DEQ-CFW_00078170

From: Talley, Nmel|eS[/O=EXCHANGELA8S/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=CD9F3882421746BCB5A6OCBE82CDFFD9-NSTALLEY]
Sent: 6/13/I0I75:II:45PW1
To: Kritzer, Jamie [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExzhanXeAdministrative Group
(FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=cee93c49d01445a3b541bb3Z7dcdc84O-jbkritzer]
Subject: Re: Response to your inquiry on
Also Jeremy Tarr plans to get back to Mr. Gauck directly
Sent from ooyiPhone
On Jun 13, 2017n12:U9PM, Talley, Noelle S wrote:
Some suggestions from our policy office.
Sent from n)y iP4hone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Tarr, Jeremy M"
Date: June 13, 2017 at l2:07:]dPyNEDT
To: "Talloy,Nmclle S"
Cc: "Owen, Jenni" i
Subject: RUE: Response tayour inquiry on
+]enni
[d suggest the following toDR0`oresponse below before using
with other constituents, though Irealize the appropriate response will continue
changing as the situation evolves:
* <!—[if !supportLbts] —><!—[endU] up front what the departments
are doin�n���omd����eend
* <!—[if !supportLists]—><!—[endif] —>[>nn"tlead with "water quality meets
state and federal standard," given that that point doesn't address the GenX
w <!—[if!supportLists]—>x!—[endif] '->AYoidtelling the constituent ^^i1`m
important toundcratand..."That comes across ua condescending to me.
* d—[if!suppurtLiris]—»«!—[endif] —>}\void the line suggestion that DE()ftn]
don't fully understand GcnX.That's not comforting 0ohear.
* <!—[if !uupportLists]—><!—[endif] —>Lems emphasis on EPA.
w x!—[if !supportLists]—><!—[endif]—> Shorter overall.
Here's a stab at updated language. Take what you think is helpful.
Dear Mr. Gauck,
OEQ-CFVV_00078170

On behalf of Governor Cooper's office, I am responding to your email regarding
the presence of a chemical compound known as GenX present in the lower Cape
Fear River.
We are taking this issue very seriously as safe drinking water is essential for
North Carolinians. Scientists and regulators at the N.C. Department of
Environmental Quality are urgently working with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, and
others to assess any potential impact on public health posed by levels of GenX
reported by the media from 2013-2014 samples and Current levels.
Water from the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and other utilities serving
consumers in the lower Cape Fear Region meets all state and federal drinking
water standards, though there is no established drinking water standard for GenX.
DEQ and DHHS are in close communication with Cheniours, New Hanover
County, Brunswick County, Pender County, the city of Wilmington, local
community leaders, and other interested stakeholders to address t1iis potential
public safety matter swiftly and thoroughly.
Thank you for sharing g your concerns with us. If I can be of further assistance,
please don't hesitate to contact me at Jamie,Kritzer;,' ,'!iicderit-,gov or 919-707-
------------------------- god,__
Jeremy Tarr
Policy Advisor
Office of Governor Roy Cooper
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
919-814-2043 1 Lererr.vTarrCd-)NCGov
From: Talley, Noelle S
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 9:04 AM
To: Tarr, Jeremy M <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Response to your inquiry on
Yes, agree and would welcome your thoughts.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 13, 2017, at 9:02 AM, Tarr, Jeremy M <ieremy —.tarrCi�)nc.gov> wrote:
-- ��
FYI regarding the constituent response. It may be helpful to adjust the
DEQ response before it's used with other constituents. Happy to talk
further about that idea if you'd like.
DEQ-CFW-00078171

Jeremy Tarr
Policy Advisor
Office of Governor Roy Cooper
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
919-814-2043 1 JeremyT,)rr-eDNC.Gov
_L_
From: Zack Gauck [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 8:58 AM
To: Kritzer, Jamie <jam ie.kritzer@ ncdenr.gov>
Cc: Tarr, Jeremy M <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Response to your inquiry on
Jamie,
Thank you for your response, though it leaves us in the same
place we were before --without an answer. I understand the
reasoning for a collective response that mentions how the water
systems are living up the the EPA standards, and how the water
treatment companies are waiting for news from the EPA. That sort
of response, though, is more legalese than helpful. There hasn't
been any word as to whether we can drink the water here, whether
we can bathe in it, whether we should even be allowing pets to
drink from that source. We're in a knowledge void that is only
causing stress and unease. The most basic question that the
community here has is "Would you drink it? Would someone in
another city be comfortable using it? Would the Chemours
executives fill their children's glasses with it?"
This sort of thing has happened before in NC as well as in
places like Virginia, Ohio, and, in terms of tainted drinking water,
Michigan. I understand the laws and recommendations come from
the EPA, but I also know that the aforementioned 'considerable
time' isn't a month or two, it can be years. We can't be in the dark
for years, even a few weeks is a few weeks too many. I understand
the water issue isn't the fault of CFPUA or other public
waterworks, but it is something the manufacturing plant
themselves can stop.
All of that said, I'm sure you're equally concerned about the
situation at hand, but really put yourself in the shoes of those
downstream and you'll understand how the lack of answers to basic
'can we use it' questions, or the skirting of accountability, is both
frightening and aggravating.
--Zack Gauck
DEQ-CFW-00078172

On Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 7:02 PM, Kritzer, Jamie
<jamie.kritzer(Anedenr.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Gauck,
On behalf of Governor Cooper's office, I am responding to your
email regarding the presence of a chemical compound known as
GenX present in the lower Cape Fear River.
We certainly understand public concerns surrounding this issue
and are working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the
N.C. Department of Health and -Human Services and others to
better understand the chemical compound and any potential
impacts it may have.
It's important to understand that water from the Cape Fear Public
Utility Authority and other utilities serving consumers in the
lower Cape Fear Region meets all state and federal drinking water
standards.
The EPA is the sole agency responsible for establishing drinking
water standards nationwide. The federal agency has extensive
resources necessary to determine the nature, extent and potential
impacts of chemicals such as GenX. As such, staff in the North
Carolina Departs-nent of Environmental Quality are awaiting
guidance from the EPA that will provide us with the information
needed to begin developing regulatory limits for GenX.
We recognize that the regulatory process can sometimes take
considerable time. While we are awaiting guidance from the EPA,
staff in DEQ are working with Chemours to assess waste streams
containing GenX and determine if the company can reduce the
amount of the chemical compound being discharged to the river.
We have also reached out to New Hanover County, the public
utilities, the city of Wilmington, Chemours and local community
leaders. We are committed to working with all interested
stakeholders to address this potential public safety matter swiftly
and thoroughly. If I can be of further assistance, please don't
hesitate to contact me at or 9_1__9_-707-
8602.
DEQ-CFW-00078173

Thank you.
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environmental Qualify
919-707-8602
-----Original Message-----
From: Zack[niailto:zack.gatick(dgmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 9, 2017 11:53 AM
To: Tarr; Jeremy Ill <jerexn .t ax,nc.goy>
Subject: Cape pear River contaminant in Wihninb4on water supply
Good morning!
I've been out. of town in business off and on for the last month. and Jest. got back
yesterday, when 1 read the local paper (The Wilinin©ion Star News) and saw,
on the front page, a piece on toxins in our water supply from a Fayetteville
plant upstream. My wife and I haven't been able to get a clear answer as to
whether we should be using our tap water or when this issue will be resolved.
That said, can we get some better coverage on this topic and some insight into
whether we should keep buying the bottled water we've just started buying.
From what it sounds like, our treatment plant here, while technically rule
abiding, cannot filter out that toxins. It: either comes down to the pla nt stopping.
their ninoff issue or the cfpua installing a reverse osmosis system that may, or
may not, help. This is an issue that. has affected our normal day to day activities
so we need a solid solution and a succinct answer on this ASAP.
Thank vou,
Zack Cauck
DEQ-CFW 00078174

Sent froin iny, Whone
Email correspondence to and frorn this address may be subject to the North
Carob na Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an
authorized state official.
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-9602
919-21 9-5935
<image002.png>
1'61
DEQ-CFW-00078175

DEQ-CFW-00078176