NCG080919_NOV_20200128

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
January 28, 2020
CERTIFIED MAIL: 7019 0700 0000 8867 6975
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Houston Transportation Inc.
Attn: Robert V. Houston
Post Office Box 121
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION (NOV-2020-PC-0049)
NPDES Stormwater General Permit NCG080000
Houston Transportation, Certificate of Coverage NCGO80919
Mitchell County, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Houston:
On January 22, 2020, Isaiah Reed from the Asheville Regional Office of the Division of
Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR), conducted a site inspection for the Houston
Transportation Inc. facility located at S26 Ridge Road, Mitchell County, North Carolina. A
copy of the Compliance Inspection Report is enclosed for your review. The site visit and file
review revealed that the subject facility is covered by NPDES Stormwater General Permit
NCG080000 under Certificate of Coverage NCG080919. Permit coverage authorizes the
discharge of stormwater from the facility to receiving waters designated as Middle Ridge
Branch, a Class C;Tr waterbody in the French Broad River Basin.
As a result of the site inspection, the following permit conditions violation(s) are noted:
1) Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP)
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) has not been updated, reviewed, or
properly implemented.
2) Qualitative Monitoring
Qualitative monitoring has not been conducted and recorded in accordance with permit
requirements.
D_EQ'. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
Asheville Regional Office 12090 U.S. Highway 701 Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778
rvdm�CtwWrvn
828.296A500

3) Analytical Monitoring
Analytical monitoring has not been conducted and recorded in accordance with permit
requirements.
Other Observations:
Secondary containment has not been provided in accordance with the permit
requirements.
Requested Response:
You are asked to respond to this office, in writing, within 30 calendar days from receipt of
this notice. Your written response should include a reasonable explanation as to why the
aforementioned violation(s) have occurred as well as a Plan of Action to prevent these
violation(s) from recurring.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. This Office is considering sending a
recommendation for enforcement to the Director of the Division of Energy, Mineral & Land
Resources regarding these issues. Your above -mentioned response to this correspondence
will be considered in this process. This office requires that the violations, as detailed
above, be properly resolved. These violations and any future violations are subject to
a civil penalty assessment of up to $25,000 per day for each violation. Should you have
any questions regarding these matters, please contact Isaiah Reed or myself at (828) 296-
4500.
Sincerely
Stan E. Aiken, PEGA
Regional Engineer
Land Quality Section
Enclosure:
Inspection Report
ec: Alaina Morman, Environmental Specialist Alaina.mormankncdenr.gov
Stanley E. Aiken- Regional Engineer stan.aikenkncdenr.gov

Permit: NCG080919
SOC:
County: Mitchell
Region: Asheville
Compliance Inspection Report
Effective: 11/01/18 Expiration: 05/31/21 Owner: Houston Transportation Inc
Effective: Expiration: Facility: Houston Transportation Inc
526 Ridge Rd
Contact Person: Robert V Houston Title:
Directions to Facility:
19E east from spruce pine nc to ridge rd rt on ridge rd appx. 1 mi.
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Spruce Pine NC 28777
Phone: [phone]
Phone:
Inspection Date: 01/22/2020 EntryTime: 11:30AM Exit Time: 12:30PM
Primary Inspector: Isaiah L Reed Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Transportation wNehicle Maintenance/Petroleum Bulk/Oil Water Separator Stormwater Discharge COC
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Storm Water
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 3

Permit: NCGO80919 Owner- Facility: Houston Transportation Inc
Inspection Date: 01/22/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary
On January 22, 2020, this facility was inspected for compliance. I met with Vance Houston, Junior Houston, and Pam
Grogan on site. During the inspection, the following items were noted:
1) A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan was made available during the inspection. It was found to be incomplete, and has
not been maintained. The permittee is directed to immediately review and update the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
as outlined in the NCG080000 General Permit.
2) Analytical monitoring has not been conducted at the facility. The permittee is directed to immediately begin Analytical
monitoring as outlined in the NCGO80000 General Permit.
3) Qualitative monitoring has not been conducted on site. The permittee is directed to immediately begin Qualitative
monitoring as outlined in the NCG080000 General Permit.
4) Secondary containment has not been provided for all areas used for bulk storage of liquid materials. The permittee is
directed to immediately begin efforts to provide secondary containment in all areas subject to the secondary containment
requirements in the NCG080000 General Permit. If any above ground storage containers have designed secondary
containment structures, the permittee shall provide documentation from the manufacturer showing the design specifications.
Please give the above items your immediate attention. This facility will be inspected on or after March 3, 2020. If the above
items have not been addressed, further action will be taken.
If you have any questions, please contact this office at [phone]
Page 2 of 3

Permit: NCGO80919 Owner -Facility: Houston Transportation Inc
Inspection Date: 01/22/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Yes No NA NE
Does the site have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a General Location (USGS) map?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a "Narrative Description of Practices"?
M ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a detailed site map including outfall locations and drainage areas?
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a list of significant spills occurring during the past 3 years?
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Has the facility evaluated feasible alternatives to current practices?
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Does the facility provide all necessary secondary containment?
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a BMP summary?
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPRP)?
M ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a Preventative Maintenance and Good Housekeeping Plan?
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the facility provide and document Employee Training?
❑0 ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a list of Responsible Party(s)?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the Plan reviewed and updated annually?
❑ M ❑ ❑
# Does the Plan include a Stormwater Facility Inspection Program?
M ❑ ❑ ❑
Has the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan been implemented?
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: A SWPPP was made available during the inspection, but it had not been maintained and
implemented.
Qualitative Monitoring
Yes No NA NE
Has the facility conducted its Qualitative Monitoring semi-annually? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: Qualitative Monitoring records were not made available during the inspection.
Analytical Monitoring Yes No NA NE
Has the facility conducted its Analytical monitoring? ❑ M ❑ ❑
# Has the facility conducted its Analytical monitoring from Vehicle Maintenance areas? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Analytical Monitoring records were not made available during the inspection.
Permit and Outfalls
Yes No NA NE
# Is a copy of the Permit and the Certificate of Coverage available at the site?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
# Were all outfalls observed during the inspection?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# If the facility has representative outfall status, is it properly documented by the Division?
❑
❑ ❑
# Has the facility evaluated all illicit (non stormwater) discharges?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment
Page 3 of 3