820047_Application_20230627

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB3BAF8B-18A9-413B-8A65-C63B50DC56EE
To: Christine Lawson
Program Manager
Animal Feeding Operations Program
Department of Environmental Quality
Raleigh, NC
26 June 2023
Request for modification - Certificate of Coverage No. AWS820047
Dear Christine,
Thornton Swine Farm
731 W. Darden Rd,
Clinton NC, 28328
We request a modification of the permit to operate the Swine Waste Collection,
Treatment, Storage and Application System for Thornton Swine Farm — covered by
Certificate of Coverage No. AWS820047.
We wish to install a Phinite Sludge Drying System to manage sludge on this farm.
Details and siting information are attached. Approval is requested under Section 1-10 of
the North Carolina Swine Farm General Permit.
Warm regards,
Bob Thornton
Ea
DocuSigned by:
, LC8F8EBA05CE4A6...

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB3BAF8B-18A9-413B-8A65-C63B50DC56EE
Project description — NC DEQ Permit Modification
Overview:
The Phinite Sludge Drying System will be located on the farm and acts to dry anaerobically digested
hog manure residuals (sludge) that have accumulated in the lagoon over time. Sludge material is
removed from the lagoon and loaded into the drying shed. The material harvested from the lagoon
is a solid/semi-solid material and has little to no free water. Sludge extraction has no deleterious
effect upon lagoon operation, and improves lagoon function by increasing the volume of the
anaerobic treatment zone over time.
Over a period of typically 2 months, the material dries through the use of ambient airflow. A robot
mechanical agitator is located inside the structure and is operated by Phinite to mix the material and
assist it in drying. Dried sludge material will stored on -site until it can be utilized as a soil
amendment by transfer to a certified manure hauler.
Sludge drying and exporting projects have the potential to improve the environmental quality of
North Carolina by a substantial amount, through the redistribution of manure nutrients to areas of
nutrient deficit.
Project Specifics:
This drying project has been sized to consist of a concrete basin 180ft long and 30ft wide with 2ft
high sidewalls. The concrete floor slopes toward a sump which is designed to catch any water. Any
water captured by the system is contained within a water -containing structure and is returned to the
lagoon. The drying system is covered by a hoop greenhouse which keeps out rainfall.
The concrete slab is a minimum of 4" thick and is constructed to appropriate engineering standards.
The concrete side walls are constructed on -top of the slab with appropriate tie-ins. This water -
containing structure is designed to contain and prevent migration of any pollutants handled by the
drying system. All liquid is captured and returned to the lagoon on the farm.
The attached drawing shows the proposed location of the site with respect to neighbours.
Although there is no specific structure within the NC siting act that is consistent with a Phinite Drying
System, Phinite confirms the proposed location complies with requirements of the NC siting act. See
the attached drawings for review of locations with respect to the NC Siting Act.
The Waste Utilization Plan at this site has been reviewed by a Technical Specialist. This project is
located within an existing sprayfield. The NUP for the farm has been revised by James Lamb from
Prestage Farms. This has previously been submitted to NCDEQ and is attached.
Reporting:
This project will keep records of:
• The date and volume of sludge removed from the lagoon during each sludge extraction
event.
• The volume of dry product transported off the farm.
• The destination of each batch of dry product extracted from the lagoon.
These records will be updated to the farm waste logs every 3 months. Sludge removal will be
correlated with sludge surveys performed each year under the normal operations on the farm.

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB3BAF8B-18A9-413B-8A65-C63B50DC56EE
Calm Winds (<0.9 m/s):
43.6% of observations
Wind Speed:
0.9to2ms
2to3ms
Wind rose for KCTZ in Clinton, NC
For Jan 6, 2002 to Aug 9, 2022 (94% of data available)
N
NNW NNE
NW � NE
WNW ENE
I
W ( ��
WSW \ '
SW
SSW
S SSE
3to5ms 7to9ms
5to7ms ?9ms
SE
E
ESE
Figure 1 - Windrose for Clinton - the most relevant wind monitoring location for this site.
Sign Off:
I confirm this information is correct to the best of my knowledge.
DocuSigned by:
94556FB1D306438...
Jordan Phasey
CEO — Phinite
4�1
ro
climate.ncsu.edu
2

Distance to Dwelling FEMA 100 Year Floodplain Siting Map
731 W Darden Rd
Project Footprint Surrounding Parcels Clinton, North Carolina
Buildings 731 W Darden Rd
NWI Wetlands
A
0 250 500 Ft

Waste Utilization Plan
Producer: Bob Thornton County: Sampson
Name of Farm: Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm
Location: 731 W Darden Rd.
Clinton NC 28328
rhone: 910-990-5291
Type of Operation: Feed -Finish, Wean -Feeder
Number of Animal: 5760 7680
Storage Structure: Anaerobic Lagoon
Method of Application: Irrigation
Amount of waste produced per year. 14187 ton/year
Amount of plant av iilable N (PAN) produced/year: Feed -Finish 9792 lbs./year
Wean -Feed 2611lbs,/year
Total 12403 Ibs./year
The waste from your animal facility must be land applied at a specified rate to prevent
pollution of surface water and/or groundwater. The plant nutrients in the animal waste
should be used to reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer required for the crops in the
fields where the waste is to be applied.
This waste utilization plan uses nitrogen as the limiting nutrient. Waste should be analyzed
before each application cycle. Annual soil tests are strongly encouraged so that all plant
nutrients can be balanced for realistic yields of the crop to be grown.
Several factors are important in the implementing your waste utilization plan in orderto
maximize the fertilizer value of the waste and to ensure that it is applied in an environmentally
safe manner.
1. Always apply waste based on the needs of the crop to be grown and the nutrient
content of the waste_ Do not apply more nitrogen than the crop can utilize.
2. Soil types are important as they have different infiltration rates, leaching potentials,
cation exchange capacities, and available water holding capacities.
3. Normally waste shall not be applied to land eroding at more than 5 tons peracre per
year. Waste may be applied to land eroding at 5 or more tons per acre annually, but
less than 10 tons per acre per year providing that adequate filter strips are
established.
4. Do not apply waste on saturated soils, when it is raining, or when the surface is
frozen_ Either of these conditions may in runoff to the surface waters which is not
allowed under DWQ regulations.
5. Wind conditions should also be considered to avoid drift and downwind odor problems.
6. To maximize the value of the nutrients for crops production and to reduce the potential for
pollution, the waste should be applied to a growing crop or applied not more than 30 days
prior to planting a crop or forages breaking dormancy. Injecting the waste ordisking will
conserve nutrients and reduce odor problems.
This plan is based on the waste application method shown above. If you choose to change methods
in the future, you need to revise this plan. Nutrient levels for different applications methods are
not the same.
The estimated acres needed to apply the animal waste is based on typical nutrient content for
this type of facility. Acreage requirements should be based on the waste analysis report from
your waste management facility. In some cases you may want to have plant analysis made, which
9Z-4- Awli

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm
Page 2
could allow additional waste to be applied. Provisions shall be made for the area receiving
waste to be flexible so as to accommodate changing waste analysis content and the crop type.
_ ime must be applied to maintain pH in the optimum range for specific crop production. This
waste utilization plan, if carried out, meets the requirements for compliance with 15A NCAC
2H .0217 adopted by the Environmental Management Commission.
YOUR WASTE UTILIZATION PLAN IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
Tract No.
Field No.
Soil Type
Crop
Code
Yield/Ac
Lbs. N
unit
Acres
Lbs N
Used
Month to
Apply
Lbs. N
PerAc
6589
2
Wagram
CB/Hay
5.5
50
9.50
2613
MAR-SEP
275
6589
2
Wagram
SG/Hay
1
So
9.50
475
OCT-MAR
So
4909
CenterPirot
Woodington
CS/Hay
4.5
43
39.05
7576
MAR-SEP
194
4909
center Pivot
woodington
SG/Hay
1
50
39.05
1953
-MAR
50
Total 48.55 12616 lbs.
Available Nitrogen 12403 lbs.
Surplus or deficit -213 lbs-
Applying the above amount of waste is a big job. You should plan time and have appropriate equipment to apply
the waste in a timely manner.

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm Page 3
The applicator is cautioned that P and K may be over applied while meeting the N requirements. In the future
regulations may require farmers in some parts of North Carolina to have a nutrient management plan that
ddresses all nutrients. This plan only addresses nitrogen.
In interplanted fields (i.e. small grain, etc. interseeded in bermudagrass), forage must be removed through
grazing, hay and /or silage. Where grazing, plants should be grazed when they reach a height of six to nine
inches. Cattle should be removed when plants are grazed to a height of four inches. In fields where small grain
etc is to be removed for hay or silage, care should be exercised not to let small grain to reach maturity,
especially late In the season I Le. April or May) Shading may result if small grain gets too high and this will
definitely interfere with the stand of bermudagrass. This loss of stand will result in reduced yields and less
nitrogen being utilized. Rather than cutting small grain for hay or silage just before heading as is the normal
situation, you are encouraged to cut the small grain earlier. You may want to consider harvesting hay or silage
two to three times during the season, depending on the time small grain is planted in the fall.
The ideal time to interplant small grain, etc. Is late September or early October. Drilling is recommended over
broadcasting. Bermudagrass should be grazed or mowed to a height of about two inches before drilling for best
results.
Caution must be exercised in grazing or haying summer annuals under stressed conditions. Nitrate poisoning
may occur in livestock. Sampling forage or hay for nitrate levels is recommended.
Acres shown in the tables are considered to be the usable acres excluding required buffers, filters strips along
ditches, odd areas unable to be irrigated, and perimeter areas not receiving full application rates due to
equipment limitations. Actual total acres in the field listed may, and most likely will be, more than the acres
shown in the tables.
—See attached map showing the fields to be used for the utilization of animal waste.
SLUDGE APPLICATION:
The waste utilization plan must contain provisions for periodic land application of sludge at agronomic rates.
The sludge will be nutrient rich and will require precautionary measures to prevent over application of nutrients
or other elements. Your production facility will produce approximately 2627 lbs. of plant available
nitrogen per year in the sludge.
If you remove sludge every 5 years you will have approximately 13135 lbs. of PAN to utilize- Assuming
you apply this PAN to hybrid bermudagrass hayland at the rate of 300 lbs/acre you will need 44
acres of land. If you apply the sludge to corn at the rate of 125 Ibs, of nitrogen per acre you will need 105
acres of land. Please be aware that these are only estimates of the PAN and the land needed. Actual
requirements could vary by 25% depending on the sludge waste analysis, sail types, realistic yields, and
application methods.
APPLICATION OF WASTE BY IRRIGATION
The irrigation application rate should not exceed the intake rate of the soil at the time of irrigation such that
runoff or ponding occurs. This rate is limited by initial soil moisture content, soil structure, soil texture, water
droplet size, and organic solids. The application amount should not exceed the available water holding capacrty

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm Page 4
of the soil at the time of irrigation nor should the plant available nitrogen appffed exceed the nitrogen needs of
the crop.
If surface irrigation is the method of land application for this plan, it is the responsibility of the producer and
irrigation designer to ensure that an irrigation system is installed to properly irrigate the acres shown in tables.
Failure to apply the recommended rates and amounts of nitrogen shown in the tables may make this plan
invalid.
The following table is provided as a guide for establishing application rates and amounts.
Tract No.
Field No.
Soil Type
Crop
Code
Applic.
Rate(in/hr)
Applic.
Amount
5589
2
Wagram
CB/Hay
0.5
1.0
6589
2
Wagram
SG/Hay
0.5
1.0
4909
Center Pivot
wooding[ n
ca/Hay
0.4
1.0
4909
Censer Pivot
woodington
SG?Hay
0.4
1.0

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm
Page 5
This is the maximum application amount allowed for the soil assuming the amount of nitrogen allowed for the
crop is not over applied. to many situations the application amount shown cannot be applied because of the
nitrogen limitations. The maximum application amount shown can be applied under optimum soil conditions.
Your facility is designed for 180 days of temporary storage and the temporary storage must be removed on the
average of once every 6 months. In no instances should the volume of the waste be stored in your structure
be within the 25 year 24 hour storm storage or one foot of freeboard except in the event of the 25 year 24 hour
storm.
It is the responsibility of the producer and the waste applicator to ensure that the spreader equipment is operated
properly to apply the correct rates shown in the tables. failure to apply the recommended rates and amounts of
nitrogen shown in the tables may make this plan invalid.
Call yourtechnical specialist after you have receive the waste analysis report for assistance in determining the
amount of waste per acre and the proper application rate prior to applying the waste.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATION
Plan updated to remove pull 18, 3.7 acres from the 2019 WUP

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm Page 6
WASTE UTILIZATION PLAN
REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
1. Animal waste shall not reach surface waters of the state by runoff, drift, manmade
conveyances, direct application, or direct discharge during operation or land application.
Any discharge of waste which reaches surface water is prohibited.
2. There must be documentation in the design folder that the producer either owns or has an
agreement for use of adequate land on which to property apply waste. If the producer
does not own adequate land to properly dispose of waste, he/she shall provide a copy of
an agreement with a landowner who is within a reasonable proximity, allowing him/her the
use of the land for waste application. It is the responsibility of the owner of the facility to
secure an update of the Waste Utilization Plan when there is a change in the operation,
increase in the number of animals, method of utilization, or available land_
3. Animal waste shall be applied to meet, but not exceed, the nitrogen needs for realistic crop
yields based on soil type, available moisture, historical data, climatic conditions, and level
of management, unless there are regulations that restrict the rate of application for other
nutrients.
4. Animal waste shall be applied to land eroding less than 5 tons per acre per year. Waste
may be applied to land that Is eroding at 5 or more tons, but less than 10 tons per acre per
year providing grass filter strips are installed where runoff leaves the field. (5ee FOTG
standard 393 - Filter Strip).
5. Odors can be reduced by injecting the waste or disking after waste application Waste
should not be applied when there is danger of drift from the irrigation field.
6. When animal waste is to be applied on acres subject to flooding, it will be soil incorporated
on conventionally tilled cropland. When applied to conservation tilled crops or grassland,
the waste may be broadcast provided the application does not occur during a season
prone to flooding. (See "Weather and Climate in North Carolina" for guidance.)
7. Liquid waste shall be applied at rates not to exceed the soil infiltration rate that runoff
does not occur offsite or to the surface waters and in a method which does not cause drift
from the site during application. No ponding should occur in order to control odor or flies,
g. Animal waste shall not be applied to saturated soils, during rainfall events, or when the
surface is frozen.
9. Animal waste shall be applied on actively growing crops in such a manner that the crop is
not covered with waste to a depth that would inhibit growth. The potential for salt damage
from animal waste should also be considered.
10. Waste nutrients shall not be applied in fall or winter for spring planted crops on soils with a
high potential for leaching. Waste nutrient loading rates on these soils should be held to a
minimum and a suitable winter cover crop planted to take up released nutrients. Waste
shall not be applied more than 30 days prior to planting of the crop or forages breaking
dormancy.
11. Any new swine facility sited on or after October 1, 1995 shall comply with the following:
The outer perimeter of the land area onto which waste is applied from a lagoon that is a
component of a swine farm shall be at least 50 feet from any residential property boundary
and from any perennial stream or river (other than an irrigation ditch or canal. Animal
waste other than swine waste from facilities sited on or after October 1, 1995), shall not be
applied closer than 25 feet to perennial waters. (See Standard 393 - Filter Strips).

Thornton Swine Farm 1-8 & new farm Page 7
REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
(continued)
12. Animal waste shall not be applied closer than 100 feet to wells.
13. Animal waste shall not be applied closer than 200 feet of dwellings other than those owned
by he landowner_
14. Waste shall be applied in a manner not to reach other property and public right-of-ways.
15. Animal waste shall not be discharged into surface waters, drainage ways, or wetlands by
discharge or by over -spraying. Animal waste may be applied to prior converted wetlands
provided they have been approved as a land application site by a 'technical specialist'.
Animal waste shall not be applied on grassed waterways that discharge directly into water
courses, and on other grassed waterways, waste shall be applied at agronomic rates in a
manner that causes no runoff or drift from the site.
16. Domestic and industrial waste from wash down facilities, showers, toilets, sinks, etc., shall
not be discharged into the animal waste management system.
17. A protective cover of appropriate vegetation will be established on all disturbed areas
(lagoon embankments, berms, pipe runs, etc.). Areas shall be fenced as necessary to
protect the vegetation. Vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and other woody species, etc.,
are limited to areas where considered appropriate. Lagoon areas should be kept mowed
and accessible. Berms and structures should be inspected regularly for evidences of
erosion, leakage or discharge.
'.8. If animal production at the facility is to be suspended or terminated, the owner is
responsible for obtaining and implementing a "closure plan" which will eliminate the
possibility of an illegal discharge, pollution and erosion.
19. Waste handling structures, piping pumps, reels, etc., should be inspected on a regular
basis to prevent breakdowns, leaks and spills. A regular maintenance checklist should be
kept on site_
20. Animal waste can be used in a rotation that includes vegetation and other crops for direct
human consumption. However, if animal waste is used on crops for direct human
consumption it should only be applied pre -plant with no further applications of animal waste
during the crop season
21. Highly visible markers shall be installed to mark the top and the bottom elevations of the
temporary storage (pumping volume) of all waste treatment lagoons. Pumping shall be
managed to maintain the liquid level between the markers. A marker will be required to
mark the maximum storage volume for waste storage ponds.
22. Waste shall be tested within 60 days of utilization and soil shall be tested at least annually
at crop sites where waste products are applied. Nitrogen shall be the rate -determining
element. Zinc and copper levels in the soil shall be monitored and alternative crop sites
shall be used when these metal approach excessive levels, pH shall be adjusted for
optimum crop production and maintained. Soil and waste analysis records shall be kept
for five (5) years. Poultry dry waste application records shall be maintained for three (3)
years. Waste application records for all other waste shall be maintained for five (5) years.
3. Dead animals will be disposed of in a manner that meets North Carolina regulations.

NARRATIVE: Use this section to describe the method(s) that will be used to lower the sludge
depth. If microbe use is planned, specify the product to be used.
Sludge ManagementlOperation Plan
Sludge Management Guide
Lagoon evaluation data developed by NCSU and a review of lagoon management records of several lagoons
showed that treatment capacity of the swine lagoons evaluated in NC was not significantly adversely affected
by sludge accumulations of 50% or more -of the planned treatmentvolume of the lagoon. Therefore it is felt
that it is permissible to allow sludge accumulation into the planned treatment zone of properly monitored and
managed lagoons provided that:
. Nutrient values of the lagoon effluent are within the normal operating range.
• There Is no noticeable increase in lagoon odor.
. Nutrients land applied from the lagoon are properly accounted for in the application plan (WUP)
Sludge Management
Sludge in my lagoon will be managed by the following
• Adequately monitor to define sludge volume, location, and rate of accumulation by conducting an
annual sludge survey.
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 feet deep zone, free of sludge at the pump intake during Irrigation.
• Position the pump intake and manage the Irrigation operation such that the material irrigated is not
more concentrated than the nutrient analysis samples.
• Sufficient monitoring to address concerns that nutrients are not over applied.
• Other items as required by DWQ.
hereby certify that I have reviewed the information listed above and included within the attached
Plan of Action, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, the information is accurate and
correct
914 lfiatri7oil Phone:_
Facility Owner/Manager (print)
Date: /1/ -,/
Facility Owner/Manager (signature)
Return this form to:
NC Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
SPOA 5-18-04 Page 2 of 2

PLAN OF ACTION (POA) FOR LAGOON SLUDGE REDUCTION
Facility Number: 82-47 County: Sampson
Facility Name: Bob Thornton 5-8
Certified Operator Name: Operator #: Air �0
Note: A certified Sludge Management Plan may be submitted in lieu of this POA.
La oon 1
Lagoon 2
Lagoon 3
Lagoon 4
. Lagoon 5
Lagoon 6
a. Lagoon Name/ Identifier
1
b. Total Sludge Depth (ft)
5.7
c. Sludge Depth to be
Removed for Compliance
.1
ft
d. Sludge Volume to be
Removed (gallons)
37,754
e. Sludge PAN
(Ibsf1000 gal)
f. Liquid PAN
(lbs/1000 gal)
g. PAN of Sludge (Ibs)
(d x e)/1000
Compliance Timeframes:
If.the sludge level Is equal to or higher than the stop pump level of the lagoon or if the sludge level
results in an elevated waste analysis, a sludge management plan that meets the requirements of SB
Interagency Group Guidance Document 1.26 must be prepared by a technical specialist and submitted to
DWQ within 180 days. Work to reduce the sludge level must begin within another 180 days.
Compliance with NRCS Standard 359 must be achieved by the expiration date of the current permit, July
1, 2007.
If the sludge level is non -compliant, but below the stop pump level of the lagoon, compliance with NRCS
Standard 359 must be achieved by the expiration date of the current permit, July 1, 2007. If future
sludge surveys do not show improvement in sludge levels, DWQ may require the owner to develop a
sludge management plan that meets the requirements of SB Interagency Group Guidance Document
1.26.
SPOA 5-18-04 Page 1 of 2

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