WQ0003441_Final Permit_19970206

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, TAI
Health and Natural Resources
A4 0
Division of Water Quality ��A
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary Q C H N F1
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Brends Dills, Owner
Nantahala River Gem Mine
12121 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City, North Carolina 28713
Dear Ms. Dills:
February 6, 1997
Subject: Permit No. WQ0003441
Nantahala River Gem Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Swain County
In accordance with your application received February 3, 1997, we are forwarding herewith Permit
No. WQ0003441, dated February 6, 1997, to Nantahala River Gem Mine for the continued operation of
the subject wastewater recycle system. It is noted that five settling basins in series are now used instead of
the original two, and that for maintenance, these basins are periodically rebuilt. Please note this permit is
for a recycle system and it does not negate any requirements or permits required for withdrawing water
from the nearby stream.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until December 31, 1999, shall voids
Permit No. WQ0003441 issued January 31, 1995, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as
specified therein. Please pay particular attention to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Failure to
establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining the required operational information will result
in future compliance problems. The only modification made to this permit is a ownership change from
Natahala Gorge Ruby Mine, Inc. to Natahala River Gem Mine.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the
right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of
this permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of North
Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Drawer 27447,
Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
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

If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact,Matt'Williams at (919)
733-5083 extension 509.
Sincerely,
po— f�)
Q�
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Swain County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Asheville Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Training and Certification Unit
Facilities Assessment Unit

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
RECYCLE SYSTEM PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Nantahala River Gem Mine
Swain County
I01m, 0.
continued operation of a 47,000 GPD wastewater recycle system tourist gem mine consisting of a 60 foot
sluice for washing soil, five small settling basins in series for capturing sediment and infiltration of water,
and all associated piping, controls, pumps, and appurtenances for recycling facilities to serve Nantahala
Gorge Ruby Mine (tourist gem mine) with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the
application received February 3, 1997, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other
supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment, Health and Natural
Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until December 31, 1999, shall void Permit
No. WQ0003441 issued January 31, 1995, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
1. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in
the application and other supporting data.
2. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change
ownership, or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be
submitted to the Division of Water Quality accompanied by an application fee,
documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be
appropriate. The approval of the request will be considered on its merits and may or may
not be approved.
4. 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
actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or
replacement treatment or disposal facilities.
5. The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with
General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of
Water Quality.

6. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages
to surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
7. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to
prevent the discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.
S. Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
9. Freeboard in the settling basins shall not be less than two feet at any time.
10. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Water Quality to insure surface and
ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule
shall be followed.
11. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to
insure proper operation of the subject facilities.
12. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater recycle facilities to prevent
malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and discharges which may cause or lead to
the release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health, or a nuisance. The
Permittee shall maintain an inspection log or summary including at least the date and time of
inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by
the Permittee. This log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee for a period of
three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available to the Division of
Water Quality or other permitting authority, upon request.
13. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Water Quality
may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on
or related to the recycle system at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining
compliance with this permit, may inspect or copy any records that must be maintained
under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of groundwater,
surface water, or leachate.
14. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty
(30) days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee accordingly may cause
the Division to initiate action to revoke this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205
(c)(4).
15. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6(a) to 143-215.6(c).
16. The issuance of this permit 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.
17. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
2

1 S. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number
7041 251-6208, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next
working day following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the
following:
a. Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as
the dumping of the contents of a basin or tank, the known passage of a slug of
hazardous substance through the facility, or any other unusual circumstances;
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that renders the facility
incapable of adequate wastewater treatment, such as mechanical or electrical failures of
pumps, aerators, compressors, etc.;
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass
directly to receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to
such station or facility; or
d . Any time that self-monitoring information indicates that the facility is not in compliance
with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter
form within 15 days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline
the actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
19. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its
extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review the adequacy of the
facilities described therein, and if warranted, will extend the permit for such period of time
and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate.
Permit issued this the 6th day of February, 1997
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Preston o,�7ard, Jr., P.E., birector
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0003441