NC0004308_Travis K. Morehead_20150713

From: Travis Morehead <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2015 9:54 AM
To: Rodriguez, Teresa
Subject: Alcoa Permit
Ms. Rodriguez,
I attended the meeting last night to learn more about the process for granting a permit to Alcoa. After hearing
the concerns of my neighbors and those of Mr. Ward and Mayor Harrison, I have come to this
conclusion, DENR must deny the permit and require that Alcoa remediate the site immediately.
I learned much of Badin's history last night and of the plant's operation, but three things stuck out in my mind.
1. Alcoa Landfill: I did not know that Alcoa allowed the county to utilize the landfill until Mayor Harrison's
testimony. I find that in all likelihood that may have been a good will gesture on the part of Alcoa, however, it
provided the perfect cover for Alcoa. I believe it's called plausible deniability. By allowing the county to use it
for a landfill, Alcoa gets the benefit to say it's not our fault. Granted in that era, there were few if any
environmental regulations, however, there is and still remains the need for good corporate citizens. Their site is
polluted with toxins that for the most part came from their plant's operation. It is on property that they
own. They should clean it up. As a property owner, if someone were to place garbage on my land that affected
my neighbor, I would be responsible to clean it up. It should be no less for Alcoa.
2. Outfall in the lake: I agree with Mr. Lowder's comments regarding the cyanide pollution that is allowed to
take place in the main channel of Badin lake, regardless of the dilution factor. Would the same attitude be
taken, if I were to straight pipe my waste water 300' into the main channel of a lake without treatment? Again as
long as Alcoa controls the lake, they can continue to manipulate the system where larger discharges are diluted
by larger volumes of water. It seems to be a shell game and again plausible deniability comes to mind. I would
strongly encourage DENR to strengthen it's requirements surrounding this outfall regardless of the dilution
factor. Help improve our waters and not keep them at the status quo.
3. Jobs: While I agree with Mr. Ward our county does need jobs. I refuse to believe that the only jobs we can
get, require us to sacrifice the one resource that this area is blessed with, water. No company or firm wants to
relocate to an area that has a pollution problem. I will not accept or believe giving in to the Alcoa's of the world
is this county's only solution to a better economic situation.
In conclusion, I would like to confirm my support for the denial of the Alcoa permit and the DENR's full
authority brought to bear, demanding that Alcoa remediate the Badin works site.
Travis K. Morehead
704-439-6129
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