WQ0031879_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240919

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0031879 Effective: 11/01/21 Expiration: 11/30/27 Owner: International Paper Company
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Riegelwood Mill - Cape Fear Woodyard CLRS
County: Columbus 635 John L Riegel Rd
Region: Wilmington
Riegelwood NC 28456
Contact Person: Hunter M Whitely Title: VP Manufacturing - Pulp Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
from Wilmington take Hwy 74/76 West to Riegelwood. Take 87 N/Old Stage Rd., turn right onto John Riegel Rd., site is on left
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0003298 International Paper Company - Riegelwood Mill
Inspection Date: 09/19/2024 Entry Time 09:OOAM Exit Time: 10:OOAM
Primary Inspector: Jordan Cocanower Docusigned by: Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s): E�EWCAKMFFUFT..
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Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Closed -Loop Recycle
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Record Keeping Treatment Lagoons Treatment Influent Pump Station
Storage
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 4

Permit: WQ0031879 Owner - Facility: International Paper Company
Inspection Date: 09/19/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Inspection Details: Compliance inspection performed 09/19/2024
Parties Present: Jordan Cocanower (DWR, Inspector), Jordan Smith (International Paper, ORC)
Thank you to Jordan Smith for accomodating this inspection. Upon arrival, the facility was as described in the permit. Ms.
Smith notified that the permit was not being utilized to its full extent. Lumber was no longer being sprayed at the yard, as no
excess lumber storage was needed anymore. The valves connecting the spray yard to the lagoon had been closed and no
spraying was occurring. The spray yard was shut down February 1st, 2024. The lagoon only receives flow in response to rain
events (sheet flow and direct precipitation). Lagoon levels are still managed as to comply with the 1 foot freeboard
requirement by sending excess water to be treated in NC0003298.
All documentation was made available at the time of inspection. Quarterly system inspections are still occurring and
maintenance and operation documents were available as well as records for the treatment of excess water in the lagoon.
It was evident that the spray yard was no longer in use. Some vegetation was found where lumber was once sprayed. One of
the log storage basins had recently been cleaned out. No evidence of overflow was apparent. All culvert screens were in
good condition and were replaced roughly one year before the inspection occurred. The Berms surrounding the lagoon
showed minor localized erosion, but it was apparent that vegetation had been maintained well with no woody vegetation
found. Lagoon freeboard was at 10 inches at the time of the inspection. Pumping out of the lagoon to NC0003298 was
occurring at the time of inspection. Low freeboard was the result of 8 inches of precipitation reported at the facility
09/16/2024.
Regarding the use of this permit, WIRO requests that a plan be submitted to rescind the permit if the permittee so chooses.
Full compliance with permit conditions will still be expected if International Paper wishes to retain this permit even if the
recycle/reuse system is not in use. Rescinding WQ0031879 could alleviate the need to treat what is essentially stormwater
at this point.
Page 2 of 4

Permit: WQ0031879
Inspection Date: 09/19/2024
Owner - Facility: International Paper Company
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Infiltration System
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Recycle/Reuse
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: All treatment units are in place and would be fully functional if the system was to be fully utilized
again.
Treatment Influent Pump Station
Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the general housekeeping acceptable?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are floats/controls operable?
Are audio and visual alarms available?
Are audio and visual alarms operational?
# Are SCADA/Telemetry alarms required?
Are SCADA/Telemetry available?
Are SCADA/Telemetry operational?
Comment: Pumps were runninq at the time of inspection to draw down water from the laqoon (to
NC0003298 for treatment) in response to an 8" rain storm that occurred three days Dri
Treatment Barscreen
Is it free of excessive debris?
Is disposal of screenings in compliance?
Are the bars spaced properly?
Is the unit in good condition?
Comment: Culvert screens were replaced roughly 1 year ago.
Yes No NA NE
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■❑❑❑
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
Yes No NA NE
■❑❑❑
❑ ❑ ❑
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Page 3 of 4

Permit: WQ0031879 Owner - Facility: International Paper Company
Inspection Date: 09/19/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a copy of current permit available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
NDAR?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are operational logs present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Comment: All records were available for review
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