20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080501 (2230)

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:
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MAY 1 2008
UENFt - WAl'Ek QWW71'
WETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH
My name is Jan Hobbs and I am a citizen of New London in Stanly 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 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, 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,
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cc: Mr. Jerry D. Myers, County Manager, Stanly County