820689_NOV-2022-PC-0200_20220603

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 3, 2022
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 7020 0090 0001 7206 2758
Steeds Farm Inc
PO Box 448
Mount Olive, North Carolina 28365
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Administrative Code 15A NCAC 2T .1304
Steeds Farm Inc Permit No. AWS820689
NOV-2022-PC-0200
Sampson County
Dear Mr. Steed:
On March 23, 2022, staff of NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water
Resources (DWR), Water Quality Regional Operations Section (WQROS) was notified by Frankie
Steed that Steed Farms, the permitted waste disposal system was non -compliant. We wish to thank Mr.
Steed for reporting a non -compliant lagoon level. The Lagoon was reported at 18 Inches. The 30-day Plan
of action required by your permit was submitted to DWR on March 23, 2022.
As a result of this notification, you are hereby notified that, having been permitted to have a non -
discharge permit for the subject animal waste disposal system pursuant to 15A NCAC 2T .1304, you have
been found to be in violation of your permit as follows:
GDE
NORTH C OLI JA '
omm mr� ep..of o�.i
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1225 Green St., Suite 714 I Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
910.433.3300

Page 2
Steed Farm Inc
June 3, 2022
Violation 1:
The maximum waste level in lagoons/storage ponds shall not exceed that specified in the facility's
CAWMP. At a minimum, maximum waste level for lagoons/storage ponds must not exceed the level that
provides adequate storage to contain the 25-year, 24 hour storm event plus an additional one (1) foot of
structural freeboard except that there shall be no violation of this condition if: a. there is a storm event
more severe than a 25-year, 24 hours event; b. the Permittee is in compliance with the CAWMP; and c.
there is at least one (1) foot of structural freeboard, - [15A NCAC 02T .0111(c)] (Permit No.100000
Section V 2).
On March 23, 2022, a lagoon/storage pond level was reported via phone at 18 inches of freeboard at Steed
Farm Inc. A level of 19 inches is the maximum level allowed by your permit. The 30-day Plan of action
was received on March 23, 2022.
Required Corrective Action for Violation 1:
Continue to follow the proposed actions outlined in you Plan of Action (POA) dated March 23, 2022.
Take all necessary additional steps to ensure lagoon levels remain in compliance with Section (V2) of
your permit.
The Division of Water Resources requests that, in addition to the specified corrective action
above, please submit the following items on or before 30 days from receipt of this letter:
1. A list from the OIC concerning the steps that will be taken to prevent these violations
from occurring in the future.
As a result of the violations in this Notice, this office is considering a recommendation for a civil
penalty assessment to the Director of the Division. If you wish to present an explanation for the
violations cited, or if you believe there are other factors, which should be considered, please send
such information to me in writing within ten (10) days following receipt of this letter. Your
response will be reviewed, and, if an enforcement action is still deemed appropriate, it will be
forwarded to the Director and included for consideration.
D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
gaparMeM of Environment,/quay
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1225 Green Street, Suite 714 I Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
910-433-3300

Page 3
Steed Farms Inc
June 3, 2022
Failure to comply with conditions in a permit may result in a recommendation of enforcement
action, to the Director of the Division of Water Quality who may issue a civil penalty assessment
of not more that twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars against any "person" who violates or
fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of a permit under authority
of G.S. 143-215.6A.
If you have any questions concerning this Notice, please contact Diane Harrison [phone]
or me at [phone].
Sincerely,
-fD\ocuSigneddn by: n� __
'V l
5189C2D3DD5C42B...
J. Trent Allen
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
cc: FRO Compliance Animal Files-Laserfiche
D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
gaparMeM of Environment,/quay
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1225 Green Street, Suite 714 I Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
910-433-3300