20140957 Ver 2_Public Notice Comments_20170819 (104)

Strickland, Bev
From:Laurie Lamoreaux <[e-mail]>
Sent:Saturday, August 19, 2017 5:10 PM
To:SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject:ACP
I am writing to ask the North Carolina Division of Water Resources to deny the 401 permit for
the Atlantic Coast Pipeline for the reasons listed below.

NEED:
Previous studies have shown that the ACP is not necessary because demand in the future will
not only remain static, but can be met by renewable energy sources. These renewables have
far less negative impact, if any, on the surrounding environment and any locations farther
away that could be impacted by spills. In addition, although corporations supporting the ACP
claim there will be “reduced energy costs “for customers, I have confidence that they will
actually raise rates to pay for the cost of the pipeline. Have utility rates ever been
substantially reduced due to increased construction?
Continuing to rely on fossil fuels, particularly methane gas, which generates more pollution
than carbon dioxide, is folly. North Carolina and Virginia have even greater potential to exploit
wind and solar energy that will provide enough energy to meet consumer demand. It is
irresponsible to go forward with dirty energy options and not to pursue these clean energy
alternatives for our citizens.
Speaking of our citizens, the environmental impact will weigh heaviest on rural, low-income,
mostly non-white communities. Morally speaking, the state needs to ensure protection of
those areas where people may not be able to speak up on behalf of their own interests.

EROSION and GROUNDWATER IMPACT:
According to Clean Water for North Carolina (CWFNC), the ACP would cross “8 source water
protection watersheds, 3 of which are in Zones of Critical Concern.” This compels NC DEQ to
require minimal impact to these areas to protect our drinking water supplies from any
contamination. Independent, third party inspectors are required to ensure autonomy from
business interests and full transparency.
Negative changes in groundwater flow during and after construction could impact many
residential homes and those who depend on well water. The Northern Coastal Plain Aquifer
would easily be susceptible to contamination, thus a 150-foot buffer between wells and
construction areas is not sufficient. A more reasonable buffer would be 500 feet, within such
area all pre- and post-construction well testing of water quality should be performed by
1

certified, independent labs and include any chemicals used during construction and
components of natural gas liquids.

BIOLOGICAL IMPACT:
Because no Sedimentation and Erosion Plan has been received thus far by DEQ from ACP, no
evaluation of how to protect downstream water quality may be made. There is also a lack of
analysis concerning riparian buffer mitigation in addition to a lack of discernment for possible
problems leading to drilling fluids leaks such as what occurred on the Rover Pipeline this year.
What measures are in effect to prevent drilling leaks during the use of directional drilling
methods? What is being done to prevent drilling contaminants from flowing downstream
along the trenches being dug for the pipeline? The absence of data and study increases the
likelihood of possible damage to the environment.

WETLANDS
Perhaps most troubling, the “construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would dig up, cut
through, or clear cut more acres of wetlands than the state of North Carolina permits for the
entire state in a year. The draft permit requires no monitoring or reporting to ensure that
wetlands actually remain wetlands. There is no mitigation plan for offsetting the so-called
“temporary” loss of forested wetlands for the next 30 years”.
The importance of our wetlands cannot be overemphasized, providing natural water filtration
for both human and animal consumption. If gas, oil, or fuels contaminate our precious
resources, their function is lost for possibly forever. The price to reproduce this critical
function artificially would certainly not be free.
Lastly, continued wetland loss threatens the home of animal and plant life.

The above comments are submitted to persuade the NC Division of Water Resources to deny
the 401 permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. I am not convinced that the ACP can be
constructed without damage to streams, rivers, wetlands, groundwater, aquatic life, human
health and environmental justice.

Sincerely,
Laurie Lamoreaux
Chapel Hill, NC
Sent from Outlook
2