HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080429 (13)DWQ Project Number 2007-0812
Subject: DWQ Project Number 2007-0812
From: mrw8901@aol.com
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:31:28 -0400
To: john.dorney@ncmail.net
CC: JMyers@co.stanly.nc.us
Mr. John Dorney
401 Development Unit Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
2321 Crabtree Boulevard
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Re: Section 401 Water Quality Certification
DWQ Project Number 2007-0812
Dear Mr. Dorney :
My name is Michelle Wingate and I am a citizen of Raleigh in Wake County, North Carolina. I write
to you in response to Alcoa Power Generating, Inc.'s ("APGI") request for a Section 401 water quality
certification. As a citizen, 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 that area as well as many across the state and 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, water leaching 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 APGI'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 APGI has not been a responsible
steward of the people's water.
We 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
APGI'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,
Michelle Wingate
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