WQ0006560_CEI_20220519

DocuSign Envelope ID:37BDA6E6-227A-46CE-A969-EFAC4AF61 E07
tj'4H4 STATE
4
ROY COOPER ' 2
Governor y �
ELIZABETH S.BISER . vg
0.
Secretary °"
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED
May 19, 2022
Thomas L Johnson
Email: [e-mail]
Mason Mountain Mine
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Mason Mountain Mine
Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006560
Macon County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Mason Mountain Mine
on 5/10/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with
the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006560. The findings and
comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report
entitled ''Compliance Inspection Report".
Please carefully review the attached statute regarding the deemed requirements for gem mines and reference
the email sent to you on May 13, 2022. As mentioned in the report, once a spill control plan is received, you
can then submit a permit rescission request to Central Office. The spill control plan can be submitted to me via
email and the rescission request may be made to Nathaniel Thornburg ([e-mail]). If
you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to me at 828-296-4686 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
MU4l W z110...
OBABAE8EC2434B4...
Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report&02U.0113
Ec: LF
D -?) North Carolina Department of Environmental quality I Division of Water Resources
Asheville Regional Office 12090 US.Highway 70 I Swannanoa.North Carolina 28778
o+urnmoiew«*TMm,iws� /"� 828.296,4500

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQ0006560 Effective:06/19/15 Expiration:05/31/20 Owner :Thomas L Johnson
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Macon
Asheville
Thomas L Johnson
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Mason Mountain Mine
465 Mason Mtn Dr
Franklin NC 28734
Title:Phone:[phone]
Take Hwy 28 North from Franklin to mason Mountain Mine on the right.
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:
05/10/2022 10:00AM 10:30AM
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
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 37BDA6E6-227A-46CE-A969-EFAC4AF61E07
DocuSign Envelope ID:37BDA6E6-227A-46CE-A969-EFAC4AF61 E07
Permit: WQ0006560 Owner-Facility:Thomas L Johnson
Inspection Date: 05/10/2022 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer,with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance inspection on May 10, 2022, following a
complaint site visit conducted on March 29, 2022. This inspection was conducted to determine if adequate steps had been
taken for the facility to request permit rescission.Tom Johnson, owner, was present during the inspection.
During the previous visit, a seep was noted from the embankment of the second settling pond. Since then, Mr. Johnson
moved the second settling pond approximately five feet from the stream and graded and sowed the area. Silt fencing was
also installed to help prevent the migration of the soil used for panning. It was recommended Mr. Johnson continue to
monitor and replace the silt fencing as needed until vegetation is reestablished along the stream bank. The new pond had
approximately three feet of free board.
Once a spill control plan is provided to the Division, the permittee may request rescission of the permit under 02U.0113.a.18.
Page 2 of 3

DocuSign Envelope ID:37BDA6E6-227A-46CE-A969-EFAC4AF61 E07
Permit: WQ0006560 Owner-Facility:Thomas L Johnson
Inspection Date: 05/10/2022 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type Yes No NA NE
Reuse(Quality) ❑
Infiltration System ❑
Lagoon Spray, LR ❑
Single Family Spray, LR ❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR ❑
Single Family Drip ❑
Recycle/Reuse
Page 3 of 3

15A NCAC 02U.0113 PERMITTING BY REGULATION
(a) The following utilizations of reclaimed water and closed-loop recycle activities shall be deemed to be permitted
pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1(b), and it is not necessary for the Division to issue individual permits or coverage under
a general permit for construction or operation of the following utilization systems provided the system does not
result in any violations of surface water or groundwater standards,there is no unpermitted direct discharge to surface
waters,and all criteria required for the specific system are met:
(1) Discharges to the land surface from flushing and hydrostatic testing water associated with utility
distribution systems,new sewer extensions,or new reclaimed water distribution lines;
(2) Overflow from elevated and covered or enclosed reclaimed water storage facilities if no viable
alternative exists and all reasonable measures are taken to reduce the risk of overflow;
(3) Any de minimus runoff from reclaimed water used during fire fighting or extinguishing, dust
control, soil compaction for construction purposes, street sweeping, overspray on yard inlets,
overspray on golf cart paths,or vehicle washing provided the use is approved in a permit issued by
the Division;
(4) Incidental discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that occurs as a result of
reclaimed water utilization activities provided such activity is approved in a reclaimed water
utilization permit issued by the Division, and the discharge does not violate water quality
standards. This does not exempt the reclaimed water user from complying with any applicable
local ordinances that may prohibit such discharges;
(5) Rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of reclaimed water lines in kind with the same horizontal
and vertical alignment;
(6) In accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0106(f)(5), flushing, including air release valve discharge,
and hydrostatic testing water discharges associated with reclaimed water distribution systems if no
water quality standards are violated;
(7) Utilization of reclaimed water received from a reclaimed water bulk distribution program
permitted under Rule.0601 of this Subchapter;
(8) Irrigation of residential lots or commercial application areas less than two acres in size that are
supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive reclaimed water system meeting the
requirements of Rules .0301, .0401, .0403, .0501, and .0701 of this Subchapter; Chapter 89G of
the General Statutes; approved by the local building inspection department; and installed by a
North Carolina Licensed Irrigation Contractor pursuant to G.S. 89G. A scaled site map showing
the location of the reclaimed water irrigation system and all features necessary to show
compliance with applicable setbacks in Rule .0701 of this Subchapter shall be submitted to the
reclaimed water provider;
(9) Irrigation of agricultural crops, including irrigation of ornamental crops by field nurseries and
aboveground container nurseries,supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive reclaimed
water system meeting the requirements of this Subchapter and approved by the reclaimed water
provider;
(10) Drip irrigation sites supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive reclaimed water system
generated from an onsite wastewater treatment facility meeting the criteria of this Subchapter and
the conjunctive system has been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and
is permitted under 18A.1900;
(11) Reuse of produced waters and flowback waters from oil and gas wells regulated by Article 27 of
G.S. 113 for reuse in accordance with water and waste management plans approved pursuant to
rules of the Mining and Energy Commission as set forth in 15A NCAC 05H;
(12) Toilet and urinal flushing systems supplied by reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive reclaimed
water system meeting the applicable requirements of Rules .0301, .0401, .0403, .0501, and .0701
of this Subchapter;Chapter 89G of the General Statutes; approved by the local building inspection
department;and installed by a North Carolina Licensed Plumbing Contractor pursuant to G.S. 89;
(13) Return of wastewater within an industrial or commercial process where there is no anticipated
release of wastewater provided the facility develops and maintains a spill control plan in the event
of a release,no earthen basins are used,and the system is contained and under roof;
(14) Recycling of rinse water at concrete mixing facilities for concrete mix removal from equipment
provided the wastewater is contained within concrete structures,there is sufficient storage capacity
to contain the runoff from a 24-hour, 25-year storm event plus one foot freeboard and the facility
develops and maintains a spill control plan in the event of a wastewater release. The facility shall

notify the appropriate Division regional office in writing noting the owner, location, and that the
design complies with the above criteria;
(15) Recycling of wash and rinse water at vehicle wash facilities provided the wastewater is contained
within concrete, steel or synthetic structures, all vehicle washing is conducted under roof or there
are no direct or indirect precipitation inputs, and the facility develops and maintains a spill control
plan in the event of a wastewater release;
(16) The reuse or return of wastewater within the treatment works of a permitted wastewater treatment
system;
(17) Recycle systems that are part of a stormwater management systems permitted under 15A NCAC
02H .1000, and the wastewater is recycled back through the process in which the waste was
generated;and
(18) Recycling of rinse water for separating gems from gravel, sand, or rock in a flume at commercial
gem mine facilities with total system flow of less than 100,000 gpd, provided the wastewater is
contained within storage structures, no biological or chemical additives are used, and the facility
develops and maintains a spill control plan in the event of a wastewater release. The facility shall
notify the appropriate Division regional office in writing noting the owner, location, and that the
design complies with the required criteria.
(b) Nothing in this Rule shall be deemed to allow the violation of any surface water, groundwater, or air quality
standards,and in addition any such violation is a violation of a condition of a permit.
(c) The reclaimed water user shall report any violation of this Rule or any discharge to surface waters from the
utilization systems listed in Paragraph (a) of this Rule to the Division and in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B
.0506.
(d) Utilization systems deemed permitted under this Subchapter shall remain deemed permitted, notwithstanding
any violations of surface water or groundwater standards or violations of this Rule or other Permitted By Regulation
rules in this Subchapter, until such time as the Director determines that they shall not be deemed permitted in
accordance with the criteria established in this Rule.
(e) The Director may determine that a utilization system shall not be deemed to be permitted in accordance with this
Rule and require the utilization system to obtain an individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general
permit.This determination shall be made based on existing or projected environmental impacts,compliance with the
provisions of this Rule and the compliance history of the facility owner.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-300; 143-215.1(a)(1); 143-215.1(b)(4)(e); 143-215.3(a),(d);
Eff.June 18, 2011 (See S.L. 2011-48);
Amended Eff.March 19, 2015;
Readopted Eff.March 21, 2019.

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