 1994 (or as subsequently amended.)
The permit authorizes the Feldspar Corporation to discharge up to 3.5 MGD of treated
wastewater from the Feldspar Plant to the North Toe River, a class C Trout water in the
French Broad River Basin. The permit includes discharge limitations /or monitoring for flow,
total fluoride, total suspended solids (TSS), settleable solids, turbidity, pH, chloride, and
chronic toxicity.
The following modification has been made in the final permit, which was not included
in the April 26th draft:
• Stormwater discharge language has been revised to the most current language
and includes a Best Management Practices (BMPS) Plan, analytical and
qualitative monitoring requirements, and a schedule of compliance.
The permittee should note Part A (11) in regards to the permit modification condition
states that the permit shall be modified to incorporate new limitations in the event that
production changes are requested, or should any new fluoride using discharge request to
locate on the North Toe River. The Division has received a request from Unimin-Crystal to
modify their NPDES permit for direct discharge to the North Toe River. Feldspar's fluoride
limit will be reduced to a monthly average of 174 lb/day and a daily maximum of 348 lb/day
upon this occurrence.
The North Toe River is listed as an impaired stream on North Carolina's 2006 Draft
303(d) list. This means that the stream does not meet all water quality standards. It is the
plan of the Division to work for the improvement and recovery of the River. In the event of
Nom` Caro ina
Naturally
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh,NC 27699-1617 Phone[phone] Customer Service
Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org Location: 512 N.Salisbury St. Raleigh,NC 27604 Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer-50%Recycled/10%Post Consumer Paper

Letter to Mr.Sadowiski
Page 2
the continuance of problems, the future may require the removal of direct point source
dischargers to the North Toe River for the health of the stream. If there is noncompliance
with permitted effluent limits and degradation of the North Toe River can be attributed to the
Feldspar Corporation WW'TP discharge, then removal of the discharge may be necessary. The
Feldspar Corporation may determine in the future that an alternative to surface water
discharge may be more appropriate.
The "boilerplate" language is considered standard and cannot be changed to represent
individual facilities. The requirement to include standard permit conditions verbatim or by
reference is stipulated in 40 CFR 122.43. Language is interpreted appropriately for each
facility. w
If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this
permit are unacceptable to you, you have.the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon
written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this letter. This request must
be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina
General Statutes, and filed with the office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714. Unless such a demand is made, this permit
shall be final and binding. •
Please take notice that this permit is not transferable. The Division may require
modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit does not affect the
legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of
Water Quality or permits required by the Division of Land Resources, Coastal Area
Management Act, or any other Federal or Local governmental permits may be required.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms.
Jacquelyn Nowell at telephone number [phone], extension 512.
Sincerely,
411:4-2--/
Hyl. Alan W. Klimek, P.E. •
Attachments
cc: Asheville Regional Office/Surface Water Protection Section
EPA Region WI Marshall Hyatt . •
Aquatic Toxicology
NPDES File
Central Files

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Permit Number: NC0000353
• STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission,and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,as amended,
The F@Id3garQorporation Q 4 ,p tj-rA
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewatemme ter from a facility located at
The Feldspar Corporation
530 Altapass Road
Spruce Pine
Mitchell County
to receiving waters designated as the North Toe River in the French River Basin in accordance with
effluent limitations,monitoring requirements,and other conditions set forth in Parts I,II,III and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become effective October 1,2006.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on February 28,2011.
Signed this day August 31,2006.
/ter-- di
6o✓Alan W.Klimek,P.E.,Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the
Environmental Management Commission
1

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Permit Number: NC0000353
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby ._
revoked,and as of this issuance,any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective.
Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arisesunder the permit
conditions,requirements,terms,and provisions included herein.
The Feldspar Corporation
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue operation of a 3.5 MGD wastewater treatment facility consisting of:
• three clarifiers,
• polymer feed system,
• Lime feed system for pH adjustment,
• Vacuum filters,
• Enrico clarifier/thickener,
• Pump station emergency generator,
• flow measuring and totalizing equipment and
• two recycle pumps.
The facility is located at The Feldspar Corporation,530 Altapass Road,Spruce Pine,Mitchell County.
2. Discharge treated wastewater from said treatment works through outfall 001 d
a ails at the location(specified on the attached map into the North Toe
River,which is classified C Trout waters,in the French Broad River Basin.

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Facility Information Facility
Lat/Lonz 35°54'16" 82°03'47"—001; 35°54'17" 82°03'40"-002 Location
35°54'17" 82°03'42"- 003
Quad#: D1ONE Subbasin: 040306
Receiving Stream: North Toe River Stream Class: C-Trout The Feldspar Corporation
No th NC0000353
Permitted Flow: 35 MGD Mitchell County

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Permit Number: NC0000353
PART I.,SECTION A.
A. (1). EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
.�• During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lastinntil Unimin Corporation-
Crystal Operation(NC0084620) initiates direct discharge to the North The River or expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge process wastewater from o tf 11001. Such discharges shall be
limited and mo Pored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Avera c Maximum Frequency Type Location'
Flow 3.5 MG Continuous Recording I or E
Total Fluoride 2251 day 448 lb/day Daily Composite E, U, D
Total Suspended Solids 1 8lb/day 3137 lb/ Daily Composite E
Settleable Solids Daily Grab E
Turbidity2 aily Grab E, U, D
pH3 D Grab E, U, D
Chlorid Quarterly Composite E
Chronic l'oxicitys Quarterly Composite E
Notes:
1. Sample locations: E- Effluent, I- Influent, U-upstream at Altapass Road highway bridge, D-
downstream at footbridge in Spruce Pine. Instream samples shall be grab samples and shall be
conducted 3/week.
2. This discharge shall not increase the turbidity of the receiving waters more than 10 NTU. If the
turbidity exceeds 10 NTU due to natural background conditions, the discharge shall not cause
any increase in turbidity of the receiving water.
3. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
4. Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
5. Chronic Toxicity(Ceriodaphnia) Pass/Fail at 11.0%:January,April,July and October. See
Special Conditions A(5).
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

51' 1-6°
U Permit Number: NC0000353
A. (2). EFFLUE4T LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS •
During the period beginning when Unimin Corporation-Crystal Operation(NC0084620)initiates direct
discharge to the North Toe River and lasting until expiration,the Permittee is authorized to discharge
process wastewater from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as
specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location]
Flow 3.5 MGD Continuous Recording I or E
Total Fluoride 174 lb/day 348 lb/day Daily Composite E, U, D
Total Suspended Solids 1568 lb/day 3137 lb/day Daily Composite E
Settleable Solids Daily Grab E
Turbidity2 Daily Grab E, U, D
pH3 Daily Grab E. U, D
Chloride4 Quarterly Composite E
Chronic Toxicity5 Quarterly Composite E
1 a, ';✓
Notes:
1. Sample locations: E-Effluent, I- Influent, U-upstream at ge";D-
downstream at footbridge in Spruce Pine. Instream samples shall be grab samples and shall be
conducted 3/week.
2. This discharge shall not increase the turbidity of the receiving waters more than 10 NTU. If the
turbidity exceeds 10 NTU due to natural background conditions, the discharge shall not cause
any increase in turbidity of the receiving water.
3. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
4. Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
5. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) Pass/Fail at 11.0%:January,April,July and October. See
Special Conditions A(5).
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

Permit Number: NC0000353
A. (3). EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee
is authorized to discharge non-contact cooling water from outfall 002 (Fine Grind and Plant Number 1).
Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location'
Flow Monthly Recording I or E
Temperature 2 2 Monthly Grab E
Total Residual Chlorine3 28 ug/1 Monthly Grab E, U, D
pH4 Monthly Grab E
Notes:
1. Sample locations: E-Effluent, I- Influent, U-upstream, D-downstream. Instream samples shall be
grab samples and shall be conducted 3/week.
2. The temperature of the effluent shall not cause an increase in the temperature of the reciving
stream of more than 0.5 degrees C and in no case cause the ambient water remperature to exceed
20.0 degrees C.
3. Limits and monitoring requirements only apply if chlorine is added to the non-contact cooling
water.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A.(4). EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee
is authorized to discharge non-contact cooling water from outfall 003(Fine Grind and Plant Number 1).
Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location'
Flow Monthly Recording I or E
Temperature 2 2 Monthly Grab E
Total Residual Chlorine3 28 ug/1 Monthly Grab E, U, D
pH4 Monthly Grab E
Notes:
1. Sample locations: E- Effluent, I- Influent, U-upstream, D-downstream. Instream samples shall be
grab samples and shall be conducted 3/week.
2. The temperature of the effluent shall not cause an increase in the temperature of the reciving
stream of more than 0.5 degrees C and in no case cause the ambient water remperature to exceed
20.0 degrees C.
3. Limits and monitoring requirements only apply if chlorine is added to the non-contact cooling
water.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

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• Permit Number: NC0000353
A.(5). CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT(QRTRLY)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to
Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 11%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum,quarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the"North
Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure,"Revised February 1998,or subsequent versions or
"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure"(Revised-February 1998)or subsequent
versions.The tests will be performed during the months of January,April,July and October. Effluent sampling
for this testing shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or ChV below the
permit limit,then multiple-concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum,in each of the two
following months as described in"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure"
(Revised-February 1998)or subsequent versions.
The chronic value for multiple concentration tests will be determined using the geometric mean of the highest
concentration having no detectable impairment of reproduction or survival and the lowest concentration that does
have a detectable impairment of reproduction or survival. The definition of"detectable impairment,"collection
methods,exposure regimes,and further statistical methods are specified in the"North Carolina Phase II Chronic
Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure"(Revised-February 1998)or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form(MR-1)for the months in which tests were performed,using the parameter code TGP3B for the
pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally,DWQ Form AT-3(original)is to be sent to the
following address:
Attention:North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Section
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Environmental Sciences Section no later than 30
days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete,accurate,include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all
concentration/response data,and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature.
Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for
disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,the
permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity(AT)test form indicating the
facility name,permit number,pipe number,county,and the month/year of the report with the notation of"No Flow"
in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Environmental Sciences Section at the address
cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,monitoring will be
required during the following month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water
Quality indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream,this permit may be re-opened and modified to include
alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document,such as minimum control organism
survival,minimum control organism reproduction,and appropriate environmental controls,shall constitute an
invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month
following the month of the initial monitoring.

Permit Number: NC0000353
A. (6). BIOCIDES
The permittee shall obtain authorization form the Division of Water Quality prior to utilizing any new
biocide in cooling water to be discharged. The permittee shall notify the Director in writing,not later
than ninety(90)days prior to instituting use of any additional biocide used in cooling systems,which
may be toxic to aquatic life other than those previously reported to the Division of Water Quality. Such
notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 and a map locating the discharge
point and receiving stream. No chromium,zinc,or copper shall be added to the treatment system except
as pre-approved additives to biocidal compounds.
A. (7). WASTEWATER DIVERSION _
Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facility is prohibited.
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A. (8). TURBIDITY REOPENER
This permit shall be modified,or revoked and reissued to incorporate new turbidity effluent limitations
in the event that violations of the turbidity standard of the North Carolina Water Quality Standard occur
as a result of this discharge.
A. (9).SOLIDS REMOVAL
Solids removed or resulting from the wastewater treatment process shall be contained and disposed of in
such a manner as to prevent any contamination of the surface waters of the State.
A. (10). FLUORIDE REOPENER
This permit shall be modified,or revoked and reissued to incorporate new fluoride effluent limitations in
the event that acute or chronic bioassay testing or other studies results in a change in the North Carolina
Water Quality Standard for fluoride.
A. (11). PERMIT MODIFICATIONS
This permit shall be modified,or revoked and reissued to incorporate new limitations in the event that
production changes are requested or should any new fluoride using discharge request to locate on the
North Toe River.

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• Permit Number: NC0000353
Part II.
STORMWATER MONITORING,CONTROLS AND LIMITATIONS FOR PERMITTED
DISCHARGES
SECTION A. STORMWATER BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS)PLAN
1.The permittee shall implement stormwater BMPs to ensure that contaminants do not
— enter surface waters via stormwater that comes in contact with any unstabilized
overburden,raw materials, intermediate products,finished products,byproducts or waste
products located on the site covered by this permit.A BMP Plan shall be developed in
accordance with the requirements of this section.The BMP Plan requirement, or portions of
the plan requirement,may be met by utilizing appropriate requirements in other
documented plans specific to the permitted facility.
2.Management of Stormwater Runoff and Runon.The permittee shall maintain stormwater
BMPs for land disturbance areas and outside process areas. In addition, controls should be
used to limit or isolate selected land disturbance and process areas and limit the amount of
off site stormwater runon to those areas.Appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs)
should be used to divert,infiltrate,reuse or otherwise manage stormwater runoff and
runon in a manner that reduces pollutants in stormwater discharges leaving the site.
Appropriate BMPs may include but are not limited to:vegetative swales,berms,use of
reclaimed mine areas, and reuse of collected stormwater(such as for an industrial process
or as an irrigation source). -
3.BMP Controls Inspection and Maintenance.All stormwater BMPs shall be inspected by
or under the direction of the permittee at least once every seven calendar days and within
24 hours after any storm event that results in a discharge.The BMPs implemented shall be
operated and maintained so that they are cleaned out when the sediment storage capacity
has been reduced by 50%.If any visible sedimentation is leaving the property,corrective
action shall be taken to reduce the discharge of sediments. Visible sedimentation found
offsite shall be recorded with a brief explanation as to the measures taken to prevent future
releases as well as any measures taken to remove the sediment that left the site.All other
stormwater specific controls(e.g.oil/water separators)shall be inspected and qualitatively
monitored on a semiannual schedule,once in the fall(September-November) and once
during the spring(April-June).A log of sampling data and of activities taken to implement
BMPs associated with the vehicle maintenance activities shall be maintained and
incorporated into the BMP Plan and kept onsite for the duration of the permit term and
made available to the Director upon request.
4.Erosion and Sedimentation Control.The permittee shall implement the management
practices and the erosion and sedimentation control measures that are included in the
mining permit or erosion and sedimentation control permit issued by the Division of Land
Resources.Compliance with the issued permit is considered a requirement of this permit.

Permit Number: NC0000353 •
Any deviation from the issued permit, or amendments to the issued permit, that impacts
water quality shall constitute a violation of the terms and conditions of this permit.A
signed copy of the issued permit including the approved erosion and sedimentation control
measures and the reclamation plan shall be maintained on the site at all times.Once an area
is released by the Division of Land Resources in accordance withNCGS Chapter 74,Article
7,it shall no longer be subject to this permit.
•
5. Preventive Maintenance Inspections and Good Housekeeping Practices. Equipment
utilized during mining activity on a site must be operated and maintained in such a manner
�.. as to prevent potential or actual pollution of the surface water or ground waters of the state.
Fuels,lubricants,coolants, and hydraulic fluids,or any other petroleum products, shall not
be discharged on the ground or into surface waters. Spent fluids shall be disposed of in a
manner so as not to enter the surface waters or ground waters of the state and in
accordance with applicable federal disposal regulations. Any spilled fluids shall be cleaned
up to the maximum extent practicable and disposed of in a manner that does not allow their
entry into the surface waters or ground waters of the state.
6. Secondary Containment. The permittee shall provide secondary containment for bulk
storage of liquid materials, storage of Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act(SARA)water priority chemicals, or storage of hazardous liquids
substances to prevent leaks and spills from contaminating stormwater runoff.If the
secondary containment devices are connected directly to stormwater conveyance systems,
the connection shall be controlled by manually activated valves or other similar devices
(which shall be secured with a locking mechanism) and any stormwater that accumulates in
the containment area shall be at a minimum visually observed for color,foam,outfall
staining,visible sheens and dry weather flow,prior to release of the accumulated
stormwater.Accumulated stormwater shall be released if found to be uncontaminated by
the material stored within the containment area.
SECTION B: ANALYTICAL AND QUALITATIVE MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
FOR DISCHARGES COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF STORMWATER
Analytical monitoring for stormwater discharges shall be performed for parameters as specified in Tables
1 through 4.All analytical monitoring shall be performed during a representative storm event as defined
in Part VII.
In situations where stormwater runoff is controlled by some type basin or
retention/detention pond, the following provisions are applicable for sample collection for
analytical monitoring:
**Analytical monitoring for stormwater discharges from a basin or other similar control
structures must be performed within the first 30 minutes of discharge.

•
•
Permit Number: NC0000353
•
• Analytical monitoring for a basin/pond designed to contain the 10-year design storm(see
Part VII,Definitions)without discharging is not required. Qualitative monitoring for color,
foam,outfall staining,visible sheen and dry weather flow is the only monitoring
requirement.
• Analytical and qualitative monitoring are not required for a basin/pond designed to
• contain the 25-year,24-hour storm(see Part VII, Definitions)without discharging.A basin/
pond meeting this provision is considered a non-discharging stormwater control.
1.Analytical Monitoring for Stormwater Discharges from Land Disturbance and Process
Areas. .
Analytical monitoring for stormwater discharges from land disturbance and process areas
shall be performed as specified in Table 1.
Table 1.Analytical Monitoring Requirements for Stormwater Discharges from Land
Disturbing Activities and Process Areas
Discharge Measurement Sample - Sample
Characteristics Units ... Frequency" Type2 Location3-
Setdeable Solids mill Annually Grab SDO
Total Suspended Solids mgh Annually Grab SDO
Turbidity NTU Annually Grab SDO
Total Rainfall's inches Annually — —
Event Duration4 minutes Annually — --
Total Flow4 ' MG Annually — SDO
Footnotes:
1 Measurement Frequency:Once per year during a representative storm event.A year is defined as the 12
month period beginning on the month and day of issuance of the permit.
2 The sample is collected within the first 30 minutes of discharge from the outfall.
3 Sample Location:Samples shall be collected at each stormwater discharge outfall(SDO)unless
representative outfall status has been granted.
4 For each sampled representative storm event,the total precipitation,storm duration,and total flow
must be monitored.Total flow shall be either;(a)measured continuously,(b)calculated based on the
amount of area draining to the outfall,the amount of built-upon(impervious)area,and the total amount
of rainfall,or(c)estimated by the measurement of flow at 20 minute intervals during the rainfall event.

•
Permit Number: NC0000353 •
2. Qualitative Monitoring for Stormwater Discharges from Land Disturbance Areas,
Process Areas and Vehicle Maintenance Areas.
Qualitative monitoring requires a visual inspection of all stormwater outfalls with
stormwater runoff from land disturbance, process or vehicle maintenance areas
regardless of representative outfall status or cut-off concentrations and shall be
performed as specified below in Table 2. No analytical tests are required.
The first qualitative monitoring event during the term of the permit must coincide with
the initial analytical monitoring event (regardless of the season). All other qualitative
monitoring will be performed twice per year, once in the spring (April-June) and once
in the fall (September-November) and does not need to be performed during a
representative storm event.
Table 2.Qualitative Monitoring Requirements
Discharge Characteristics Frequency Monitoring
. .:. ;Location&
Color Semi- nnnal SDO
Odor Semi-Annual SDO
Clarity Semi-Annual SDO
Floating Solids Semi-Annual SDO
Suspended Solids Semi-Annual SDO
Foam Semi-Annual SDO
Oil Sheen Semi Annual SDO
Deposition at or immediately below the semi_Ammai SDO
outfall
Erosion at or immediately below the Semi-Annual SDO
outfall
Other obvious indicators Semi-Annual SDO
of stormwater pollution
Footnotes:
1 Monitoring Location:Qualitative monitoring shall be performed at each stormwater discharge outfall
(SDO)associated with land disturbance areas,process areas and vehicle maintenance areas regardless of
representative outfall status.

Permit Number: NC0000353
SECTION C: SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE
1. The permittee shall comply with Final Limitations and Controls specified for
stormwater discharges in accordance with the following schedule:
For the land disturbance activities:
a.Implement BMP's and stormwater controls,as appropriate on the effective date of--
permit coverage,at existing operations.
b.Develop and implement BMP's and stormwater controls,as appropriate,prior to
beginning land disturbance activity at new operations.
2. Permittee shall at all times provide the operation and maintenance necessary to operate
the permitted stormwater controls at optimum efficiency.

Outfall 001 Test results taken from monthly DRM's Permit No. NC0000353
20041 Flow MGD pH (su) . Fluoride (m9/L) Fluoride(#/Day) TSS (mg/l) TSS (#/Day) Chloride
r r r r r r
o w ox fDE aw ox oca aw m x � � 0 � ow m2 oK ow 02 om ow (i) „3 3 p
X x -. x
S .,, x `< (a f0 CD ,z xx `< W j a .0 x .< C,.) ,-,2, N ,C' x `< W (1 m ..C; x � (a z N ;z x '< W CO CD N
o co 3 o p = 0 m 3 0 co 3 0 m 3 0 cD 3
Jan. 2.87 2.38 2.38 7.98 7.98 , 12.4 8.92 8.92 254.4 179.01 179.01 153 53.71 53.71 2564.8 1061 1060.6 <5
Feb. 3.33 2.38 2.38 7.43 7.43 . 12.4 9.18 9.18 307.7 180.9 180.9 68 49.9 49.9 1471.9 987.2 987.2
Mar. 2.9 2.12 2.12 8.8 8.8 16.5 9.19 9.19 225.68 161.71 161.71 76 52.2 52.2 1321.1 920.3 920.32
Apr. 3.27 2.42 2.42 7.84 7.84 12.9 9.49 9.49 294.2 192 192 60 47.4 47.4 1340.6 964 964 41
May 3.07 2.42 2.42 7.77 7.77 16.4 10.7 10.7 359 210.6 210.6 67 47.8 47.8 1542.2 977.9 977.9
June 3.18 2.16 2.16 7.64 7.64 �.: 17.1 10.7 10.7 389.9 196.2 196.2 96 51.7 51.7 2546 1009 1009
Jul. 2.58 1.67 1.67 7.33 7.33 14.2 10.4 10.4 210.9 144.5 144.5 77 53.6 53.6 1205 747.2 747.23 27
Aug 3.06 1.88 1.88 7.6 7.6 '•, 17.4 11.3 11.3 431.3 177.9 177.9 80 53.7 53.7 1433 850 850
Sept 2.5 1.66 1.66 7.54 7.54 F:,•• 21.4 13.4 13.4 364.1 196.7 196.7 90 54.1 54.1 1417.8 813.6 813.6
Oct. 2.85 1.71 1.71 7.32 7.32 16.9 10.8 - 10.8 312.1 154.7 154.7 109 57.8 57.8 1450 803.5 803.5
, ..4,
Nov. 3.86 2.66 2.66 8.33 8.33 ' 17.2 10.75 10.75 382.8 229.9 229.9 105 63 63 2390.7 1344 1344.3 38
Dec 4.18 2.09 2.09 9.12 9.12 - 19.6 10.8 10.8 398.8 191.4 191.4 81 55.4 55.4 2161.4 986.2 986.2
4.18 2.66 2.129 9.12 9.12 21.4 13.4 10.47 431.3 229.9 184.63_ 153 63 53.36 2564.8 1344 955.32 41
Monitoring Frequency
2005 Flow MGD pH (su) . Fluoride(m.9/L) Fluoride(#/Day) TSS (mQ/I) TSS (#/Day) Chloride
o v m ow m2 FK ow ; ca EK ow m � FK Ow m2 EK ow m2 FK ov cD2 3v
_: v v x _: v v x 1 _: v v x _: v v x '3 _: v v x 'z _, v m x .� co a
st .� x -c o r, .. x .< wo D 3 ,z x wo (D 3 ,� x •-c o CD , x sc 0w 3 x wo o 3
Jan. 31 31 31 31 31 31 1
Feb. 29 28 29 29 29 29
Mar. 31 31 31 31 31 31
Apr. 30 30 28 28 28 28 1
May 31 31 31 31 31 31
June 30 30 30 30 30 30
Jul. 31 31 31 31 31 31 1
Aug 31 31 31 31 31 31
Sept 30 28 28 28 28 28
Oct. 31 31 31 31 31 31
Nov. 30 30 30 30 30 30 1
Dec 31 30 31 31 31 31
Total 366 362 362 362 362 362 4

FT ;I•
IL4nvlronmental, Inc. [phone] • FAX [phone]
P.O. Box 16414, Greenville. SC 29606 4 Craftsman Court. Greer, SC 29650
DATE REPORTED: May 21, 2004
CLIENT: Attn: Torn Freeman
Feldspar Corporation
530 Altapass Rd. .
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Lab#: SAMPLE ID
23777-9 Effluent: 4-27-04 0700
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS REPORT
•
CWA Analysis
Sample tp Parameter JLesultnits mctsg Date/Time Analyst
Effluent Total Boron 4105 mg/I 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Aluminum 0.47 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Antimony <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Arsenic <0.002 mg/L 200.1 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Beryllium <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Barium 0.011 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Cadmium <0.001 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Calcium 39 mgfL 200.7 5-6-04 1023 MSC
Effluent Total Cobalt <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Chromium <0.002 mg/I 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Copper 0.003 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Iron 1.3 mg/L 200.7 5-4-041334 MSC
Effluent Total Lead <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Magnesium 2.7 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Manganese 0.21 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Molybdenum <0,005 mgt 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Nickel 0.019 mg/L 200,7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Selenium <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Silver <0.002 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Potassium 2.0 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Sodium 3-7 mg/L 200.7 5-5-04 1255 MSC
Effluent Total Thallium <0.002 mg/. 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Titanium <0.010 mg/I. 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Page-1-

CWA Analysis -
Sample ID Parameter Resul Units Method Pate/Time Ana
Effluent Total Tin <0.002 mg/I 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Zinc 0.11 mg/L 200.7 5-4-04 1334 MSC
Effluent Total Mercury <0.0002 mg/L 245.1 5-4-04 1157 MBS
Effluent Nitrate 0,19 mg/L 300.0 4-28-041301 TAR
Effluent Nitrite <0.10 mg/L 300,0 4-28-041301 TAR
Effluent I Sulfate 23 mg/I 300.0 4-28-041301 TAR
Effluent Bromide <0.10 mg/L 300.0 4-28-041301 TAR
Effluent Chloride 45 mg/L 300.0 4--28-041301 TAR
Effluent Fluoride 12 mg/L 300.0 4-28-041301 TAR
Effluent Color 10 mg/L 2120 B 4-28-04 1217 MLL
<025 m
Effluent Phosphorus B/L 4500 P F 5-6.04 1826 BCF
Effluent Sulfide <2.0 mg/L 4500-S E 5-1-04 1120 CVM
<0,10 mg/L MBAS.Sutfaetsnts 5540 C 4-28-04 1325 CVM
Effluent Ammonia as N <0.10 mg/L 4500-NH3 H 5-6-04 1036 CVM
<5.0
Effluent Oil&Grease mg/L 1664A 5-11-041230 TCM
Effluent Phenol 0.15 mg/L 420.1 5-5-04 0850 . TCM
Effluent Total Cyanide <0.002 mg/L 4500-CN E 5-4-04 1505 CVM
Effluent Fecal Coliform <2 cfu/100m1/9222D 4-27-04 1640 MLL
NC Laboratory Certification #022
Outside Laboratory Certification#402
Reported ay:
..t 14
T1 p. ././
Robert W. Kelley, Ph.D., Laboratory Manager
Page-2-

4
Wastewater Flowsheet
The Feldspar Corporation, Spruce Pine, NC
NPDES Permit No. NC 0000353 - Mitchell County
Current/ Potential flows (outfall 001)
____,-1, 1
t
300 PM
110 ),A, 1 Unimin Cruystal Plant I•
400/600 CPM Fluoride Cla fier Disk Filter
2,00/400 CPM Treatment
200/300 CrM
Dryer Scrubber
i •
I 55'Clarifier
100 CPM 150/400
Ili Plant No. 1 GPM
1 4
Outfall 002 Fluoride Recycle 4—
► Effluent to North
Outfall 001 ►
1500 Wastewater Plant ► Toe River
GPM
Non-Fluoride
-- - Recycle •
4 —0. Plant No. 2.• 1800/2400 CPM N. - o
Outfall 003 E-CAT — N
Equalization Clarifier/ a a)
Box Thickner 0 N
`'` 59/300 CPM 1 N E
CN
1 /\V
Disk Filter 40'
Clarifier
1 / Mineral Tailings
Plant No. 3" Mineral Tailings
--
Fresh Water
i
I
Both plants do not operate at the same time unless Plant#2 operates on Total recycle

•
p82"05'10.00 , p82"04'0.00" (182"03'0.00"INJL
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1 Al4---,.---f
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. *.*.----- --- - -: -, C.,_ .....4) e• ‘ A" ' \--
•— f—j1iTjp \ J Th .���� `- - f ',`t; • ��•/'• )' -- ,oa 1•,1. '2 o
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082°05'0.00"W I 082°040.00" 1 082°03'0.00°W
l
Name: SPRUCE PINE Location: 035° 54' 17.9" N 082°03'44.4" W
Date: 8/28/105 Caption: Topo Map showing 1 mile area around The Feldspar
Scale: 1 inch equals 2000 feet Corporation NPDES Permit No. NC 0000353
Copyright(C)1997,Maptech,Inc.

Tailings (Sludge) Disposal Plan for The Feldspar Corporation
Spruce Pine Operations: NPDES No. NC0000353
The Feldspar Corporation produces mineral tailings(sludge)at its wastewater facility
located at 530 Altapass road in Spruce Pine,NC. These mineral tailings are disposed of
as follows:
Tailings from the wastewater facility are conveyed outside the building to a staging and
storage area. Tailings are moved to disposal sites by dump bed trucks on Federal, state,
municipal and private roads. Trucks are covered during the transport of this material to
prevent the materials from blowing off the trucks.
Sites are chosen for tailings disposal that will enhance the value of real property by filling
and not present problems through the loss of materials to surface waters by erosion.
Steam buffers are observed(25' min.)and wetlands and seeps are avoided if possible.
Sites are planned and approved by submittal of a soil and erosion control plan through the
NCDENR Land Quality,which explains the land disturbance activities and also gives
details on how stormwater runoff will be handled,how sediment loss will be controlled
and how final reclamation of the site will be performed. Landowner agreements must be
signed to assure future preservation of the sites.
The tailings are also used in reclamation of mine sites and some are sold as fill material.
Ceramic companies who make floor tile and other ceramic products have bought the
tailings for use as a raw material.

1)ratt Permits(12)
Subject:Draft Permits(12)
From: John Giorgino<[e-mail]>
Date: Mon,22 May 2006 14:40:18-0400
To: Jackie Nowell<[e-mail]>
Jackie, I have reviewed the following permits (I am late getting back to you on some
of them, but did not have any comments) . Thanks for forwarding them.
NC0025321
NC0021962
NC0074705
NC0023884
NC0005177
NC0000361
NC0000400
NC0084620
NC0085839
NC0000353
NC0000175
NC0060534
John Giorgino
Environmental Biologist
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Section
Aquatic Toxicology Unit
Mailing Address:
1621 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Office: 919 733-2136
Fax: [phone]
"The real work of men was hunting meat. The invention of agriculture was a giant step
in the wrong direction, leading to serfdom, cities, and empire. From a race of
hunters, artists, warriors, and tamers of horses, we degraded ourselves to what we are
now: clerks, functionaries, laborers, entertainers, processors of information." -
Edward Abbey
•
1 of 1 5/77/7&16 l•fR PM

• ASHEVILLE
CITIZEN TIMES
VOICE OF THE MOUNTAINS•CITIZEN-TIMES.com •
•
14 0. Henry Avenue•P.O. Box 2090•Asheville,NC 28802.828-252-5611 •FAX [phone]
•
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
,„;;,-.01.41 ,-TEF NOTICE
IIRA . , BUNCOMBE COUNTY
SNORIAOLI j
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SS.
COMMISSION L NPDES UNIT
-tee 1617 MAIL y
1 fIRAEIGH;t(G27699-1617 • a NORTH CAROLINA
i , OTIFFICATTION-OF INTENT_:TO ISSUE •
_-...-. A NPDES WrASSTE{yWA,TE ypP�E�RM T -s
On.the basis"General
rev ew anisic aww Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said
cation of NC Genct'al Statute.143.21 Public law
92-500•and other lawful :standards and regula-
tions,'the;North Carolina Environmental Man- County and State, duly commissioned, qualified and
a9ement Commission proposes'to issue a Nation-
(NPPollutant Discharge charge p rmit:System authorized by law to administer oaths,personally
(NPDES) 'wastewaters,dlschdrge permit-to
Person(s)d listed below effective 45 days from the. appeared Velene Fagan,who, being first duly
publish date of this nofice��.�-s'
Written comments regarding'the_:proposed-.(per• sworn, deposes and says: that she is the Legal
mit will be accepted__until 30. .days after the pub-
lish date of this notice-:All comments received Billing Clerk of The Asheville Citizen-Times,
prior-to that-date-ore-considered,in the final de-
terminatrons newspaperregarding-.ihe,,proposed permit..The engaged inpublication of a known as
' Director of theN Divis on of sfVoter Quality mar
r decide to hold acpublic:meeting:for.he proposed
i,permit should•the Division=e'eceiveea significant The Asheville Citizen-Times, published, issued,
degree of pub ic-interest'
Copies of h itraft"permit'and`athersuP iflr;e. and entered as second class mail in the City of
information on filevsed"to determine conditions Asheville, in said County and State;that she is
Present in„the"draft permit;,are`availableupom=re-.
quest,and'Payment of.the costs of reproduction.
Mail comments'and/or.-requests.,for_information authorized to make this affidavit and sworn
to the NC Division of Water Quality.at the above
address or-call the Point Source.Branch at (919) statement., that the notice or other legal
733-5083, extension 520;or"363.r-Please`.include:,the
NPDES permit_fe nu ested r7,(attached).in any come advertisement, a true copy of which is attached
munication. Inferested‘personsmaY,alsd visit
Division of Water Quality at,;512;,N :Salisbury
Street, Raleigh, NC 27604;1148,betweenfthe hours hereto, was published in The Asheville Citizen-
ofn file.00 a.m. and 5:00 p:m. to review information Times on the following date: April 27`h, 2006.And
on "iev
NPDES Permit-Number.NC00001757 Unimin Cur- that the said newspaper in which said notice paper
potation Qua, Feldsbarl/kFacilitY Mitchell: >P p
County, has.appliii0o17reneilar of Rs permit dis- document or legal advertisement was published
charging treated wastewaterb the North'-Toe
River;in the;.E,,ench.Broadtf2iver_Basin....Current-
Is'fluoride"and total suspended;�solids are water was, at the time of each and every publication,a
quality limIte-,Mils/dischargeimay effects future
allocations I his .rilo of e "eceiving newspaper meeting all of the requirements and
stream. t+ ,q.
NPDES Permit Number` ,00000353 T i.::`Feid -qualifications of Section 1-597 of the General
spar•Corporation N Mitchell county;•rfias applied
for>�renewal-jot.lits,,,permit j discharginat treated Statues of North Carolina and was a qualified
wastewatervbnd.noncontact cooling:;water•;to;the
North Toe River`in:the French Broad'River-Ba- newspaper within the meaning of Section 1-597 of
sin. Currentlytfluoride'.and,totalsuspended:solids.
are.water quality limited..This discharge may af• the General Statues of North Carolina.
feet,future allocationsrinsthis portion of the-=re.
ceivingstream•.S 4'.Bks+ ''� ''
NPDES Permit Number NC0084620, Unimin-Cor-
poration ' Crystal.Operation; has appliedl,for Si is 27th day of April, 2006
modification and renewal'of tts13ermit-dfscharrgp-•
ing treatedwwastewaterl.heljiJorth ToeaRiye rin- , f
•the French_Broad .R ver:.Bas n'4Currentiy jluo UJ`
ride`fih water quality limited ,,TThis discharge may
affect,future allocations;;Inms portion of the re
ceivingstream. • }` 1 •; �-
NPDES Permit Number 0399, Unimin Cor (Signature of person making ldav
poration - Red-Mill Quartz Plant, has applied,for-
renewal
orrenewal of its permit for_a facility discharging
treated wastewater to the:North Toe River in the
French Broad.River Basin Currently fluoride 1s
water,quality limited This discharge may affect Sworn to and s gibed before me the 27th c y, ,,,
future allocations an this,portion of the receiving �P� tia,
• stream. i I Ap • , 106 ,11" . JOYF ti,
:visit-- fit',.,,,..,,,. �r A •.
April 27 2006;£: �I �, ' �' ��
(2282) ± ,. .. sL
.� r;: an y W, y />�I. I.pnow,„ • � : � g RV.m
_...,....�- •- (No Pub ) • L _ a
��.,7f-� '‹I
My Co • ssion expires the 3rd day of is :
2008. 11.I,
CO O�4't
MBEG "
,�0j�a"tarar.....,

\iv)ST,iT�S
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
w REGION 4
ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 'S
3� o� 61 FORSYTH STREET •-'"`"�
49;.4 Pgot� ATLANTA,GEORGIA 30303-8960
MAY 2 3 200 '.\
Ms. Jackie Nowell -----
North
North Carolina Department of Environment and \�
P 3
Natural Resources \ h^P
r
Division of Water Quality N
NPDES Unit ;
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 •
SUBJ: Draft NPDES Permit
Feldspar Corp. - Permit No. NC0000353
Dear Ms. Nowell:
In accordance with the EPA/NCDENR NPDES MOA, we have completed review of the
draft permit specified above and have no comments or objections to its conditions. We request
that we be afforded an additional review opportunity only if significant changes are made to the
draft permit prior to issuance or if significant comments objecting to it are received. Otherwise,
please send us one copy of the final permit when issued.
If you have any questions, please call me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Marshall Hyatt, Environmental Scientist
Permits, Grants, and Technical Assistance Branch
Water Management Division
Internet Address(URL)• http://www.epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable•Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper(Minimum 30%Postconsumer)

comments on NC0000353,Feldspar Corp.
Subject: comments on NC0000353, Feldspar Corp.
From: [e-mail]
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 10:35:44 -0400
To:[e-mail]
will be glad to discuss any of the below with you further because some
of these may affect the other mining permits that are being drafted.
1. I understand why the fluoride limits are being reduced if/when
Unimin Crystal begins to discharge. Why aren't the TSS limits similarly
reduced?
el-
2. The first page of the fact sheet should refer to TSS, rather than
�,{� total suspended residue.
•
'�` 3. If the North Toe R. is now listed as impaired for turbidity by NC,
\d, the turbidity requirements in A.1 and A.2 should be expressed as no
increase above background until a TMDL is established. As drafted,
allowing a 10 NTU increase above background will worsen the current
impairment and would be a basis for EPA objection.
4. In A.3 and A.4, the temperature requirement in footnote 2 is based
),i
on comparison to instream conditions, but upstream and downstream
temperature monitoring is not required. Why not? I realize the current
permit is written this way, but that doesn't appear to be correct.
Ai
O:
w\ :(44 CY1,41 GM ''
1\ 4f ( 5/5 L')Ig 11'.17 „04,,s1d1-1
#0.
re" p, . 4 ,,,, vex'
Uc ,
l` i„J, 5"r
O�t11Ml11flerr6l A((
w • C. Z Y
4
ply')
1 of 1 5/9/2006 10:42 AM

DENR/DWQ
FACT SHEET FOR NPDES PERMIT DEVELOPMENT
NPDES No. NC0000353
Facility Information
Applicant/Facility Name: The Feldspar Corporation
Applicant Address: P.O. Box 99 Spruce Pine NC 28777
Facility Address: 530 Altapass Road Spruce Pine NC 28777
Permitted Flow 3.5 MGD
Type of Waste: Industrial
Facility/Permit Status: Renewal
Facility Classification Physical/Chemical Class II
County: Mitchell
Miscellaneous
Receiving Stream: North Toe River Regional Office: Asheville
Stream Classification: C Trout USGS Topo Quad: D ZONE
303(d) Listed?: No* (See Permit Writer: Jackie Nowell
Receiving Stream
Information)
Subbasin: 04-03-06 Date: 4/10/2006
Drainage Area (mi2): 126
Summer 7Q10 (cfs) 43
Winter 7Q10 (cfs): 55
Average Flow(cfs): 260
IWC (%): 11%
Primary SIC Code: 1499 (Mining)
SUMMARY OF FACILITY INFORMATION AND WASTELOAD ALLOCATION
The Feldspar Corporation is requesting a permit renewal for its industrial minerals processing
facility. The facility produces feldspar, quartz and mica. The facility is permitted to discharge
into the North Toe River, class C-Trout waters, in French Broad River Basin. Feldspar's
outfall 001 discharges the treated process water and outfalls 002 and 003 discharge cooling
water.
Currently the Unimin Corp.-Crystal Plant(NC0084620) effluent discharge also goes to the
Feldspar Corporation WWTP. (Unimin has submitted a permit modification for the Crystal
plant for construction of outfall and pump station to begin direct discharge into the North Toe
River.) This modification will cause a reduction in the fluoride limit for the Feldspar
Corporation as indicated in both permits.
The existing limits for the renewal permit are as follows:
Pollutant Mo. Avg. Da. Max.
Flow 3.5 MGD •
Total Suspended 1568 lbs/day 3131 lbs/day
Residue
Total Fluoride 225 lbs/day 448 lbs/day
Settleable Solids Daily monitoring
Turbidity Daily monitoring
Chloride Qrtrly monitorini
pH 6-10 SU
Chronic Toxicity 11%
If Unimin Corp.-Crystal Plant begins direct discharge to North Toe River. the fluoride
limits for Feldspar Corp. are reduced to the following
Total Fluoride 174 lbs/day 348 lbs/day
The Feldspar Corporation Fact sheet
NPI:)ES Renewal
Page 1

RECEIVING STREAM INFORMATION:
*The North Toe River is not listed on North Carolina's 2004-303(d) list, however it should be
noted that the 2005 French Broad River Basin Management Plan has a segment of the North
Toe River with a use support rating of Impaired based on turbidity and riparian area loss. The
segment also has a bioclassification rating of Fair (It is listed as biologically impaired on the
2006 Draft 303d list).
At this time, DWQ proposes no changes to the previously developed load allocations. Neither
the impairment nor the turbidity violation is directly attributable to the discharges. However,
the facility will be notified via the cover letter about potential impacts due to the Draft 303d
list.
INSTREAM MONITORING:
Upstream: Station #56 / Upstream at the Altapass Road highway bridge
Downstream: Station #59 / Downstream at the footbridge in Spruce Pine.
Parameters: Fluoride,Turbidity, pH,
A review of summer and winter instream data shows that fluoride standard is being protected
downstream of the Feldspar discharge. Instream Fl values are typically<0.5 mg/1. Turbidity
values do exceed the standard of 10 NTU at times and are usually the highest between the
months of May thru August. Upstream and downstream values during those months range
from 11 -22 NTU. The remaining months show turbidity ranges from 3-9.4 NTU.
TOXICITY TEST RESULTS:
Quarterly Chronic P/F, 11% Ceriodaphnia test. JAN APR JUL OCT
Facility's compliance with toxicity limit has been excellent. They have passed all toxicity tests
since the last renewal in June 2004.
Recommendation: Renewal of quarterly chronic test 0 11%
PRIORITY POLLUTANT ANALYSIS RESULTS:
Updated information needs to be submitted by Feldspar. Priority pollutant data in the
current application was evaluated at the last renewal.
COMPLIANCE REVIEW:
Facility has consistently been in compliance with most permit limits with the exception of one
exceedance of the fluoride limit in Nov. 2004 and one pH exceedance in May 2004
PROPOSED CHANGES:
■ The addition of a total residual chlorine limit of 28 ug/1 based on its presence in the
Feldspar effluent. Application indicates a maximum discharge of 41 mg/1. North
Carolina procedure requires TRC limit for all discharges. Since the North Toe River has
a trout classification, then TRC limit must be applied.
■ No changes will be made to permit but fluoride limits will be reduced upon start up of
Unimin Crystal plant. Unimin Crystal plant has submitted permit modification for
direct discharge. Feldspar's new fluoride limit will be 174 pounds per day (monthly
average) and 348 pounds per day (daily maximum) when Unimin Corporation begins
direct discharge to North Toe River.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR PERMIT ISSUANCE:
Draft Permit to Public Notice: 04/26/2006
Permit Scheduled to Issue: 06/19/2006
Projected Effective Date of Permit: 08/01/2006
The l'eld par C:nr ora:ion I'actst.eel
NPDES Renewal
Rig;2

•
• STATE CONTACT:
If you have any questions on any of the above information or on the attached permit, please
contact J. kie Nowell at [phone] ext. 512.
, -
NAME: _ ' DATE: ,1/4/Z4rd
REGIONAL OFFICE COMMENTS:
/AYEni i> . j E 2J P:40,:e a.FG
9� as/ ZAG F D� �.c.�. -R5cM,0024 OS.
NAME: DATE: L/41g.
WQ SUPER SOR: DATE:
NPDES SUPERVISOR COMMENT:
NAME: DATE:
The Feldspar CorporaEion Fad sheet
NPDES Renewal
Pa,N 3

Feldspar - Feldspar was first mined in North Carolina in 1911 in the Spruce Pine
district,the main feldspar-producing district in North America. Original mining
was from pegmatite bodies but current mining is from alaskite,a very coarse-
grained, light-colored,feldspar-quartz-muscovite rock. Composition of the rocks
averages about 40 percent plagioclase (soda-spar), 25 percent quartz, 20 percent
microcline (potash-spar),and 15 percent muscovite. The alaskite is processed using
a three-stage acid circut Mallon.By-product mica and silica are also recovered.
Most of the production is from mines in Mitchell County,but companies in the
Kings Mountain-Cherryville area recover a feldspar-silica concentrate during mica
and lithium beneficiation.
Feldspar production has decreased each year since reaching a record high $15.5
million in 1986. The U.S.feldspar producers receive strong competition from
Canadian producers of nepheline syenite. Nepheline syenite is used for many of the
same purposes as feldspar.
The main uses of feldspar are in whiteware,tile, and glass fiber insulation. Feldspar
is used both in the body of the ware and the glaze of ceramics.
Mica - Mica mining began on a large scale in western North Carolina about 1868.
The area has become the most important producer of mica in the U.S. Sheet mica
was the principal product for many years, but other materials have eliminated
many of the uses for sheet mica. Consequently,North Carolina has not produced
significant amounts of sheet mica since about 1962. Scrap mica is still produced in
large quantities. Primary sources are alaskite and pegmatites.
North Carolina annually leads the nation in the production of scrap mica,
producing about 60 percent of the total. Primary production is from Mitchell
County in the Spruce Pine district,and in Cleveland County in the Kings Mountain
district. Mica is produced as a coproduct of feldspar,silica,and kaolin mining and
as a byproduct of lithium mining.
Both wet- and dry-ground products are produced. Dry-ground mica is used
primarily in the manufacture of gypsum plasterboard joint cement, wall board,and
well-drilling muds. Wet-ground mica is used in cosmetics,paint,and plastic
manufacture.
Quartz and feldspar- Refined quartz and feldspar components are used in
television picture tubes. Quartz of high purity is used in computer components. The
large Palomer telescope mirror in California was made from North Carolina quartz.
Feldspar is also used in bath tiles, abrasives in cleaners and roofing shingles.

Feldspar Corporation Instream Data(2003-2005)
Date Ups Fl Dwn Fl Ups Turbidity Dwn Turbidity Ups TSS Dwn TSS
Apr-03 0.11 0.22 9.18 9.1
May-03 0.15 0.38 12.45 12.99
Jun-03 0.16 0.48 12.18 12.37
Jul-03 0.25 0.82 21.22 19.8 26.11 21.07
Aug-03 0.23 0.47 >100 >100 89.68 83.9
Sep-03 0.35 0.72 5.03 5.36
Oct-03 0.29 0.87 3.18 5.9
Apr-04 0.11 0.41 5.09 5.21
May-04 0.15 0.76 7.45 7.5
Jun-04 0.15 0.51 22.96 22.43 44.7 35.3
Jul-04 0.2 0.59 11.16 11.06
Aug-04 0.19 0.83 4.78 5.42
Sep-04 0.13 0.24 13.72 14.16
Oct-04 0.14 0.3 4.33 8.56
Apr-05 1.72 0.3 6.4 6.96
May-05 0.18 0.31 8.4 9.41
Jun-05 0.16 0.36 18.3 10.3
Jul-05 3.66 0.22 22.11 19.24
Aug-05 0.14 0.21 11.22 37.27 Hit of 315 NTU da. Max.
Sep-05 0.46 0.19 3.66 3.78
Oct-05 0.19 0.61 3.2 3.77
Ups - Station#56
Down -Station#59

Water Quality Initiatives
Because of the water quality impairment noted above, Jacks Creek has been identified by the NC
Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) as one of 28 local watersheds in the basin with the
greatest need and opportunity for stream and wetland restoration efforts. This watershed will be
given higher priority than nontargeted watersheds for implementation of NCEEP restoration
projects.
6.3.3 North Toe River [AU#7-2-(27.7)b]
2000 Recommendations
Habitat degradation and turbidity were noted problems in a 32.5-mile segment of the river from
Grassy Creek to the South Toe River. DWQ will continue to monitor the river to assess possible
impacts from mine processors and the WWTP located in the Town of Spruce Pine. The
implementation of BMPs is recommended to protect the river from future impacts from urban
runoff. DWQ will notify local agencies of water quality concerns for this creek and work with
these various agencies to conduct further monitoring and assist agency personnel with locating
sources of water quality protection funding.
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
The North Toe River, from Grassy Creek to the South Toe River (11.3 miles), is currently
Impaired based on a Fair bioclassification at site B-3. This same segment is also Impaired due to
a turbidity water quality standards violation at site A-23. The ambient monitoring station (A-23)
exceeded the state standard for turbidity in 14% of the samples collected during this assessment
period. This site receives runoff from the Town of Spruce Pine and several dischargers in the
watershed, which may have impacted the benthic community. The North Toe River may also be
impacted by road construction activities associated with the expansion of NC 19 from Burnsville
to Spruce Pine. Narrow riparian zones were also noted.
Several days before DWQ monitoring,a 1,500-gallon spill of#2 fuel oil in the river was reported
to local authorities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was the primary
responder and coordinated clean up efforts. Prior to the spill, the North Toe River water quality
was improving(Good-Fair in 1992 and Good in 1997). DWQ will continue to monitor the water
quality at this site and work with local agencies to find the source of turbidity. It is
recommended that local agencies work with landowners to install BMPs to improve riparian
zones and the overall water quality in the river.
Water Quality Initiatives
Because of the water quality impairment noted above,the North Toe River has been identified by
the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program(EEP) as one of 28 local watersheds in the basin with
the greatest need and opportunity for stream and wetland restoration efforts. This watershed will
be given higher priority than nontargeted watersheds for implementation of NCEEP restoration
projects.
Chapter 6—French Broad River Subbasin 04-03-06 79

Table 14 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in Subbasin 040306
Assessment
Unit# Name Length/Area AL REC Benthic Community Fish Community Ambient Data
7 NOLICHUCKY RIVER 10.0 Miles S S B-1 G 2002 A-25 nce
7-2-(0.5) North Toe River 22.0 Miles S S B-2 G 2002 1 A-22 nce
7-2-(21.5) North Toe River 9.4 Miles S S B-2 G 2002 1 A-22 nce
7-2427.7)b North Toe River 11.3 Miles I S B-3 F 2002 A-23 turbidity 14%
7-2-(27.7)c North Toe River 24.8 Miles S ND B-4 G 2002
7-2-15 Roaring Creek 4.9 Miles S ND SB-3 E 2002
7-2-48 Big Crabtree Creek(Crabtree Creek) 14.6 Miles S ND B-5 E 2002 SF-1 E 1999
7-2-5241) South Toe River 25.9 Miles S S B-6 E 2002 A-24 nce
7-2-52-33 Little Crabtree Creek 6.3 Miles S ND SB-1 GF 2002
7-2-59-1 Right Fork Cane Creek 1.2 Miles S ND SB-2 E 2002
7-2-63 Jacks Creek 8.5 Miles I I ND I F-1 F 2002
7-2-64 Big Rock Creek 13.9 Miles S ND I B-7 E 2002 SF-2 G 1998
7-2-69 Pigeonroost Creek 7.1 Miles S ND 1 F-2 E 2002
Assessment Unit#-Portion of DWQ Classified Index where monitoring is applied to assign a use support rating
Use Categories: Monitoring data type: Bioclassifcations: Use Support Ratings 2004: Ambient Data
AL-Aquatic Life F-Fish Community Survey E-Excellent S-Supporting nce-no criteria
REC-Recreation B-Benthic Community Survey G-Good I-Impaired ce-criteria exce
• SF-Special Fish Community Study GF-Good-Fair NR-Not Rated
SB-Special Benthic Community Study F-Fair ND-No Data
A-Ambient Monitoring Site P-Poor
NI-Not Impaired
Monday,July 25,2005 040306

Draft Aquatic Life Use Support Ratings for Monitored Waters in the French Broad River Basin
Assessment
Subbasin Unit# Name Description Class Rating Basis Length/Area Stressor Source
040306 7-2-63 Jacks Creek From source to North Toe River C I M 8.5 Miles riparian area loss
040306 Jacks Creek From source to North Toe River C I M 8.5 Miles algal blooms
040306 7-2-52-33 Little Crabtree Creek From source to South Toe River C Tr S M 6.3 Miles
040306 7 NOLICHUCKY From source to North Carolina- B S M 10.0 Miles
RIVER Tennessee State Line
040306 7-2-(0.5) North Toe River From source to a point 0.2 mile WS-V Tr S M 22.0 Miles
upstream of Pyatt Creek
040306 7-2-(21.5) North Toe River From a point 0.2 mile upstream of WS-IV Tr S M 9.4 Miles
Pyatt Creek to a point 0.5 mile
upstream of U.S.Hwy.19E
040306 7-2-(27.7)b North Toe River From Grassy Creek to South Toe C Tr I M 11.3 Miles riparian area loss
River
040306 North Toe River From Grassy Creek to South Toe C Tr I M 11.3 Miles turbidity
River
040306 7-2-(27.7)c North Toe River From South Toe River to Nolichucky B Tr S M 24.8 Miles
River
040306 7-2-69 Pigeonroost Creek From source to North Toe River C Tr S M 7.1 Miles
040306 7-2-59-1 Right Fork Cane Creek From source to Cane Creek C Tr S M 1.2 Miles
040306 7-2-15 Roaring Creek From source to North Toe River WS-V Tr S M 4.9 Miles
040306 7-2-52-(1) South Toe River From source to U.S.Hwy.19E S M 25.9 Miles
040307 7-3-32 Bald Mountain Creek From source to Cane River C Tr S M 8.0 Miles
040307 7-3-21-4 Banks Creek From source to Price Creek C Tr S M 4.2 Miles
040307 7-3-(13.7)a Cane River From Town of Burnsville water C Tr S M 21.6 Miles
supply intake to Big Creek
040307 7-3-(13.7)b Cane River From Big Creek to North Toe River C Tr I M 3.5 Miles turbidity
040307 7-3-21 Price Creek From source to Cane River C Tr S M 8.0 Miles
Wednesday,September 22,2004 Draft Aquatic Life Use Support Ratings Subbasin 040307

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