20111013 Ver 2_Public Comments_20130405 (2)

LJJ 1 ��y
Rhonda Troyer
585 Weston Dr.
Blounts Creek, NC 27814
Cindy Karoly, Tom Belnick, Amy Adams
NCDENR -DWQ -NPDES
March 28, 2013
Dear Ms. Karoly, Mr. Belnick and Ms. Adams
Please accept my comments regarding Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. NPDES discharge permit
and 401 water quality certification permit request to operate a 649 acre open -pit mine in Beaufort
County.
I rent property in Blounts Creek and enjoy year round fishing and enjoyment of the surrounding
wildlife. During this past winter I saw up to 20 boats on multiple days upstream and downstream
from my pier near Cotton Patch Landing fishing for stripped bass and trout.
I do not object to a mining operation; however, I do object to a proposal that will discharge
millions of gallons of groundwater each day that will end up in Blounts Creek.
I know the proposed discharge of millions of gallons of groundwater a day fiom the mining
operation will change this brackish creek and everything in/around it. The fish species depending
on Blounts Creek as a home and nursery, the aquatic vegetation within the creek and other
wildlife depending on this eco- system will diminish as we know it today if permits are given that
allow discharge of groundwater into headwaters of Blounts Creek. From information I have
received on this matter, allowing this is illegal.
Martin Marietta conducted a one (1) day fish sampling and did not find anadramous juvenile fish
species. While their study may not have found these, I know for a fact that anadramous juvenile
fish species, such as stripped bass, are in upper Blounts Creek. I have caught fingerling (juvenile)
stripped bass in Blounts Creek. This invalidates Martin Marietta's study. My understanding is
that North Carolina state law does not allow discharges that change species composition of a
stream from its natural state.
The Federal Clean Water Act requires that only the least environmentally damaging practical
alternative be permitted for the 401/404 permit. There are other alternatives that Martin Marietta
can employ. Those alternatives may seem impractical to Martin Marietta from a cost standpoint;
however, there is far too much environmental damage if Martin Marietta is allowed to discharge
groundwater that ends up in Blounts Creek. Again, I believe this `discharge' method is illegal.
Residents surrounding the area of the proposed mining operation depend on clean and plentiful
water from the Castle Hayne aquifer. This impacts local families and landowners. I ask you to
please ask and research whether this is right. It's no secret that around the United States and
around the world, clean water from sources such as the Castle Hayne aquifer is becoming scarce.

Don't landowners have rights to a continuing supply of water without private business drying up
that supply?
Finally, water flow and water levels will change from its current natural fluctuations. I, along
with my neighbors and everyone else along Blounts Creek know that the primary fluctuations in
the water levels are from wind - driven tides. Just over a week ago, I witnessed water level very
high with a Northerly wind, almost six (6) inches from the top of a pier. Within two (2) hours the
wind shifted and the water fell almost twelve (12) inches. With millions of gallons of
groundwater being discharged into the creek, I believe the discharge will cause creekside
flooding and piers /bulkheads will go underwater. This again will change vegetation and wildlife
species. This will also cause damage to private property along Blounts Creek.
In summary, the legality of this matter, economic impact to business owners and Beaufort
County along with infringement of rights to property owners and others who come to enjoy the
creek is what I would please ask you to consider in your decisions for permits.
Sincerely,
Rhonda 'Troyer