WQ0013814_Final Permit_20180629

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Water Resources
Environmental Quality
June 29, 2018
MR. CRAIG HOLDEN, PRESIDENT
SUSTANE/NATURAL FERTILIZERS OF AMERICA, INC.
POST OFFICE BOX 19
CANNON FALLS, MN 55009
Dear Mr. Holden:
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director
RECENEDiNCDENRIDWR
JUL a 2018
WOROS
MOORESVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
Subject: Permit No. W00013814
Sustane/Natural Fertilizers of America, Inc.
Sustane Organic Formulations Distribution Program
Distribution of Animal Residual Solids
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
In accordance with your permit application package received on June 19, 2018, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. W00013814, dated June 29, 2018, to Sustane/Natural Fertilizers of America, Inc. for
the subject animal residuals distribution program.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2023 and shall be subject to
the conditions and limitations as specified therein. Make note of this permit's expiration date and the fact
that a permit renewal application is due to the Division of Water Resources (Division) no later than six
months prior to that date (i.e., see Condition V. 7.), as the Division does not send reminders to apply for
permit renewal. Be aware that payment of the annual administering and compliance fee, as stipulated in
Condition V. 4, will not automatically renew this permit.
This permit approves the operation of program for the distribution of a composted fertilizer/soil
amendment product, containing poultry animal residuals, that meets exceptional quality standards and is
marketed under the names Sustane 2-3-3, 4-6-4, 5-2-4, 5-2-4+Fe, 5-2-10+Fe, 8-2-4, 10-2-10+Fe, 18-1-
18+17e, BOLSTER Granular by Sustane 4-4-4+Fe, Sustane 16-4-8, and Bio Grounds Keeper 7500 3-3-3
throughout the State of North Carolina (i.e., in bulk and in bags). Note that this permit does not concurrently
provide a license to distribute a fertilizer, as is required by the Fertilizer Section of the NC Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Industry Division. More information about applying for this
license may be found at the following web site htti)://www.ncaizr.jzoy/plantindustry/seedandfertilizer/
inspectionareas.htm.
Please take the time to review this permit thoroughly. Pay particular attention to the monitoring
requirements in this permit. Be aware that failure to establish an adequate system for collecting,
maintaining, and submitting the required operational information will result in future compliance problems.
The Division wants to remind you about the following issue that was discussed during the review of this
application:
- ' "Nothing Compares7-,
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
1636 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1636
919-707-9129

♦ Condition III. 3. and Condition 111. 4. require that the product be tested and monitored regularly for
specific parameters as well as for adequate pathogen reduction. It is imperative that all testing and
monitoring be performed such that the results are representative of the entire row of product. The
Division urges you to develop a set of standard operating procedures and recordkeeping forms to ensure
that the State of North Carolina time and temperature requirements for the composting process are met.
If any parts, requirements, and/or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have
the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of this
permit. This request shall be in the from of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North
Carolina General Statutes and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings at 6714 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made, this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need any additional information concerning this matter, please contact Miressa D. Garoma
by telephone at [phone], or via e-mail [e-mail].
Sincerely,
J,k)6
for Linda Culpepper, Interim Director
Division of Water Resources
cc: MN Pollution Control Agency
NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services -Plant Industry Division (Fertilizer Section)
Asheville Regional Office -Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Fayetteville Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Mooresville Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Raleigh Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Washington Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Wilmington Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office- Water Quality Regional Operation Section
WQROS Central Files
WQROS Files

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMAL RESIDUAL SOLIDS PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Sustane/Natural Fertilizers of America, Inc.
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
FOR THE
operation of a program for the distribution of up to 300 dry tons per year of a composted fertilizer/soil
amendment product, containing poultry animal residuals, that meets exceptional quality standards and is
marketed under the names Sustane 2-3-3, 4-6-4, 5-2-4, 5-2-4+Fe, 5-2-10+Fe, 8-2-4, 10-2-10+Fe, 18-1-
18+Fe, BOLSTER Granular by Sustane 4-4-4+Fe, Sustane 16-4-8, and Bio Grounds Keeper 7500 3-3-3
throughout the State of North Carolina (i.e., in bulk and in bags). The program shall be operated such that
no discharge of waste to surface waters occurs, pursuant to the permit application package received on June
19, 2018, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently
filed and approved by the Department of Environmental Quality and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2023 and shall be subject to
the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The distribution program shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge
system to prevent the discharge of any wastes to waters of the state resulting from the operation
of this program.
2. This permit shall become voidable in the event of failure of the distribution program to
adequately protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and groundwater.
In the event that the distribution program is not operated satisfactorily, including the creation
of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take any immediate corrective actions as may be
required by the Division of Resources (Division).

Il.
4. When product containing animal residuals is sold or given away for application to the land
under the conditions of this permit, one of the Class A pathogen requirements in 40 CFR Part
503.32(a) shall be met. Additionally, an evaluation shall be performed which demonstrates the
product's ability to comply with this requirement. Upon request, a copy of this evaluation,
including all test results and calculations, shall be submitted.
No product containing animal residuals that tests or is classified as a hazardous or toxic waste
under 40 CFR Part 261 shall be sold or given away for application to the land under the
conditions of this permit.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The distribution program shall be properly operated and maintained at all times.
2. No product containing animal residuals other than that generated by the following facility shall
be approved for distribution in accordance with this permit:
Permit Volume
Facility County Number (Dry Tons/Year)
Sustane/Natural Fertilizers Goodhue (MN) MN0062731300.0
of America, Inc.
s The operational permit for this facility is issued and administered by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency.
3. No other product containing animal residuals other than that from the facility specified in
Condition II. 2. shall be distributed under the conditions of this permit. The Permittee shall
request and obtain a permit amendment from the Division for each additional facility prior to
allowing distribution through this program.
4. For a product containing animal residuals to be sold or given away in bags or other container
for application to the land under the conditions of this permit, the following shall be satisfied:
The Ceiling Concentrations (Dry Weight Basis) and the Pollutant Monthly Average
Concentrations (Dry Weight Basis) shall be maintained:
Ceiling Monthly Average
Concentrations Concentrations
Parameters (mz/ke) (m Ikz)
Arsenic
75
41
Cadmium
85
39
Copper
4,300
1,500
Lead
840
300
Mercury
57
17
Molybdenum
75
----
Nickel
420
420
Selenium
100
100
Zinc
7,500
2,800

5. When distributed under the conditions of this permit, a label shall be affixed to the bag or
other container in which the product containing animal residuals is sold or given away for
application to the land, or an information sheet shall be provided to the person who receives
the product containing animal residuals sold or given away in another container for
application to the land. The label or information sheet shall contain the following minimum
information:
a. The name and address of the person who prepared the product containing animal
residuals that is sold or given away in a bag or other container for application to the land.
b. A statement that application of the product containing animal residuals to the land is
prohibited except in accordance with the instructions on the label or information sheet.
c. A statement that adequate procedures shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from
carrying any disposed or stored product containing animal residuals into any surface
waters.
c. A statement to help prevent direct application of the product containing animal residuals
to water supply sources and all other waters of the state. For example, "as with any
fertilizer product, do not apply in or near any water supply source or any body of water,
including wells, streams, rivers, and lakes."
d. A statement that application of he product containing animal residuals shall not be
applied to any land that is flooded, frozen, or snow-covered.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (i.e., including groundwater, surface water, residuals, soil, or plant tissue
analyses) deemed necessary by the Division to ensure protection of the environment shall be
established and an acceptable sampling and reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee to track all distribution activities within
the State of North Carolina. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the
following information:
a. Source, amount (i.e., volume), and analysis of each product containing animal residuals.
b. Name of the initial recipient of the product containing animal residuals, the amount (i.e.,
volume) distributed, and the intended use.
3. An analysis shall be conducted by the Permittee on the product containing animal residuals at
least once per year from the date of permit issuance. The results of all analyses shall be
maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. The analysis shall include
the following parameters:
Aluminum
Ammonia -Nitrogen
Arsenic
Cadmium
Calcium
Copper
Lead
Magnesium
Mercury
Molybdenum
Nickel
Nitrate -Nitrite Nitrogen
Percent Total Solids
pH
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Sodium
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Zinc
Plant Available Nitrogen
(by calculation)

After the product containing animal residuals has been monitored for two years at the above -
listed frequency, the Permittee may submit a request to the Division for a permit modification
to reduce the frequency of this monitoring requirement. In no case, however, shall the
frequency of this monitoring be less than once per year when the product containing animal
residuals is sold or given away for application to the land during that year.
4. The product containing animal residuals shall be monitored by the Permittee at least once per
year for compliance with Condition 1. 5. of this permit. The monitoring frequency cycle shall
start on the date of permit issuance, and the results of all analyses shall be maintained on file
by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. Data to verify stabilization of the product shall
be maintained by the Permittee. The required data shall be specific to the stabilization process
utilized, but should be sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the Class A pathogen
requirements in 40 CFR Part 503.32(a) clearly. In addition, the EPA certification statement
concerning compliance with pathogen requirements shall be completed at the above frequency
by the proper authority or authorities if more than one is involved, either the person who
generates the product containing animal residuals or the person who prepares the product to be
sold or given away for application to the land.
Laboratory analyses and/or operational data, as required by Condition III. 3., and Condition III.
4. shall be performed/gathered on the product containing animal residuals as it is to be
distributed. Furthermore, analytical determinations made pursuant to the monitoring and
reporting requirements of this permit shall be made by a laboratory certified by the Division
(visit: http://ii2o.enr.state.ne.us/lab/cert.htm) for the required parameter(s) under 15A NCAC
2H .0800 or 15A NCAC 2H .1100.
6. Three copies of all required monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in Condition IIl.
L, Condition III. 2., Condition III. 3., Condition III.4., and Condition III. 5. shall be submitted
annually on or before March I" of the year following the distribution event to the following
address:
NCDEQ-DWR
Information Processing Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Water Quality Regional Operations Section of
the appropriate Division regional office (i.e., see Attachment A) as soon as possible, but in no
case more than 24 hours or on the next working day following the occurrence or first knowledge
of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any occurrence with the distribution program that results in the distribution of significant
amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic.
b. Any failure of the distribution program resulting in a release of material to receiving waters.
c. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the distribution program has gone
out of compliance with the conditions and limitations of this permit or the parameters on
which the facility was designed.
d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility
incapable of adequate treatment.

IV.
e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system during transportation of residuals
or product containing animal residuals.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letterform
within five days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report shall outline the
actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon
presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to
the distribution program at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with
this permit; may inspect or copy any records that must be kept under the terms and conditions
of this permit; and may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
V. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the distribution program is operated in accordance
with the conditions of this permit, the supporting materials, and in the manner approved by the
Division.
2. This permit shall be effective only with respect to the nature and volume of product containing
animal residuals described in the application and other supporting data.
3. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General
Statutes §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C.
4. The annual administering and compliance fee shall be paid by the Permittee within 30 days
after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee accordingly may cause the Division
to initiate action to revoke this permit, as specified by 15 NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
5. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all
statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other government agencies
(i.e., local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, applicable
river buffer rules in 15A NCAC 2B .0200, soil erosion and sedimentation control requirements
in 15A NCAC Chapter 4 and under the Division's General Permit NCGO10000, and any
requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 2B .0200 and 15A NCAC .0500.
6. This permit may be modified, revoked, and/or reissued to incorporate any conditions,
limitations and monitoring requirements the Division deems necessary in order to protect the
environment and public health adequately.
The Permittee, at least six months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its
extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Division shall review the adequacy of the
distribution program described therein, and if warranted, shall extend the permit for such period
of time and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate.
8. This permit shall not be automatically transferable. hi the event that there is a desire for the
distribution program to change ownership or to change the name of the Permittee, a formal

permit request shall be submitted to the Division documentation from the parties involved and
other supporting materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request shall be
considered on its merits and may or may not be approved.
Permit issued this the twenty -Ninth day of June, 2018,
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
J,
L Linda Culpepper, Interim Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0013814

Attachment A
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES REGIONAL OFFICES
Asheville Regional Office Fayetteville Regional Office Mooresville Regional Office
WQROS Supervisor WQROS Supervisor WQROS Supervisor
2090 U.S. Highway 70 Wachovia Building, Suite 714 610 E. Center Ave./ Suite 301
Swannanoa, NC 28778 Fayetteville, NC 28301 Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Avery
Buncombe
Burke
Caldwell
Cherokee
Clay
Graham
Haywood
Henderson
Jackson
Macon
Madison
McDowell
Mitchell
Polk
Rutherford
Swain
Transylvania
Yancey
Raleigh Regional Office
WQROS Supervisor
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Anson
Moore
Bladen
Robeson
Cumberland
Richmond
Harnett
Sampson
Hoke
Scotland
Montgomery
Washington Regional Office
WQROS Supervisor
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Phone: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Alexander
Lincoln
Cabarrus
Mecklenburg
Catawba
Rowan
Cleveland
Stanly
Gaston
Union
Iredell
Wilmington Regional Office
WQROS Supervisor
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC 28405-3845
Phone: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Chatham
Nash
Beaufort
Jones
Brunswick New Hanover
Durham
Northampton
Bertie
Lenoir
Carteret Onslow
Edgecombe
Orange
Camden
Martin
Columbus Pender
Franklin
Person
Chowan
Pamlico
Duplin
Granville
Vance
Craven
Pasquotank
Halifax
Wake
Currituck
Perquimans
Johnston
Warren
Dare
Pitt
Lee
Wilson
Gates
Tyrell
Greene
Washington
Hertford
Wayne
Hyde
Winston-Salem Regional Office
WQROS Supervisor
450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300,
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Phone:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
Alamance Rockingham
Alleghany Randolph
Ashe
Stokes
Caswell
Sur y
Davidson
Watauga
Davie
Wilkes
Forsyth
Yadkin
Guilford