NCG020952_Mining Permit Approval_20200901

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
BRIAN WRENN
Director
Mr. Dave Tripp
Sawyer Rivers Farms, LLC
PO Box 126
Ash, North Carolina 28420
Re: Mark Pine Mine
Columbus County
Lumber River Basin
Dear Mr. Tripp:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 3, 2020
The application for a mining permit for the above referenced mine site has been found
to meet the requirements of G.S. 74-51 of The Mining Act of 1971. As we have received the
required security to cover this application, I am enclosing the mining permit.
The conditions of Mining Permit No. 24-28 were based primarily upon information
supplied in the application with conditions added as necessary to ensure compliance with The
Mining Act of 1971. G.S. 74-65 states that the issuance of a mining permit does not
supersede or otherwise affect or prevent the enforcement of any zoning regulation or
ordinance duly adopted by an incorporated city or county or by any agency or department of
the State of North Carolina.
As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 176.0 acres and the amount of land
you are approved to disturb is 161.24 acres.
Please review the permit and contact Adam Parr, Assistant State Mining Engineer, at
[phone] of any objection or questions concerning the ter s of the permit.
Since ely,
gr/�`�'avid Miller, PE State Mining Engineer
DM/ap
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Dan Sams, PE
Mr. William Gerringer-DOL, Mine and Quarry Bureau, w/o enclosures
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy. Mineral and Land Resources
���,�` 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1612 Mail Service Center I Raleigh. North Carolina 27699-1612

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL AND LAND RESOURCES
PERMIT
for the operation of a mining activity
In accordance with the provisions of GS 74-46 through 68, "The Mining
Act of 1971," Mining Permit Rule 15A NCAC 5 B, and other applicable
laws, rules and regulations
Permission is hereby granted to:
Sawyer Rivers Farms, LLC
Mark Pine Mine
Columbus County - Permit No. 24-28
for the operation of a
Sand/Marl/Gravel Mine
which shall provide that the usefulness, productivity and scenic values of
all lands and waters affected by this mining operation will receive the
greatest practical degree of protection and restoration.

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In accordance with the application for this mining permit, which is hereby approved by the
Department of Environmental Quality, hereinafter referred to as the Department, and in
conformity with the approved Reclamation Plan attached to and incorporated as part of this
permit, provisions must be made for the protection of the surrounding environment and for
reclamation of the land and water affected by the permitted mining operation. This permit is
expressly conditioned upon compliance with all the requirements of the approved Reclamation
Plan. However, completed performance of the approved Reclamation Plan is a separable
obligation, secured by the bond or other security on file with the Department, and may survive
the revocation or suspension of this permit.
This permit is not transferable by the permittee with the following exception: If another
operator succeeds to the interest of the permittee in the permitted mining operation, by virtue
of a sale, lease, assignment or otherwise, the Department may release the permittee from the
duties imposed upon him by the conditions of his permit and by the Mining Act with reference
to the permitted operation, and transfer the permit to the successor operator, provided that
both operators have complied with the requirements of the Mining Act and that the successor
operator agrees to assume the duties of the permittee with reference to reclamation of the
affected land and posts a suitable bond or other security.
In the event that the Department determines that the permittee or permittee's successor is not
complying with the Reclamation Plan or other terms and conditions of this permit, or is failing
to achieve the purposes and requirements of the Mining Act, the Department may give the
operator written notice of its intent to modify, revoke or suspend the permit, or its intent to
modify the Reclamation Plan as incorporated in the permit. The operator shall have right to a
hearing at a designated time and place on any proposed modification, revocation or
suspension by the Department. Alternatively and in addition to the above, the Department
may institute other enforcement procedures authorized by law.
Definitions
Wherever used or referred to in this permit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
terms shall have the same meaning as supplied by the Mining Act, GS 74-49.
This permit is valid for the life of the site or life of lease, if applicable, as defined by Session
Law 2017-209 and has no expiration date. However, all provisions of GS 74-51 and GS 74-52
still apply for new, transferred and modified mining permits.
Conditions
This permit shall be subject to the provisions of the Mining Act, GS 74-46, et. seq., and to the
following conditions and limitations:
OPERATING CONDITIONS:
1. A. Any wastewater processing or mine dewatering shall be in accordance with the
permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission.

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B. Any stormwater runoff from the affected areas at the site shall be in accordance
with any applicable permit requirements and regulations promulgated by the
Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission. It shall be the permittee's responsibility to contact the
Stormwater Program to secure any necessary stormwater permits or other
approval documents.
2. A. Any mining process producing air contamination emissions shall be subject to the
permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission and enforced by the Division of Air Quality.
B. During mining operations, water trucks or other means that may be necessary
shall be utilized to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area.
3. A. Sufficient buffer (minimum 50 foot undisturbed) shall be maintained between any
affected land and any adjoining waterway or wetland to prevent sedimentation of
that waterway or wetland from erosion of the affected land and to preserve the
integrity of the natural watercourse or wetland.
B. Any mining activity affecting waters of the State, waters of the U. S., or wetlands
shall be in accordance with the requirements and regulations promulgated and
enforced by the N. C. Environmental Management Commission.
4. A. Adequate mechanical barriers including but not limited to diversions, earthen
dikes, sediment check dams, sediment retarding structures, rip rap pits, or
ditches shall be provided in the initial stages of any land disturbance and
maintained to prevent sediment from discharging onto adjacent surface areas or
into any lake, wetland or natural watercourse in proximity to the affected land.
B. All drainage from the affected area around the mine excavations shall be diverted
internal to said excavations.
C. Mining activities shall occur as indicated on the mine maps dated April 17, 2020
and the supplemental information received on March 6, 2020, and May 29, 2020.
5. All affected area boundaries (161.24 acres) shall be permanently marked at the site on
100-foot intervals unless the line of sight allows for larger spacing intervals.
6. The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle, which can be
retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control measure, structure, or
device. In any event, exposed slopes or any excavated channels, the erosion of which
may cause off -site damage because of sedimentation, shall be planted or otherwise
provided with ground cover, devices or structures sufficient to restrain such erosion.
7. The affected land shall be graded so as to prevent collection of pools of water that are,
or likely to become, noxious or foul. Necessary structures such as drainage ditches or
conduits shall be constructed or installed when required to prevent such conditions.

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8. Existing vegetation or vegetated earthen berms shall be maintained between the mine
and public thoroughfares whenever practical to screen the operation from the public.
9. Sufficient buffer (minimum 25 foot undisturbed) shall be maintained between any
excavation and any mining permit boundary to protect adjacent property.
10. A. No on -site disposal of refuse or other solid waste that is generated outside of the
mining permit area shall be allowed within the boundaries of the mining permit
area unless authorization to conduct said disposal has first been obtained from
both the Division of Waste Management and the Division of Energy, Mineral and
Land Resources, Department of Environmental Quality. The method of disposal
shall be consistent with the approved reclamation plan.
B. Mining refuse as defined by GS 74-49 (14) of The Mining Act of 1971 generated
on -site and directly associated with the mining activity may be disposed of in a
designated refuse area. All other waste products must be disposed of in a
disposal facility approved by the Division of Waste Management. No petroleum
products, acids, solvents or their storage containers or any other material that
may be considered hazardous shall be disposed of within the permitted area.
C. For the purposes of this permit, the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land
Resources considers the following materials to be "mining refuse" (in addition to
those specifically listed under GS 74-49 (14) of the N.C. Mining Act of 1971):
1. on -site generated land clearing debris
2. conveyor belts
3. wire cables
4. v-belts
5. steel reinforced air hoses
6. drill steel
D. If mining refuse is to be permanently disposed within the mining permit boundary,
the following information must be provided to and approved by the Division of
Energy, Mineral and Land Resources prior to commencement of such disposal:
1. the approximate boundaries and size of the refuse disposal area;
2. a list of refuse items to be disposed;
3. verification that a minimum of 4 feet of cover will be provided over the
refuse;
4. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the
seasonally high water table; and,
5. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be established.
11. An Annual Reclamation Report and Annual Operating Fee of $400.00 shall be
submitted to the Department by September 1 of each year until reclamation is
completed and approved for release by the Department.

Page 5
12. The operator shall notify the Department in writing of the desire to delete, modify or
otherwise change any part of the mining, reclamation, or erosion/sediment control plan
contained in the approved application for a mining permit or any approved revision to it.
Approval to implement such changes must be obtained from the Department prior to on -
site implementation of the revisions.
13. The security, which was posted pursuant to GS 74-54 in the form of a $112,900.00
irrevocable standby letter of credit, is sufficient to cover the operation as indicated in the
approved application. This security must remain in force for this permit to be valid. The
total affected land shall not exceed the bonded acreage.
14. A. Authorized representatives of the Division of Archives and History shall be
granted access to the site to determine the presence of significant archaeological
resources.
B. Pursuant to GS 70 Article 3, "The Unmarked Human Burial and Human Skeletal
Remains Protection Act," should the operator or any person in his employ
encounter human skeletal remains, immediate notification shall be provided to
the county medical examiner and the chief archaeologist, North Carolina Division
of Archives and History.

APPROVED RECLAMATION PLAN
The Mining Permit incorporates this Reclamation Plan, the performance of which is a condition
on the continuing validity of that Mining Permit. Additionally, the Reclamation Plan is a
separable obligation of the permittee, which continues beyond the terms of the Mining Permit.
The approved plan provides:
Minimum Standards as Provided by GS 74-53
1. The final slopes in all excavations in soil, sand, gravel and other unconsolidated
materials shall be at such an angle as to minimize the possibility of slides and be
consistent with the future use of the land.
2. Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property must be provided in all
excavations in rock.
3. All overburden and spoil shall be left in a configuration which is in accordance with
accepted conservation practices and which is suitable for the proposed subsequent use
of the land.
4. No small pools of water shall be allowed to collect or remain on the mined area that are,
or are likely to become noxious, odious or foul.
5. The revegetation plan shall conform to accepted and recommended agronomic and
reforestation practices as established by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment
Station and the North Carolina Forest Service.
6. Permittee shall conduct reclamation activities pursuant to the Reclamation Plan herein
incorporated. These activities shall be conducted according to the time schedule
included in the plan, which shall to the extent feasible provide reclamation simultaneous
with mining operations and in any event, provide reclamation at the earliest practicable
time after completion or termination of mining on any segment of the permit area and
shall be completed within two years after completion or termination of mining.
RECLAMATION CONDITIONS:
1. Provided further, and subject to the Reclamation schedule, the planned reclamation
shall be to restore the mine excavation to a lake area and to grade and revegetate the
adjacent disturbed areas.
2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned
future use are as follows:
A. The lake area shall be excavated to maintain a minimum water depth of four feet
measured from the low water table elevation.

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B. The side slopes to the lake excavation shall be graded to a 3 horizontal to 1
vertical or flatter to the water line and 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter below the
water line.
C. Any areas used for wastepiles, screening, stockpiling or other processing shall
be leveled and smoothed.
D. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On -site
disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Condition Nos. 10A
through D.
E. The affected land shall be graded to prevent the collection of noxious or foul
water.
3. Revegetation Plan:
After site preparation, all disturbed land areas shall be revegetated as per the following:
Permanent Seeding Specifications
Dates
Species Rate,
Lbs/Acre
February 15- April 1
Bahaigrass
50
Redtop
1
Partridge Pea
12
Winter rye (grain)
15
April 1- July 31
Common Bermuda
50
Centipede
10
August 1- October 25
Centipede
10
German millet
40
Partridge Pea
12
October 25- February 15
Annual Rye (grain- temporary)
120
Partridge Pea
20
Soil Amendments
Lime- 2000 Ibs/acre or follow recommendations from a soil test.
Fertilizer- Summer - 1000 Ibs/acre 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, or follow recommendations
from a soil test.
Fall, Winter and Spring — 400 Ibs/acre 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 or follow
recommendations from a soil test.
Mulch- All seeded areas shall be mulched using small grain straw at a rate of
2000 Ibs/acre and anchored appropriately.
Whenever possible, disturbed areas should be vegetated with native warm season
grasses such as switch grass, Indian grass, bluestem and gamma grass.

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In addition, the permittee shall consult with a professional wildlife biologist with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission to enhance post -project wildlife habitat at the site.
Reclamation shall be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible. In
any event, reclamation shall be initiated as soon as feasible after completion or
termination of mining of any mine segment under permit. Final reclamation, including
revegetation, shall be completed within two years of completion or termination of
mining.
Permit issued 'his 3rd day of August, 2020.
By:
4r
Brian Wrenn, Director
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
By Authority of the Secretary
Of the Department of Environmental Quality

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF
MINING PERMIT
You have previously expressed an interest and/or are listed as an adjoining landowner
in the application for a mining permit filed by Sawyer Rivers Farms, LLC to conduct mining
activities off SR 1001 in Columbus County. The mining permit (no. 24-28) was issued on
August 3rd, 2020.
North Carolina law allows persons aggrieved by the issuance of a mining permit to
contest the decision by filing a petition for a contested case in the Office of Administrative
Hearings pursuant to N.C.G.S. 150B-23 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
If you believe that you are an aggrieved party within the meaning of the APA, a petition
for a contested case must be filed in the Office of Administrative Hearings within sixty (60)
days of the mailing of this notice to you.
If you file a contested case petition, it must be in writing and in the form prescribed by
N.C. General Statutes 15013-23. File the original petition and one copy with the Office of
Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6714.
Any questions about filing a petition may be directed to the Clerk of the Office of
Administrative Hearings by telephoning [phone].
You must serve the Department of Environmental Quality by mailing a copy of the
petition to Mr. Bill Lane, Registered Agent and General Counsel, Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1601.
r Brian Wrenn,
Director
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
This notice was mailed on W/0104PD
Brenda Harris
Mining Program Administrative Assistant