HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080501 (2237)
402 Woodcrest Lane
Albemarle, NC 28001
Apri129, 2008
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
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My name is Tom Hearne and I am a citizen of Albemarle in Stanly County, North Carolina. I am
writing to you in response to Alcoa Power Generating, Inc.'s ("APGI") 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. Until
approximately one year ago, Alcoa conducted aluminum smelting operations for well over 80 years at
the Badin Works plant that is located next to Badin Lake. It is well known that the operation of this
smelter 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 (particularly arsenic). 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.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Hearne, Jr.
cc: Mr. Jerry D. Myers, County Manager, Stanly County