WQ0003441_Final Permit_19900618

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Cabey, Jr., Secretary
June 18, 1990
Mr. Keith N. Maddox, President
Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, Inc.
U,S, 19W, Box 45
Bryson City, North Carolina 28713
George T. Everett, Ph.D.
Director
Subject: Permit No. WQ0003441
Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, Inc.
Gorgarama Park, Inc.
Renewal of Permit No_ 5333
Wastewater Recycle System
Swain County
Dear Mr. Maddox:
In accordance with your application received April 23, 1990, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0003441, dated June 18, 1990, to Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, Inc. for the
continued operation of the subject wastewater recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until April 30, 1995, and shall be
subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein. Please pay particular attention to the
monitoring requirements in this permit. Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and
maintaining the required operational information will result in future compliance problems.
Issuance of this permit hereby voids Permit No. 5333 issued August 2, 1984.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable to you,
you have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days
following receipt of this permit. This request must be in the farm of a written petition, conforming
to Chapter 150B of North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative
Hearings, P.O. Box 11666, Raleigh, NC 27604. Unless such demands are made this permit shall
be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr_ John
Seymour at 91.9/ 733-5083.
Sincerely,
Zvi.
- George T. Evere t
cc: Swain County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office
Pollution Prevemion Pays
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 'T'elephone 919-733-7015
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
RECYCLE SYSTEM 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
Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, Inc.
Swain County
Weer-,
operation of a 47,000 gpd recycle wastewater treatment system consisting of a 60 -foot sluice for
washing soil, two settling basins in series and recirculation facilities to serve Nantahala Gorge
Ruby Mine, Inc. with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application
received April 23, 1990 and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other
supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment, Health and
Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until April 30, 1995, and shall be
subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with
the conditions of this permit, the approved plans, specifications, and other supporting
data.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in
the application and other supporting data.
3. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
4. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change
ownership, or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be
submitted to the Division of Environmental Management accompanied by an application
fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be
appropriate. The approval of the request will be considered on its merits and may or may
not be approved.
5. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Pen-nittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as
may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement
wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.

6. The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance with
General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management.
7. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages
to surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to
prevent the discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.
9. Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
10. Freeboard in the holding ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time.
11. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to insure
surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
12. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to
insure proper operation of the subject facilities.
13. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater recycle facilities to prevent
malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and discharges which may cause or lead to
the release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health, or a nuisance. The
Permittee shall keep an inspection log or summary including at least the date and time of
inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken
by the Permittee. This log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee for a period
of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available upon request to
the Division of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
14. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Environmental
Management may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property,
premises or place on or related to the recycle system 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; or may obtain samples of
groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
15. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty
(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).
16. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Environmental Management in
accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6.
17. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and
all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government
agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.

18. Noncompliance Notification;
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office,
telephone no. 704/ 251-6208, 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:
Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such
as the dumping of the contents of a basin or tank; the known passage of a slug of
hazardous substance through the facility; or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility
incapable of adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures
of pumps, aerators, compressors, etc.
C. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a
by-pass directly to receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the
influent to such station or facility.
d. Any time that self-monitoring information indicates that the facility is not in
compliance with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter
form within 15 days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline
the actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
19. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its
extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review the adequacy of the
facilities described therein, and if warranted, will extend the permit for such period of time
and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate.
20. Issuance of this permit hereby voids Permit No. 5333 issued August 2, 1984.
Permit issued this the 18th day of June, 1990
CAROLINA ENVIIWNMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
George T. Everett, DWect
- Division of Environ agement
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By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
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