19910326 Ver 1_General Correspondence_19930811

Division of Environmental Management
August 11, 1993
Memo
TO: Tony Young
Division of Water Resources
FROM: John Dorn 40?_ K '?/„
Re: Comments on EA FERC Lice e
amendment; Roanoke Rapid and Gaston
Development Project FERC No. 2009-003
I have reviewed the abovementioned document from the 401
Water Quality Certification viewpoint. The clearest concern with
a change in the Lake Gaston release is the impact on water
quality standards. From my conversations with DEM staff, the
Roanoke River is at assimilative capacity for BOD. Any reduction
in 7Q10 low flow could therefore result in violation of the
dissolved oxygen standard. Therefore, a 401 Water Quality
Certification would apparently be needed to assure that there was
no violation of water quality standards. During the FERC
relicensing at a mininum, a 7Q10 release must be guaranteed via a
401 Certification.
This approach is similar to the one that DEM and other EHNR
agencies have taken with Winston-Salem proposed new withdrawal
in the Yadkin River. We have stated that Winston-Salem will need
to release additional water from Kerr Scott Lake to maintain the
7Q10 at their wastewater discharge point.
Please call me at 733-1786 if you have any questions.
Young.me
cc: Ruth Swanek
Dan McLawhorn
Jim Mulligan, WaRO
Ron Ferrell
Boyd DeVane