NC0004987_Review of Duke Energy Carolinas_20141118

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C ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Programs
Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E.Skvarla, III
Governor Director Secretary
November 18,2014
Mr. Brian Weiske
Marshall Steam Station
8320 East Highway 150
Terrell, NC 28682
Subject: Review of Duke Energy Carolinas, NPDES Permit NC0004987"Lake Norman near Marshall
Steam Station:Balanced and Indigenous Population Data Review:October 2014".
Dear Mr.Weiske:
Water Sciences Section(WSS)staff has reviewed the subject document which was received by the WSS on
October 31St,2014. Bryn Tracy reviewed the fisheries data and Eric Fleek reviewed the benthic
macroinvertebrate data.
Based on a review of the data provided to the WSS(2009-2013),the fish community currently found in Lake
Norman qualifies as a balanced and indigenous population and there does not appear to be a long-term
change in the fish population that is attributable to the operation of the Marshall Steam Station. However,for
future studies we would request that biomass data for individual taxa be provided to more specifically
characterize the biomass composition of the community.This data can be submitted in the form already used in
the report as seen in Table 4-1 and/or 4-2.
In terms of benthic macroinvertebrates,a review of the data provided(2009-2013)suggest that there is no
significant difference in the invertebrate taxa richness from the upstream monitoring station to stations located
near and down lake of the discharge.Although there was more variability in the density data from uplake to
downlake,the only clear difference was seen at station E.This location is the furthest site down lake of the
discharge. Based on this fact;the water quality data provided in Table 3-2, as well as the taxa richness data,
the consistently reduced densities recorded here are likely the result of the higher fraction of clay(Table 3-1)
relative to the other stations. In summary, based on the data provided,the benthic macroinvertebrate
community does qualify as a balanced and indigenous community and there does not appear to be a long-term
change in the benthic invertebrate community due to the operation of the Marshall Steam Station.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff.
Sincerely,
Dianne M. Reid
Chief, Environmental Sciences Section
Cc: Michael Parker, Mooresville.Regional Office
Tom Belnick,Surface Water Protection Section
Environmental Sciences Section
1621 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
Location:4401 Reedy Creek Road,Raleigh,North Carolina 27607
Phone:[phone] FAX:919-743=8517
Internet:http:Nportal.ncdenr.orq/weblWq/esslhome
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