HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080505Section 401 Water Quality Certification DWQ Project Number 2007...
Subject: Section 401 Water Quality Certification DWQ Project Number 2007-0812
From: "Dean Colis" <dcollis@willowtec.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:29:48 -0400
To: <john.dorney@ncmail.net>
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 Dean Collis and I am a citizen of Wake County, North Carolina,
27587. 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. The following
information has come to my attention and I think sums up the situation well.
(Note that I have made some minor changes.)
"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 smelting
operations from approximately 1918 at the their works in Badin 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.
"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
the 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."
9553 or dcollis@willowtec.com
Sincerely, Dean Collis, 919 562
CC: Mr. Jerry D. Myers, County Manager, Stanly County
winmail.dat
Content-Type: application/ms-tnef
Content-Encoding: base64
1 of 2 5/5/2008 10:06 AM