WQ0006560_Final Permit_20020405

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Michael F. Easley, Governor
co T, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
> North Carolina Depdrtment of Environment and Natural Resources
—i
D Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
April 5, 2002
Mr. BROWN L. JOHNSON, OWNER
MASON MOUNTAIN MINE
5315 BRYSON CITY ROAD
FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA, 28734
Subject: Permit No. WQ0006560
Brown L. Johnson
Mason Mountain Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Macon County
Dear Mr. Johnson:
In accordance with your application received December 27, 2001, we are forwarding herewith Permit No-
WQ0006560, dated April 5, 2002, to Mr. Brown L. Johnson for the continued operation of the subject wastewater
recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until March 31, 2007, shall void Permit No.
WQ0006560 issued December 18, 1996, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein.
Please pay particular attention to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Please beware that Condition 8 of
this permit requires the facility to be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to
prevent the discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility. 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 Mai] Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27£99-6714.
Unless such demands are made, this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact J R Joshi at [phone]
extension 363.
Sinc r ly,
{Gregory J. Thorpe, P .
cc: Macon County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
Nan -Discharge Permitting Unit Internet httplm2o.enr.ne.statc.us/ndpu NQDENR
1617 MaR 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
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. Brown L. Johnson
Macon County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 32,400 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of two settling ponds in series, each
approximately 30,000 gallons in capacity, a 100 gpm recycle pumping system with a 3 inch force main and a
flume to serve Mason Mountain Gem Mine with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the
application received December 27, 2001, 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 March 31, 2007, shall void Permit No.
WQ0006560 issued December 18, 1996, 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 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. 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.
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 settling pond 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 pard 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 211.0205 (c)(4).
16. Failure to abide by the conditions and Iimitations 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 (WPCSOCC), 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 WPCSOCC. 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 II, III, 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 fifth day of April, 2002
NORTH 77
E IRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0006560