19910326 Ver 1_Staff Comments_19940725

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UL-2t JUL 25 '134 _ 12_:.01F1'1 EHNP WASH REO OFF ICE
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Woshington Regional Office
James 8. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan S. Howes, Secretary
Nancy W. Smith, Regional Manager
July 25,1994
-MEMORANDUM
To: Paul Clark
Environmental Engineer
Public Water Supply Section
From; M.P. Bell, Regional Engineer, ),xeb
Washington Regional Ogee
Re: FERC Final Environmental Assessment
Project 2009-003, Virginia Power
TO 19157153242 P.P;1/2
k74 * W*rA
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I have reviewd the Final Environmeml Assessment prepared by the Federal, Vnergy Regulatory
Commission dated June 1994 regarding the proposal by Virginia Beach to use water from Lake
Gaston as a source of supply. I offer the following comments.
Ow item that has not received adequate attention is the use of the Roanoke River Basin
includi g Lake Gaston for present and potential water supplies in North Carolina..
Presently, two public water supply system utilize water from Roanoke Rapids Lake which is
fed from Lab Gaston'. T'hese are the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District and the Town of Weldon.
These two systems also serve as supply for most of Halifax County. Halifax County is
considering the development of a separate supply using water from the Roanoke River Basin.
The City of ;Rocky Mount is studying the potential for using the Roanoke River as a p;rizrt!azy or
supplemental source of supply.
Just as Lake Gaston is a potential sonme of water for Virginia Beach, it has tremendous potential,
for many areas of Northeastern North Carolina. One very significant advantage of use in North
Carolina is that the used water will be returned to the Roanoke River Basin rather than removed
from it as it will be if transported to Virginia Beach.
The Envirownantal Assessment should -include an assessment of safe withdrawal and the
potential use of the Roanoke River Basin in'the growth and development of Northeastern North
Carolina.
1424 Ccuorino Avenue, Wc&kQton, North Ccrcllnc 27884' Te1Gphone 919-946-6481 FAX [phone]
An Ecluol Opporturity AMmoNve Action Employer E0%MCyC1ed/10% post-cons miser c opw
JUL 2? JUL 25 y 94 _ 12 02PM EHNR WASH REG OFFICE TO 19197153242 P. P. 2/2
'phi cse commcnts are caMpatible with and supportive of the June 1994 Final Environmental
Assessment as expressed on Page SS.
cc: Linda C. Sewall
R.E. Venrick