20111013 Ver 2_Public Comments_20130322 (3)

II -)o(3 V -
North Carolina o ,;
' Wildlife Federation
PSI :AR EhriQONMN. -u A `7 ,u: , 203
2155 %IZU 2xk lid. li3''- WasMngton SL
Ct=latte, IBC 2V-05 Raleigh NC 27605 D NR - YW�rT1:Ft GURLITY
332 -5696 (919) 833 -192.3 �nda S _watE+ Branch
March 14, 2013
Comments on the proposal to release wastewater into Blounts Creek from operations of a
limestone quarry in the headwaters
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation was established in 1945 as a statewide, nonprofit,
conservation organization with the mission to protect and enhance the fish and wildlife resources
of North Carolina The organization has 40 affiliates and 9 chapters across the state representing
over 30,000 concerned outdoor enthusiasts. The Camo Coalition is a program of the North
Carolina Wildlife Federation designed to represent the interests of the hunters and fishermen of
North Carolina in major decisions that affect the welfare of our fish and wildlife resources. NC
Camo has 5,000 members who receive alerts of pending actions that affect their interests and
who respond to their elected officials. It is under these guidelines and to meet these objectives
that we submit the following comments on the proposal to release wastewater from the proposed
rock quarry in the headwaters of Blounts Creek.
The operation proposes to pump 9 million gallons of water per day from the aquifer to wash
rocks mined from the quarry . North Carolina's aquifers have gotten dangerously low and the
removal of this much water on a permanent daily basis will be detrimental to both the aquifer
and the receiving inland and coastal waters of Blounts Creek and the Pamlico River. Aquifers of
coastal North Carolina face many challenges today. This precious fresh water resource is critical
to the future and well being of coastal North Carolina We must protect them from depletion and
pollution.
The quarry will dispose of its 9 million gallons of wash water every day by dumping it into
feeder streams that lead into the headwaters of Blounts Creek and ultimately into the Pamlico
River. This will cause a major ecological change in this area due to both the alteration of pH and
the influx of fresh water that will alter the salinity of the system. The Pamlico River is already
challenged by the infusion of fresh water from the phosphate mine a short distance downstream
from Blounts Creek. We have all seen the deleterious results of that discharge on our fisheries.
Many species of important estuarine fish, including striped bass, speckled sea trout, and red
drum, are nurtured in the sheltered waters of Blounts Creek. These fish spend much of their life
cycle in Blounts Creek and surrounding estuarine and fresh waters. Blounts Creek is a
productive and popular fishing and recreational area. The huge influx of waste water from the
aquifer every day will change the fragile and productive ecology of Blounts Creek and
surrounding waters. Another important factor to consider is the very low turnover rate of water
in Blounts Creek due to its narrow opening into the Pamlico River. This fact increases the

adverse impact of the large freshwater influx from the proposed quarry and any toxic spill from
the quarry will be devastating as it concentrates in the bay. The adverse affects of spills will be
virtually impossible to remediate.
For these reasons the North Carolina Wildlife Federation opposes issuance of the permits
required to release wastewater from this proposed quarry into the headwaters of Blounts Creek.
Sincerely,
Tim Gestwicki
CEO, North Carolina Wildlife Federation