20070812 Ver 2_Lexington Dispatch_20090508

The aluminum maker's Stanly County smelter, once powered by Yadkin hydropower, has closed. Perdue and
others argue that revenues from Alcoa's four dams should serve local needs instead of the multinational
corporation.
Alcoa calls the move an attempt by government to seize private property.
The water certificate issued by the N.C. Division of Water Quality requires a number of measures meant to
protect the Yadkin, including monitoring of the discharge from Alcoa's dams and of contaminated sediment in
Badin Lake, near Alcoa's smelting plant.
State issues water quality certification with
conditions to Alcoa
Lexington Dispatch
Published: Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
RALEIGH I The state Division of Water Quality on Thursday issued a water quality certification to Alcoa
Power Generating Inc. with conditions to ensure that operation of the hydroelectric generating system will
protect state water quality standards, including guaranteed financial support for upgrades related to water
quality improvements.
This certification does not address issues raised in Gov. Beverly Perdue's intervention in the FERC relicensing
procedure. Alcoa is seeking another 50-year license to operate the project.
DWQ's review for the certification considered potential water quality impacts from all aspects of the
hydroelectric operation that includes facilities at Badin Lake Dam, Falls Dam, High Rock Reservoir and the
Tuckertown hydroelectric complex. The evaluation included water quality testing of discharges from the dams;
potential movement of sediments and contaminants as a result of the operation of the dams; and low-flow
conditions and other potential impacts to aquatic life.
To protect surface water quality in the Yadkin River system, the 401 Water Quality Certification includes the
following requirements:
• Sediment removal at the City of Salisbury raw water intake facilities to promote the continued functioning of
the intake and use of the waters as related to the designated use for water supply.
• Monitoring of the discharge from the four power generating stations to ensure compliance with water quality
standards.
• Monitoring of sediment in the Badin Lake swim/picnic area and Badin Lake boat access area down to the
Badin Lake dam for heavy metals, PCBs and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons to ensure that the project operation
does not result in the downstream transport of contamination.
• Plan to monitor and regulate reservoir levels and flows of power-generating station operations. The plan must
include low-flow protocols for the lakes in the APGI Yadkin River system project in case of drought.
• A plan to increase dissolved oxygen levels in order to meet water quality standards done in accordance with
the settlement agreement schedule. An additional in-depth engineering study will be done this summer by APGI
to demonstrate the effect of recent turbine upgrades.
• A continuing compliance provision (reopener clause) to ensure that the Division of Water Quality can modify
the 401 Certification if water quality-related problems develop in the future that can be remedied in the 401
Certification.
• Portions of the Relicensing Settlement Agreement that are relevant to water quality along with additional site-
specific conditions.
• A surety bond in the amount of $240 million to guarantee that financial resources are available to make
improvements to the hydroelectric turbine system in order to improve dissolved oxygen levels in the discharges.
The 401 Certification and hearing officer's report can be found online at
h2o.enr. state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/DWQPublnfoNewsReleases. htm.
WLOS-TV
NC agency puts conditions on Alcoa certification
May 07, 2009 17:42 EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's water quality division issued a certification that Alcoa Inc. needs to get a new license for its
Yadkin River dams, but imposed eight conditions including a $240 million guarantee.
The state Division of Water Quality said Thursday the conditions are necessary to ensure that Alcoa will protect environmental
standards if it receives a new license allowing it to keep running its four dams for up to 50 years.
The agency said Alcoa must provide a $240 million surety bond to make sure upgrades to the electric-generating turbines will improve
dissolved oxygen levels in the discharged water.
Another condition would allow the agency to modify its certification if water quality problems develop in the future.
Susan Massengale
Public Information Officer
DF.NR- Division of Water Quality
1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
(gig) 807-6359; fax [phone]
Please note: my c-mail address has changed to susan.massengale(4?nedenr.gov
E-mail correspondence to acrd fi•orn this address nurv be subject to the
A'ortlr C'arolinu Public Records Lai, and muv be disclosed to third parties.