Business News
triad.dbusinessnews.com
March 9, 2009
Yadkin Riverkeeper Calls On Public To Support Governor Perdue In Her Opposition To Alcoa's Relicensing Efforts
Environmental Group Endorses Comments Regarding Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, Asks People To Thank Governor For Taking Her Stand
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Yadkin Riverkeeper has announced a general call to the public to show its support of recent statements by Gov. Bev Perdue in opposition to Alcoa's relicensing efforts to control water rights for 50 years at the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. Speaking to reporter Bruce Henderson of The Charlotte Observer the governor said that she is "very troubled" by Alcoa's control of hydroelectricity in the Yadkin River. "It's hard for me to understand how a company could own water rights to an entire river basin," she said in the paper's Feb. 25 edition.
In response to the governor's words, Dean Naujoks, recently appointed as Yadkin Riverkeeper, has requested all people opposed to Alcoa's bid to operate four dams on the Yadkin River to send comments of appreciation for her position on this important issue. He recommends that citizens provide their thanks to Gov. Perdue via her official online "suggestion box" at http://www.governor.state.nc.us/eTownhall/suggestionBox.aspx.
"The governor has taken a bold stand against this project, and I am just one of many North Carolinians who appreciate her for doing so," said Naujoks. His opposition stems from Alcoa's failure to clean up the environmental damage caused by the company's former smelting operations at Badin Lake, which feed into the Yadkin at the Narrows Dam, as well as its dam operations.
After nearly 90 years, Alcoa ended regular smelting operations at Badin Lake in 2002. The company wants to continue operating four dams along Badin Lake and other reservoirs to generate hydroelectricity for sale, as it has done since its first federal license in 1958. Currently it is undergoing study by the N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for a required 401 Water Quality Certification it needs before receiving a final review for federal licensing. The N.C. Division of Water Quality is scheduled to announce its decision by May. The general public is able to take action by submitting comments to DWQ in response to Alcoa's 401 request. A 401 water quality certification is required along with a new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order for Alcoa to continue to operate these hydroelectric facilities.
On Feb. 11, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services ordered a Fish Consumption Advisory for pregnant women and children under 15 to avoid eating catfish and largemouth bass from Badin Lake. This followed the release of a study that found fish in Badin Lake had unsafe levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It also led to concerns that the PCBs are the result of Alcoa's operations, which has led to further studies of the lake as part of its review.
"Since the announcement of the study and the fish advisory, Alcoa has been downplaying what environmental damage actually exists in Badin Lake," Naujoks says in the video. "This is very disappointing, and indicates a pattern by Alcoa to deny responsibility for any problems associated with its activities at the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project since it earned its last federal license to operate it in 1958. For example, Alcoa has declined to identify and set a schedule to clean up all known contaminated sites caused by its operations.
"The residents of North Carolina deserve to have the best water quality for drinking, cleaning and recreation. Right now, that does not exist under the stewardship of Alcoa. To give them another 50 years to monopolize our water is wrong. Our governor knows that – let's show our support for her taking this stance in favor of a better environmental future for us and our children."
About the Yadkin Riverkeeper:
The Yadkin Riverkeeper's mission is to respect, protect and improve the Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin through education, advocacy and action. It is aimed at creating a clean and healthy river that sustains life and is cherished by its people. To achieve this vision, it seeks to accomplish the following objectives: sustain a RIVERKEEPER program, measurably improve water quality, reestablish native bio-diversity, preserve and enhance the forest canopy, bring legal action to enforce state and federal environmental laws, and teach and practice a "river ethic" of ecological respect to all ages. For more information, visit http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org or call 336-293-8105.
About Dean Naujoks:
Dean Naujoks is the Yadkin Riverkeeper, employed by Yadkin Riverkeeper Inc since the fall of 2008 to manage and implement a river advocacy program for the Yadkin Pee Dee River watershed in North Carolina that will keep it a healthy and vibrant river for residents and businesses in the long term. Yadkin Riverkeeper is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice and champion clean water for waterways and their communities worldwide. A longtime water quality advocate, Naujoks became the first Upper Neuse Riverkeeper in 2001 at the nonprofit Neuse River Foundation. His job there was to monitor conditions and advocate for protection of the Neuse River from Falls Lake to Goldsboro. He was appointed by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker to serve on the joint government PCB Task Force to address PCB contamination in Crabtree Creek from Ward Transformer. A graduate of N.C. State, Naujoks created his own major in environmental policy and sustainable development. He also worked for the NC Wild Life Federation from 1991-1999.
Dean Naujoks
Yadkin Riverkeeper:
2435 Westfield Ave.
Winston-Salem, N.C
www.yadkinriverkeeper.org
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