URGENT CALL OF ACTION:
Duke Energy- Charah must get various permits for both Brickhaven and Colon Rd,
including a 404 stream and wetlands impact permit approved by the US Army Corp of
Engineers. The Corps will take public comments until APRIL 6th on the current proposal.
WE NEED TO ASK THE ARMY CORPS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL
The full permit application can be seen on line at:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Portals/59/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/2015/SAW-201402254-PN.pdf
These concerns must be weighed by the Army Corps:
Conservation: current forest. streams, wetlands and ponds at these two sites have become habitat to a wide
range of plant and animal species.
Economics :decline of property values, the increase of EMT availability, minimal jobs creation, lawsuits
Aesthetics: the use of this land for coal ash disposal would have a negative impact
General environmental concerns, lack of air monitors as air has no boundaries; concerns about effectiveness
of liners used to contain the coal ash; concerns about where the toxic leacheate collected from the coal ash
will be taken (a local wastewater treatment plant that is not equipped to handle it?)
Endangered Species: The streams running through these sites flow into the Cape Fear River habitat of the
Cape Fear shiner - a federally listed endangered species)
Wetlands and Stream impacts: A total of 1.14 acres of wetlands would be impacted by the coal ash fill, as
well as 4166 feet of intermittent and perennial streams and .5 acres of isolated wetlands
Recreation: Golf course could be impacted as well as a large horse show facility nearby to the Sanford sitewhat other local recreational uses?
Water supply and quality : impact of coal ash on private or public well water users and downstream surface
water supply in municipalities.
Safety : Heavy flow of truck traffic will increase accidents, health problems, air pollution.
Historic properties: (graves at Colon Rd. site, other historic sites)
Fish and wildlife values: Division of Wildlife Resources brought up many concerns in their Dec. 16, 2014 letter
to Brenda Harris, NC Land Quality Section concerning the Charah Permit application. They noted many
protected plant and animal species in the streams and tributaries on these sites. They cited the need for
greater stream buffers and water monitoring and other issues that have not yet been addressed/
Food and fiber production: Private farms will be affected by air pollution (name specific farms)
Land Use and consideration of property ownership: What will the creation of these coal ash dumps do to
surrounding properties and property values? Those adjacent to the properties may not have the money
available to relocate and will current property values could be diminished greatly.
The needs and welfare of the people: Speak from your own experience of how this could harm you.
This 404 Army Corps permit could be rejected if we give them good reasons to do so. We must act on
this permit during the present period open for public comment until April 6. Also be sure to
request in your conversation or letter to the Army Corps that a public hearing be held.
Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to
issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal. Comments are used in the preparation
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are also used to determine the need for
a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity. The more
citizen comment, the more overall public interest!!
Comments and request for a public hearing should be submitted to US Army Corps of
Engineers:
Craig Brown, PLEASE CALL HIM with your list of reasons at (919) 554-4884 ext 35. or send in
writing to: Raleigh Regulatory Field Office, 3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105 Wake Forest,
North Carolina 27587, Or email at Craig.J.Brown@usace.army.mil
Also send your same comments to: the NC Division of Water Resources Central Office: as
the state must issues a 401 Certification of the Army Corps 404 permit
Attention: Ms. Karen Higgins, 401 and Buffer Permitting Unit
(USPS mailing address): 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
karen.higgins@ncdenr.gov(919) 807-6360
CC jennifer.burdette@ncdenr.gov
CC boyd.devane@ncdenr.gov
And send your comments to the Chatham and Lee County Boards of
Commissioners -- Tell them --DON’T BACK DOWN FROM DIRTY DUKE
Lee County Board of Commissioners
Robert T. Reives rreives@leecountync.gov 919-774-4434
Reverend Dr. Ricky Frazier rfrazier@leecountync.gov 919-776-0083
Amy Dalrymple adalrymple@leecountync.gov 910-890-1389
Dr. Andre Knecht aknecht@leecountync.gov 919.770.1875
Doc Oldham doldham@leecountync.gov 919-776-6615
Tim Sloan tsloan@leecountync.gov 919-770-3861
Kirk Smith ksmith@leecountync.gov919-935-3197
Chatham County Board of Commissioners
Jim Crawford, Chair james.crawford@chathamnc.org 919 933-9858
Mike Cross mike.cross@chathamnc.org 919 774-3309
Diana Hales diana.hales@chathamnc.org 919 663-2372
Karen Howard karen.howard@chathamnc.org 919 636-5799
Walter Petty walter.petty@chathamnc.org 919 200-1940