NCS000546_Correspondence to DEQ RE SW013-14 Outfall Identified_20150806

DUKE
ENERGY.
CAROLINAS
August 6, 2015
Mr. Bradley Bennett
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Energy, Mineral & Land Resources
Stormwater Permitting Program
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
Subject: Discovery of Industrial Stormwater Outfall at Allen Steam Station
Dear Mr. Bennett:
526 South Church Street
Charlotte. NC 28202
Mailing Address
Mail Code EC13k
Charlotte. NC 28202
On July 24, 2015, Duke Energy conducted an inventory of the stormwater outfalls in Outfall
Group SW013 at the Allen Steam Station. The station's current NPDES stormwater permit
(NCS000546) describes this group as including "thirteen 10-inch stormwater discharge outfalls
along approximately 12,400 linear feet of gravel road and 750 linear feet of rail lines". Our
inventory revealed a fourteenth pipe and indications of a fifteenth. Details of each of these
findings are given below.
The fourteenth stormwater pipe (denoted in the enclosed map as SW013-15) is a 10-inch
corrugated metal pipe, is located in the most northern portion of Drainage Area 13, and drains a
small portion of gravel road and rail line. Though the pipe is in close proximity to the coal yard.
the coal yard lies below the gravel road and has its own drainage area with sump. This
stormwater pipe is active and would discharge stormwater to the Catawba River during a
measurable storm event. We are requesting that SW013-15 be added to the station's current
permit through a minor modification.
We have reason to believe a fifteenth stormwater pipe (denoted in the enclosed map as
SW013-14) is located about 200 feet south of SW013-15. During the stormwater outfall
inventory, we observed a sign that indicated the presence of a pipe. This sign was similar to
signs found at other Group SW013 outfalls. In addition to the sign, an older drawing indicated
the possibility of a fifteenth pipe in that vicinity. We attempted to locate a pipe on the bank, but
due to the steepness of the slope and the thickness of the vegetation, we were unable to
visually confirm the existence of a pipe in that location. We are currently working to gain access
to this area.
Please find enclosed a map detailing the updated locations of the Group SW013 outfalls. Outfall
SW013-14 is included as a reference of where we believe a stormwater pipe may exist. We
believe the Group SW013 stormwater outfall denotation (SW013-XX) would be useful for
reporting purposes and request that it somehow be reflected in the permit modification.
Should you have any questions regarding this submittal or require additional information, please
contact Ross Hartfield at 980-373-6583 or email [e-mail].

Sin er ,
Ross Hartti d
Environmental Specialist II
Enclosure