WQ0006075_Final Permit_20080911

Michael F. Easley, Governor
william G, Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Col= H. Sullins., Director
Division of Water Quality
September 11, 2008
Charles Buchanan, Owner `
Buchanan Gemstone Mines, Inc,
Post Office Box 488
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
Subject: Permit No. WQ0006075
Gem Mountain
Wastewater Recycle System
Mitchell County
Dear Mr. Buchanan:
In accordance with your permit renewal request received June 10, 2008, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0006075, dated September 11, 2008, to Buchanan Gemstone Mines, Inc, for the continued
operation of the subject wastewater recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until August 31, 2013, shall void Permit No.
WQ0006075 issued May 6, 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 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 Alice M. Wessner at (919) 715-
5208 or alice.wessner&cmail.net.
Sincerely,
Z��/
fog- Coleen H. Sullins
cc: Mitchell County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office, Aquifer Protection Section
APS Central Files
LAU Files
WI
Awwrally
Aquifer Protection Section 1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1636 Telephone: [phone]
intemet: www.ncwaterquality.org Location: 2728 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax I: [phone]
Fax 2: [phone]
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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
Buchanan Gemstone Mines, Inc.
Mitchell County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 28,800 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of two concrete settling tanks (1,178
gallons each) followed by a final settling pond (approximately 100 ft. x 20 ft. x 3 ft.) and recycle pump to serve
Gem Mountain with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received June 10,
2008 by the Division, and in conformity with the projgct 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 August 31, 2013, shall void Permit No.
WQ0006075 issued May 6, 1997, 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.
The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
4. The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 100 feet between treatment/storage units and any wells,
b) 50 feet between treatment/storage units and surface waters, and
c) 50 feet between treatment/storage units and property lines.
There shall be no public access to the wastewater treatment equipment, wastewater storage structures or to
the wastewater within the closed-loop recycle facility.
6. The storage lagoon shall be constructed and maintained to contain the accumulation of water from a 25 -
year, 24 hour storm event with 1 foot freeboard.

An Operation and Maintenance Plan 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.
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.
9. 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 action, including
those actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement
treatment or disposal facilities.
10. 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.
11. 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.
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 final settling pond shall not be less than two feet at any time.
15. 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.
16. 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 embankments. Earthen basin embankment areas shall be kept mowed or otherwise
controlled and accessible.
17. 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.
18. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper
operation of the subject facilities.
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19. 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,
20. 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.
21. 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),
22. 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.
23. 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 limited 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.
24. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the
life of this project.
25. 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 [phone], or [phone]. Persons reporting such occurrences by
telephone shall also file a written report in letter forth 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.
21. Upon classification of the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities by the Water Pollution
Control System. Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall designate and
employ a certified operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) and one or more certified operator(s) to be
back-up ORC(s) of the facilities in accordance with 15A NCAC 8G .0201, The ORC shall visit the
facilities in accordance with ISA NCAC 8G .0204 or as specified in this permit and shall comply with'all
other conditions specified in these rules.
22. 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.
Permit issued this the l ls' day of September 2008
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Coleen H. Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0006075
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