NCG020166_Ltr re Bypass_20181012

Steve Whitt
Director Fnvimnmenta|Services
October 12'2O1O
By Email ([e-mail])
K8c William E. "Toby" Vinson, Jr.
Interim Director
N.[}. Department ofEnvironmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mim*ng| and Land Reserves
1O12Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC27OQS-1612
Re: Martin Marietta — Anticipated Bypass
Dear Mr. Vinson:
Pursuant to Part V, Section CA of General Permit No. NCG020000 (the "Permit"), this letter is to
advise the North Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Quality (the "Department") ofthe
anticipated bypass of Martin Marietta's wastewater treatment systems at the Rocky Point
Quarry (the "Quarry") — NPDES Permit COC No. NCG020166, which is due to river flooding
from Hurricane Florence. The flooding mtthis location iothe result ofrivers upland from our
facility carrying water into the Quarry in connection with Hurricane Florence and the related
storm surge. It is currently anticipated that pumping in this manner will take up to six (0)
months. To safely and timely remove the water that has flooded the Quarry and to prevent
severe property damage, K4edin Marietta is proposing to bypass its wastewater treatment works
at the Quarry and discharge directly from the Quarry to the Northeast Cape Fear River,
Asaresult of flood waters from Hurricane Florence, approximately1.5billion gallons of water are
now held inthe Quarry. On September17,2U18.Martin Marietta notified the Department ofthe
flnodconditions atthe Quarry. Consistent with Section C'4.c.(1)(A)-(E)ofthe Permit, bypass of
the wastewater treatment works at the Quarry is unavoidable to prevent severe property damage
due tOprolonged flooding ofthe Quarry and the equipment located therein. Further, there isnD
feasible alternative tothe bypass aathe volume nfwater in question is nogreat (up to 1.5 billion
gallons) that there in no way to process it through the nn[mm| treatment protocol in a time frame
that will not naeu|t in years long effort. Such an extended submersion of this site would force the
Quarry to close and the equipment permanently located in the Quarry pits will be severely
damaged urdestroyed. Also, the enormous volume ofwater iemore than the pumps can handle
and will result inproperty damage ordestruction.
On OctVber4. 2018. Martin K8ohetba coUeohaU and analyzed a sample from the Quarry. The
results of that analysis are as follows:
I728VVydUTRoad,
Raleigh, NC276O7

October 12.2D18
Page
Parameter
Result
Urnit
Total Suspended Solids
Not Detected
25 m-q/1
Martin Marietta estimates that up to approximately 1.5 billion gallons of flood water will Deed to
be bypassed at a flow rate of up to approximately 24,000 gallons per minute ("gpm"). The actual
flow rate will vary depending on pumping and water level conditions (i.e., down time to replenish
fW8|, move the portable pump aethe water levels drop. etc,). Martin Marietta will utilize the normal
treatment systems when these systems become available and will improve the discharge.
Consistent with Section CA.b(l) of the Permit, because the water in question at the Quarry will
be returned to the Northeast Cape Fear River, which flooded the Quarry in the first instance, we
do not believe the water quality in the river will be materially adversely impacted by the anticipated
bypass.
Martin Marietta hereby requests that the Department approve, in writing and on on
emergency and temporary basis, the staging mfmultiple pumps around the Quarry once
the river recedes and the conditions allow, and discharge of the flood waters directly from
the Quarry to the Northeast Cape Fear River until normal water levels are observed in the
Quarry'
Due to Martin Marietta's desire to start pumping in order to be responsive to customers' needs
for stone tohelp in repairs and rebuilding, including those ufthe North Carolina Department of
Transportation and a host of distressed municipalities, Martin Marietta is hoping for an
expedited resolution ofthis matter. Please let Dleknow ifyou have any questions orifthere |a
any additional information we can provide to you.
We appreciate your very prompt consideration of this noeihac
Very truly yours,
Steve Whitt
Director — Environmental Services
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
cc: Bill Lane (Bill. Lanea-ncdenr.aov)
I With respect to turbidity, no limit in the effluent discharge app|ieo, but turbidity in the receiving
waters shall not exceed 5ONTUaaaresult ofthe wastewater discharge.