January 10, 2011

In order to improve public awareness of the residuals land application program, new requirements will be incorporated into your residuals management permit upon its renewal or modification (whichever comes first). In the mean time, the Division is asking the Permittee to voluntarily start implementing these requirements as soon as possible. The new requirements are:

1. Public access controls shall include the posting of signs with a minimum area of 3 square feet (e.g. 1.5’x 2’) indicating the activities conducted at each site, permit number, name and contact information, including telephone number, of the Permittee or applicator. Signs shall be posted in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public at the entrance to each land application field prior to the land application event and at least 30 days (for non public contact site) after the land application event.
2. The Permittee shall begin reporting land application activities by telephone or email, to an appropriate Regional Office-Aquifer Protection Section at least 48 hours prior to conducting any land application. Such notification shall indicate, at the minimum, the anticipated time land application activities will commence, field ID, and its location. If changes to the application schedule are necessary, the Regional Aquifer Protection Supervisor shall be notified at least 24 hours prior to the new commencing schedule or as soon as possible if changes are due to unforeseen weather.
3. When residuals are land applied to grazed pasture, hay crop nutrient application rates shall be reduced by 25% in accordance with the USDA-NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standards.
4. The Operation and Maintenance Plan (pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T .1110) shall include the following:
   An inspection plan including:
   i.    Names and titles of personnel responsible for conducting the inspections;
   ii.    Frequency and location of inspections, including those to be conducted by the ORC, and procedures to assure that the selected location(s) and inspection frequency are representative of the residuals management program;
   iii.    Detailed description of inspection procedures including record keeping and actions to be taken by the inspector in the event that noncompliance is observed pursuant to the noncompliance notification requirements under the monitoring and reporting section of the permit;
   A sampling and monitoring plan including:
   i.   Names and titles of personnel responsible for conducting the sampling and monitoring;
   ii.   Detailed description of monitoring procedures including parameters to be monitored;
   iii.   Sampling frequency and procedures to assure that representative samples are being collected. Fluctuation in temperature, flow, and other operating conditions can affect the quality of the residuals gathered during a particular sampling event. The sampling plan shall account for any foreseen fluctuations in residuals quality and indicate the most limiting times for residuals to meet pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements (e.g. facilities that land apply multiple times per year but have an annual sampling frequency, may need to sample during winter months when pathogen reduction is most likely to be negatively affected by cold temperatures).
   
   If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Chonticha McDaniel at (919) 715-6188 or via e-mail at chonticha.mcdaniel@ncdenr.gov.  Thank you for your cooperation.