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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0003442_Final Permit_20081017WAIF F O� 9QGMichael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources fl ,� Coleen H. Sullins., Director Division of Water Quality October 17, 2008 Keith N. Maddox Wesser Ruby Mine, LLC P.O. Box 159 Almond, NC 28702 Subject: Permit No. WQ0003442 Wesser Ruby Mine Wastewater Recycle System Swain County Dear Mr. Maddox: In accordance with your request for permit renewal received September 26, 2008, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0003442, dated October 17, 2008, to the Wesser Ruby Mine, LLC for the continued operation of the subject wastewater recycle system. This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until September 30, 2013, shall void Permit No. WQ0003442 issued April 4, 1997, 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. If any parts, requirements, or Iimitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding. Please note that on September 1, 2006 State Administrative Code 15A NCAC Subchapter 02T— Waste not Discharged to Surface Water was adopted. This permit incorporates the requirement of these rules. Remember to take the time to review this permit thoroughly, as some of the conditions contained therein may have been added, changed, or deleted from those in previously issued permits. If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact David Goodrich at (919) 715- 6162. Sincerely, for Coleen H. Sullins cc: Swain County Health Department Asheville Regional Office, Aquifer Protection Section Technical Assistance and Certification Unit APS Central Files LAU Files NooehCaralina Nafurallif Aquifer Protection Section 1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1636 Telephone : (919) 733-3221 Internet: www.ncwaterguality.org Location: 2728 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax 1: (919) 715-05$8 Fax 2: (919) 715-6048 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer— 50% Recycled/ 10% Post Consumer Paper Customer Service: (877) 623-6748 NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT 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 Wesser Ruby Mine, LLC Swain Country FOR THE continued operation of a 115,200 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of two 50 foot long tourist gem mine sluices (each with a separate 3 H.P. pump and 1.5 inch water lines from an existing make-up water pond to the top of the sluice), dual 20 foot by 20 foot sedimentation ponds in series with protective 2 foot berms (collecting the water from the foot of both sluices), a separate 3 H.P. pump and water line (at the second sedimentation pond) for returning water back to the top of each sluice, and all associated piping, valves, controls, fencing, and appurtenances to serve the Wesser Ruby Mine with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received September 26, 2008, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently tiled and approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit. This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until September 30, 2013, shall void Permit No. WQ0003442 issued April 4, 1997, 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 and 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 Water Quality (Division) 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. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement treatment or disposal facilities. 6. The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division. 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. 8. There shall be no public access to the wastewater treatment equipment and the wastewater storage structures of the closed-loop recycle facility. 9. An Operation and Maintenance Pian of the wastewater recycle system shall be maintained for the facility and shall contain the following" a) Description of the operation of the recycle system: in sufficient detail to show what operations are necessary for the facility to function and by whom the functions are to be conducted; b) Description of anticipated maintenance of the system; c) Provisions for safety measures, including restriction of access to the site and equipment, as appropriate; d) Spill Control provisions including: i. Response to upsets and bypasses including control, containment, and remediation; ii. Contact information for plant personnel, emergency responders, and regulatory agencies. 10. If not already installed, a waste -level gauge, to monitor waste levels in the storage pond, shall be installed within 60 days of issuance of this permit. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent markings indicating the maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume, minimum liquid level at the bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume, and top of the dam elevations. Caution must be taken not to damage the integrity of the liner when installing the gauge. 11. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen basin embankments (outside toe of embankment to maximum pumping elevation), berms, pipe runs, erosion control areas, and surface water diversions: Trees, shrubs, and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on the earthen basin dikes or embanla rents. Earthen basin embankment areas shall be kept mowed or otherwise controlled and accessible. 12. 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. 13. Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited. 14. freeboard in the settling ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time. 15. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed. 16. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper operation of the subject facilities. 17. 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 maintain 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 to the Division or other permitting authority, upon request. 18. 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 recycle system at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit, may inspect or copy any records that must be maintained under the: terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate. 19. 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 15A NCAC 2T .010 (e). 20. 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 Statute 143-215.6A to 143- 215.6C. 21. The issuance of this permit does not exempt 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, including but not Iimited to applicable river buffer rules in 15A NCAC 213.0200, erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Chapter 4 and under the Division's General Permit NCG010000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 2B .0200 and 2H .0500.20. 22. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the life of this project. 23. Noncompliance Notification: The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number (828) 296- 4500, 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 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 renders 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; or d. Any time that self-monitoring information indicates that the facility is not in compliance with its permit limitations. Occurrences outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division's Emergency Management personnel at telephone number (800) 858-0368, or (919) 733-3300. Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within five (5) 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. 20. 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 renew the permit for such period of time and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate. 21. Adequate facilities shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from the mine facilities and any storm water runoff from carrying any disposed of or stored material into the nearby stream. Permit issued this the 17th day of October, 2008 NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION for Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit Number WQ0003442 4 oo Z7 vj v do "t L.; r 0 c� W655 ut 2006 7X I- 6eg Y 0 1 CL/) FIGURE I WESSER RUBY MINE '77 RECYCLE SYSTEM SWAIN COUNTY -j W40.0003441 SITE LOCATION MAP /ifa d,`�c�iAN off" b1�,Es��A�f 7XI, ;vu"p, Al;lve - 5 7 �I � •�'r f max r �� z �oNd� 51u,rc �n Keq a, 5� POA/ 004 APPROVED Norlir Carolina Envi"Irmntal .4�.anage,-�hnt Crrnrissian � t�i�i nrI Of Yi'ater Quality 1)al0 `f }� 9 T' -i R 1 PT .rrt;ilFIGURE Z L(,2C q `f z - WESSER RUBY MINE RECYCLE SYSTEM SWAIN COUNTY R ys. ori c -�j r Z y --� U s t q w 00034al SITE DETAIL MAP