090040_Response letter_20200831

fiLd5 C>'T 00 VC)
DEQ/DWR
AUG 31 2020
To whom it may concern,
Permit AV WQROS
ILI EREGtONALOFF10E
This is in response to violations that A & H Hog Farm has been notified of.
1) Failure to prevent waste to surface waters or wetlands)
Waste was being pumped to upper fields and, without my knowledge, made its way by lagoon to lower
ditch. Upper fields were being used because the lower fields typically hold more moisture and would be
more susceptible to ponding or runoff. We spent $1,400 (and several days of manpower) on pump and
hoses to pump approximately 100,000 gallons of waste/water from ditch back to lagoon. We are
installing pipes/ knife gates in the ditch to ensure this cannot happen in the future.
2) Failure to report runoff
The only reason it wasn't reported was our lack of knowledge of the issue. It was not a case of
intentionally trying to hide anything.
3) Failure to prevent excess ponding
Again, the pumping was being done on upper fields because we have had a record amount of rainfall
and the lower fields typically hold more moisture. Ponding on upper field was minimal. We have bought
a DMI ripper/ subsoiler ($1,000) to ensure the waste leeches into the soil and doesn't pond or runoff.
4) Failure of OIC to inspect application
I stay out at the farm 100% of the time that any pumping is in progress. The water ran off an unexpected
side of the field and went unnoticed. We are both signed up for OIC test in September. This was
scheduled earlier, but had to be rescheduled due a death in our family. Now that we have a better
understanding as to what to look for, we are totally committed to keeping a vigilant eye over the entire
spray area before, during and after pumping.
5) Failure to maintain vegetative cover as specified
As stated earlier, this farm was purchased in the fall of last year and we were told the fields had just
been sprigged. When we saw this spring/ summer that there wasn't a great stand of Bermuda, I
contacted BB&K sprigging in Maxton, N.C. Twice we were scheduled to sprig, but due to record amounts
of rain in May and June, this was pushed until it was too late in the year to sprig this variety of grass
successfully. We are scheduled to sprig entire spray fields in spring 2021. We have also spent $30,000 on
hay equipment to not be dependent on someone else to maintain fields.

Lastly, we visited Brock Equipment and purchased an Aerway Aerator ($18,000) with waste distributor
to ensure waste enters the ground when applied and does not run off or pond. As joint owner/operators
of this farm, we are truly sorry that this event occurred and will do anything and everything in our power
to guarantee we don't ever have another environmental violation.
Sincerely,
A&H Farms LLC
Josh Huggins
Daniel Alford