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Home My WebLink AboutNC0089168_Sound Rivers_Comments_20240920 SOUND RIVERS PROTECTING THE NEUSE&TAR-PAMUCO September 20,2024 Via email Derek Denard,Program Consultant N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources 217 West Jones Street Raleigh,NC 27603 877-623-6748 derek.denard@deq.nc.gov Re: Request for public hearing and 60-day extension of time to submit public comments, Sound Rivers Board of Directors comments on draft NPDES Permit No.NCO089168 for Martin Marietta Materials Vanceboro Quarry Dear Mr. Denard, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft NPDES permit No.NCO089168 for Martin Marietta Materials Vanceboro Quarry("Draft Permit"). The Sound Rivers Board of Directors("the Board") is writing this letter to request a 60-day extension of time to submit public comments and to request public hearings following the comment period. Sound Rivers, founded in 1981, is a grassroots environmental organization representing more than 2500 members and is a licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance,Inc. Our mission is to monitor,protect, and enhance the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River watersheds while promoting environmental justice. The Board firmly believes that a public hearing is in the best interest of the community and in the best interest of the Department of Environmental Quality's goals of increased transparency and ensuring meaningful involvement as outlined in the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. This is an issue that has been a priority for Sound Rivers members since the original issuance of their discharge permit in 2013 and has garnered increased interest locally and across the State.Blounts Creek is an important recreational resource for not only local community members in Beaufort County,but for many others across the State who utilize this waterway for recreational purposes. There is an expansive group of landowners along the Creek,neighboring community members, and residents from across the State who will be affected by this discharge. Among this group are also many new residents of the Blounts Creek area who did not have the opportunity of weighing in on the original permit.All of these affected individuals should have the opportunity to voice their questions and concerns regarding the renewal of the Draft Permit at a public hearing before further action is taken. The impact of the proposed discharge is so significant that full consideration of the citizen concerns is critical. Although this is a permit renewal,Martin Marietta Materials has yet to initiate mining activities. The terms of their Draft Permit as it stands are heavily influenced by data and information from consulting reports that were completed over 15 years ago. DWR has the opportunity to and should reevaluate the current conditions of Blounts Creek before mining activities begin to ensure the protection of the Creek and be best advised on how to properly permit this discharge. P.O. Box 1854 wMIRRtI►IR MUM" Washington, NC 27889 `'Nod New Bern (252) 637-7972 — Raleigh (919) 856-1180 — Washington (252) 946-7211 SOUND RIVERS PROTECTING THE NEUSE&TAR-PAMUCO In addition to public hearings,the Board also respectfully requests a 60-day extension of the public comment period so that affected parties may write well-informed comments. The materials supporting the Draft Permit include numerous consulting reports,data, and information spanning a 15-year time period. These materials will require significant time to review. To maximize public input,please consider extending the public comment period. The Sound Rivers Board of Directors fully supports the technical comments on the Draft Permit provided by Sound Rivers staff which will be forthcoming. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Sincerely, Sound Rivers Board of Directors Catherine Kastleman,President Durham,NC Adrian Atkinson,Vice President Winterville,NC David Emmerling,EdD Secretary, Treasurer Pittsboro,NC Walker Knox Raleigh,NC Betsy Hester Washington,NC JoSeth Bocook Tarboro,NC Trip Boyer Chapel Hill,NC Caty Gray Urquhart Hobgood,NC Miriam Espinosa Rocky Mount,NC Larry Hodgkins Washington,NC Lindsay Savelli Carrboro,NC P.O. Box 1854 EarthSham WAtlt{II►IN A.--h't I LM" Washington, NC 27889 � Qvowu New Bern (252) 637-7972 — Raleigh (919) 856-118o — Washington (252) 946-7211 SOUND RIVERS PROTECTING THE NEUSE&TAR-PAMUCO Steve Anderson Durham,NC David Collier Greenville,NC Shannon Arata Durham,NC Cindy Seymour New Bern,NC i— P.O. Box 1854 WAtlt{II►IN A.--h't &IMM R Washington, NC 27889 Qvowu New Bern (252) 637-7972 — Raleigh (919) 856-118o — Washington (252) 946-7211