WQ0014868_Additional Information Request_20240620

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
June 20, 2024
ANDREA TUCKER — PLANT MANAGER
SMITHFIELD FRESH MEATS CORPORATION
POST OFFICE BOX 99
TARHEEL, NORTH CAROLINA 28392-0099
Subject: Application No. WQ0014868
Additional Information Request #1
Smithfield Fresh Meats Corp. Class
B Residuals Program
Land Application of
Class B Residuals
Bladen County
Dear Ms. Tucker:
Division of Water Resources' Central and Regional staff have reviewed the application package
received on March 25, 2024. However, the Division requires additional information before completing our
review. Please address the items on the attached pages no later than the close of business on July 22, 2024.
Please be aware that the Applicant is responsible for meeting all requirements set forth in North
Carolina rules and regulations. The Applicant is also responsible for any oversights that occur during the
review of the subject application package. The Division may return the application as incomplete pursuant
to 15A NCAC 02T .0107(e)(2) if any omissions are made when responding to the outstanding items in
Sections A through T or the Applicant fails to provide the additional information on or before the above -
requested date.
Please reference the subject application number when providing the requested information. The
Applicant shall sign, seal, and date (where applicable) all revised and/or additional documentation and
submit an electronic response to my attention via the Non -Discharge online portal.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me at [phone] or
erickson.saunderskdeq.nc. og_v. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Erick Saunders, Engineer
Division of Water Resources
cc: Fayetteville Regional Office, Water Quality Regional Operations Section (Electronic Copy)
Laserfiche File (Electronic Copy)
D EQ �� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA -
OepaNnent at EnulmnmeMal Duality 919.707.9000

Ms. Andrea Tucker
June 20, 2024
Page 2 of 4
A. Overall:
1. No comments.
B. Cover Letter:
1. No comments.
C. Application Fee:
1. See Comment R.2.
D. Application (Form: RLAP 06-16):
1. Regional Office staff noted that the Back -Up ORC listed in Item III.3 of the RLAP form, Tim
Weaver, is no longer with Smithfield Foods. In addition, the other Back -Up ORC listed for this
facility, Mr. Ronald M. Mains, has an invalid LA certification. Please contact the Wastewater
Operator Certification group about removing Mr. Weaver and designating a valid Back -Up ORC.
Please note that a response to this item is not needed.
E. Operation & Maintenance Plan:
1. No comments.
F. Summary for Form: RSC 06-16:
1. No comments.
G. Application (Form: RSC 06-16):
1. The nutrient lab report with the sample ID South Smithfield has a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)
calculation of 22.5. In accordance with Condition II.14 of Permit No. WQ0014868 issued on June
10, 2019, prior to land application of residuals containing a SAR of 10 or higher, the Permittee
shall obtain and implement recommendations from a soil professional to address the sodium
application rate, soil amendments, or a mechanism for maintaining site integrity and conditions
conducive to crop growth. A recommendation from a soil professional to address the high SAR
shall be provided.
H. Vicinity Maps:
1. No comments.
I. Process Flow Diagram & Narrative:
1. No comments

Ms. Andrea Tucker
June 20, 2024
Page 3 of 4
J. Quantitative Justification:
1. No comments.
K. Sampling Plan:
1. No comments.
L. Laboratory Analytical Reports:
1. No comments.
M. Pathogen Reduction (PR) & Vector Attraction Reduction (VAR) Compliance Documentation:
1. No comments.
N. Application (Form: LASC 06-16):
1. No comments.
O. County Board Notification:
1. No comments.
P. Application (Form: LOA 06-16):
1. No comments.
Q. Setback Waivers:
1. Field SF03-06 is shown as one contiguous parcel on the setback map, but it is two separate parcels
with two different owners, with John W. Dunham owning parcel 038500935079 and Steven H.
Dunham owning parcel 038500395238. Even though each of these owners signed an LOA, each is
entitled to their 50 foot setback from the neighboring parcel. To use the area 50 feet on each side
of the property line, each parcel owner shall execute reciprocating setback waivers to waive
setbacks up to their property line. Otherwise, the field shall be buffered with the appropriate
property line setbacks, and an updated setback map and LASC shall be provided.
R. Vicinity/Setback Maps:
1. Parcel No. 038600409341 to the northeast of SF03-02 is listed as an on -site property with an on -
site dwelling, but the parcel is not owned by the signatory of the LOA. The property line and the
dwelling on this parcel shall be considered off -site, and the appropriate setbacks shall be shown in
an updated setback map with an updated LASC noting any acreage changes.

Ms. Andrea Tucker
June 20, 2024
Page 4 of 4
2. There are several houses that are listed as "On site Dwellings" on the updated setback maps for
fields SF06-01 and SF06-02 that were previously permitted with 400 foot setbacks. The 400 foot
setbacks were removed in the updated maps and are being added as additional land application
area, constituting a major modification of the permit. These setbacks shall be shown on an updated
setback map and LASC unless an application fee and soils report in accordance with 15A NCAC
02T .1104(c)(2) are submitted to permit the new land application area.
Field SF06-05 contains Parcel No. 0442996729000 which is not owned by the signatory of the
LOA. The property line and any place of assembly associated with this parcel shall be considered
off -site, and the appropriate setbacks shall be shown in an updated setback map with an updated
LASC noting any acreage changes.
4. A setback map was not provided for Field SF08-05 as it appears that there are two copies of Field
SF08-06 provided. This map shall be provided for review.
5. There is a habitable residence to the west of Field SF 10-03 on Parcel No. 035700080485 that is not
shown on the setback map. The appropriate setbacks shall be shown in an updated setback map
with an updated LASC noting any acreage changes.
6. There was an area in the middle of Field SF 12-01 that was previously marked as unsuitable for
land application that is included as suitable in this application. An updated application map shall
be provided to remove this unsuitable area with an updated LASC.
S. Soil & Agronomic Evaluation:
1. See Comment R.2.
T. Updated Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rates (CPLRs):
1. No comments