20080915 Ver 1_Hydro Licensing Coordinator Comments_20080805

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and
Division of Water Resources
Michael F. Easley, Governor
August 4, 2008
Mr. John Dorney
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
Subject: 401 Water Quality Certification - Catawba
FERC No. 2232: DWQ #2008-0915
Catawba County and others, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Dorney:
Natural Resources
William G. Ross Jr,, Secretary
Thomas A. Reeder, Director
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AU G 5 2008
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Wateree Hydroelectric Projet
The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has reviewed the July 2, 2008 public notice by the Division of Water
Quality requesting public comments on the proposed relicensing of the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
by Duke Energy. The DWR is the lead agency within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
for the relicensing of hydroelectric projects in the State. We have been an active participant in all aspects of the
relicensing process since its initiation. The Department is a signatory to the Catawba-Wateree Comprehensive
Relicensing Agreement (CRA) which was filed in 2006 and which we believe provides a long term sustainable
balanced set of enhancement measures for the various interests and resources affected by project operations.
DWR staff worked with others on a number of resource committees and technical study teams to develop
recommended flows, reservoir levels, operating conditions particularly during periods of reduced flows and also
the mitigation package. The DWR recommends that the Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (CRA
Appendix L), the Water Quality Monitoring Plan (CRA Appendix F) and the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) for the
Catawba-Wateree Project (CRA Appendix C) be conditions of the 401 Water Quality Certification. We believe
that CRA Section 4.5 provides adequate mitigation for the stream and river reaches in North Carolina that will
receive no or reduced flows. We recommend that the conditions of CRA Section 4.5 also be included as
conditions of the Certification.
We appreciate this opportunity to provide comments. Please contact me at 919-715-5424 or
Steven. Reed 2ncmail.net, if you have any questions regarding our comments.
Sincerely,
Steve Reed
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Hydropower Licensing Coordinator
1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Internet: www.ncwater.org
North. C
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