NC0064416_Comments_20220906

Deborah Hanna Griffiths
281 Lombard Lane
Highlands,NC 28741
828-787-1841 "• s:
Y •
RECEWED
August 28, 2022 SEP 07 2022
NC Environmental Management Commission
isICDEQ/DWRJNPDES
NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617
Re: NPDES Wastewater Permit NC0064416 Cullasaja WWTP
Dear Sir/Madam:
I respectfully request that you decrease the allowable discharges of nitrogen and ammonia
allowed under this permit and increase the frequency of required monitoring of the downstream
waters in Norton Mill Creek. I would also request that you publish the results of all these water
quality tests on an easily accessible website.
I have been coming to Whiteside Cove since the early 1970s and my family has owned property
near Norton Mill Creek since 1979. Until Cullasaja Club started dumping wastewater into the
creek system,Norton Mill Creek at Lombard Lane was free of seaweed like plants growing on
rocks. These plants now grow on numerous rock surfaces and have made sliding into the pothole
down the creek impossible. The aquatic plants frequently grow to 12+inches in length. I
emphasize, these plants never existed before the operation of the wastewater plant at Cullasaja
Club.
I would prefer if Cullasaj a Club dumped their treated wastewater on their golf course and built or
maintained sufficient retention ponds so that runoff into Norton Mill Creek is minimized.
Additionally, I would like for their wastewater treatment facilities be updated to reduce the
quantity of nitrogen and ammonia in the discharge.
Thank you for watching out for downstream citizens' interests.
Sincerely,
1014 WI
Deborah Hanna Gri

Patricia C. Jones
August 27, 2022
NC Environmental Management Commission/NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
RE:The Cullasaja Homeowner's Association Inc.
1371 Cullasaja Club Drive
Highlands, NC 28741 RECEIVED
NPDES Permit NC0064416 36? a 2021
To Whom it May Concern:
NCDEQIDINRINPD .S
I have been coming to Whiteside Cove since I was seven years old and now have a piece of
property that borders Norton Mill Creek. It is very important to me, along with everyone else in
this area, that we do our best to protect the area and for it to remain as much as possible the
beautiful and healthy place for people and animals to live that is always has been.
It has come to our attention that the renewal of this current permit referenced above, is up for
review. When it was first initiated, concerns were expressed, which led to upgrading the type
of treatment that was to be used. However, during those approximately 25 years of operation,
we have all noticed that a greater variety of aquatic plants have started growing in the creek
that never existed before the operation of the plant. This vegetation constricts water flow and
if not cleaned out regularly by concerned residents could very well start to take over the creek
entirely. That would be of no benefit to anyone. The high levels of ammonia and nitrogen that
are now being pumped into the creek as part of the treatment plan are the contributing factor
that has led to this problem, and it has the potential to get much worse.
It would be beneficial to all if higher permit levels and a better system of monitoring were to be
put into place before renewing this permit. It would be wise and show foresight if the powers
that be were to consider this and act accordingly before signing off on this.
Thank you for your consideration to this matter.
Sincerely,
Patty Jones S

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