Protect our North Carolina Water Rights

Concerned citizens of North Carolina, act NOW to save your water rights. The N.C. Division of Water Quality is seeking public comments regarding an application for a water quality certificate for the hydroelectric power plant on the Yadkin River. The water quality certificate comment period allows the public to address environmental concerns related to the waters of the Yadkin that affect plant and animal ecosystems and harm humans due to exposure or ingestion.

We can seize this opportunity to request a public hearing on the issuance of water quality certificate from the state’s Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, which oversees the division. The question of water rights already has been raised in opposition to this project by Gov. Mike Easley, the commissioners of Cabarrus, Davidson, Iredell, Randolph and Stanly counties, the Centralina Council of Governments, and many other leading officials, governing bodies and citizens of North Carolina. This is our chance as citizens to do the same.

Your comments should ask for a full public hearing on this matter and request that North Carolina consider all of the impacts caused by the hydro project, including the contamination at the Badin Works. There is no guarantee that the request for a public hearing will be granted. However, the stronger opposition shown during the public comment period, the greater the likelihood will be that a hearing will occur.

Therefore, we urge ALL of you before the deadline of Friday, May 2 to contact John Dorney at the N.C. Division of Water Quality and at john.dorney@ncmail.net or fax at 919-733-6893 or write to:

NC Division of Water Quality
Wetlands and Stormwater Branch
2321 Crabtree Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27604
Attn: Mr. John Dorney

Please refer to DWQ Project Number 2007-0812 in your comments.

Let’s show how much water rights matter to us!

Ryal