WQ0015487_Powell Industry Response Letter_20080929

R.C.R. INC.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR - CRANE SERVICE
RCFGary D. McKay, P.E.
P. O. Box 3157 - 560 Hazelwood Avenue
Waynesville, North Carolina 28738 President
828-456.9570 FAX [phone] -
CONSTRUCTION EMAIL: [e-mail]
COMPANY
September 29, 2008 OCT
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North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources
DWQ-Surface Water Protection i- -
Asheville Regional Office
Starr Silvis, P.E. - - - -
Environmental Engineer
2090 U.S. Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Dear Ms. Silvis,
Following our meeting with Mr. Ed Williams and Mr. Bruce Powell concerning the
Powell Industry permit, we think these are the facts:
1. This facility was designed under the guidelines of the state and was permitted by
the state in 1998.
2. The purposes of the design were to recycle water for a log sprinkling operation,
filter particulate matter from the water and to minimize the discharge of storm
water from the site.
3. To accomplish these goals, two ponds were constructed. The upper pond contains
the sprinkling pumps and settles particles. All runoff from the site flows through
this pond as required by the permit. The purpose of the second pond is for storage
of overflow from the first pond, in order to manage storm water on the site.
4. Since our meeting, we have had a 4.5 inch rain fall event with zero discharge from
the site and over 3 feet of freeboard in the second pond, so the design is achieving
its goals.
Given these facts, we think Powell's is in compliance with the original permit at
this time. We understood you to say that the original permit has expired. However,
that permit number is W00015487 and the notice of violation dated August 3, 2007
references that permit number.
In 2003, Powell Industries was issued general permit number NCG210000 for
the discharge of storm water. However, the wording of the permit excludes wood chip
mills, so this permit was issued in error.
Powell's is aware of the record -keeping requirements of the permit and has set up a
system to maintain this information.
Sin �cjly, Z c'
aJry McKay P.E. 7 /