820086_NOV-2020-DV-0303_20200714

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Enviranmental Quality
July 14, 2020
CERTIFIED MAIL 7019 0700 0000 3643 0581
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Attn: Kraig Westerbeek
2822 W NC 24 Hwy
Warsaw, NC 28398
Subject: Waste discharge due to lagoon breach at B&L Farms (AWS820086)
Dear Mr. Westerbeek:
The Division of Water Resources (DWR) of the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) is investigating the waste discharge incident that
occurred at the B&L Farms located at 2525 Plain View Hwy, Dunn, NC 28334 owned by Mr.
Bryan McLamb. On behalf of NC DEQ and DWR, I want to thank Smithfield Foods for their
responsiveness in mitigating the severity of the discharge with swift control measures
implemented to contain the waste release to the nearby environment including surface
waters resources. Also, I want to thank Smithfield for quickly removing the animals from
the B&L Farms premises to prevent further accumulation of waste into an already damaged
waste storage lagoon.
The Division appreciates efforts by Smithfield Foods to repair the lagoon, however we
remain concerned about the temporary nature of the "patch" completed to the lagoon.
Consequently, the Division is interested in any plans being contemplated by Smithfield to
further assist B&L Farms with repair of the lagoon structure. Please note the Division must
approve of any permanent repairs made to the lagoon structure.
Please advise of any additional measures Smithfield plans to implement to assist B&L
Farms with the continued collection of wastes or other mitigation measures to address
wastes discharged to the environment, including permanent repairs to the lagoon
embankment or proper closure of the lagoon. Also, please advise us of any assistance
Smithfield plans to offer B&L Farms ongoing responsibility to manage waste and
wastewater that remains accumulated in its waste storage lagoon structure.
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional office 1 225 Green Street. Suite 714 I Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
910_433.3300

DWR's Fayetteville Regional Office staff (FRO) are in the process of collecting information
regarding the discharge incident. One of the key pieces of information we seek at this time
is the recorded waste/freeboard levels in the storage pond. We are requesting Smithfield to
provide DWR with any and all the records associated with waste management/freeboard
levels at B&L Farms facility that may have been collected and/or maintained by Smithfield
in the months leading up to the discharge incident other observations that you wish to
provide
We look forward to the continued support and assistance from Smithfield to assist us with
the collection of information and understanding all the facts leading up to the discharge.
Please provide your response with the records (waste levels) within 20 days from the
receipt of this letter. If you have any questions, please contact me at 910-433-3336 or
[e-mail]. .
Thank you.
COocuSlgne by-
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Sincerely,
Trent Allen
Regional Supervisor
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section