WQ0003799_Final Permit_20020327

OF W A TF9QG
Michael F. Easley, Governor
r.� William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
>_ North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
p Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
March 27, 2002
CURTIS G. RHOADES, PRESIDENT
GOLD CITY GEM MINE
9410 SYLVA ROAD
FRANKLIN, NC 28734
Subject: Permit No. W00003799
Gold City Gem Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Macon County
Dear Mr. Rhoades:
In accordance with your request for permit renewal received March 28, 2000, and additional
information received April 11, 2001, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0003799, dated March
27, 2002, to Mr. Curtis G. Rhoades for the continued operation of the subject wastewater recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2007, shall void Permit
No. WQ0003799 issued October 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.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations 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.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Kristin E. Miguez at
[phone] extension 524. A
vu rc..cr i ,
for Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
cc: Macon County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Non -Discharge Permit Files (WQ0003799)
Water Quality Central Files
ASA
Non -Discharge Permitting Unit Internet httpJ/h2o.enr.nc.state.us/ndpu NnENR
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
DENR Customer Service Center Telephone [phone]
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NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
RECYCLE SYSTEM PERMIT
W00003799
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
Curtis G. Rhoades
Macon County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 10,000 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of a 15,000 gallon capacity
primary basin, a 1 -Hp recycle pump, approximately 80 linear feet of 2 -inch force main, approximately 80
feet of sleuth, and all associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances to serve the Gold City Gem
Mine with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the renewal request received March
28, 2000, and in conformity with the project plan, 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 the date of issuance until February 28, 2007, shall void Permit
No. WQ0003799 issued October 30, 1995, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
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.

5. 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. 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 primary basin shall not be less than two feet at any time.
11. 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.
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
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.
14. 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.
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 15A 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 in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-
215.6A to 143-215,6C.
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. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee
for the life of this project.

19. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number (828)
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:
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.
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. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control Systems Operators Certification
Commission (W PCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant
operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator
must hold a certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification
assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by the W PCSOCC. The Permittee must also
employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions
of 15A NCAC 8G .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and
each Class 11, 111, and IV facility at least daily, excluding weekends and holidays, and must properly
manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and must comply with all
other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202.
21. 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.
Permit issued this the twenty-seventh day of March, 2002
NORTHROLINA VIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
for Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number W00003799