The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutWQ0006075_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20181029 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 October 29, 2018 Madonna K. Buchanan PO Box 488 Spruce Pine, NC 28777 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine CLRS Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006075 Mitchell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine CLRS on 10/05/2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0006075. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4500 or via email at bev.price@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Beverly Price, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: WQS ARO Server LF G:\WR\WQ\Mitchell\Wastewater\Non-discharge\Buchannan Gemstone Mines, Inc\Inspections\20181005 Inspection\20181029_WQ0006075_CEI.rtf Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0006075 Effective:11/21/17 Expiration:10/31/22 Owner :Charles R Buchanan SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Mitchell Asheville Madonna K Buchanan Effective:Expiration:Facility:Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine CLRS 13780 Hwy 226 S Spruce Pine NC 28777 Title:Phone:828-765-6130Co-Owner Take Hwy. 226 north to Spruce Pine. The facility is located on the left approximately 1 mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Secondary ORC(s): Phone:Certification:Primary ORC: System Classifications: 24 hour contact name Madonna K Buchanan 828-765-6130 On-site representative Madonna K Buchanan 828-765-6130 On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 10/05/2018 09:30AM 10:15AM Beverly Price 828-296-4500 Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Closed-Loop Recycle Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions Record Keeping Storage (See attachment summary) Page:1 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0006075 10/05/2018 Compliance Evaluation Charles R Buchanan Routine Inspection Summary: The inspection was conducted by Beverly Price of the Asheville Regional Office. Ms. Madonna Buchanan and Mr. Tim Fox assisted with the inspection. The Operation & Maintenance Plan has been generated. Maintenance logs appeared to be complete. Discharge pipe located in the pond has been capped to prevent discharge to the creek. The residuals from the recycle system are removed and stored on site across the road (Hwy 226) until they are recycled for use in the gem mine panning process. Page:2 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0006075 10/05/2018 Compliance Evaluation Charles R Buchanan Routine Type Yes No NA NE Activated Sludge Spray, LR Single Family Drip Reuse (Quality) Activated Sludge Spray, HR Infiltration System Activated Sludge Drip, LR Lagoon Spray, LR Single Family Spray, LR Recycle/Reuse Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? NDAR? Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? Are application rates adhered to? Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)? Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? Are there any 2L GW quality violations? Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? Are annual soil reports available? # Are PAN records required? # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? If so, has it been applied? Are operational logs present? Are lab sheets available for review? Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? Are Operational and Maintenance records present? Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? Is a copy of the SOC readily available? Page:3 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0006075 10/05/2018 Compliance Evaluation Charles R Buchanan Routine No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? Comment: FINAL SETTLING POND - Storage Yes No NA NE Storage Type?Pond Storage amount?6000 Cubic Feet # At what point is side-stream wastewater returned to treatment?N/A Is there a Spill Control Plan? Aerated or Mixed?NONE If aeration is present, is it adequate? If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly? Is influent structure acceptable? Are banks/berms free of seepage and erosion? Are banks/berms free of excessive vegetation? Is pond lined? Liner Type Is liner acceptable? Are baffles/curtains acceptable? Does the pond have a freeboard marker? Required freeboard?24 Inches Actual freeboard?24 Inches Is there suitable grassed vegetation? Is the vegetation maintained? Is the area free of excessive weeds and/or woody species? Is the area free from signs of overflow? Is color acceptable? Are floating mats acceptable? No excessive buildup of solids? Are aerators/mixers acceptable? Is effluent structure acceptable? If present, is pond cover acceptable? The pond is not lined.Comment: Page:4