HomeMy WebLinkAbout990005_Acknowledgement Letter_20190226Chris Cass
Cole-Gaige Dairy
1315 US 21 Hwy
Hamptonville, NC 27020
February 19, 2019
RE: CoC#AWC990005 / NOV-2019-PC-0038
Sherri V. Knight, P.E.
Regional Supervisor
NCDEQ/ Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office
450 Hanes Mill Road Suite 300
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Ms. Knight,
NC Department of
Environmental Quality
Received
{ FEB 2 6 2019
Ep Winston-Salem
. Regional Office
Please find enclosed the copies of our rainfall, application, and freeboard levels, pursuant to your
request in the letter dated 01/25/2019. Also attached is a hard copy of the POA submitted by email to
Rebecca Chandler on 01/19/2019, for reference.
We've successfiilly implemented that plan to the very best our abilities and feel confident that we'll
be in good shape in regards to freeboard as we move into Spring applications. The three custom
applicators we brought in to assist have been most helpful and going forward we hope that they'll be
quicker to show up should we need them again. We've also resurfaced some roadways and shored up
some ditches that were overburdened by the hurricanes and snow, letting clean water enter the waste
system. I'm compelled to specifically address that the part of your penalty assessment that includes
"the degree and extent of harm to the environment" consider that at no time did any measurable amount
of waste travel beyond the grassy area below the designed spillway. Quite obviously both structures
were "in the freeboard", hence out of compliance.
I would love to think that the state-wide excessive rainfall and poor field conditions would suffice to
excuse our lack of compliance, but I erred badly in not reporting the situation to Rebecca. I would
characterize that error as an unfortunate combination of Rebecca's "newness" to us, my own embarrass-
ment for not doing a better job managing the weather, and the sheer exhaustion of farming in the
current milk -price trough. Certainly please don't misinterpret that statement regarding Rebecca as
indicative of any sort of friction — she was great during our one inspection and quite reasonable in
regards to this present issue. Rather we're just a little lost without Melissa Rosebrock, whose constant
barrage of emails and reminders were excellent at keeping us engaged in a comfortable, collegial way.
I can only offer a sincere apology for my shortcomings, and a genuine commitment to do better in the
future — especially in communicating issues and concerns.
I'm hopeful that I've provided everything necessary, but please let me know if you need anything
further either by phone at 704-450-7051 or email at r , i , i � ,,, _
Sinc 1
Christopher E. Cass