20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080501 (2226)

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
p C~~a~' D
MAY ~ 2008
-WAYERQUAU~'8RN'~
~~pNDS AND STORMWA'tEft
Dear Mr. Dorney:
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My name is;;~ ~.~57~ Z!~d I am a citizen of /~ r ~'~ _ in ~~ -` ~~ `:' County,
North Carolina. I write to you in response to Alcoa Power Gen~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
our area as well as many across the state and utilize Badin Lake for fishing and swimming. Alcoa
conducted aluminum smelting operations from approximately 1918 until mid-2007 (need to clarify dates)
at the Badin Works which is located next to Badin Lake. It is well know 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 death caused by exposure. 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 assist our Governor and our County Commissioners and 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,
l~%~.
cc: Mr. Jerry D. Myers, County Manager, Stanly County