WQ0006148_Final Permit_19920602

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street - Raleigh, North Carolina 276.11
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary
June 2, 1992
Mr. Howard Johannesson, Owner
Lucky Gem Mine
Route 2, Box 208H
Highway 441 North
Whittier, North Carolina 28789
Dear Mr. Johannesson:
George T. Everett, Ph.D.
Director
Subject: Permit No. WQ0006148
Lucky Gem Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Jackson County
In accordance with your application received February 5, 1992, we are forwarding herewith Permit
No. WQ0006148, dated June 2, 1992, to Mr. Howard Johannesson for the subject recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until April 30, 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 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 shall be final and binding.
Regional Offices
Asheville Fayetteville Mooresville Raleigh Washington Wilmington Winston-Salem
704/251-6208 919/486-1541 704/663-1699 9191733-2314 919/946-6481 919/395-3900 919{896-7007
Potlution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

One set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. If you need additional
information concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Angela Y. Griffin at 9191733-5083.
Sincerely,
George Everett
cc: Jackson County Health Department L -
Asheville Regional Office
McGill Associates, P. A.

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH 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
Mr. Howard Johannesson
Jackson County
FOR THE
construction and operation of a 800 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of a 107 linear foot flume,
two (2) bottom halves of 1,500 gallon septic tanks, and all necessary valves, pumps and appurtenances to
serve the Lucky Gem Mine with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application
received February 5, 1992 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 April 30, 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, 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 Environmental Management 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. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a
certification must be received from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted
facility has been installed in accordance with this permit, the approved plans and
specifications. Mail the Certification to the Permits and Engineering Unit, P.O. Box
29535, Raleigh, NC 27626-0535.

6. 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 as
may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement
wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
7. The Asheville Regional Office, telephone number [phone], shall be notified at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an in-place
inspection can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during
the normal office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday,
ekeluding State Holidays.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
12. At least one foot of freeboard shall be maintained in all process tanks.
13. A dewatered tank at least equal in volume to the largest process tank shall be maintained in
order to store water while removing solids from the process. 12. Any monitoring
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.
14. Any monitoring 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.
15. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to
insure proper operation of the subject facilities.
16. 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 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.
17. 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 recycle system 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.
18. 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 15 NCAC 2H .0205
(c)(4).
2

19. 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 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
20. 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.
21. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
22. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number
[phone], 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 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 is not in
compliance with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter
form within 15 days following fust knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline
the actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
23. Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a
certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions
of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each Class I facility at
least weekly and each Class II, III, and rV 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 Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. Once
the facility is classified, the Permittee must submit a letter to the Certification Commission
which designates the operator in responsible charge within thirty days after the wastewater
treatment facilities are 50% complete.
3

24. 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 2nd day of June, 1992
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
George T. Everett, rector
,---Division of Environmental MaAagement
By Authority of the Envir6nfnental Management Commission
Permit No. WQ0006148
4

Permit No. WQ0006148
June 2, 1992
'Agineer's Certification
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, hawing been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the
project,
Project Name
Location
for the
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation
of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and
intent of the approved plans and specifications.
Signature
Date
k
Registration No.

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QUADRANGLE LOCATION
22092
NOXVILLE. TF.N!,! 37902
1293
3920
3919
3118
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INTERIOR—GEO� iCAL 35*22'
FRANKLIN 17 Mi. (TVA 166 -NE) ri1_
ROAD CLASSIFICATION
Heavy-duty ....... . Poor motor road
Medium -duty Wagon and jeep track ----
Light-duty
---Light-duty Foot trail .......... —__—_--
U. S. Route 0 State Route
In developed areas, only through roads are classified
Fr IV4'r-
WHITTIER, N.C.
N3522.5—W83151'7.`.

ITEM
POINTS
1\1ame--
Industrial Pretreatment Units and/or
Owner or Contact Persorli
j[,0.W-j_„_d_�JD
" Mailing Address:_,ZQ
6 H,
Mechanical Air System (fixed,
(see definition No. 33)
County:7—D c_kSo_-i
Te!ephone:7�
NPOES Permit No. NC04
Nondisc. Per. No.kionba6_
IssueDate:
Expiration Date:
Existing Facility
New Facility ✓ _ —
Rated fay:
Date:
Reviewed (Train. & Cert.)
Reg. Office—
Reviewed (Train. & Gert.)
Central Office
ORC
Grade
Plant Class: (circle one)
l Il flf IV Total Points
ITEM
POINTS
(1)
Industrial Pretreatment Units and/or
(i)Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System .....
20
Industrial Pretreatment Program
10
Mechanical Air System (fixed,
(see definition No. 33)
4
(2)
QF,9lQN FLOW OF PLANT IN GPD
3
(ii) Trickling Filter
(not applicable to non -contaminated cooling waters, sludge
High Bale ......... . .........
7
handling facilities for waler purification plants, totally
5
Packed Tower ...............
closed cycle systems (def. No. 11), and facilities
(iii) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated
consisting only of Item (4) (d) or Items (4) (d) and (11) (d))
10
0 - 20,000 ..........................
1
(v) Rotating Biological Contactors ..........
20,001 -- 50,000 ..........................
2
50,001 -- 100,000 ..........................
3
Dillused Air Syslem - ..........
100.001 -- 250,000 .......... . ...............
4
250,001 500,000 ..........................
5
Separate Sludge Reaeration .....
500,001 --1,000,000 ..........................
8
1,000,0D1 -- 2,000,000 ........................
10
Standard Rale ............
2,000,001 (and up) - rate -r point additional lot each
Packed Tower...........
5
200,000 gpd capacity up to a
Biological Filler ........ .............
maximum of 30
(iv) Rotating Diolo ;,cal Contaclors .. . . . ....
10
Design Ftaur (gpd) Y-ol✓m� Eroocsdlfon5
(3)
PRELIMINARY UNITS (see Jefinilion no. 32)
recirculating biological
3
(a) Bar Screens ................................
1
or
(b) Mechanical Screens, Static Screens or
Comminuting Devices ........... .............
2
(c) Grit Removal ...............................
1
or
(d) Mechanical or Aerated Grit Removal .. , ... , .. , .
2
(e) Flow Measuring Device .......................
i
or
(f) Instrumented Flow Measurement ..............
2
(g)Preaeralion................................
2
(h) Influent Flow -Equalization ...................
2
(i) Grease or Oil Separators - Gravity - ........
2
Mechanical ..........
3
Dissolved Air Flotation.
B
6) Prechlorination ..............................
5
(4) PRIMARY TREATMENT UNITS
(a) Septic Tank (see delinition no. 43) ..... , ... _ 2
'b) Imhoff Tank ...... •................... 5
,c) Primary Clarifiers ............................ 5
(d) Settling Ponds or Settling Tanks for Inorganic
Non-toxic Materials (sludge handling facilities
for wafer purification (slants, sand, gravel.
Slone. and other mining operation, exeest
recreational activities suets as gem or gold
raining}
(5) SECONDARY TREATMENT UNITS
(a) Carbonaceous Stage
2
(i)Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System .....
20
Diffused Air System ...........
10
Mechanical Air System (fixed,
5
floating or rotor) ..............
B
Separate Sludge Reaeration .....
3
(ii) Trickling Filter
High Bale ......... . .........
7
Standard Rate ...............
5
Packed Tower ...............
5
(iii) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated
Biological Filter ......................
10
(iv) Aerated Lagoons ................ . .... .
1 0
(v) Rotating Biological Contactors ..........
10
(vi) Sand Filters -
intermittent biological ..
2
recirculating biological'. . . .
3
(vii) Stabilizalion Lagoons ..................
1
(viii)C!arilier .... I . . . . . I ...................
5
(ix) Single stage system for combined
carbonaceous removal of BOD and
nitrogenous removal by nitrification
(see del. No. 12) (Points for this item
have to be in addition to items (5) (a)
(i) through (5) (a) (viii) .................
f3
(x) Nutrient additions to enhance BOD
removal ...............................
5
(xi) Biological Culture ('Super Bugs") addition
to enhance organic compound removal .....
5
(b) Nilrooenous Stage
(i) Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System . . . . .
20
Dillused Air Syslem - ..........
i 0
Mechanical Air System (fixed,
floating, or rotor) ...... ......
8
Separate Sludge Reaeration .....
3
(ii) Trickling Filter -
High Rate ..............
7
Standard Rale ............
5
Packed Tower...........
5
(iii) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated
Biological Filler ........ .............
10
(iv) Rotating Diolo ;,cal Contaclors .. . . . ....
10
(v) Sand FiHer-
in:ermittent biological
recirculating biological
3
(vi) Oafilwl - ..
5

I I A I I ()11 A0VAIJX0 M I-. nT1.�'t:iff U+III
{tp} C;1�t-M.IC Af)Dll LON SYST[M (S) (See delin;lion No 9)
r
. (�)
Acliv.r:[ttf C.�rbun; Beds -
(not applrcablc cer chemical additions rated as i!ean
.-,4110ul carbon rag ener Ilion . ..... .
(3) (j), (5) (sr) (xi), (G) (a)- (6) (b), (7) {b}, (7) (e),
wf[ll carbon roger oration _... _ ....._ 1 ,
(9) (a). {9} (b}, or (9} {c) 5 points each: Lisp
{b)
r'ovvdered or Granular Activated Carbon Feed
a
+vitlioul carbon regeneration ... . ............. 5
5
with carbon regeneration . . ... . ..... .... . . .. 1 5
5
Air Stripping .... . ............ . ....... . . .. 5
5
(d)
Denitrificalion Process (separate process) . .. . . 10
(e)
Flectrodialysis .............. ........ . .... . .. 5
(11) MISCELLANEOUS UNITS
(f)
Foam Separation ....... . . . ..... . .. . ..... . .... 5
(a) Holding Ponds, Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds
(g)
Ion Exchange ................... . ....... _ .... 5
for Organic or Toxic Materials including wastes
(h)
Land Application of Treated Effluent
from mining operations containing nitrogen and/or
(see definition no. 22b) (not applicable for
phosphorous compounds in amounts significantly
sand, gravel, stone and other similar mining
greater than is common for domestic wastewater ..........
4
operations)
(b) Effluent Flow Equalization (not applicable to storage
(i) on agricullurally managed sites (See def,
basins which are inherent in land application systems)_
2
No. 4) .... . . . ... . ............... _ ........ 10
(c) Stage Discharge (not applicable to storage basins
(ii) by high rale infiltration on non-agriculturally
inherent in land application systems .................
managed siles (includes rotary distributors
(d) Pumps......... :..................................... ...................................... --...... -.,.....
v3
stems
and similar fixed nozzle systems) ) .... _ .... - • 4
(e) Stand-By Power Supply- ......... ....................................... .............
3
(iii) by subsurface disposal (includes low pressure
......_.._
(f) Thermal Pollution Conlrcl Device............................................
3
pipe systems and gravity systems except at
plants consisting of septic; lank and nitrifica-
tion lines only) . ............. . .............. 4
TOTAL POINTS
(;)
Microscreens.................................. 5
(j)
Phosphorus Remo-ral by Biological Processes
CLASSIFICATION
(See def- No. 26) ............ . . ........... . .. 20
(k)
Polishing Ponds - without aeration ..... _ _ 2
Class I................. ... 5 - 25 Points
with aeration .......... 5
Class 11........................................................ 26- 50 Points
(I)
Post Aeration - cascade ....... . ...... 0
Class III .................. ............ ... 51- 65 Points
diffused or mechanical ... 5
Class IV........................................................ 66- Up Points
(m)
Reverse Osmosis ............................... 5
(n)
Sand or Mixed-Media Fillers - low rate ........... 2
Facilities having a rating of one through four points, inclusive,
high rale . _ ........ 5
do not require a certified operator. Classification of all other
(o)
Treatment processes for removal of metal or
facilities requires a comparable grade operator in responsible
cyanide.................................... 15
charge.
Treatment processes for removal of toxic
materials other than metal or cyanide .... _ .. _ . 1 5
Facilities having an activated sludge process will be assigned
a minimum classification of Class It.
SLUDGE
TREATMENT
Facilities having treatment processes for the removal of metal
(a) Sludge Digestion Tank - Heated...............
10 or cyanide will be assigned a minimum classification of Class fl,
Aerobic. . . ....... .....
5
Unhealed ...... . ......
3 Facilities having treatment processes for the biological removal
(b) Sludge Stabilization (chemical or thermal) . _ - . _ - .
5 of phosphorus will be assigned a minimum classification of Class
(c) Sludge Drying Beds - Gravily . ........ . .......
2
Vacuum Assisled . _ .....
5
(d) Sludge Eluirialion ............... . ...... . ... . ..
5 In-plant processes and related control equipment which are an
(e) Sludge Conditioner (chemical or thermal) .. _ .. _ _ .
5 integral part of industrial production shall not be considered waste
(f) Sludge Thickener (gravity) ................ . .....
5 treatment. Likewise, discharges of wastewater from residences
(g) Dissolved Air Flotation Unit
havinga design flow of 1,000
g gpd or less, shall not be subject la
nota applicable to a unit rates as 3 r . , ,
{ pp' {) (�} , - . _ . ,
g rating.
(h) S[udge Gas U{ilizalion (including gas storage) . . . .
2
(i) Sludge Holding Tank - Aerated................
5 ADDITIONA(- COMMENTS:
Non-aerated ......... _ _ .
2
(p} Sludge Incineralor - (not including activated
carbon regeneration) .....
10
(k) Vacuum Fillet. Centrifuge or Filler Press or other
similar dewatering devices ... . . ........ . ......
1 0
(8) SLUDGE
DISPOSAL (including incinerated ash)
(a}Lagoons........................................
2
(b) Land Application (surface and subsurface)
(see definition 22a)
-where the facility holds the land app. permit _
1 0
-by contracting to a land application operator who
holds the land application permit ... . ... . . . . . ....
2
-land application of sludge by a contractor who does
not hold (tic permit for the waslelvater Ireatrnenl
t
facility where the sludge is generated - _ _ _ - - - _ .
10
(c) f.andliffed (buriaf) .............................
S
9) t)IStijFf-Cr1ON
(a) Chlorinalion ................. . ...... .....
5
(b) Dechlofinalion ........................
5
(c) Ozonc ................. . .... . .
:+