Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (1888PressRelease)
January 08, 2009 - The N.C. Water Rights Committee (www.ncwaterrights.org) is advising all North Carolinians concerned about the environmental impacts of the Yadkin River water flows to attend the N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ) public hearing for a Proposed 401 Water Quality Certification for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (Alcoa) to relicense its dams at High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls Reservoirs, also known as the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Stanly County Board of Commissioners Meeting Room at 1000 North St. in Albemarle.
This state certification is required along with a federal license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order for Alcoa, a multinational corporation, to continue to operate these hydroelectric facilities. If Alcoa receives both, it will have exclusive water rights to conduct hydroelectric operations on the upper Yadkin River for 50 years, and the opportunity to make millions in profits selling electricity both inside and outside the state. The N.C. Water Rights Committee is urging those that are concerened about the environmental degreadation caused by Alcoa’s use of the public’s water to attend the hearing or supply written comments to the DWQ, which has the authority to deny the certification.
The public is invited to comment during the Public Hearing. Speaking times will likely be limited to three minutes maximum per speaker, with the final time limit to be determined on the day of the hearing depending upon the number of speaking slots requested. Those wanting to speak will need to register at the hearing, and the speaking sequence will be in order of registration.
Written comments may be sent directly to the Division at any time before or after the hearing, provided they are received by the Division no later than Feb. 16, 2009. Comments should be sent to N.C. Division of Water Quality, Attn: John Dorney, 401/Wetlands Unit, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650. Comments also may be sent via e-mail at john.dorney ( @ ) ncmail dot net dot
Copies of the 401 application and supplemental information are on file and available to the public at the DWQ Regional Offices at 585 Waughtown St., Winston-Salem (336-771-5000), at 610 E. Center Ave., Suite 301, Mooresville (704-663-1699) and 225 Green St., Systel Building Suite 714, Fayetteville (910-433-3300) as well as the Raleigh location at 2321 Crabtree Blvd. (919-733-9546) during normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Copies of all public comments received are available for review at the Raleigh location. File materials may not be removed from any DWQ office, as copy machines are available.
The N.C. Water Rights Committee is a group of concerned citizens, business leaders, government officials and others who have joined together to make sure that the citizens of North Carolina are fully informed about the critical issue of the public’s water rights.
News Facts:
• The N.C. Water Rights Committee (www.ncwaterrights.org) is advising all North Carolinians concerned about environmental issues related to the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project to attend the N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ) public hearing for a Proposed 401 Water Quality Certification for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (Alcoa) to relicense its dams at High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls Reservoirs, also known as the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project.
• The hearing will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Stanly County Board of Commissioners Meeting Room at 1000 North St. in Albemarle.
• The public is invited to comment during the Public Hearing. Speaking times will likely be limited to three minutes maximum per speaker, with the final time limit to be determined on the day of the hearing depending upon the number of speaking slots requested. Those wanting to speak will need to register at the hearing, and the speaking sequence will be in order of registration.
• The N.C. Water Rights Committee is a group of concerned citizens, business leaders, government officials and others who have joined together to assure that citizens of North Carolina understand and appreciate how they can affect the long-term use of their water rights.
Quotes:
“This public hearing can make the difference in the future of the Yadkin River and set a precedent for other water resources in North Carolina,” said Keith Crisco, president of the N.C. Water Rights Committee. “As North Carolinians, we have a better grasp of what our water needs are and what are the best uses of our water, environmentally as well as economically, than a multinational firm based outside the State, such as Alcoa. If the facts we present in this hearing persuade the DWQ to deny the 401 certification to Alcoa, the State might well gain the ability to undo the damage that AAlcoa has done to the environment in the Yadkin River Basin. This would ensure a legacy of hope and opportunity for ourselves and our children.”
About N.C. Water Rights Committee:
The N.C. Water Rights Committee is a coalition of North Carolina businesses and concerned citizens who have joined this statewide effort to inform citizens of the critical issues and decisions concerning water rights that affect all North Carolinians now and for many decades to come. For more information, visit www.ncwaterrights.org.
Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
(919) 233-6600
patty ( @ ) mmimarketing dot com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC
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