Public Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday, May 14

The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued the following notice today about a public hearing on our water quality certification request. 

Public hearing scheduled for May 14 on Alcoa water quality certification request

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. May 14 to gather public comments concerning Alcoa Power Generating Inc.’s application for a state water quality certification as required by the federal Clean Water Act and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, hydropower licensing process works to ensure that projects will minimize damage to the environment through the certification requirements of state water quality agencies.

If the FERC license were approved, it would allow Alcoa to continue operation of the hydroelectric dams at High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls reservoirs on the Yadkin River. This run of the river crosses Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Montgomery and Stanly counties.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the Stanly County Commissioners Meeting Room, 1000 North First St., Albemarle. Speaker registration and sign-in will begin at 6 p.m.

The purpose of the hearing is to allow the public to comment on the company’s application submitted in September 2012 and additional information submitted thereafter. The application and supporting documents can be found online at: http://its.enr.state.nc.us/Weblink8/Browse.aspx?startid=169386.

The application may also be inspected at the DWQ central offices in the Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27604. To schedule an appointment to review the file, please contact Karen Higgins atkaren.higgins@ncdenr.gov or 919-807-6360.

The public is invited to comment on the application by speaking at the hearing, by submitting written comments at the hearing or by mailing them to the division. Please send comments to Karen Higgins at the above email address or to: Karen Higgins, DWQ, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1650. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. June 13.