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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMP 74-86 Mining Permit and Cover LetterEnergy, Mineral and LandResvurces ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Mr. Frank Howey Southern Lands & Timber LLC 912 Fletcher Broome Road Monroe, North Carolina 28112 RE: Mining Permit No. 7486 Hatcher Mine Pitt County Tar River Basin Dear Mr. Howey: January 11, 2017 ROY COOPER Gavenror WILLIAM G. ROSS, 3R. A(lug Sccrvrary TRACY E. DAVIS Drreclo), Your request to have the above referenced mining permit, issued to Pea Creek Mine LLC, transferred in its entirety to your company has been approved. As we have received the required surety in an amount sufficient to cover the present operation, I am enclosing the transferred mining permit. The permit number, expiration date and mine name shall remain the same as before the transfer. Please review the permit carefully and notify this office of any objections or questions you may have concerning the terms of the permit. It is your responsibility to fully understand and comply with the conditions of your mining permit. As a reminder, your permitted acreage and affected acreage for this site are both 70.0 acres as indicated on the mine map last revised October 30, 2013. Please be aware the Mining Permit No. 7486 expires August 8, 2018. In order to continue ruining operations at this site after August 8, 2018, a renewal request must be submitted prior to said date. Again, if you should have any questions on this matter please contact Judy Wehner, Assistant State Mining Specialist, at (919) 707-9220. Sincerely, Ja�Y S. Bo er, PE I State Mining Specialist JSBIjw Enclosures cc: Mr. Samir Dumpor, PE Stale orNalth Carulina i Environmental Quality 1 Faer_n•, Mineral andi.and Rcsowrees 1612 Mail Service Center 1 512 M Salisbury St, f Raleigh, NC 27691 919 707 9200 T CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 7013 2630 0001 8998 9365 Mr. James D. Briley, Jr, Pea Creek Mine LLC 4483 US 264 East Greenville, North Carolina 27834 Re: Mining Permit No. 74-86 Hatcher Mine Pitt County Tar River Basin Dear Mr. Briley: January 11, 2017 ROY COOPER Gownwe WILLIAM G. ROSS, JR. ,kung Scerefoly TRACY E. DAVIS Unrcmr Your request to have Mining Permit No, 74-86 transferred in its entirety from your company to Southern Lands & Timber LLC has been approved. As we have received Southern Lands & Timber LLCs required surety in an amount sufficient to cover the present operation, your company is hereby released from further responsibility for this site with respect to The Mining Act of 1971. Therefore, I am returning your $56,800.00 Assignment of Savings Account No. 5334110712 to you for your disposal. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Janet S. Boyer, PE State Mining Specialist JSVBfjw Enclosure; Assignment of Savings Account No. 5334110712 cc: Mr. Samir Dumpor, PE Mr. William Gerringer-DOL, Mine and Quarry Bureau Siate or Norlit Camlina i Gmironmental Q'11 0 j i; DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL AND LAND RESOUCES PERMIT for the operation of a mining activity In accordance with the provisions of G.S. 74-46 through 68, "The Mining Act of 1971,° Mining Permit Rule 15A NCAC 5 B, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations Permission is hereby granted to: Southern Lands & Timber LLC Hatcher Mine Pitt County - Permit No. 74-86 for the operation of a Sand Mine which shall provide that the usefulness, productivity and scenic values of all lands and waters affected by this mining operation will receive the greatest practical degree of protection and restoration. MINING PERMIT EXPIRATION DATE: August 8,_201$ Page 2 In accordance with the application for this mining permit, which is hereby approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, hereinafter referred to as the Department, and in conformity with the approved Reclamation Plan attached to and incorporated as part of this permit, provisions must be made for the protection of the surrounding environment and for reclamation of the land and water affected by the permitted mining operation. This permit is expressly conditioned upon compliance with all the requirements of the approved Reclamation Plan. However, completed performance of the approved Reclamation Plan is a separable obligation, secured by the bond or other security on file with the Department, and may survive the expiration, revocation or suspension of this permit. This permit is not transferable by the permittee with the following exception: If another operator succeeds to the interest of the permittee in the permitted mining operation, by virtue of a sale, lease, assignment or otherwise, the Department may release the permittee from the duties imposed upon him by the conditions of his permit and by the Mining Act with reference to the permitted operation, and transfer the permit to the successor operator, provided that both operators have complied with the requirements of the Mining Act and that the successor operator agrees to assume the duties of the permittee with reference to reclamation of the affected land and posts a suitable bond or other security. In the event that the Department determines that the permittee or permittee's successor is not complying with the Reclamation Plan or other terms and conditions of this permit, or is failing to achieve the purposes and requirements of the Mining Act, the Department may give the operator written notice of its intent to modify, revoke or suspend the permit, or its intent to modify the Reclamation Plan as incorporated in the permit. The operator shall have right to a hearing at a designated time and place on any proposed modification, revocation or suspension by the Department. Alternatively and in addition to the above, the Department may institute other enforcement procedures authorized by law. Definitions Wherever used or referred to in this permit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms shall have the same meaning as supplied by the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-49. Modifications February 5, 2014: This permit has been modified to increase the permitted and affected acreage at this site to 70 acres as indicated on the mine map last revised October 30, 2013. The modification includes the expansion of the mine permit boundary and excavation to the west. January 11,2017: This permit has been transferred in its entirety from Pea Creek Mine LLC to Southern Lands & Timber LLC. Expiration Date This permit shall be effective from the .date of its issuance until August 8, 2018. Page 3 Conditions This permit shall be subject to the provisions of the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-46, et. seq., and to the following conditions and limitations: OPERATING CONDITIONS: 1. A. Any wastewater processing or mire dewatering shall be in accordance with the permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission. B. Any stormwater runoff from the affected areas at the site shall be in accordance with any applicable permit requirements and regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission. It shall be the permittee's responsibility to contact the Stormwater Program to secure any necessary stormwater permits or other approval documents. 2. A. Any mining process producing air contamination emissions shall be subject to the permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission and enforced by the Division of Air Quality. B. During mining operations, water trucks or other means that may be necessary shall be utilized to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area. 3. A. Sufficient buffer (minimum 50 foot undisturbed) shall be maintained between any affected land and any adjoining waterway or wetland to prevent sedimentation of that waterway or wetland from erosion of the affected land and to preserve the integrity of the natural watercourse or wetland. B. Any mining activity affecting waters of the State, waters of the U. S., or wetlands shall be in accordance with the requirements and regulations promulgated and enforced by the N. C. Environmental Management Commission. 4. A. Adequate mechanical barriers including but not limited to diversions, earthen dikes, silt check dams, silt retarding structures, rip rap pits, or ditches shall be provided in the initial stages of any land disturbance and maintained to prevent sediment from discharging onto adjacent surface areas or into any lake, wetland or natural watercourse in proximity to the affected land. B. All drainage from the affected areas around the mine excavation shall be diverted internal to said excavations or into the approved sediment and erosion control measures. C. No dewatering activities shall occur at this site. Page 4 D. Mining activities shall occur as indicated on the mine map revised May 28, 2008 and received on May 30, 2008. E. Mining activities shall be conducted as indicated on the mine map last revised October 30, 2013 and the supplemental information received on July 17, 2013, November 1, 2013 and October 12, 2016. 5. All mine permit and affected area boundaries (70,0 acres) shall be permanently marked at the site on 100 -foot intervals unless the line of sight allows for larger spacing intervals. 6. The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle, which can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control measure, structure, or device. In any event, exposed slopes or any excavated channels, the erosion of which may cause off-site damage because of siltation, shall be planted or otherwise provided with ground cover, devices or structures sufficient to restrain such erosion. 7. The affected land shall be graded so as to prevent collection of pools of water that are, or likely to become, noxious or foul. Necessary structures such as drainage ditches or conduits shall be constructed or installed when required to prevent such conditions. 8. Existing vegetation or vegetated earthen berms shall be maintained between the mine and public thoroughfares whenever practical to screen the operation from the public. 9. A. Sufficient buffer shall be maintained between any excavation and any mining permit boundary to protect adjacent property. B. Buffers shall be maintained as indicated on the mine map last revised October 30, 2013, 10. A. No on-site disposal of refuse or other solid waste that is generated outside of the mining permit area shall be allowed within the boundaries of the mining permit area unless authorization to conduct said disposal has first been obtained from both the Division of Waste Management and the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, Department of Environmental Quality. The method of disposal shall be consistent with the approved reclamation plan. B. Mining refuse as defined by G.S. 74-49 (14) of The Mining Act of 1971 generated on-site and directly associated with the mining activity may be disposed of in a designated refuse area. All other waste products must be disposed of in a disposal facility approved by the Division of Waste Management. No petroleum products, acids, solvents or their storage containers or any other material that may be considered hazardous shall be disposed of within the permitted area. Page 5 C. For the purposes of this permit, the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources considers the following materials to be "mining refuse" (in addition to those specifically listed under G.S. 74-49 (14) of the N.C. Mining Act of 1971): 1. on-site generated land clearing debris 2. conveyor belts 3. wire cables 4. v -belts 5. steel reinforced air hoses 6. drill steel D. If mining refuse is to be permanently disposed within the mining permit boundary, the following information must be provided to and approved by the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resourcesrip or to commencement of such disposal: 1. the approximate boundaries and size of the refuse disposal area; 2. a list of refuse items to be disposed; 3. verification that a minimum of 4 feet of cover will be provided over the refuse; 4. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the seasonally high water table; and, 5. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be established. 11- An Annual Reclamation Report shall be submitted on a form supplied by the Department by February 1 of each year until reclamation is completed and approved. 12. The operator shall notify the Department in writing of the desire to delete, modify or otherwise change any part of the mining, reclamation, or erosion/sediment control plan contained in the approved application for a mining permit or any approved revision to it. Approval to implement such changes must be obtained from the Department prior to on-site implementation of the revisions. 13. The security, which was posted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 74-54 in the form of a $56,800.00 surety bond, is sufficient to cover the operation as indicated in the approved application. This security must remain in force for this permit to be valid. The total affected land shall not exceed the bonded acreage. 14. A. Authorized representatives of the Division of Archives and History shall be granted access to the site to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources. B. Pursuant to N. C. G. S. 70 Article 3, "The Unmarked Human Burial and Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act," should the operator or any person in his employ encounter human skeletal remains, immediate notification shall be provided to the county medical examiner and the chief archaeologist, North Carolina Division of Archives and History. Page 6 APPROVED RECLAMATION PLAN The Mining Permit incorporates this Reclamation Plan, the performance of which is a condition on the continuing validity of that Mining Permit. Additionally, the Reclamation Plan is a separable obligation of the permittee, which continues beyond the terms of the Mining Permit. The approved plan provides: Minimum Standards _A_ s Provided By G.S. 74.53 1. The final slopes in all excavations in soil, sand, gravel and other unconsolidated materials shall be at such an angle as to minimize the possibility of slides and be consistent with the future use of the land. 2. Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property must be provided in all excavations in rock. 3. All overburden and spoil shall be left in a configuration which is in accordance with accepted conservation practices and which is suitable for the proposed subsequent use of the land. 4. No small pools of water shall be allowed to collect or remain on the mined area that are, or are likely to become noxious, odious or foul. 5. The revegetation plan shall conform to accepted and recommended agronomic and reforestation practices as established by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station and the North Carolina Forest Service. 6. Permittee shall conduct reclamation activities pursuant to the Reclamation Plan herein incorporated. These activities shall be conducted according to the time schedule included in the plan, which shall to the extent feasible provide reclamation simultaneous with mining operations and in any event, provide reclamation at the earliest practicable time after completion or termination of mining on any segment of the permit area and shall be completed within two years after completion or termination of mining. RECLAMATION CONDITIONS: 1. Provided further, and subject to the Reclamation schedule, the planned reclamation shall be to restore the mine excavation to a lake area and to grade and revegetate the adjacent disturbed areas. 2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned future use are as follows: A. The lake area shall be excavated to maintain a minimum water depth of four feet measured from the low water table elevation. 3. Page 7 B. The side slopes to the lake excavation shall be graded to a 3 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter to the water line and 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter below the water line. C. Any areas used for wastepiles, screening, stockpiling or other processing shall be leveled and smoothed. D. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On-site disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Condition Nos. 10A through D. E. The affected land shall be graded to prevent the collection of noxious or foul water. Revegetation Plan: After site preparation, all disturbed land areas shall be revegetated as per Revegetation Plan approved by Marc K. Edwards of NIKE Environmental on Marchl 1, 2008 or the following: Permanent_ Seeding Sge_cihcations Dates Species Rate Lbs/Acre February 15- April 1 Kobe Lespedeza 10 Bahiagrass 50 Redtop 1 Winter rye (grain) 15 April 1- July 31 Common Bermuda 50 August 1- October Lespedeza (unscarified) 30 German millet 40 October 25- February 15 Rye (grain- temporary) 120 Soil Amendments Lime - 2000 lbs/acre or follow recommendations from a soil test. Fertilizer - 1000 lbs/acre 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, or follow recommendations from a soil test. Mulch - All seeded areas shall be mulched using small grain straw at a rate of 2000 lbs/acre and anchored appropriately. Page 8 Whenever possible, disturbed areas should be vegetated with native warm season grasses such as switch grass, Indian grass, bluestem and gamma grass. In addition, the permittee shall consult with a professional wildlife biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to enhance post -project wildlife habitat at the site. 4. Reclamation Plan: Reclamation shall be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible. In any event, reclamation shall be initiated as soon as feasible after completion or termination of mining of any mine segment under permit. Final reclamation, including revegetation, shall be completed within two years of completion or termination of mining. This permit, issued to Pea Creek Mine LLC August 8, 2008 and modified February 5, 2013, is hereby transferred in its entirety to Southern Lands & Timber LLC this 11th day of January, 2017 pursuant to GS 74-51. By. r L i Tr y E Davis, Director Division � nergy, Mineral and Land Resources By Authority of the Secretary Of the Department of Environmental Quality