840001_Email_20240522

Baker, Caroline D
From: Holcomb, Lee - FPAC-NRCS, NC <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:04 PM
To: Josh Amick; Sarif, Grayson - FPAC-NRCS, NC; Goode, Gowon - FPAC-NRCS, NC;
Kjelgaard, Jim - FPAC-NRCS, NC
Cc: Shepherd, Michael D; Williams, David; Pjetraj, Michael; Patterson, Sierra N
Subject: [External] NRCS Follow -Up on Remaining Items to Complete for Closure
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Mr. Amick,
I know there are quite a few emails moving back and forth that started Monday of this week. I just wanted to send a
quick recap from NRCS' standpoint as we near closer to being fully complete with the Waste Facility Closure at your
lagoon in Stanly County. I've discussed these point below very briefly with Grayson Sarif at the local level.
NRCS NC State Engineer, Dr. Jim Kjelgaard, sent a follow-up email Monday afternoon discussing that he accepts the
submitted freshwater pond conversion design and moving ahead with the construction of that conversion. Ms. Amy
Black, P.E. Project Manager, was listed on that email and it is understood that LJB Engineering will oversee the
construction and provide as -built documentation once the conversion is completed. She can provide those
drawings and as-builts to Dr. Kjelgaard and please include all those on this email thread in the reply. That way
everyone will remain in the loop on the status of the conversion status.
In an inter -agency meeting between NC DEQ, NRCS, and Division of Soil & Water on Monday afternoon, it was
decided that there will be no need for additional pumping of any waste materials from the lagoon. Please relay this
finding to your contractor Mr. Kennedy and any other necessary personnel involved.
In addition to that finding it was decided that to completely close this project and submit the request for payment,
to be reimbursed the cost share funding from NCACSP and EQIP, the NOV situation needs to be rectified
completely. Sierra Patterson, DEQ Environmental Specialist, followed up with you about the remaining requirements
a couple of times this week via email. I see there is a site visit scheduled for next week and trying to find a
conclusion to that NOV discussion. I'm sure everyone will be included in any replies as we near completion or
mitigation of any NOV requests. Thank you for scheduling that visit and working with DWR on any concerns/issues
that are remaining. Once those requirements have been met, and the NOV is rectified, NRCS can then consider
moving forward with the final request for payment, pending the other NRCS contract requirements have been met
as well.
As always, there are other intricacies that we may forget. One of those brought to my attention from Dr. Kjelgaard
was the requirement to remove or prevent waste transfer components (discharge pipes, etc.) from conveying any
waste materials to the lagoon as part of the closure. I don't believe we've discussed that in any detail on any prior
site visits, but feel free to start that discussion with Grayson at the local level and any future decisions/discussions
that may be necessary feel free to elevate up via email or a phone call.
If you have any follow-up questions regarding anything in this email please let me know and I'll be glad to discuss
with you.
1

Regards,
Lee
USDA
Lee J. Holcomb
Acting Assistant State Conservationist — Programs
Level III Certified Planner/CNMPS
North Carolina Natural Resources Conservation Service
Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
Email: Lee.Holcombgusda.gov
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