20070812 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080430 (47)

Subject:
From: "johnmurray" <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:32:29 -0400
To: <[e-mail]>
Mr. Dorney:
My name is John Murray, and I am a citizen of Albemarle
in Stanly County. I write to you in response to Alcoa Power
Generating, Inc.'s 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 other
bodies of water in the Yadkin River.
Badin Lake serves as the primary source of drinking water
for the city of Albemarle. The people of our area as well as many across the state utilize Badin Lake
for swimming and
fishing. Alcoa conducted aluminum smelting operations
from approximately 1918 to 2007 at the Badin Works, which
is located next to Badin Lake. It is well known that the
operation of the Works resulted in contamination, both at the
facility site 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, harm to birds and animals from
toxic materials, and human death from exposure. I believe
that Alcoa's operation will continue to cause damage to our
ecosystem, and ask that you deny their request for a Section
401 water quality certification until these problems are addressed.
The operation of the hydroelectric dams has 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 Alcoa has not been a responsible steward of the
people's water.
We ask that you assist our Governor and our County Comm-
issioners and not issue this certificate until the appropriate
time is taken to evaluate the environmental impact to the Yad-
kin basin and our region from the Badin Works operations
and Alcoa's hydro dams, including information that Stanly
County has uncovered in recent months. After doing so, I hope you will deny the certification, or at
the least, put the proper
conditions in place to protect the health of our region.
Respectfully,
1 of 2 5/5/2008 2:03 PM
John P. Murray, MD
th
2 of 2 5/5/2008 2:03 PM