NCG070209_Other Agency Documents_20180712

State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality
2090 U.S. Highway 70 | Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778
828-296-4500

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director Water Resources
Environmental Quality

July 12, 2018

Certified Mail # 7017 2620 0000 9759 4650
Return Receipt Requested

Scott Cunningham
Buechel Stone Corporation
7274 US 221 North
Marion, NC 28752

SUBJECT: Additional Information Request
Buechel Stone Corporation
Stormwater Permit NCG070209
McDowell County

Dear Mr. Cunningham:

On June 22, 2018, an inspector from the Asheville Regional Office of the NC Division of Water
Resources (DWR) responded to a complaint alleging turbidity in surface waters downstream of
the Buechel Stone Corp. facility. During the inspection, DWR staff met onsite with Scott
Cunningham at Buechel Stone Corp. to inspect the process wastewater treatment system. During
that site visit, DWR learned that excess process wastewater was being pumped and discharged
via flexible hose into an abandoned mine pit, which has a stormwater pipe that flows to a
unnamed tributary (UT) to Limekiln Creek (Class C). The mine pit floor was observed to contain
rock dust from repeated discharges of process wastewater. Process wastewater residuals were
also observed to have been transported by stormwater runoff into a stormwater inlet adjacent to
the residual dewatering area. DWR staff required that all wastewater discharges stop
immediately and that protective measures be installed to protect inlets that drain to surface
waters.

To continue our investigation, we are requiring you to provide the following information:
 Please provide additional information explaining how your current process
wastewater treatment system is incorporated into your current stormwater permit or
permitted otherwise.
 Provide information about how your proposed future process wastewater system
would be incorporated into your stormwater permit or permitted otherwise.
 Please provide details as to what protective measures and best management practices
have been installed to protect surface waters from wastewater discharges since the
inspection.

Please be advised that the discharge of any type of waste to the waters of the State without a
permit is illegal as per NCGS 143-215.1 and could subject you to civil penalties of up to $25,000
Buechel Stone Corporation
Add Info Request
Page 2 of 2

per day per violation. Additionally, NCGS 143-215.1 requires a permit to operate any treatment
works or disposal system within the State.

Within 10 days of receipt of this letter, please submit the information referenced above to
[e-mail] or to the following mailing address:

NCDEQ - DWR
Attn: Amy Annino
2090 U.S. Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778

Your attention and cooperation is greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions regarding
this matter or other water quality issues or concerns, please contact me at [phone] or
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Amy Annino
Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations
Asheville Regional Office

cc: Asheville Regional Office Files Copy
Stan Aiken – DMELR (email copy)

G:\WR\WQ\McDowell\Complaints\201800958 Buechel Stone Corp\20180712_Buechel Stone_NCG07 Add Info.docx