520013_Correspondence_20210120

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
January 20, 2021
CERTIFIED MAIL #7019 2970 0001 3140 1579
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Attn: Kraig Westerbeek
2822 W NC Highway 24
Warsaw, North Carolina 28398
RE: Waste Discharge
DC Mills Farm
Permit No. AWS520013
Jones County
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
on or about December 21, 2020 at the DC Mills Farm located at 387 Lee Mills Road, Trenton,
NC and owned by DC Mills Farms, Inc. On behalf of NC DEQ and DWR, I want to thank
Smithfield Foods for their responsiveness to the situation, including removal of animals from
the facility to prevent further accumulation of waste into the damaged waste lagoon.
Available information indicates that difficulties were encountered during
construction of the lagoon in 1994 and actions were taken at that time to mitigate issues
related to an identified limestone formation at the site. In an effort by the Division to
consolidate any historical information related to lagoon design and construction details,
including any further background data related to potential structural issues, please advise
us whether Smithfield Foods has any lagoon information or site data that may be applicable
to review of conditions that may have contributed to the incident.
DWR's Washington Regional Office is also 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
Foods to provide DWR with any and all records associated with the waste
management/freeboard levels in the waste lagoon at the DC Mills Farm facility that may have
been collected and/or maintained by Smithfield Foods in the preceding months prior to the
incident.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Washington Regional Office 1 943 Washington Square Mall I Washington, North Carolina 27889
N11H fH (:A�i(1!.INA �
0­O'tore'wm—talQ"I 252.946.6481

The above requested information is requested within 30 days of receipt of this letter.
Your response should include any applicable lagoon and site background information, waste
level records, and any prior site observations that may have indicated the potential for
structural problems to arise at the facility.
Please note that DWR will continue to work with the facility owner to ensure any
potential lagoon repairs are protective of the environment. Any proposed lagoon repair plan
will be evaluated with consideration given to whether measures implemented in the repair
will address needs to ensure that future environmental impact and spills will be prevented.
Such additional measures may include construction of groundwater monitoring wells in the
vicinity of the lagoon and/or at the facility, along with routine groundwater monitoring. The
potential need to upgrade the design of the lagoon will also be evaluated during the process
of reviewing lagoon repair plans. Based on available site data and findings, modifications to
bring the lagoon up to current design standards or to incorporate other protective safety
measures may be required.
We look forward to the continued support and assistance from Smithfield Foods
related to environmental interests across the state. Your assistance with the matter related
to the DC Mills Farm facility is greatly appreciated.
If there are any questions or additional information is needed, please contact me at
252-948-3939 or david.mayOncdenr.gov. .
Sincerely,
David May, L.G., Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
Washington Regional Office
cc: DC Mills Farms, Inc.
NC DSWC
DWR - Central Office
DWR - Animal Feeding Operations Branch
Laserfiche - Permit File
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