WQ0003468_Final Permit_20131220

NCDENR
Nora Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Programs
Pal McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E. Skvarla, III
Governor Director Secretary
December 20, 2013
Peter Provencher — Plant Manager
West Fraser, Inc., Armour Lumber Mill
361 Federal Road
Riegelwood, North Carolina 28456
Subject: Permit No. WQ0003469
West Fraser — Armour Lumber Mill
Closed -Loop Recycle System
Columbus County
Dear Mr. Provencher:
In accordance with your permit renewal request received November 1, 2013, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0003468 dated December 20, 2013, to West Fraser, Inc. for the continued
operation of the subject wastewater treatment and closed-Ioop recycle facilities at the Armour Lumber
Mill. PIease note that this renewed permit shall become effective on June 1, 2014 (i.e. the day after the
expiration date of the existing permit), which differs from the date of this letter.
This permit shall be effective from June 1, 2014 until May 31, 2019, shall void Permit No.
WQ0003468 issued August 13, 2007, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified
therein. Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining the required operational
information shall result in future compliance problems.
The closed -loop system is not currently operating, and cannot be operated until the permit is
modified, as per Permit Condition I.I. The. freeboard in the settling basins is dangerously marginal,
structural modifications to the settling basins are necessary, and the contributions to the basins must be
measured and managed. As per Permit Condition MI., an Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) and
back-up ORC are required once the Division) classifies the wastewater treatment facility.
Please note that Permit Condition 11.2. requires that the inputs to the settling basins be measured
or estimated, and that contributions containing biocides and other substances shall include the volume /
concentration of each substance. The areas of the facility served by storm water culverts contributing to
the settling ponds shall be determined, and all of this information shall be included in an annually -
submitted performance report -
Please also note the following permit conditions are new or have been amended since the
last permit issuance:
➢ Condition I.I. —requires permission from the Regional Office prior to system startup
➢ Condition 1.2. —describes the requirements for renewing the permit
➢ Condition 1.3. —requires delineation of areas supplying storin water to the ponds
WATER QUALITY PERMITTING SECTION
1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1636
Location: 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, North Cantina 27664
Phone: [phone] FAX: 91 "07-6496
Internet: htln:1JDortal.ncdenr.om/weblwo
An Fqual Opporlunity 1 Atbrm2live Aelion Employer

Mr. Peter Provencher
December 20, 2013
Page 2 of 2
➢ Condition ILL —requires
the facilities to be effectively maintained and operated
➢ Condition EIL 1.
— requires establishment of an Operation and Maintenance Plan
➢ Condition II1.2. —requires the establishment of an ORC and a backup ORC
➢ Condition E11.3.
— prohibits public access to the treatment facilities
➢ Condition ffi.4.
— addresses the handling of the residuals resulting from the treatment
➢ Condition 111.6.
— requires a minimal freeboard distance in the Boiler Ash ponds
➢ Condition IV.1.
--- requires the performance of monitoring as deemed necessary
➢ Condition IV.2.
— requires inputs to the settling basin to be measured or estimated
➢ Condition IV.3.
— requires recording and reporting of freeboard in the Boiler Ash ponds
➢ Condition IV.4.
— requires the submission of an annual performance report
➢ Condition IV.5.
— lists the recording requirements for residuals management and -removal
➢ Condition TV.6.
— lists the requirements for the notification of noncompliant conditions
➢ Condition VI.3.
— restricts permit coverage to the nature and volume of the subject wastes
➢ Condition V1.4.
— the permit does not exempt the Permittee from environmental regulations
➢ Condition VI.5.
— the permit must be modified if the name/identity of the owner changes
➢ Condition VI.7. --
permit coverage must be maintained by an active permit until site closure
➢ Condition VI.8.
— the permit may be revoked or modified under certain circumstances
➢ Condition V1.9.
— the permitted facilities may not be expanded under certain circumstances
If any parts, requirements or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, the Permittee
has the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of
this permit. This request shall be in the form 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, NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made, this permit shall be final and
binding.
If you need additional information concerning this permit, please contact David Goodrich at (919)
807-6352 or at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
r
lorT omh as A_ Reeder
cc: Columbus County Health Department
Thomas G_ Jordan, P.E., Davis & Floyd, Inc., 816 East Durst Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Protection and Enforcement Branch
Permit File WQ0003468
Notebook File WQ0003468

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
CLOSED -LOOP 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
West Firmer, Inc.
Columbus County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 0.0 million gallon per day (MGD) wastewater treatment and closed-Ioop recycle
facility with a previously permitted capacity of 0.72 MGD, consisting of
two 0.167 million gallon settling basins transitioning to a SWACO 414 centrifuge dewatering system and
a 13,000 gallon makeup water tank, a 300 GPD vehicle washdown area which includes a sump with a 100
GPM pump, a grit/sediment trap, and a 1,000 gallon oil/water separator; and a 500 GPM recycle pump
to serve West Fraser, Inc., Armour Lumber Mill, with no discharge of wastes to surface waters, pursuant
to the application received November 1, 2013 and in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and
other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from .tune 1, 2014 until May 31, 2019, shall void Permit No. WQ0003468
issued August 13, 2007, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. SCHEDULES
I. Permission to re -start the recycle system shall be obtained from the Division's Wilmington Regional
Office prior to startup, and will require a minor modification of the permit.
2_ No later than six months prior to the expiration of this permit, the Permittee shall request renewal of
this permit on official Division forms. Upon receipt of the request, the Division 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. PIease note Rule 15A
NCAC 02T .0105(d) requires an updated site chap to be submitted with the pennit renewal
application.
3. The areas of the facility served by storm water culverts contributing to the settling ponds shall be
detennined, mapped, and reported in the annual performance report for the year 2014 (to be submitted
March 1", 2015), as per Permit Condition IVA.
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H. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The subject non -discharge facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so there
is no discharge to the surface waters, nor any contravention of groundwater or surface water
standards. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions due to improper operation and maintenance, the Permittee shall take immediate
corrective actions including Division required actions, such as the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment or recycle facilities.
2. This permit shall not relieve the Permittee of their responsibility for damages to groundwater or
surface water resulting from the operation of this facility.
M. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times_ 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. The Permittee shall maintain an Operation and
Maintenance Plan pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T .1007, which at a minimum shall include operational
functions, maintenance schedules, safety measures and a spill response plan.
2. Upon the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission's (WPCSOCC)
classification of the subject non -discharge facilities, in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200 the
Permittee shall designate and employ a certified operator in responsible charge (ORC) and one or
more certified operator(s) as back-up ORC(s). The ORC or their back-up shall visit the facilities in
accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200, and shall comply with all other conditions specified in the
previously cited rules.
3. Public access to the wastewater treatment facilities closed -loop recycle system shall be prohibited.
4. The residuals generated from the wastewater treatment facilities shall be disposed or utilized in
accordance with 15A NCAC 02T A 100. They may be disposed in a suitable landfill facility. The
Permittee shall maintain a residual management plan pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T. 1008.
5. Diversion or bypassing of untreated or partially treated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.
6. Freeboard in the Boiler Ash Ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time. Structural modifications
to the ponds will be necessary to achieve this, and permission will be required from the Division's
Wilmington Regional Office_
7. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen embankments (i.e.,
outside toe of embankment to maximum allowable temporary storage elevation on the inside of the
embankment), berms, pipe runs, erosion control areas, and surface wafer diversions. Trees, shrubs,
and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on the earthen dikes or embankments.
Earthen embankment areas shall be kept mowed or otherwise controlled and accessible.
IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any Division required monitoring (including groundwater, plant tissue, soil and surface water
analyses) necessary to ensure groundwater and surface water protection shall be established, and an
acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed.
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2. The ongoing contribution of each source contributing water to the settling ponds shall be measured or
estimated to ensure that the total inflow from all sources is less than or equal to 0.72 MGD.
Contributions of biocides and other substances shall include the volume / concentration of each
substance. All of this information will be included in the annual performance report required in
Permit Condition IVA.
3. Freeboard (i.e., waste level to the lowest embankment elevation) in the Boiler Ash Ponds shall be no
less than two feet at all times. Freeboard shall be measured to the nearest inch or tenth of a foot, and
recorded weekly. Weekly freeboard records shall be maintained at the facility for a period of no less
than five years, and shall be reported monthly, at the end of each month, to the Wilmington Regional
Office at 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, NC 28405-2845, and also to the Central Office
at 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1636.
4. An annual performance report will be submitted March 1 " of each year to the Wilmington Regional
Office at 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, NC 28405-2845, and also to the Central Office
at 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1636. The annual report shall include a summary of
activities for the previous calendar year, including information required in Permit Conditions 1.3. and
N.2.
5. A record shall be maintained of all residuals removed from this facility. This record shall be
maintained at the facility for a period of no less than five years, and shall be made available to the
Division upon request. At a minimum, this record shall include:
a. Name of the residuals hauler;
b. Non -Discharge permit number authorizing the residuals disposal, or a letter from a municipality
agreeing to accept the residuals;
c. A letter from the landfill agreeing to accept the residuals (if a landfill sludge disposal option is
utilized);
d. Date the residuals were hauled; and
e. VoIume of residuals removed.
6. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number (910)
796-7215, 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 facility resulting in the treatment of significant amounts of wastes that is
abnormal in quantity or characteristic, including the known passage of a hazardous substance.
b_ Any process unit failure (e.g., mechanical, electrical, etc.), due to known or unknown reasons,
rendering the facility incapable of adequate wastewater treatment_
c. Any time self -monitoring indicates the facility has gone out of compliance with its permit
limitations.
d. Any pond overflow event.
Any emergency requiring immediate reporting (e.g_, discharges to surface waters, imminent failure of
a storage structure, etc.) outside normal business hours shall be reported to the Division's Emergency
Response personnel at telephone number [phone], [phone], or [phone].
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within
five days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report shall outline the actions taken or
proposed to be taken to ensure the problem does not recur.
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V. INSPECTIONS
The Permittee shall provide adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning to ensure proper
operation of the wastewater treatment and recycle facilities.
2. The Permittee or their designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and recycle facilities to prevent
malfunctions, facility deterioration and operator errors resulting in discharges, which may cause the
release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health or a public nuisance. The Permittee
shall maintain an inspection log that includes, at a minimum, the date and time of inspection,
observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken. The Permittee shall
maintain this inspection log for a period of five years from the date of the inspection, and this log
shall be made available to the Division upon request.
3. Any duly authorized Division representative may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect
any property, premises or place on or related to the wastewater treatment and recycle facilities
permitted herein at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit;
may inspect or copy any records required to be maintained under the terms and conditions of this
permit, and may collect groundwater, surface water or leachate samples.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Failure to comply with the conditions and limitations contained herein may subject the Permittee to
an enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes 143-
215.6A to 143-215.6C.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the permitted facilities are not constructed in accordance with
the conditions of this permit, the Division approved plans and specifications, and other supporting
documentation.
This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the permit
application; Division approved plans and specifications, and other supporting documentation. No
variances to applicable rules governing the construction or operation of the permitted facilities are
granted, unless specifically requested and approved in this permit pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T
.0105(n).
4. 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 jurisdictional government agencies
(e.g., local, state, and federal). Of particular concern to the Division are applicable river buffer rules
in 15A NCAC 02B _0200; erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Chapter 4
and under the Division's General Permit NCG010000; any requirements pertaining to wetlands under
15A NCAC 02B .0200 and 02H .0500; and documentation of compliance with Article 21 Part 6 of
Chapter 143 of the General Statutes_
5. In the event the permitted facilities change ownership or the Permittee changes their name, a formal
permit modification request shall be submitted to the Division. This request shall be made on official
Division forms, and shall include appropriate property ownership documentation and other supporting
documentation as necessary. The Permittee of record shall remain fully responsible for maintaining
and operating the facilities permitted herein until a permit is issued to the new owner.
6. The Permittee shall retain a set of Division approved plans and specifications for the life of the
facilities permitted herein.
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7. The Permittee shall maintain this permit until all permitted facilities herein are properly closed or
permitted under another permit issued by the appropriate permitting authority pursuant to 15A NCAC
02T .01050).
8. This permit is subject to revocation or unilateral modification upon 60 days notice from the Division
Director, in whole or part for the requirements listed in 15A NCAC 02T .0110.
9. Unless the Division Director grants a variance, expansion of the permitted facilities contained herein
shall not be granted if the Permittee exemplifies any of the criteria in 15A NCAC 02T .0120(b).
10. The Permittee shall pay the annual fee within 30 days after being billed by the Division. Failure to
pay the annual fee accordingly shall be cause for the Division to revoke this permit pursuant to 15A
NCAC 02T .0105(e) (3).
Permit issued this the 20th day of December 2013, effective on June 1, 2014
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
lorDirector
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0003468
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