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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0003425_Construction/Operation of 650-acre_19810120OCT 31 ' 97 01: 52PM OPERRTI01`IS & ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT 2...J X1'1 " � � �� � •���a..��r�• � I X91 A. Norah Carolina Department o Natural �- Resources &Community Development James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Howard N. Lee, Secretary DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT January 20, 1981 Mr. J. B. McGirt FILE COPY Vice President Fossil Operations Carolina Power & Light Company Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 Dear Mr. McGirt: This is in response to your letter of January 14, 1981, wherein you petition the Division of Environmental Management to allow a reduction in the permitted water discharge from the Hyco Lake cooling system into Hyco River. The Company is required to Discharge 10 cubic feet per second of water from Hyco Lake through the after -bay downstream into Hyco River. Due to the current extended dry period with rainfalls averaging several inches below normal, the inflow to Hyco Lake is less than the forced rate of evaporation, the lossage through seepage, and the required 10 cubic feet per second downstream discharge. Consequently, the lake has dropped from normal operating levels of 410.5 feet above sea level to approximately 407 feet above sea level. This decrease in lake level is approaching that level below which the integrity of the cooling water system will be jeopardized. The Company, has, therefore, requested that the minimum release from the lake be reduced from 10 cubic feet per second to 2 cubic feet per second until such time as lake levels have reached 409 feet above mean sea level. Since the company is experiencing high'power demands and can expect to continue experiencing high power demands through the months of January and February and since a continued reduction in the elevation of the lake level will jeopardize the ability ;,; ti,E ;;ompar+y to produce electricity at the Roxboro units, I am hereby granting t'he Company`s request to allow the minimum flow discharged to the river downstream of the after -bay to be reduced from 10 cubic feet per second to 2 cubic feet per second. This allowance will be presented to the Environmental Management Commission at its meeting in February with a recommendation that the Commission confirm this action. rur•Lherinure, in Lice absence of sufficient rains to bring the Lake revel to elevation 409, this action will be reviewed on March 1, 1981, and a new determination made concerning any extension. 'f t The Company should recognize that as Director of the Division of Environmental Management, I must weigh the impact of reducing the minimum flow into Hyco River and balance that impact against the benefits to be derived by the continued operation P. 0. Box 27697 Ralcigi, Norih Carolina2761 t An £quaf Opporrunay Affirmative Aetlon Employer OCT 31 197 01:52PM OPERATIONS & ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT P.4 Mr. J. B. McGirt Page Two January 2,o, 1981 of all the generating units at the power plant. The public obviously benefits both from the maintenance of the higher minimum flow and from the maintenance of the generating capacity at the power plant. Weighing these two (2) areas of public interest is a very difficult task. I believe, however, that the greatest good to the public at the present time is to insure the continued operation of the power plant. As we move further into the spring, however, Y will have to give more consideration to the impact upon the aquatic environment of the con- tinued reduced flows in Hyco River. During the period when this deviation from permit requirements is in effect, it is requested that the Company report to Stan Taylor, Regional Supervisor, Raleigh Regional Office, 3800 Barrett Drive, Post Office Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27611, Telephone No_ 919/733-2314, on a weekly basis the eleva- tion of Hyco lake. Mr. Taylor will advise meas this situation improves or deteriorates. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. Yours very truly, Neil S. Grigg Director cc: Stan Taylor L. P. Benton, Jr. _ OCT 31 '97 01:51PM OPERATIONS & ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT P.2 NORTH UAKULINA DEPARTM); OF NATURAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES OFFICE OF WATER AND AIR RESOURCES Raleigh , North Carolina 1P PERMIT For the Discharge of Sewage, Industrial Wastes, or Other Wastes In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, Ceneral Statutes of North Carolina as amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations PERMISSION IS HERE13Y GRANTED TO Carolina Poorer and Light Company FILE Cp Roxboro Steam Electric Plant -� Person County FOR THE construction and operation of a 650 --acre afterbay reservoir below Roxboro Cooling Lake with a final discharge into the Hyco River at not less than a flow rate of 10 efs and the temperature at no time to exceed the allowable stream temperature limits for the Hyco River at this location, in accordance with the application received ---- I-=_Q_w--.._______- 197-?__, and in conformity with the plans, specifications, and other supporting data, all of which are filed with the Office of Water and Aix Resources and are considered a part of this Permit. This Permit shall be effective from the date of its issuance until X977 _ ,.-----------. and It shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations: 1. This permit shall become void unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with the approved plans, specifications, and other supporting data and are completed and placed in operation on or before March 12 1973, or as this date may be amended. 2. This permit is effective only- with respect to the nature and volume of cooling water as described in the application and other supporting data furnished by the applicant for this steam electric generating station. 3. The afterbay reservoir and all necessary facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times to comply with the assigned water quality standards or any variance from such standards as may be approved by the Board of Water and Air Resources, 4. The approval granted by this permit for the construction and operation of this afterbay reservoir does not supersede or nullify any requirements for heated water discharged into Roxboro Cooling Lake that has been granted or may be required by the Board of Water and Air Resources or the Environmental. Protection Agency. 5. .The Company, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, sha11 request its extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Board will review the adequacy of the facilities described herein and, if indicated, will extend the permit for such period of time and under such conditions and limitations as deemed proper. Permit issued this the --IM ----- day of Y F lu�6ard- 2523 permit Nn - - ---------------------- Assistant Director