Document dY88gQ14R0BezJnB4JewpoeO0

Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Date(s): Media: Regulatory Program(s) Company Name: Facility Names: Facility Physical Locations: (city, state, zip code) Mailing address: (city, state, zip code) County/Parish: Facility Contact: 3/26/2025 Water Clean Water Act Alma Plantation, LLC Alma Plantation, LLC 4612 Alma Plantation Road Lakeland, LA 70752 4612 Alma Rd Lakeland, LA 70752 Pointe Coupee David Stewart President/CEO 225-627-6666 FRS Number: Identification/Permit Number: Media Number: NAICS: SIC: LA0003034 2062 Personnel participating in inspection: Michael Williams EPA/ 6EN-WMH Ashley Henry LDEQ Lakiesha Butler LDEQ Mario Acevedo Alma Plantation Inspector Inspector Inspector Chief Engineer 281-983-2150 225.219.3334 Lakeisha.Butler@la.gov 225-627-6666 EPA Lead Inspector Signature/Date Supervisor Signature/Date Michael D. Williams Date ROBERTO BERNIER Date: 2025.06.16 07:20:23 -05'00' Digitally signed by ROBERTO BERNIER Roberto Bernier Date Alma Plantation, LLC LA0003034 Inspection Date 3/26/2025 Section I - Introduction PURPOSE OF THE INSPECTION EPA Region 6 inspector, Michael Williams, arrived at the Alma Plantation, LLC at 9:29 am on March 26, 2025, for unannounced National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) inspections. During the opening conference, I met with Mario Acevedo, Chief Engineer. Mr. Acevedo was informed that this was an EPA lead compliance evaluation inspection to determine compliance with the facility's NPDES permit LA0003034 and facility operations and maintenance under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The inspections were conducted under the authority of the NPDES permit program, in accordance with the Federal CWA. The information presented in this report is based on the materials and information supplied by the Alma Plantation, LLC representatives, observations made during the inspection, and records or reports maintained by the permittee, permittee contract laboratory, the State of Louisiana and EPA. FACILITY DESCRIPTIONS Alma Plantation, LLC operates a raw sugar mill established in 1859, engaged in the processing of sugarcane cultivated within Pointe Coupee Parish and adjacent parishes. The milling season typically spans from September through early January. During this period, harvested sugarcane undergoes mechanical crushing to extract cane juice. The extracted juice is subsequently clarified and concentrated into syrup. This syrup is further concentrated under controlled conditions to induce crystallization of sucrose. Raw sugar crystals are separated from the mother liquor via centrifugation, with the mother liquor recycled back into the process for additional sugar extraction. The residual molasses, representing the final concentrated byproduct after maximal sugar recovery, is collected and stored for commercial sale. The fibrous residue generated from cane crushing, known as bagasse, serves as a primary fuel source for steam-generating boilers. The steam produced is utilized to drive mechanical prime movers within the facility and to supply thermal energy necessary for juice concentration and sugar crystallization processes. Wastewater streams generated at the facility include barometric condenser cooling water, stormwater runoff from the eastern and western sectors of the site, cane wash water, scrubber water, vessel cleaning water, bearing cooling water, and treated sanitary effluent from the onsite septic system. Stormwater runoff from the eastern portion of the facility, together with barometric condenser cooling water, is routed to an aeration pond prior to discharge through Outfall 001. All remaining wastewater streams are collected in a sump and subsequently pumped to a series of eleven settling ponds for sedimentation before final discharge via Outfall 003. During the milling season, water retained in the settling ponds is recycled and reintegrated into the raw sugar production process to optimize water usage. Outfall 001 discharges into Stumpy Bayou, while Outfall 003 discharges into Bayou Poydras, both of which are situated within the Terrebonne Water Quality Management Basin. 2 Alma Plantation, LLC LA0003034 Inspection Date 3/26/2025 Section II- Observations This inspection revealed the following observations: Alma Plantation, LLC LA0003034 Specific Observations: During the inspection, the facility was in down for idle season for repairs. No discharge on the day of the inspection. Section III- Areas of Concern This inspection revealed the following areas of concern: No major issues were observed or noted on the day of the inspection. Section IV - LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A - Photos Appendix B - Effluent Violation Summary 3 Alma Plantation LA0003034 Inspection Date 3/26/2025 Appendix A Photograph Log UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Location: Alma Plantation City: Lakeland Photo No. 1 County/Parish: Pointe Coupee State: LA Bagasse is the fibrous residue Storage Piles UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Location: Alma Plantation City: Lakeland Photo No. 2 County/Parish: Pointe Coupee State: LA Eastern Settling Ponds UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Location: Alma Plantation City: Lakeland Photo No. 3 County/Parish: Pointe Coupee State: LA Final Product Storage UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Location: Alma Plantation City: Lakeland Photo No. 4 County/Parish: Pointe Coupee State: LA Settling Pond UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Location: Alma Plantation City: Lakeland Photo No. 5 County/Parish: Pointe Coupee State: LA West Aeration Basin