HomeMy WebLinkAbout820138_NOV-2023-PC-0271_20230630 (3)ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 30, 2023
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 7022 0410 0000 2466 1830
Mr. Linwood Eason
32 Eason -Elmore Rd
Dunn, NC 28334
Subject:
Notice of Violation
Eason Farm Inc
AWI820138
Sampson County
NOV-2023-PC-0271
Dear Mr. Eason:
On June 23,2023 staff of the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR), Water Quality Regional
Operations Section (WQROS) inspected the Eason Farm Inc. waste disposal system. We wish to
thank Mr. Linwood Eason, who was present and assisted during the inspection.
As a result of this incident, you are hereby notified that, having been permitted to have a non -
discharge permit for the subject animal waste disposal system pursuant to North Carolina
General Statutes G.S. 143-215 et seq. Section .402, you have been found to have been found to
be in violation of your permit as follows:
Violation 1:
Failure to collect an analysis of a representative sample of the animal waste to be applied shall be
conducted in accordance with recommended laboratory sampling procedures as close to the time
of application as practical and at least within sixty (60) days (before or after) of the date of
application. Every reasonable effort shall be made to have the waste analyzed prior to the date of
DffNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
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Fayetteville Regional Office 1225 Green St., Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
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application and as close to the time of waste application as possible. This analysis shall include
the following parameters: (Permit No. 100000 Section III 5). - [G.S. 143-215.1 OC(e)(6)].
Nitrogen Zinc
Phosphorus Copper
Failure to complete a waste analysis per permit requirements. There was a waste sample taken on
April 7, 2021, June 3, 2022, the next one was taken on May 12, 2023. There were multiple
pumping events from May of 2022 to March of 2023 where Mr. Eason used the Nitrogen level
from June 6, 2022, which was 2.84. The May 12, 2023, the sample came back with a nitrogen
level of 2.34. In the past 4 years there has been only one sample taken and multiple pumping
events during each year. Last year there was a Notice of Deficiency sent out due to the lack of
waste samples collected during the year.
Required Corrective Action for Violation 1:
Waste analysis should be taken 60 days before or 60 days after pumping events. If you take
samples every quarter this should cover, you for the year. Make sure to use the analysis that is
the closest to your pumping event within the 60 days.
Violation 2:
A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen lagoon/storage
pond embankments (outside toe of embankment to maximum operating level/compliance level
on embankment interior), berms, pipe runs, and storm water diversions with the goal of
preventing erosion. Trees, shrubs, and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on
the lagoon/storage pond embankments. All trees shall be removed in accordance with good
engineering practices. Lagoon/storage pond areas shall be accessible, and vegetation shall be
kept mowed. - (Permit No. 100000 Section II 12) [15A NCAC 02T .1304(b)]
There are multiple areas on the lagoon banks that need some grass cover. There is some erosion
on the back side of the largest lagoon with some bare areas on the inside also.
D North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1 225 Green Street, Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
NoarHcnaou n 910-433-3300
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Required Corrective Action for Violation 2:
Need to work on lagoon banks to establish vegetation on the multiple bares areas around
lagoons.
Violation 3:
The Permittee shall conduct a survey of the sludge accumulation in all lagoons every year. The
survey report should be written on forms provided or approved by the Division and shall include
a sketch showing the depth of sludge in the various locations within the lagoon. This survey
frequency may be reduced if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Division that the
rate of sludge accumulation does not warrant an annual survey. — (Permit No. 100000 Section III
22) [15A NCAC O2T .0108(b) and. 13O4(b)]
DWR inspected the farm on June 19, 2023, and during the inspection, DWR staff did not see a
current lagoon sludge survey, Mr. Eason said Curtis Barwick did the survey but there was not a
copy in the records. DWR staff asked Mr. Eason to send a copy to DWR staff when he gets a
copy of the survey.
Required Corrective Action for Violation 3:
Need to get sludge survey and have a copy in your records for the DWR staff to see. Send DWR
staff a copy of the survey.
You are required to take any necessary action to address the above violation:
The Division of Water Quality requests that, in addition to the specified corrective action above make
sure to get a waste analysis when you pump at least it will cover that pumping event.
1. Collect a waste sample every quarter and that should cover you during the year.
2. Work to establish grass cover on all lagoon bare areas.
3. Need a sludge survey every year, send a copy to DWR staff when you have it finished and add a
copy to your records.
D North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1 225 Green Street, Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
NoarHcnaou n 910-433-3300
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Failure to comply with conditions in the permit may result in a recommendation of enforcement
action, to the Director of the Division of Water Resources who may issue a civil penalty
assessment of not more than twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars against any "person" who
violates or fails to act in accordance with 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 Diane Harrison at (910) 835-
9785 or at diane.harrisongncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigne/dby, _
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Trent Allen Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Fayetteville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
cc: FRO Compliance Animal Files-Laserfiche
REQ� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1 225 Green Street, Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
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REQ� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1 225 Green Street, Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
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REQ� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Fayetteville Regional Office 1 225 Green Street, Suite 714 1 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
n—o cnaoun,n 910-433-3300
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