NC0061425_Draft Permit_20230613

Y a
ROY COOPER ( j, c. cy
Governor � 1
ELIZABETH S.BISER 'Zts�
Secretary .9.,►.-
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
6/13/2023
Water Quality Lab and Operations,Inc
Attn: Paul Isenhour,President
P.O Box 1167
Banner Elk,NC 28604
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0061425
Willow Valley Resort WWTP
Grade II Biological WPCS
Watauga County
Dear Permittee,
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Please review this draft carefully to ensure a
thorough understanding of the information,conditions,and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
I • Section A. (3.) has been updated to require electronic submission of
effluent data reports (DMRs). Federal regulations require electronic
submittal of all discharge monitoring.
• An updated outfall map has been included.
• Monitoring for turbidity has been added to determine compliance with 15A
NCAC 02B.0211 (21).
The NPDES standard conditions(Parts II, III,and IV)that are a part of the permit are not included in this draft
document(cover,map,and Part I).The conditions are the same as in your current permit except that agency and
division names have been updated. The latest version is available at https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification,the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Watauga County area,per EPA requirements. Please provide your
comments,if any,to me at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft,please contact me at
[phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Gig
Z5\Q—el
Catherine Shadwell
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File[Laserfiche]
Winston Salem Regional Office[Laserfiche]
North Cazolina Departmentry of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbu Street I1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
'TM cnrra aw 919.707.9000
e.r.�..+ru�..•.er Omagh

Permit NC0061425
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1
In compliance with the provisions of , other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Water Quality Utilities, Inc.
o afacilitylocated at the
is herebyauthorized to discharge wastew `'r from oc
g
Willow Valley t WWTP
R1
Wa Co my
to receiving waters designated as the aurel •rk in + Watauga River Basin in accordance with
effluent limitations, monitoring requir- • = er conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become ` ' - tive
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on September 30, 2027.
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers Jr.
Director,Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 6

Permit NC0061425
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked, and as of this issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective.
Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit
conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions described herein.
Water Quality Utilities, Inc.
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.03 MGD wastewater treatme t facility that includes the
following components:
• Dual extended aeration plant with flow equal' n
• Bar screen
• Aeration basin
• Clarifier
♦ Tertiary filter
♦ UV disinfection
• Flow monitoring and recording
• Generator for stand-by power
The facility is located at the Willow Va ey ° esort WWTP,NCSR 1109, Boone in Watauga County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached
map, into Laurel Fork, a waterbody currently classified C; Trout [Stream Index: 8-10] within
subbasin 04-02-01[HUC: 060101030303] of the Watauga River Basin.
Page 2 of 6

Permit NC0061425
PART I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade II Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration,the Permittee is
authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as
specified below:
PARAMETERS Limits Monitoring Requirements
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample
eDMR Code Average Maximum Frequency Sample Type Location2
Flow(MGD) 50050 0.03 MGD Continuous Recording I or E
Temperature oC 00010 Monitor and Report Weekly Grab E
Temperature oC 00010 Monitor and Report Weekly Grab U and D
Total Suspended Solids C0530 10.0 mg/L 15.0 mg/L Weekly Grab E
BOD 5-Day C0310 5.0 mg/L 7.5 • eekly Grab E
pH 00400 Not<6.0 or>9 ' .u. y Grab E
Fecal Coliform 31616 200/100 mL 41,
(geometric mean) Weekly Grab E
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Daily A - •.0 mg • Weekly Grab E
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Weekly Grab U and D
NH3 as N C0610 40 /L 10.0 mg/L Weekly Grab E
Turbidity3(NTU) 000 0 'eport Weekly Grab E
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall sub i' .isch. _ 1 o . s ng reports electronically using the NC DWR's
eDMR system [see A. " 4 .
2. Sample Locations: E= -nt, I= , ent. U=0.1 Mile (at bridge)upstream from
outfall. D=0.08 miles do -a .ridge. .
3. Effluent turbidity shall not cau eiving-stream turbidity to exceed 10 NTU. If background
turbidity naturally exceeds 10 N ,the effluent shall not cause background turbidity to
increase. Exceeding this permit limit will require sufficient instream sampling(upstream
and/or downstream)to verify compliance(effluent vs.background) [NCAC 02B. 0211 (21)].
See Condition A. (2.) for instructions should the facility's permitted UV system fail and an alternate
means of disinfection is required. Total Residual Chlorine monitoring requirements and limits are
applicable if chlorine compounds are used for disinfection.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN
OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS
Page 3 of 6

Permit NC0061425
A.(2.) TEMPORARY MEANS OF DISINFECTION
[G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]
a. In the event that the wastewater treatment plant's ultraviolet(UV)disinfection system fails,
underperforms,or is removed from effective service,the permittee or his agent shall immediately inform
the Winston Salem Regional Office of this development and discuss temporary,alternate means for
disinfection of the effluent.
b. If chlorine compounds are used as temporary means of disinfection,the total residual chlorine(TRC)
concentration of the effluent shall be monitored daily while this method of disinfection is in use and
values shall be reported on the discharge monitoring report. TRC in the effluent shall not exceed
28µg/L; therefore,dechlorination methods may also be necessary to ensure protection of water quality in
the receiving stream.
c. In the event that TRC monitoring should occur,the Division shall c.•sider all effluent TRC values
reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit. Ho 'er,the Permittee shall continue to
record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina cert.' .boratory(including field certified),
even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
d. Use of a disinfection system other than the permitted syste during tances not deemed as
emergency and/or temporary(replacement of lamp • p c mg or maintenance,etc.)will be
considered a violation of the terms of this permit.
A.(3.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING-DISC . • ' ' ' NG REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic as'ttal ' : 1 disc ge monitoring reports(DMRs)and program reports.
The final NPDES Electronic Reportin: e ' . •d became effective on December 21,2015.
NOTE: This special conditio' . . - a is ► •ersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit
(Standard Conditions for SPerm
• Section B. (1 . Sign: Requirements
• Section D.(2.) . ing
• Section D.(6.) ' -cords Retention
• Section E.(5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D.(2.)and Section E.(5.)(a)1
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report(eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s)shall be summarized for each month and submitted
monthly electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data
and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being
physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access,then a
temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge
Page 4 of 6

Permit NC0061425
monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms(MR 1, 1.1,2, 3)or alternative forms approved by
the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the following address:
NC DEQ/Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See"How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting"section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s)shall be summarized for each month and reported
via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the completed reporting
period. Regardless of the submission method,the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the
issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility,on the last day of the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21,2025,the permittee must electronically the following compliance
monitoring data and reports,when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;and
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports;an
• Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 316(b)Ann rts.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting 'om th 'vision(see"How to Request a Waiver
from Electronic Reporting"section below).
e. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41 '•),the -rmitt- ust identify the initial recipient at the time of each
electronic submission. The perm sho - A A's website resources to identify the initial recipient
for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of elect c NPD'. s fo ion from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity(EPA or
the state authorized by • to imple it the NPDES program)that is the designated entity for receiving
electronic NPDES data [ • 0 CFR .2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a websi .t will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type of
electronic submission and for eac state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic
reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pol lutant-discharge-elimination-
system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the"Reporting Requirements"section above.
f. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an electronic
reporting waiver,a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the
Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the Division
for written approval at least sixty(60)days prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to
begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years
and shall thereupon expire. At such time,monitoring data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the
Page 5 of 6

Permit NC0061425
Division unless the permittee re-applies for and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the
Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved
reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that
the approved reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the
following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
g. Signatory Requirements 'Supplements Section B. (11.)(b) and Supersedes Section B.(11.)(d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(a)or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A
person,and not a position,must be delegated signatory authority for eD R reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions,the person signing and submitting the D ' st obtain an eDMR user account and
login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more inform. i o •rth Carolina's eDMR system,
registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, e visit t •llowing web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR us e state's eDMR system shall make the
following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO 0 .. ' TA S OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE
ACCEPTED: 1111°P
"1 certify, under penalty of law, that t • - ._ ent ' all attachments were prepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance with a s des ed to . ure that qualified personnel properly gather and
evaluate the information submitte. ' ed . • of the person or persons who manage the system, or
those persons directly responsible fo • 'ring t e formation, the information submitted is, to the best of
my knowledge and belief t at,, •d complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for
submitting false inform• , inclu' • th• sibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
h. Records Retention 6. lemen ection D. 6.
The permittee shall retain reco all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These
records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period
may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Page 6 of 6

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Water Quality Utilities, Inc. Facility x
Willow Valley Resort WWTP i
Receiving Stream:Laurel Fork Stream Index:8 10 Location
Sub-Basin: 04-02-01 HUC: 060101030303 not to scale
Drainage Basin: Watauga River Basin Latitude: 36° 12' 18 N
Stream Class: C;Trout Longitude: 81°44' 12" W North NPDES Permit NC0061425
Watauga County

DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
a
- FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT
au+n
1. APPLICANT'S NAME: Hammocks Beach State Park-NC State Parks
2. LOCATION OF PROJECT SITE: 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd Swansboro,NC 278584
Longitude: Latitude:
3. INVESTIGATION TYPE:
4. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE:
Date of Visit Purpose of Visit Applicant Present?
5/3/2023 Major Permit Site Visit Yes
5. PROCESSING PROCEDURE:
Application Received Application Complete Regional Office
5/12/2023 5/30/2023 DCM- Morehead City Regional Office
6. SITE DESCRIPTION:
(A) Local Land Use Plan: Town of Swansboro
Land Classification from LUP: Land Classification From LUPs
(B) AEC(s) Involved: Estuarine and Ocean System, Coastal Shoreline,Estuarine
Shoreline, Public Trust Shoreline, Coastal Wetlands, Public Trust Areas, Estuarine
Waters
(C) Water Dependent: Yes
(D) Intended Use: Public/Government
(E) Wastewater Treatment:
Existing:
Planned:
(F) Type of Structures:
Existing: Boat ramp, Sill(other),Boat slips, Finger pier, Pier or dock,
Bulkhead(vinyl), Boardwalk,Non-resident. bldg./mix use, Parking lot
Planned: Sill(other)
(G) Estimated Annual Rate of Erosion:
Erosion Information Source: Annual Erosion Source
7. HABITAT DESCRIPTION:
DREDGED (ft2) FILLED (ft2) OTHER(ft2)
(A) Open Water
(B) CW's above NHW
(C) CW's below NHW
(D) Shallow Bottom 23584
(E)High Ground
(F) Non-Coastal WL
(E) Total Area Disturbed: 23584 ft2
(F) Primary Nursery Area: No
(G) Water Classification: HQW: High Quality Waters; SA: Market Shellfishing, Tidal
Salt Water
Field Investigation Report:Hammocks Beach State Park-NC State Parks
DCM Major Permit
Page 11

Open to Shellfishing: Yes
Field Investigation Report: Hammocks Beach State Park-NC State Parks
DCM Major Permit
Page 12

8. PROJECT SUMMARY:
The proposed project is for a living shoreline that would be constructed in four sections
totaling 3,520 ft. It would be placed along the mainland of the Hammocks Beach State Park
shoreline.
9. NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:
The Hammocks Beach State Park project is located at 1572 State Road 1511, Swansboro,
Onslow County.
The mainland property is 290 acres in its entirety. Queen Creek runs along the west side of the
property. The property is cleared at some locations with a visitor center, campsites,trails,
maintained lawn grass,parking lots, roads, and existing living shorelines, a docking facility
and boat ramp in section C l. There is also an existing bulkhead and docking facility in section
B. There are coastal wetlands along the entire shoreline,which consists mostly of Distichilis
spicata, Limonium carolinianum,Juncus roemerianus, Salicornia bigelovii, Scirpus acutus,
Spartina alterniflora,and Spartina patens on Queen Creek.
The Division of Water Resources classifies this area as SA/HQW Waters. This area of Queen
Creek is not designated as a Primary Nursery Area and is open to the taking of shellfish. Water
depths within this project location are -2'nlw/mlw to -3.5' nlw/mlw depending on location. The
bottom substrate is sand and some SAV were observed within the proposed sill area. A SAV
survey was completed by the applicant. Queen Creek is approximately 2,323 feet wide at this
location.
10. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The applicant is proposing to install 3,520 feet of living shoreline divided into 4 sections. The
4 sections are B (1,135 ft), Cl (1,150 ft), C2 (782 ft), and C3 (537 ft). According to my
calculations the entire sill will total to 3,604 feet.
Section B extends from the northern park boundary to the south portion of the 4H pier. The
applicant is proposing to install a living shoreline totaling 1,135 feet of combination QuickReef
and Natrx Sustainable ExoForms. This is proposed to have 10 sections with 9 gaps every 100 ft
that are each 5 feet long. 8 of the gaps would be overlapping baffles. The base width would be
6.7ft and 2ft in height. The landward edge of the sill would be no more than 30 ft from Normal
High Water. The water depths in this section are-2.2' to-3.4' at mhw.
Section Cl is located at the Hammocks Beach State Park visitor center and extends from the
existing dock to the existing 500' sill. The applicant is proposing to install a living shoreline
totaling 1,150 feet of combination QuickReef and Natrx Sustainable ExoForms. This is
proposed to have 10 sections with 9 gaps every 100 ft that are each 5 feet long. The gaps would
be overlapping baffles. The base width would be 6.7ft and 2ft in height. The landward edge of
the sill would be no more than 30 ft from Normal High Water. The water depths in this section
are -2.5' to -3.2' at mhw.
Section C2 is located at the northwestern terminus of the existing 500' sill to the bluff below
the existing Hickory Bluffs trail. The applicant is proposing to install a living shoreline totaling
Field Investigation Report: Hammocks Beach State Park-NC State Parks
DCM Major Permit
Page 13

782 feet of combination QuickReef and Natrx Sustainable ExoForms. This is proposed to have
7 sections with 6 gaps every 100 ft that are each 5 feet long. There would be a seventh gap at
the end of the existing sill and the beginning of this proposed sill separating Cl and C2. The
gaps would be overlapping baffles. The base width would be 6.7ft and 2ft in height. The
landward edge of the sill would be no more than 30 ft from Normal High Water. The water
depths in this section are -2.2' to -3.2' at mhw.
Section C3 is located at the bluff shoreline of the FFA camp. This sill would end south of a
small marsh channel. The applicant is proposing to install a living shoreline totaling 537 feet of
combination QuickReef and Natrx Sustainable ExoForms. This is proposed to have 5 sections
with 4 gaps every 100 ft that are each 5 feet long. The gaps would be overlapping baffles. The
base width would be 6.7ft and 2ft in height. The landward edge of the sill would be no more
than 30 ft from Normal High Water. The water depths in this section are -2.3' to -2.9' at mhw.
11.ANTICIPATED IMPACTS:
The proposed development would fill and usurp 23,584 ft2 of shallow bottom habitat. There
would be no filling of coastal wetlands or SAV.All portions would be at least 10'from any SAV.
The increase in suspended sediment and turbidity levels from the sill placement would be
temporary,occur while the sill placement is taking place and should be minimal given the bottom
composition. The proposed additions should not be a hindrance to navigation due to the fact all
portions would be located landward 1,305' from the USACOE channel setbacks. The proposed
development would also meet the minimum 15' setback from the riparian access lines and not
exceed a maximum distance of 36.7' waterward of NHW(includes base width).
Name: Kara Guthrie Date: 06-06-2023 Office: DCM - Morehead City Regional Office
Field Investigation Report: Hammocks Beach State Park-NC State Parks
DCM Major Permit
Page 14