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HomeMy WebLinkAbout520013_Lagoon Repair Plan Review_20210405ROY COOPER Governor DIONNE DELLI-GATTI Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director DC Mills Farms, Inc DC Mills Farm 153 Lee Mills Rd Trenton, NC 28585 Dear DC Mills Farms, Inc: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality April 5, 2021 Subject: Lagoon Repair Plan Review DC Mills Farms Swine Waste Collection, Treatment, Storage and Application System Jones County The Division of Water Resources (Division) received the Lagoon Repair Plan that was prepared by Chris Love, NC Division of Soil & Water Conservation. As the plan narrative explains, the breach of the lagoon at the DC Mills Farm occurred when the wastewater flowed through the limestone material under the lagoon and lagoon's southern embankment. The Division has reviewed the proposed Repair Plan and finds that the proposal would not provide adequate protection of surface and ground waters. Following are items of concern: 1. The proposed repair does not address the voids in the limestone under the lagoon embankment; it only recommends that the hole be filled. What method is proposed to backfill the flow path through to where the breach surfaced on the outside of the lagoon embankment? 2. Has an evaluation been done to determine if the integrity of the lagoon embankment has been compromised by the limestone voids through which the wastewater flowed? 3. The Soils Evaluation Report referred to an issue was found when limestone was encountered and that a geotextile liner was installed that was covered by one foot of "good plastic material". Records do not indicate the type of geotextile or the classification of the soil installed. While this patch held since 1994, the overall failure was simply transferred to a different location within the lagoon. The Division is concerned that this type of repair would result in similar future failure. 4. Who would be responsible for testing and quality assurance during the lagoon repair? 5. Was any consideration given to lagoon replacement, which could be allowed in this situation under 2007 Senate Bill 1465? The replacement lagoon would be subject to the Siting Act and would be required to be designed with a synthetic liner to prevent similar failures related to the underlying limestone. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 11636 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1636 919.707.9129 DC Mills Letter Apri15, 2021 Page 2 The Division asks that you provide additional information regarding the Repair Plan to address the above items of concern. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at Christine.lawson(ncdenr.gov. DE Q4NORTH CAltO1JNA Sincerely Christine B. Lawson Engineer Animal Feeding Operations North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 11636 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1636 919.707.9129