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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0002708_Final Permit_19910325State 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. Cobey, Jr., Secretary Mr. Peter G. Bine, Town of Garner P.O. Box 446 Garner, NC 27529 Dear Mr. Bine: Town Manager George T. Everett, Ph.D. Director March 25, 1991 Subject: Town of Garner Permit No. WQ0002708 Land Application of Wastewater Permit Amendment Request Wake County In accordance with your comments received in response to the administrative amendment issued for Permit No. 13378 as Permit No. WQ0002708 on January 16, 1990, the Division is forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0002708, as amended dated March 25, 1991 to the Town of Garner for the continued operation of the subject wastewater treatment and disposal facility. The Division's Water Quality and Groundwater Sections and the Pretreatment Unit have reviewed each of the comments from the Town and offer the following with reference to each condition and the changes which are incorporated into the attached permit. 1. The Town has requested that the expiration date of the permit be extended to January 16, 1995. The Division cannot concur with this request. Permit No. 13378 issued to the Town on May 31, 1988 expired on this same date. A permit renewal request will be required to be submitted in reference to a renewal which includes, but is not limited to a completed nondischarge application and application processing fee, all data, analysis and maintenance records required by the previous permit, a current evaluation of the site and soils by a soil scientist which includes recommendations for changes to loading rates based on past and present loading rates and impacts of this, calculation for the sodium absorption ratio, appropriate soil analysis, an updated site specific topographic map, present cover crop with reference to maintenance and fertilizer/lime requirements and general information concerning adequacy of the existing facilities. 2. The Town has requested modification to condition number 11, 4, under Pretreatment requirements. In reference to this, the condition as presently stated is in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0907(b) and Federal (40 CFR 403.18) regulations which require a modified program description to be submitted when a significant program modification (i.e., adding an industry) is proposed. Addition of a Significant Industrial User (SIU) can have impact on many other aspects of the POTW's pretreatment program such as program manpower requirements, headworks analysis and local limits, and monitoring programs. Pollution Prevention Pays P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone 919-733-7015 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer Mr. Bine page -2- 3. The Town has requested modification to condition numbers III,4, III,5, III,6, I1I,7, III,10 and 111,11 under operation and maintenance requirements. The Division does not concur with the requested modifications. Conditions III,4, III,S, III,6, and III,I1 are all related to operation of the system to prevent any discharge of wastewater to the waters of the State. The Town has requested and obtained a nondischarge permit for operation of this facility and as such must operate with no direct discharge of wastewater to either surface or groundwaters. Discharge of wastewater could effectively prohibit the operation of the facility as presently permitted. Condition number 111,7 limits the application rate of wastewater to 1.4 inches/acre/week and 0.30 inches/acre/hour. This represents the maximum application rate determined by a detailed technical review of the information submitted by the Town prior to construction of these facilities with reference to the site and soils. Any request for a modification or increase in this rate must be submitted to the Division for a review and appropriate permit modification which includes design engineering calculations, current soils information and an updated soil scientist evaluation and recommendations. Condition number III,10 requires public access to the land application sites be controlled during active site use. The Town's municipal spray irrigation facility is a permanent and long term operation facility and as such should be protected from access. In addition, the Town should be concerned about the possibility of health risks and associated legal suits when allowing free, unrestricted access. 4. The Town has requested modification to condition numbers IV,1, IV,2, IV,3, and 1V,5 under monitoring and reporting requirements. The Division does not concur with the modifications to conditions IV,1 and IV,2 however, agrees with the reduction of monitoring in condition number IV,3 from twice per month to quarterly provided the Town agrees to the addition of COD and conductivity to the list of parameters. This is included in the attached amendment. The Division may modify the subject permit to require any additional monitoring as deemed necessary. However, as modified and if modified in the future, the Town has and will have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days of receipt of the modified or amended permit, therefore, condition number IV,1 remains unchanged. With reference to condition number IV,2, the information being required is imperative to ensure proper operation of the facility and compliance with other conditions contained in the permit and all applicable rules and regulations. Condition number IV,S requires notification of the Regional Office for an occurrence at the facility which will either impact or impair its operation. The reference made to a sludge digester could be changed to another unit but was intended only to cite an example of the occurrence being referenced and not the fact that the Town's facility contains one. The Division does not concur with the other modifications requested that's contained in this same condition_ 5. The groundwater conditions contained in the subject permit were extracted from comments submitted in September, 1986_ Since the time of the modification to this permit, the Groundwater Section has prepared recommendations for modification to these conditions in accordance with the groundwater standards and 2L regulations. These recommendations include the requirements for reporting this data to the Groundwater Section of the Raleigh Regional Office every April, August and December. This section's recommendations and requirements are contained in the attached amendment. 6. The Town has requested modification to condition number VI,2 for inspection requirements. The Division does not concur with this modification. The records of inspection and maintenance for this facility as noted previously are required to ensure this facility's compliance with other conditions contained in the permit and all applicable rules and regulations. Mr. Bine page -3- 7. The Town has requested deletion of condition number V11,6 and modification of condition number VII,7. If the land is owned by the Town, the Division could consider the deletion of this condition once the appropriate information is submitted and this can be accomplished during permit renewal. With reference to condition number VII, 7, the Division would concur with a modification to the requirement for maintaining a set of approved plans and specifications for the life of the project to a 20 year expectation. However, it is imperative that these plans are accessible to State and Town officials for inspections, location of piping, and details of the facilities in existence in case the facility is proposed to be upgraded or expanded. The condition has been modified accordingly. The above comments and the amendment to the subject permit contained herewith represent the Division's position concerning the request received from the Town of Garner. Additionally, as stated in Permit No. WQ0002708 issued January 16, 1990, the Town of Garner has successfully complied with the required activities cited in the State and Federal General Pretreatment Regulations 15 NCAC 21-1.0900 and 40 CFR 403 respectively. Compliance with these regulations has been achieved through documentation submitted to the Division of Environmental Management. As a result, the Pretreatment Program of the Town of Garner was approved as of sixty (60) days from December 18, 1989. Approval of documentation indicates successful completion of an administrative framework. However, implementation of the local pretreatment program requires the day to day operation of an effective industrial monitoring program. The Division of Environmental Management will retain the authority to require changes in local pretreatment programs. The subject nondischarge permit is the Division's primary instrument for Pretreatment Program enforcement and in accordance with the Town's request for approval of the program, the nondischarge permit was modified to include pretreatment conditions and requirements. If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit amendment 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 form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Drawer 27447, Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit amendment shall be final and binding. If you have any questions in reference to this correspondence and the amendment to the permit contained herewith, please contact Mr. Donald Safrit, Supervisor of the Permits & Engineering Unit or Ms. Carolyn McCaskill, Supervisor of the State Engineering Review Group at (919) 733-5083. S' ce y, eorge T. verett cc: Raleigh Regional Office Groundwater Section Pretreatment Unit State Engineering Review Group Training and Certification (no revised rating) Office of General Counsel NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1-010i K"M SPRAY IRRIGATION 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 r % i "I N 3 N 0•J7AU101W01 Town of Garner Wake County FOR THE continued operation of a 1.54 MGD land application wastewater treatment system which consists of dual 25 acre stabilization/storage lagoons with a minimum 30 days detention and an additional storage capacity of 46 days, a lagoon liner of natural clay material with a minimum thickness/compaction of on (1) foot and a maximum permeability of 1 x 10-6 cm/sec, chlorination facilities, spray irrigation pump station housing 4-2,750 gpm pumps and a 100 gpm pump, spray irrigation line and spray risers (solid set) covering 298 acres of wetted area, and seven (7) monitoring wells to serve the Town of Garner with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received November 27, 1985, the request by the Town for approval of the pretreatment program, the administrative amendment issued January 16, 1990, the request for revisions received March 19, 1990, the discussions of March 26, 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 July 11, 1991, shall hereby void Permit No. 13378 issued May 31, 1988, the administrative amendment, Permit No. WQ0002708 issued January 16, 1990 and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations: I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS The spray irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so that there is no discharge to the surface waters, nor any contamination of ground waters which will render them unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation area to adequately absorb the wastewater, the Permittee shall take such immediate corrective action to correct the problem, including actions as may be required by the Division of Environmental Management. 2. 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_ 3. 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. 4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited. 5. The following buffers shall be maintained: a) 400 feet between wetted area and any residence under separate ownership, b) 150 feet between wetted area and property lines, c) 100 feet between wetted area and wells, d) 100 feet between wetted area and drainageways or surface water bodies, e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways, f) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, g) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines. 11. PRETREATMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS A. Requirements for Control of Pollutants Attributable to Industrial Users Pollutants attributable to inputs from major contributing industries using the municipal system may be present in the permittee's discharge. At such time as sufficient information becomes available to establish limitations for such pollutants, this permit may be revised to specify limitations for any or all such other pollutants. 2. Under no circumstances shall the permittee allow introduction of the following wastes in the waste treatment system: a. Wastes which create a fire or explosion hazard in the treatment works. b. Wastes which will cause corrosive structural damage to treatment works, and in no case discharges with pH less than 5 unless the system is specifically designed to accommodate such discharges. C. Solid or viscous substances in amounts which cause obstructions to the flow in sewers or interference with the proper operation of the treatment works. d. Wastewaters at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause an inhibition or disruption of the POTW, its treatment processes, operation, or sludge use and disposal. e. Heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the treatment works, resulting in interference but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature at the treatment works influent exceeds 400C(1040F) unless the works are designed to accommodate such heat. 3. It may be necessary for the permittee to supplement the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0900 to ensure compliance by the permittee with all applicable limitations. Such actions by the permittee may be necessary regarding some or all of the contributing industries discharging to the municipal system. 4. Permittee shall require any industrial dischargers into the permitted system to meet the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0900. Prior to accepting wastewater from any significant industrial user the permittee shall develop and submit to the Division for approval a modified Pretreatment Program. A significant industrial user is one which discharges wastewater into a publicly owned treatment works and which: 2 a. has an average daily process wastewater flow of greater than 50,000 gallons per day, or b. contributes more than 5% of any design capacity of the wastewater treatment plant which receives the discharge, or C. is required to meet a national categorical pretreatment standard, or d. is determined by the control authority to have a potential to adversely impact the wastewater treatment plant, or to limit the POTW sludge disposal options. 5. This permit shall be modified, or alternatively, revoked and reissued, to incorporate or modify an approved POTW Pretreatment Program or to include a compliance schedule for the development of a POTW Pretreatment Program as required under 15A NCAC 2H .0900 regulations or by the requirements of the approved State pretreatment program, as appropriate. B . Pretreatment Program Implementation Under the authority of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 and 143-215.3(14) and implementing regulations 15 NCAC 2H .0900, and in accordance with the approved pretreatment program all provisions and regulations contained and referenced in the Pretreatment Program Submittal are an enforceable part of this nondischarge permit. The permittee shall operate its approved pretreatment program in accordance with the State Pretreatment Regulations 15 NCAC 2H .0900, and the legal authorities, policies, procedures, and financial provisions contained in its pretreatment program submission. Such operation shall include but is not limited to the implementation of the following conditions and requirements: 1. The permittee shall develop specific limits to implement the prohibitions listed in 15A NCAC 2H .0900. 2. Within 120 days of the effective date of this permit the pernttee shall draft and submit a monitoring program for the collection of facility specific data to be used in a wastewater treatment plant headworks analysis for the development of specific local pretreatment standards as required by paragraph 1 above_ The permittee shall modify and implement the monitoring program based on comments received by the Division within 180 days of the effective date of this permit. 3. 180 days prior to the expiration date of this permit the permittee shall submit a headworks analysis based on the data collected via the monitoring program required by paragraph 2 above. 4. The permittee shall issue permits for construction, operation and discharge to all significant industrial users in accordance with NCGS 143-215.1 These permits shall contain limitations, sampling protocols, reporting requirements, appropriate standard conditions, and compliance schedules as necessary for the installation of control technologies to meet applicable pretreatment standards and requirements. Prior to issuance of a permit to construct or as a condition of the permit, an evaluation of the treatment process proposed must be made as to its capacity to meet the permit limitations. 5. The permittee shall carry out inspection, surveillance, and monitoring requirements as described in its approved pretreatment program in order to determine, independent of information supplied by industrial users, compliance with applicable pretreatment standards. All significant industrial users must be sampled by the permittee at least twice per year for limited parameters. 3 b. The permittee shall enforce and obtain appropriate remedies for violations of categorical pretreatment standards promulgated pursuant to Section 307(b) and (c) of the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 405 et. seq.), prohibitive discharge standards as set forth in 15A NCAC 2H .0900 and specific local limitations. All enforcement actions shall be consistent with any Enforcement Response Plan approved by the Division. 7. The permittee shall require all industrial users to comply with the applicable monitoring and reporting requirements outlined in the approved pretreatment program, the industry's pretreatment permit and/or in 15 NCAC 2H .0908. 8. The permittee shall submit twice per year, 2 copies of a pretreatment report describing its pretreatment activities over the previous six months. A report shall be submitted to the Division by August 1 of each year describing pretreatment activities for January I. through June 30 of that year, and a like report shall be submitted by February 1 of each year for the activities conducted from July 1 through December 31 of the previous year. These reports shall contain the following information. a. a narrative summary of actions taken by the permittee to ensure compliance with pretreatment requirements and standards b _ a list of any substantive changes made in the approved pretreatment program c. a compliance status summary of all significant industrial users d. a list of those significant industrial users in reportable noncompliance with pretreatment requirements and standards, the nature of the violations, and actions taken or proposed to correct the violations e. sampling and analytical results recorded on forms approved by the Division f. upon request, other information pertinent to the implementation of the permittee's pretreatment program 9. The permittee shall retain for a minimum of three years record of monitoring activities and results, along with support information including general records, water quality records, and records of industrial impact on the POTW. 10. The permittee shall publish annually, pursuant to 15 NCAC 2H .0905, a list of significant industrial users that have significantly violated pretreatment requirements and standards during the previous twelve month period. 11. The permittee shall maintain adequate funding levels to accomplish the objectives of its approved pretreatment program. 12. The permittee shall maintain adequate legal authority to implement its approved pretreatment program. 13. The permittee shall update its industrial user survey at least once every five years. 14. Modifications to the approved pretreatment program including but not limited to local limits modifications and monitoring program changes shall be considered permit modification and shall be governed by 15 NCAC 2H .0200. 111. OPERATION AND MAI TTE 'A E RFOITTREMENTS S 1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times_ 2. The Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in responsible charge of the wastewater treatment facilities_ The operator must hold a certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to the classification assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by the Certification Commission. 3. A suitable vegetative cover shall be maintained. 4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that will cause runoff. 5. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field. 6. 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, 7. The application rate shall not exceed: a) 1.4 inches/acre/week; and b) 0.30 inches/acre/hour. 8. No type of wastewater other than that from Town of Garner shall be sprayed onto the irrigation area. 9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed. 10. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls may include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site. 11. Runoff of irrigation effluent is prohibited. IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) 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. 2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking the amount of wastewater disposed. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following information: a) date of irrigation, b) volume of wastewater irrigated, c) field irrigated, d) length of time field is irrigated, e) continuous weekly, monthly, for each field, f) weather conditions, and g) maintenance of cover crops. and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings 3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation every March, July, and November for the following parameters: 5 Parameter BOD5 TSS Total Coliform pH NH3 as N COD Conductivity 4. Three copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) and all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition III 3) and any other data as may be required shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month to the following address: NC Division of Environmental Management Water Quality Section Facility Assessment Unit PO Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 5. Noncompliance Notification: The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Raleigh Regional Office, telephone no. 919C733-2314, 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 sludge digester, 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 has gone out of compliance with its permit limitations. Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in Ietter form within IS 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. V . CRQUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS 1. The monitor wells must be sampled initially after construction and thereafter every March, July and November for the following parameters: V1. NO3 (10.0) TDS PH (6.5-8.5 standard units) Chloride (250.0) Ammonia Nitrogen TOC Water Level Total Coliforms (1/100 ml) Volatile Organic Compounds - In November Only (by method 1 or 2 below) Method 1: Method 6230D ( Capillary - Column), "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", 17th edition, 1989 Method 2: Method 502.2 " Methods for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water", United States Environmental Protection Agency - 600/4-88/039 The measurement of water level must be made prior to sampling for the remaining parameters. The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed relative to mean sea level (M.S.L.). The depth of the water in each well shall be measured from the surveyed point on the top of the casing. The water level elevations shall then be determined relative to mean sea level (M.S.L.). The numbers in parentheses represent the maximum allowable concentrations in groundwater for the various analytical parameters, as specified in 15 NCAC 2L [Groundwater Classifications and Standards]. Unless otherwise noted, the concentrations are given in parts per million. If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/l are detected in any downgradient monitoring well, additional sampling and analysis must be conducted to identify the individual constituents comprising this TOC concentration. If the TOC concentration as measured in the background monitor well exceeds 10 mg/l, this concentration will be taken to represent the naturally occurring TOC concentration. Any exceedances of this naturally occurring TOC concentration in the downgradient wells shall be subject to the additional sampling and analysis as described above. If any volatile organic compounds are detected by method 6230D, or the equivalent method 502.2, then EPA methods 604 and 611 must also be run to detect other organic compounds which may be present. The results of all analysis specified in the monitoring requirements, including 604 and 611 if required, must be submitted simultaneously. The results of the sampling and analysis shall be sent to the N.C. Division of Environmental Management on Form GW-59 (Compliance Monitoring Report Form) every April, August and December. 2. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided. INSPECTIONS 1. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper operation of the subject facilities. 7 2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and disposal 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. 3. 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 disposal site and facility 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. VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS 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. 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 this request will be considered on its merits and may or may not be approved. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Prior to any transfer of this land, a notice shall be given to the new owner that gives full details of the materials applied at this site. 7. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for 20 years from the date of issuance of this permit. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty 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). 9. The Pemzittee, 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 25th day of March, 1991 NORTH CA ROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION - `(�� George T. Ever , Director Division of Environmental Management By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit No. WQ0002708 Amendment