RALEIGH -- The North Carolina Division of Water Quality today revoked the general stormwater permit for Godfrey Lumber Co.'s wood chip mill in Stokes County.

Preston Howard, division director, said he revoked the permit following an on-site inspection last Friday that revealed inconsistencies between the building plan and the permit, which the company was issued in July 1995.

"The construction plan for the actual facility didn't match up with the permit," Howard said. "We found that a wastewater discharge system involving cut logs is planned for the site. That type of system is not covered under the general permit."

DWQ inspectors determined that the company intended to spray water into a staging area where logs will be stored prior to being processed through a de-barker and chipper. Excess water from this process was to then be discharged into a 0.6-acre wetland on site.

Godfrey can appeal DWQ's revocation through the Office of Administrative Hearings or it can apply for a site-specific, individual stormwater permit.

"They need a stormwater permit to operate this facility," Howard said. "If they apply for an individual permit, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the issue. We'll hold a public hearing if significant public opposition is voiced. And from now until the department completes its environmental impact study on chip mills, we'll be requiring individual stormwater permits for future facilities."

Last month, the division issued Godfrey a general 401 certification for wetlands fill to allow an entrance road crossing and an emergency spill containment area to hold stormwater. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had previously issued the company a similar approval.

Date Posted: January 27