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Home My WebLink AboutNC0089168_Sound Rivers_Comments_202408208/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…1/6 Re: [External] MMM Permit Renewal Comments Dowden, Doug <doug.dowden@deq.nc.gov> Tue 8/27/2024 12:11 PM To: Katey Zimmerman <katey@soundrivers.org>; Denard, Derek <derek.denard@deq.nc.gov> Hi K atey, We have not received the O&M Plan yet. However, it is due prior to the commencement of mining operations per the condition below. The per mit that was issued in 2013 reflected similar language as noted below: Thus, the per mittee must submit the plan to the DEQ and gain approval prior to commencement of mining operations. If you should have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, 8/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…2/6 Douglas Dowden Environmental Program Supervisor II Division of Water Resources / Permitting Department of Environmental Quality Office: Archdale Building, 9th Floor (925Q) 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 Mailing Address: 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Office: 919-707-3605 doug.dowden@deq.nc.gov (formerly doug.dowden@ncdenr.gov) From: Dowden, Doug <doug.dowden@deq.nc.gov> Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 5:55 AM To: Katey Zimmerman <katey@soundrivers.org>; Denard, Derek <derek.denard@deq.nc.gov> Subject: Re: [External] MMM Permit Renewal Comments Good Morning Ms. Zimmer man, In response to your questions from yesterday, answers are provided in red font below. I reviewed the rules for public hearings as codified in 15A NCAC 02H .0111. Would I be correct in assuming that this means a letter should be written directly to the Director, Richard Rogers, specifically requesting a public hearing? This is what the r ules specify, however, sending the request to Derek, me or to the Division is sufficient. However, feel free to direct the request to Director Richard Rogers, but please copy both of us on that request. And in your experience, would it be helpful to attach a list of local affected community members that have "signed-on" to the request for a public hearing? One letter with all those who feel the same on one letter or list with signatures is sufficient and honestly streamlines the process and makes the request ver y clear. We are considering organizing an event to help local community members write comments, so that this process can be more accessible. I have been tossing around the idea of creating something like a postcard with standard text that someone could just fill out their name and infor mation on. Would this be something you would accept as a public comment? How, you approach your outreach is up to you, but one detailed and specific letter with all those who feel the same on one letter or list with signatures is sufficient and honestly streamlines the process and makes the request very clear. 8/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…3/6 And finally, (this question is not related to comment submittal and could potentially be more for Mr.Dowden)-- has MMM submitted their Pumping Operation and and Monitoring (O&M) Plan to DWR yet? I have not personally seen the O&M Pumping and Monitoring Plan, however, that does not mean it has not been submitted. It may be sitting on someone's desk or in process here are the NCDEQ. I will reach out to the entire team here to see if anyone has or has knowledge of the whereabouts of the Plan at this juncture and let you know asap. If you should have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Douglas Dowden Environmental Program Supervisor II Division of Water Resources / Permitting Department of Environmental Quality Office: Archdale Building, 9th Floor (925Q) 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 Mailing Address: 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Office: 919-707-3605 doug.dowden@deq.nc.gov (formerly doug.dowden@ncdenr.gov) From: Katey Zimmerman <katey@soundrivers.org> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:14 PM To: Denard, Derek <derek.denard@deq.nc.gov> Cc: Dowden, Doug <doug.dowden@deq.nc.gov> Subject: Re: [External] MMM Permit Renewal Comments You don't often get email from katey@soundrivers.org. Learn why this is important CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open aachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report Message buon located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab. 8/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…4/6 Hi Derek, Thank you for your response to my previous questions. I have a few follow up questions I am hoping you can answer as well. I reviewed the rules for public hearings as codified in 15A NCAC 02H .0111. Would I be correct in assuming that this means a letter should be written directly to the Director, Richard Rogers, specifically requesting a public hearing? And in your experience, would it be helpful to attach a list of local affected community members that have "signed-on" to the request for a public hearing? We are considering organizing an event to help local community members write comments, so that this process can be more accessible. I have been tossing around the idea of creating something like a postcard with standard text that someone could just fill out their name and information on. Would this be something you would accept as a public comment? And finally, (this question is not related to comment submittal and could potentially be more for Mr.Dowden)-- has MMM submitted their Pumping Operation and and Monitoring (O&M) Plan to DWR yet? Thanks so much for your continued assistance! -Katey On Tue, Aug 20, 2024 at 5:25 PM Denard, Derek <derek.denard@deq.nc.gov> wrote: Katey, Comments can be sent electronically to my email derek.denard@deq.nc.gov or by mail to: NCDEQ-DWR Water Quality Perming Secon 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Comments should be received by Mon, Sep 23 2024, 12:59pm. The rules for Public hearings for NPDES permits are codified in 15A NCAC 02H .0111. The rule says that says that "any such request or peon for public hearing shall indicate the interest of the party filing such request and the reasons why a hearing is warranted." The rule also says that "the Director shall determine if a hearing is warranted in accordance with G.S. 143-215.1(c)(3)". Sincerely, Derek C. Denard Environmental Program Consultant, Division of Water Resources Water Quality NPDES Perming Secon North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Office: (919) 707-3618 derek.denard@deq.nc.gov 8/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…5/6 From: Katey Zimmerman <katey@soundrivers.org> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 4:06 PM To: Denard, Derek <derek.denard@deq.nc.gov> Subject: [External] MMM Permit Renewal Comments You don't often get email from katey@soundrivers.org. Learn why this is important CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open aachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report Message buon located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab. Hi Derek, My name is Katey Zimmerman. I am the Pamlico Tar Riverkeeper for Sound Rivers. As you may know, Sound Rivers, alongside local residents, has been advocating against the Martin Marietta Materials' Limestone Mine's 12 MGD discharge into Blounts Creek for a long time due to the negative impacts it will have on water quality and ecosystems in Blounts Creek as well as the potential threat to local landowner wells. We will be writing a comment and encouraging local residents to write their own comments on the permit renewal. So, I wanted to confirm whether or not all comments must be hard copies and mailed to the address provided, or if there is an electronic submission option. In the public notice, it also mentions that upon significant public interest, a public hearing will be granted. What constitutes "significant interest"? Thank you for your help! -- Katey Zimmerman Sound Rivers, Inc. Pamlico Tar Riverkeeper katey@soundrivers.org www.soundrivers.org Join our email Mailing List 8/29/24, 1:14 PM Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/AAMkADdhYTVmZDBlLTE5ZDctNGI5MC04ZjliLWU4MjVhZTBhMmJkMgAuAAAAAADg3GZR8iZnTYW56l21cjmNA…6/6 Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official. -- Katey Zimmerman Sound Rivers, Inc. Pamlico Tar Riverkeeper katey@soundrivers.org www.soundrivers.org Join our email Mailing List