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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080915 Ver 1_Hydro Licensing Coordinator Comments_20080805A74LA.. NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Division of Water Resources Michael F. Easley, Governor August 4, 2008 Mr. John Dorney North Carolina Division of Water Quality 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250 Raleigh, NC 27604 Subject: 401 Water Quality Certification - Catawba FERC No. 2232: DWQ #2008-0915 Catawba County and others, North Carolina Dear Mr. Dorney: Natural Resources William G. Ross Jr,, Secretary Thomas A. Reeder, Director D V1???V AU G 5 2008 pEN. - FRQ A'fERBRPN ?,NDSORM? ? u"g Wateree Hydroelectric Projet The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has reviewed the July 2, 2008 public notice by the Division of Water Quality requesting public comments on the proposed relicensing of the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project by Duke Energy. The DWR is the lead agency within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the relicensing of hydroelectric projects in the State. We have been an active participant in all aspects of the relicensing process since its initiation. The Department is a signatory to the Catawba-Wateree Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement (CRA) which was filed in 2006 and which we believe provides a long term sustainable balanced set of enhancement measures for the various interests and resources affected by project operations. DWR staff worked with others on a number of resource committees and technical study teams to develop recommended flows, reservoir levels, operating conditions particularly during periods of reduced flows and also the mitigation package. The DWR recommends that the Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (CRA Appendix L), the Water Quality Monitoring Plan (CRA Appendix F) and the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) for the Catawba-Wateree Project (CRA Appendix C) be conditions of the 401 Water Quality Certification. We believe that CRA Section 4.5 provides adequate mitigation for the stream and river reaches in North Carolina that will receive no or reduced flows. We recommend that the conditions of CRA Section 4.5 also be included as conditions of the Certification. We appreciate this opportunity to provide comments. Please contact me at 919-715-5424 or Steven. Reed 2ncmail.net, if you have any questions regarding our comments. Sincerely, Steve Reed R-e.? Hydropower Licensing Coordinator 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 Phone: 919-733-40641 FAX: 919-733-35581 Internet: www.ncwater.org North. C `1V"r'7AG An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer - 50 % Recycled \ 10 % Post Consumer Paper