WQ0006406_CEI_20210827

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED
August 27, 2021

Alan Schabilion
Email: [e-mail]
Emerald Village Inc

SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Emerald Village Gem Mine
Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006406
Mitchell County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Emerald Village Gem
Mine on 8/26/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance
with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006406. The findings and
comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report
entitled "Compliance Inspection Report".

Requirements for requesting a rescission are included in the accompanying email. If you should have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4686 or via email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: LF
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQ0006406 Effective:04/07/17 Expiration:03/31/22 Owner :Emerald Village Inc
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Mitchell
Asheville
Alan Schabilion
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Emerald Village Gem Mine
256 McKinney Mine Rd
Little Switzerland NC 28749
Title:Phone:[phone]President
Hwy. 226-A to Little Switzerland. Take Crabtree Creek Road to McKinney Mine Rd. (left). Facility is located on the left approximately
2.5 miles on McKinney Mine Road.
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
08/26/2021 10:30AM 11:00AM
Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Closed-Loop Recycle
Compliance Evaluation
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Record Keeping
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 4
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0006406
08/26/2021 Compliance Evaluation
Emerald Village Inc
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Emerald Village Gem
Mine on August 26, 2021. This inspection was conducted in conjunction with the facility's permit renewal request. Mr. Alan
Shabilion was present and assisted in the inspection.
The facility is a seasonal tourist gem mine with a recycle system that consists of two earthen settling ponds in series. The
first pond is directly below the flumes and gravity feeds into the second settling pond. Water is recycled to the head of the
flumes for reuse. Make up water is supplied from Burnett Branch. Inorganic solids are removed from the ponds and reused.
Weekly freeboard and maintenance records were reviewed during the inspection. There is consistently over four feet of
freeboard in the settling ponds. Due to the topography, it is highly unlikely a release would occur to surface waters. The
settling ponds are in a depression in between the side of the mountain and the road. The closest surface water is Burnett
Branch which is upgradient next to the road.
The system is being maintained in compliance with the current individual permit and appears to meet the requirements
outlined in 15 NCAC 02U.0113(a)18 and therefore the Asheville Regional Office recommends the permittee request
rescission of the permit. Details for requesting rescission have been sent via email.
Page 2 of 4
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0006406
08/26/2021 Compliance Evaluation
Emerald Village Inc
Routine
Type Yes No NA NE
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
Single Family Spray, LR
Lagoon Spray, LR
Infiltration System
Reuse (Quality)
Recycle/Reuse
Single Family Drip
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
NDAR?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are application rates adhered to?
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
Are annual soil reports available?
# Are PAN records required?
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
If so, has it been applied?
Are operational logs present?
Are lab sheets available for review?
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
Page 3 of 4
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0006406
08/26/2021 Compliance Evaluation
Emerald Village Inc
Routine
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
Tourist Gem Mine. See summary for details.Comment:
Page 4 of 4