20150041 Ver 1_Mary Ann Perkins - 401_20150406

Burdette, Jennifer a
From: Mary Ann Perkins <mapnbrickhaven @windstream.net>
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 12:10 PM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: 401
Importance: High
Dear Sirs:
Thank you for the opportunity for citizens to comment on the 401 permit applications of Green Meadows, LLC (affiliated
with Charah), for the proposed storage of coal ash, generated from several plants owned by Duke Energy, in Southeast
Chatham County, Brickhaven Community.
My family and descendants have resided in the Brickhaven Community for almost 100 years so you would say that we
have a "vested" interest and ownership. We have witnessed the operations of the local power plant, as we live less than
2 miles from it. When it was built, we were thankful that such a large company (Cape Fear Steam Plant owned by
Carolina Power & Light) provided jobs to many families in the area. In those early years, we had no idea of the
upcoming air & water pollution that this plant was generating. We were shocked and dismayed to learn that the trusted
company that fed and clothed many families would purposely pump tons of coal ash into streams and rivers, hence
contaminating water used by thousands of people and destroying our fish & wildlife.
As a result of the power plant, other heavy industry eventually came to our area, even a nuclear plant. The residents
refer to our community as the "dumping" ground for Chatham. Even the local television station (WRAL -TV) refers to our
area as "Boot Heel" because of its shape. Our community has united in several other environmental issues that would
have adversely affected our area, and the proposals were defeated. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak on
the State's water quality, structural fill & mining permits, at public hearings on April 13 & 161H
Safety & Economics: In a given day within the Brickhaven Community, we have tons of vehicles on Corinth Road. We
presently have the power plant owned by Duke Progress Energy currently being "dismantled ", 2 wood product plants, 1
glue /formaldehyde plant, 1 brick manufacture plant, a new Solar Farm with thousands of panels, a RV Park, the Dickens
Farm, and a community store. Residents' homes, approximately 60, are interspersed among all this and most own their
home, except for the RV Park! And, Corinth Road is only 3.5 miles long! Employees of these industries work shifts, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. We, therefore, have commuters traveling on Corinth Road at all times, day and night, along
with the aggravating, noisy, log trucks, tanker trucks, dump trucks, brick trucks, sawdust trucks, UPS /Fed Ex trucks, all
going more than 55 mph. The Moncure and Corinth Communities are also impacted by this traffic. Hauling coal ash
would increase unsafe conditions to this already congested traffic situation.
Approval of the permits could also affect the economics of the area by decreasing the value of property. Also, storing
this toxic waste may change the insurance coverage ratings which may result in higher insurance premiums for
homeowners. Most community residents use well water for drinking, bathing, and irrigation purposes. If these permits
are approved, the residents would feel their water supply was unsafe. It would be costly to connect to the county water
system. Plans for the Moncure Megasite could adversely be affected as companies may not want to locate near a coal
ash dump.
Another major safety issue is the railroad lines. On Corinth Road, there are 3 railroad crossings. We understand that the
coal ash will be transported by rail and truck. Just think of the number of people who will be exposed to fly ash, even
school buses filled with children. Accidents happen and when they do, people and our environment will pay the
costs. The spills would be absorbed in our streams and water supplies. Already Goff Creek on Corinth Road has been

destroyed by the clay pit "mining" from the brick plant. On some days the creek runs red and other times it is
mud. Trees are destroyed and landowners have flooding, and this has been the norm for several years. Please come see
for yourself! This water runs into the canal and onto the Cape Fear River. Please consider the many towns that use the
Cape Fear for drinking water. Most homeowners in the Brickhaven Community use private wells for drinking water and
are VERY concerned about groundwater contamination from leaking liners of coal ash pits. Charah /Green Meadows LLC
recently met with the Chatham County Board of Commissioners (BOC). When the BOC questioned how they were going
to handle the leachate, they stated that a waste water treatment plant had NOT been identified to take the leachate. As
you well now, such treatment plants are set to remove organic matter, not inorganic chemicals which are in coal
ash. Imagine what would happen should one of these trucks or tankers spill the leachate while transporting it.
Wildlife: The Division of Wildlife Resources brought up many concerns in their Dec. 6, 2014 letter to Brenda Harris of NC
Land Quality Section, concerning the Charah Permit application. They noted many protected plant and animal species in
the streams and tributaries of these sites. What would happen to the deer, ducks, bobcats, beavers, wild pigs, raccoons,
fish and others that use thee wetlands and streams for food and water?
Recreation: Many boaters & fishermen use the Avent's Ferry Site and the Buckhorn Dam site of the Cape Fear River, and
Harris Lake which are all within a 3 -mile radius of the proposed coal ash dump. These are very busy recreation sites
where people come to fish, swim, and camp. The streams and wetlands near the proposed coal ash dump run into the
Cape Fear. Corinth Road and Old #1 Hwy. are also one of the main bicyclist /motorcyclists routes used for recreation.
In summary, the Brickhaven Community requests that DENR and the Army Corps of Engineers reject the 401 & 404
permits of Charah /Green Meadows LLC because of the above issues. We firmly recommend that Duke Progress Energy
store the coal ash in concrete bunkers on their sites and not transport, or store the coal ash in pits with unreliable liners
due to public health issues, safety, wildlife, recreation, and economic reasons.
Sincerely,
Larry & Mary Ann Perkins
Brickhaven Community
Fil