HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080429 (12)Section 401 Water Quality Certification
Subject: Section 401 Water Quality Certification
From: "Melinda Thompson" <melindat@ctc.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:18:59 -0400
To: <j ohn. dorney@ncmail. net>
Section 401 Water Quality Certification DWQ Project Number 2007-0812
Dear Mr. Dorney :
My name is Melinda Thompson, I live in Stanly County, North Carolina. I'm writing in response
to Alcoa's request for a Section 401 water quality certification. I am concerned about the impact the
proposed activities may have on Badin Lake and related water bodies in the Yadkin River.
Badin Lake serves as the primary drinking water source for the City of Albemarle . The people of
our area, as well as many across the state, utilize Badin Lake for fishing and swimming. Alcoa
conducted aluminum smelting operations from approximately 1918 at the Badin Works which is
located next to Badin Lake . It is well known that the operation of the Badin Works resulted in
contamination both on the site of the facility and in the water supply.
I am concerned with the environmental issues because of buried materials, leaking toxins from
burial sites, lack of oxygen in the water, detriment to birds and animals from toxic materials, and
human sickness caused by exposure to these dangerous materials. I believe that their operation will
continue to cause damage to our eco-system, and ask that you deny Alcoa's request for a Section 401
water quality certification until these issues are corrected.
The operation of the hydroelectric dams has had and will continue to have a negative impact on the
citizens and wildlife of our area. I am aware that Stanly County is presenting information to you that
if fully reviewed, will convince the State of North Carolina that Alcoa has not been a responsible in
protecting our environment.
I ask that you not issue this certificate until the appropriate time is taken to fully evaluate the
environmental impacts to the Yadkin basin and our region from the Badin Works operations and
Alcoa's hydro dams, including information that Stanly County has uncovered in recent months . After
doing so, I hope that you will deny the 401 water quality certification or, at the very least, put the
proper conditions in place to protect the health of our region.
Sincerely,
Melinda Thompson
Citizen of North Carolina
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