NC0090191_More Information (Requested)_20230620

DocuSign Envelope ID: 45E214EE-315C-4C77-AB6B-206DC41628C2
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 20, 2023
Ms. J. Monique Parker, CSP
Senior Vice President, Safety, Environmental & Health
Piedmont Lithium Carolinas, Inc.
42 E Catawba Street
Belmont, NC 28012
Subject: NPDES Permit Application NCO090191
Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Plant
Gaston County (MRO)
Via US Mail and Email
Dear Ms. Parker:
The Division of Water Resources, Industrial NPDES Permitting Unit (IPU) has reviewed the application
for the new permit: Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Plant (NC0090191). We have reviewed the extensive
amount of information provided to ensure a thorough review. With that said, please diligently follow EPA
Forms instructions to thoroughly complete the forms and provide all required information as applicable.
Please find below specific IPU comments:
1. Since full characterization of the facility discharges from the proposed mine is not possible before
the operation commencement, please provide Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, for 3 species:
a. Cenodapbnia dubia Chronic multi -dilution Survival and sublethal endpoints (reproduction).
b. Fathead minnow (Pimepbales promelas) multi -dilution Chronic Survival and sublethal endpoints
(growth).
c. Selenartrum capricornutum (green algae) for Growth.
WET testing is a vital component to implementing water quality standards under NPDES permits
program in accordance with the CWA Section 402. Please follow EPA guidelines as applicable. These
tests should be representative of all discharge outfalls at critical flow of receiving streams. The test
should also be representative of all four (4) seasons. It would be preferable that all three species tests
are performed on the same sample every quarter for 4 quarters.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORrH cARCLINA ^ �/
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 45E214EE-315C-4C77-AB6B-206DC41628C2
2. Please exclude extraneous information such as EPA forms' instructions, repetitive items etc.
3. Please provide a detailed list of requests of reporting waiver(s) with justification, for EPA forms in
a narrative format.
4. In EPA form 1, please include details of non -contact cooling water (item 9.2) and update the
associated flow diagram.
5. In EPA form 2D, please complete item 6.1.
6. In EPA form 2D, please complete items 7.9, 7.12 and 7.15.
7. In EPA form 2D, please complete sections 8 and 9 as applicable.
8. In EPA form 2D tables B, C and E, please report the mass of pollutant in lbs/d.
9. Since discharges from Lithium mining could have trace radioactive materials, please provide
information and details on whether this matter was considered during preparation of the application.
Also, one time sampling of all operation discharges that is derived or is in contact to Lithium Ore,
as reasonably possible, shall be done and reported in table B section 24 of EPA form 21), and for
Uranium in table E.
10. Please document how design criteria for sediment basin will accommodate water quality standards
(such aspH, metals etc.) of class WS-IV stream in close downstream to discharge points?
11. Please update the water flow diagram to reflect all discharges (and losses) on -site or off -site including
leachate from Lithium Hydroxide tailing storage area, process wastewater etc.
12. Please provide a Stormwater Management Plan (SWM.P) with applicable BMPs covering all related
operations and ancillary activities on site.
13. Please provide a management plan for any solids derived or in contact with proposed discharges.
14. Please provide a more legible, smaller scale map that clearly depicts the proposed outfalls for each
permit application separately, in accordance with project progress.
15. Please provide all related laboratory records for additional information requested in this letter.
16. Has the facility considered the impact of high flow discharge on the receiving streams and their
ecology in the proposed application? If so, please provide details.
DWR appreciates PLCI cooperation in this matter. Please address the mentioned items and resend a revised
copy of the proposed application at your first convenience. We look forward to working with you.
D � � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
gaparhneM of EmironmanW quay

DocuSign Envelope ID: 45E214EE-315C-4C77-AB6B-206DC41628C2
If you have any questions please contact Amir Adaryani, PhD at: amir.ada13ani9deq.nc.gov or Doug
Dowden at: doug.dowdengdeq.nc.gov.
Respectfully,
1DocuSigned by:
96258FEA6822C486"Au a�...
Amirhossein (Amir) Rezaei Adaryani, PhD
Environmental Engineer
Division of Water Resources, Permitting
cc: Central Files; NPDES Files
ec: Ms. J. Monique Parker CSP, Senior VP; PLCI at: mparkerki2iedmontlithium.com
Malissa Gordon, PLCI at: mgordonkl2iedmontlithium.com
Wes Bramlett PE, HDR Engineering, Inc... wes.bramlettkhdrinc.com
David Miller PE, State Mining Engineer, DEMLR david.millerkdeq.nc.gov
Adam Parr PE, Assistant State Mining Engineer; DEMLR at: adam.parrkdeq.nc.gov
Mike Lawyer CPSWQ, Stormwater Program Manager; DEMLR at: mike.lawyerkdeg.nc.gov
Michael Montebello NPDES Program Branch Chief NCDEQ at: michael.montebellokdeq.nc.gov
Keyes McGee, Pretreatment Coordinator NCDEQ at: ken e�gee(kdeq.nc.gov
G. Landon Davidson P.G, Regional Supervisor ARO at: landon.davidsonkdeq.nc.gov
Doug Dowden, Environmental Program Supervisor at: doug.dowdenndeg.nc.gov
Josh Kastrinsky, Public Information Officer NCDEQ at: josh.kastrinskYa,deq.nc.gov
David Lambert, Project Liaison NCDEQ at: David.Lambert(kdeq.nc.gov
Joel Hansel, Division of Water — Water Quality Standards, EPA Region 4 at: Hansel.Joel(kepa.gov
Kip Tyler, Division of Water, EPA Region 4 at: Tyler.Kipk pa.gov
D � � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
gaparhneM of EmironmanW quay