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HomeMy WebLinkAbout820283_NOV-2020-PC-0429 Packet with Pictures (R)_20201001NOTICE OF VIOLATION/NOTICE OF INTENT PACKET ROBERT ALLEN THROTON FARM MS.CORNELIA FORD AWS820283 NOV-2020-PC-0429 U.S. POSTAL SERVICE CERTIFIED MAIL RECIEPT ru r9 m m IZ3 a Q r- Certified Mall Fee U.S. Postal Service"' CERTIFIED MAIL® RECEIPT Dotnestic Mail Only For delivery information, visit our website at wwlv.usps.cam OFFICIAL USE Extra Services & Fees (check bar, ear) fee as oppropnalg} Q ROOM Receipt(herdoopy) 5 [.] Return Receipt {eleptronfc] ❑Certllfed Mali Restricted Delivery ❑ Adult Signature Required Adult Srtnaturo Restricted Peiivery $ Postage Total Postage and Fees t i0 Q' Sent To 1-1 I= Street and. N No Cary, State, 21P..: r 0*- PS Form 3800, April 2015 PSb17530.02.000.gpy7 See Reverse for Instructions Postmark HereOii /2-420 esbotA SENDER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION • Complete time 1, 2, and 3. • Print your name and address an the reverse so that we can return the card to you. • Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece, or on the front if space permits. t, Article Addressed to: �a�r rzrt- A-LL r�1 rH ofM i i s . e4M6--LI4. row F/r oA 2,69 L -r)-1 -N L_A/ • Gk./ N'i'oN, N C a 3a.$s° �‘1P 11IIIIIIIIIIIIII1111l1 VIIII1 �IIIIIIII1I II I 9590 9402 5878 0038 2329 50 2. Article Number (Transfer from service Labe!) COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON DELIVERY 8. H=•:ivedbbPrintedName) IiZo Stc�'Ic k1 D. Is delivery address different from item 1 ;. If YES, enter delivery address below c.1 61i t 1, 3. Service ❑ Adult Sign a ult Certified Certified ❑ Collect on C7 Collect on ❑eliv 7019 0700 0000 3643 1342 PS Form 3811, July 2015 PSN 7530-02-000-8053 tura cOf0rfiatIonTM ire Conttrmation Restricted Delivery Domestic Return Receipt Certified Mail service provides the following benefits: • A receipt (this portion of the Certified Mail label), loran ofectronic return receipt, stir) a retail • A unique Identifier for your maiilpiece. associate for assistance.To receive a duplicate ■ Electronic verification of delivery or attempted return receipt for no additional fee, present this delivery. 11SPS@-postmarked Certified Mail receipt to the inA record of delivery (including the recipient's retail associate. signature) that is retained by the Postal Service" - Restricted delivery service, which provides fora specified period. delivery to the addressee specified by name, or Important Reminders: to the addressee's authorized agent • You may purchase Certified Mail service with - Adult signature service, which requires the First -Class Mail*, First -Class Package Service*, sfgnee to be at least 21 years of age (not available at mtg. or Priority Mall* service. • Certified - Adult signature restricted delivery service, which Mall service is eatavaileble for requires the signee to heat feast 21 years of age international mail, and provides delivery to the addressee specified ■ Insurance coverage Is notavailable tar purchase by name, ar to the addressee's authorized agent with Certified Mail service, However, the purchase (not available at retail). of Certified Mail service does not change the ■ To ensure that your Certified Mali receipt is insurance coverage automatically included with accepted as legal proof of mailing, it should hear e certain Pr Drily Mail items LISPS postmark ft you would like a postmark on • For an additional foe, and with a proper ple thlied Mall t, ase rnt your endorsement on the mailpiece, you may request Cerfiis Certiled Mall item at areceipRost Officep'"esefar the fallowing services: postmarking. if you don't need a postmark on this - Rehm receiptservice, whidr provides a record Certified Mali receipt, detach the barcoded portion of delivery (Including the recipient's signature), of this label, affix it to the mailptece, apply You can request a hardcopy return receipt oran appropriate postage, and deposit the mallpiei;e. electronic version. for a hardcopy return receipt, complete PS Form 2811, Rim Receipt attach PS Form 3811 to your mailpfece; IMPORTANT: Save this receipt for your records PS Form 3800, April2015 (Reverse) PSN 753O-02-0e0ye47 i i USPS TRACKING # 9590 9402 5878 0038 2329 50 United States Postal Service First -Class Mail Postage & Fees Paid USPS Permit No. G-10 • Sender Please print your name, address. and ZIP+4G in this hex• N�y� Q-FA'1 11 'JLLE-R.G 640A -Lr iuls>,an.l OF W -rap_ tA.5 6 7Gt!G CG-+-&VTnnJ a.. 5 G_ R.c F S / S ir-. 7/9 F v-rrc .zc(a0 ��s#�ti+f rlifili�lirrtiiiilll�'�f1l�iilf�ilflf'r�rrl ll�l'f �I�'ll�i NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND/OR NOTICE OF INTENT R.OY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality September 29, 2020 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 7019 0700 0000 3643 1342 Robert Allen Thornton Farm Ms. Cornelia Ford 259 Ethan En Clinton NC 28328-8086 Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION/NOTICE OF INTENT Administrative Code 15A NCAC 2T .1304 NOV-2020-PC-0429 Incident number 202002628 Robert Allen Thornton Farm Facility Number 82-283 Permit AWS820283 Sampson County Dear Ms. Ford: On September 14, 2020, staff of the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR), Water Quality Regional Operations Section (WQROS) inspected the Robert Allen Thornton Farm and the permitted waste disposal system. As a result of this inspection, 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: Violation 1: Failure to maintain the maximum waste level in lagoons/storage ponds that 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: Page 2 :Varna Carolina De par talent of Environmental Quality Division of Water Re ]urres Fayetteville Regional Off re 1225 Green Street, Suite i I4 Fayetteville. North Carolina 23301 9104333300 Ms. Cornelia Ford September 29, 2020 a. there is a storm event more severe than a 25-year, 24-hour event; b. the Fermittee is in compliance with its CAWMP and c. there is at least one (1) foot of structural freeboard. — f15A NCAC 02T .1304(b)]. (Permit No. AWG100000 Section V2) On September 14, 2020, DWR received an email containing aerial pictures of your farm, and they documented ponded waste around the flexible hose at your irrigation pump. DWR documented that the ponded area was still there but none had left the field. DWR staff did document your lagoon level was 18.5 inches, and the minimum designed lagoon level is 19 inches. Based on the time stamp of the aerial photo you were purnping around 11:00 am, and when DWR staff arrived at 5:50pm, your irrigation pump was still running. Based on the debris on top of the horizontal pipe, DWR concluded your level prior to pumping was 17 inches or less. Required Corrective Action for Violation 1: Follow 30-day plan of actions provided to the DWR. In the future maintain your waste level in accordance with your facility's CAWMP. Take all necessary additional legal steps to insure lagoon levels remain in compliance with Section (V2) of your permit_ Violation 2: The Permittee shall report by telephone to the appropriate Division Regional Office as soon as possible, but in no case more than twenty-four (24) hours following first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following events: e. Failure to maintain storage capacity in a lagoon/storage pond greater than or equal to that required in Condition V. 2. of this General Permit. (Permit AWG No.100000 Section 17 e). Your permit specifically requires notification by telephone within 24 hours and a written report within 5_calenrlar nays following first knowledge of the orcuxrrn of a reportable permit condition. DWR has no record of receiving the 24-hour notification and the 5-day written report.. On September 14, 2020 as noted above in violation 1, DWR documented that your lagoon was non -compliant. Based on the debris on top of the horizontal pipe on your lagoon marker the lagoon level was less than 17inches for more than 24 hours prior to DWR site visit. Page 3 Ms. Cornelia Ford September 29, 2020 Required Corrective action for Violation 2: In the event of a high freeboard situation, call the regional office within twenty-four (24) hours of the first knowledge of the high freeboard. Prepare and submit within 48 hours a 30 day a Plan of Action (POA) for lowering the lagoon/storage pond to an acceptable level as described in your CAWMP and General Permit. Violation 3; Failure to maintain a protective vegetative cover on all earthen lagoon/storage pond embankments (outside toe of embankment to maximum operating levellcompliance level on embankment interior). Lagoon /storage pond areas shall be accessible, and vegetation shall be kept mowed. [ I SA NCAC 02T .1304(b)]. (Permit AWG 100000 Section II Condition 12). On SeprP bank had not been mowed and no vegetative cover has been established on the bare areas of your lagoon. The vegetation on the lagoon bank prevent proper inspection of the embankment. Both of these issue were noted in your May 15, 2019 routine compliance inspection. Required Corrective action for Violation 3: Mow your lagoon banks and repair any erosion and seed all bare areas of the lagoon bank within 90 days. The Division of Water Resources requests that, in addition to the specified corrective action above, please submit the following items on or before (October 31, 2020: 1. An explanation from the OIC for this farm regarding how these violations occurred. 2. A list from the OIC concerning the steps that will be taken to prevent these violations from occurring in the future. 3. A copy of your pumping rvcnrdlr fnr the 7070 Bermuda crop and freeboard levels and rainfall for 2020 You are required to take any necessary action to correct the above violations on or before December 31, 2020 and to provide a written response to this Notice by October 31, 2020. Please include in your response all corrective actions already taken and a schedule for completion of any corrective actions not addressed. Page 4 Ms. Cornelia Ford September 23, 2020 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 00) 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. 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 Steve Guyton at (910)-303-0151 or me at (910) 433-3336. Sincerely, (--DocuSigntA by:: - antIL 5189C203€CF5C428... J. Trent Allen Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources cc: DWR - WQROS - CAFO Unit --- Central Office PRO Compliance Animal Files-Laserfiche ?restage Farms _ as Facility No. Time In . 3-7-3 Time Out 6 -S- Date c)L )1- Farm Name p}iFn f i - Fas- - Integrator Owner -- FV,`1 Site Rep Operator No. Back-up No. COC Circle: General or NPDES Design Current Design Current Wean - Feed Farrow - Feed Wean - Finish Farrow - Finish Feed - Finish Gilts / Boars Farrow - Wean Others FREEBOARD: Design Observed Crop Yield Rain Gauge Soil Test Wettable Acres Sludge Survey Calibration/GPM 1 Waste Transfers Rain Breaker PLAT Weekly Freeboard Daily Rainfall 1-in Inspections Spray/Freeboard Drop Weather Codes 120 min Inspections Waste Analysis: Date Nitrogen (N) Date Nitrogen (N) Pull/Field Soil Crop Pan Window � w'-5 5r-7-,.Z /41 ter; r`- d(i oi !-1,:.-'- i ` ," --rA, t o t, , 0 FF /„,A ,- L; ,�r 4/0s/4 h-rr,1 � �y . l `ram I ?.'- Vim` -- rJ D .-yt 5 (A) 4,- 7-4a c N c.f is:: j e I tJ /-7 T1 Pam! c I .* ‘Y 10, 3 A^ n ! Ga- (i1.t--,1 1 J-1 f r(D ,rJ- _-f - ,(.f/71i INSPECTION REPORT / NOTES Onsite Representative: Certified Operator: Back-up Operator: Location of Farm: Facility Number Division of Water Resources Division of Soil and Water Conservation;' 0 Other Agency 9 3 , Type of Visit: Compliance Inspection 0 Operation Review 0 Structure Evaluation 0 Technical Assistance Reason for Visit: 0 Routine e1 omplaint 0 Follow-up 0 Referral 0 Emergency 0 Other 0 Denied Access Date of Visit: Arrival Time: Farm Name: , `t/77 . Owner Name: L frd { `.. 074 Departure Time: L , `3SYn. Owner Email: Phone: County: Region: Mailing Address: Physical Address: Facility Contact: (r' t,-7, �;�r "/ J Title: 82CZ2 Y'<" Phone: r it z-e,. Latitude: Integrator: Certification Number: Certification Number: Longitude: Swine Wean to Finish Wean to Feeder Feeder to Finish Farrow to Wean Farrow to Feeder Farrow to Finish Gilts Boars Other Design Current Capacity Pop. Other Design Current Wet Poultry Capacity Pop. Cattle Layer Non -Layer Design Current Fr Ca , aci Po Designs,, Current Capacit Pop. Discharges and Stream Impacts 1. Is any discharge observed from any part of the operation? Discharge originated at: ❑ Structure ❑ Application Field ❑ Other: a. Was the conveyance man-made? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE b. Did the discharge reach waters of the State? (If yes, notify DWR) ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE c. What is the estimated volume that reached waters of the State (gallons)? d. Does the discharge bypass the waste management system? (If yes, notify DWR) n Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE 2. Is there evidence of a past discharge from any part of the operation? n Yes 0'"1Vo ❑ NA ❑ NE 3. Were there any observable adverse impacts or potential adverse impacts to the waters n Yes Q'No ❑ NA ❑ NE of the State other than from a discharge? ❑ Yes DIN() ❑ NA ❑ NE Page 1 of 3 2/4/2015 Continued Date of Inspection: — Waste Collection & Treatment 4. Is storage capacity (structural plus storm storage plus heavy rainfall) less than adequate? a. If yes, is waste level into the structural freeboard? Identifier: Spillway?: Designed Freeboard (in): Observed Freeboard (in): El Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE ❑Yes ErVd ❑NA ❑NE Structure 1 Structure 2 Structure 3 Structure 4 Structure 5 Structure 6 5. Are there any immediate threats to the integrity of any of the structures observed? ❑ Yes [ No ❑ NA ❑ NE (i.e., large trees, severe erosion, seepage, etc.) 6. Are there structures on -site which are not properly addressed and/or managed through a ❑ Yes L No ❑ NA ❑ NE waste management or closure plan? If any of questions 4-6 were answered yes, and the situation poses an immediate public health or environmental threat, notify DWR 7. Do any of the structures need maintenance or improvement? 8. Do any of the structures lack adequate markers as required by the permit? (not applicable to roofed pits, dry stacks, and/or wet stacks) 9. Does any part of the waste management system other than the waste structures require maintenance or improvement? Waste Application 10. Are there any required buffers, setbacks, or compliance alternatives that need maintenance or improvement? 11. Is there evidence of incorrect land application? If yes, check the appropriate box below. [.es ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE ❑ Yes ❑`No ❑ NA ❑ NE ❑ Yes iNo ❑ NA ❑ NE n Yes n No ❑ NA []`NE ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA []ENE ❑ Excessive Ponding ❑ Hydraulic Overload n Frozen Ground ❑ Heavy Metals (Cu, Zn, etc.) ❑ PAN ❑ PAN > 10% or 10 lbs. ❑ Total Phosphorus ❑ Failure to Incorporate Manure/Sludge into Bare Soil ❑ Outside of Acceptable Crop Window ❑ Evidence of Wind Drift ❑ Application Outside of Approved Area 12. Crop Type(s): 13. Soil Type(s): 14. Do the receiving crops differ from those designated in the CAWMP? n Yes ❑ No ❑ NA (`jNE 15. Does the receiving crop and/or land application site need improvement? nYes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE 16. Did the facility fail to secure and/or operate per the irrigation design or wettable ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA Q'TIE acres determination? 17. Does the facility lack adequate acreage for land application? n Yes ❑ No ❑ NA 1*_ 18. Is there a lack of properly operating waste application equipment? n Yes [a'1\io ID NA ( NE Required Records & Documents 19. Did the facility fail to have the Certificate of Coverage & Permit readily available? n Ycs ❑ No ❑ NA ❑-'NE 20. Does the facility fail to have all components of the CAWMP readily available? If yes, check n Yes ❑ No ❑ NA Q'1\IE the appropriate box. ❑ WUP ['Checklists ❑ Design ❑ Maps D Lease Agreements ['Other: 21. Does record keeping need improvement? If yes, check the appropriate box below. ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA aNE ❑ Waste Application ❑ Weekly Freeboard ❑ Waste Analysis ❑ Soil Analysis ❑ Waste Transfers ❑ Weather Code ❑ Rainfall ❑ Stocking ❑ Crop Yield ❑ 120 Minute Inspections ❑ Monthly and 1" Rainfall Inspections ❑ Sludge Survey 22. Did the facility fail to install and maintain a rain gauge? n Yes ❑ No ❑ NA Er -NE 23. If selected, did the facility fail to install and maintain rainbreakers on irrigation equipment? n Ycs ❑ No ❑ NA E NE Page 2 of 3 2/4/2015 Continued Facility Number: ,L - '`j 1Date of Inspection: 7- J f 4 2c) 24. Did the facility fail to calibrate waste application equipment as required by the permit? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA 25. Is the facility out of compliance with permit conditions related to sludge? If yes, check ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA the appropriate box(es) below. ❑ Failure to complete annual sludge survey [] Failure to develop a POA for sludge levels D Non -compliant sludge levels in any lagoon List structure(s) and date of first survey indicating non-compliance: a E 26. Did the facility fail provide documentation of an actively certified operator in charge? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA 2'5-F, 27. Did the facility fail to secure a phosphorus loss assessments (PLAT) certification? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA El-i IF Other Issues 28. Did the facility fail to properly dispose of dead animals with 24 hours and/or document ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA [] NE and report mortality rates that were higher than normal? 29. At the time of the inspection did the facility pose an odor or air quality concern? ❑ Yes �No ❑ NA ❑ NE If yes, contact a regional Air Quality representative immediately. 30. Did the facility fail to notify the Regional Office of emergency situations as required by the I3 Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE permit? (i.e., discharge, freeboard problems, over -application) 31. Do subsurface tile drains exist at the facility? If yes, check the appropriate box below. ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA E NE ❑ Application Field ❑ Lagoon/Storage Pond ❑ Other: 32. Were any additional problems noted which cause non-compliance of the permit or CAWMP? ❑ Yes Erio ❑ NA L NE 33. Did the Reviewer/Inspector fail to discuss review/inspection with an on -site representative? ❑ Yes [] No L NA ❑ NE 34. Does the facility require a follow-up visit by the same agency? Efies ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE Comments (refer to question #): Explain any YES answers and/or any additional recommendations or any other comments. Use drawings of facility to better explain situations (use additional pages as necessary). J7'r� or94 cJp/ti' W�W� -rCYr�l dF_.1";' ' zi {C00 T i '� � di- 4003 =-/A-n J L» Y}C f jlY. �/ �r`'� J �` f��d� C fllr� akttymr. r- "I k.5 f /to /' !f .-Lz4 F ...5 'ii SC '+ l� a► fa q 13 Fill ,of 1Uz—r JS 0--AvS I.�rJ i��vv1PE 4,a_ AAR et_ i.Spair/ ;fu.J'3tJ1 �a..i143art--I,A F4d cnF iC:0-0-t c Reviewer/Inspector Name: Phone: �J1�'3 �3 �e7 L5 I Reviewer/Inspector Signature: Date: Page 3 43 2/4/2015 VIOLATORS RESPONSE AND NOTES Guyton, Steve From: Cornelia Ford <cjosci@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2020 11:11 AM To: Guyton, Steve Subject: [External] Letter Dear Mr. Steve, As of today, I still haven't heard anything. So, just so I know you have it in writing... I do apologize for not calling in on lagoon. I've always been good about that. Mr. Dunlap can vouch for me. But we have had a tougher than normal year. The day you were here, a new fuel pump had just been put on. It was picked up that day. The second one in as many months. First one did not last two pulls. Prior to that, there have been 3 or 4 starters (I've lost count)put on same engine in last six months or so. The last one just a couple of weeks before you were here. Between having parts rebuilt and waiting on parts to come in, it was not pumped as it normally would have been. Irrigation was running ,as you saw when you were here, and has been in compliance since that day. I was not aware level had gotten under 19 as I have been laid up with a severe leg injury. Open wound and broken to boot. And trying to get things done and not giving me more stress, my sons have been doing their best. But not necessarily keeping me informed on everything and I had something to say about that.. Hopefully I will be up and out before long...hopefully. Steps are being taken, as per our conversations, to address the bare spots on the lagoon dam. Also talked with extension agent. Again. I apologize for any aggravation this may have caused you. I will do my best to keep things in order in the future. Sincerely, Cornelia Ford i SITE PHOTOS 41. 1 1 r V L f 0 — ;. , 1 _f 0 , a t • tit i I C • It 1 I •j i 5 al 44%. Ar 7.44. 1 � y r � f f 1' +For i ■ } i` 11 PAPII ti 1 Awd • ice. •0- drfoc •� - • dr le r . • • IP -11 ? -a � +•��4 4 • - • lif44. w � 4 Y a gig * 1 71' rot-4 if* t . IN-. 4- .4._ 41, • • it 1 dew% • d lef 1 ‘1106 a � is I. A t a Y eff- eh - - • • y i * ti . ii651k - . • "i# 4 ✓ e Lef ; ti '-I '• i !,1,1,1,64,,,„ic ....:Pzir -. eep:— ; -..., ,c. • — , 1 .. 1 111 %I !ni \ - : . 4:111.. .r r", ▪ * a`' • fir..I • t * 1 ti Orgy' Oaf ▪ -611 ter• kr r I it r 11 r}le. ...0 i. 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