WVEC Action AlertMarch 26, 2007Protect the Meadow River: Stop the Western Greenbrier Co-Generation Project" Deadline for comments Mar. 30th, 2006 (see public notice below) The WGC plant has requested State Water Quality Certification, as required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. So the Division of Water Resources in the WV DEP will be the final word on what WGC will be allowed to do to the Meadow River. The Meadow River is threatened with a drawdown of up to 40% of the average annual flow, or another withdrawal limitation measure determined in consultation with the state. When the Western Greenbrier CoGeneration (WGC) plant was first proposed, officials stated that they weren’t going to touch the Meadow River. This was during public meetings to determine the issues. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (issued because WGC will be awarded $107 million of taxpayer money) used 25 year old flow data for the Meadow River, and an approximation method to determine whether the Meadow River could supply the 800 – 900 gallons per minute needed, and it included NO assessment of the impact that the proposed withdrawal will have on fishing and white water recreation, not to mention the aquatic biology. A major problem is that water is most needed from the Meadow River during the dry summer months when the flow is almost nonexistent. They will have to build a structure in the river to make the withdrawal. The WGC plant will deposit more mercury in the river, which already has a fish advisory of special concern because of mercury. The Division of Water Resources in the WV DEP, through Section 401 Water Quality Certification, is the final word on what WGC will be allowed to do to the Meadow River. Please write and express your opposition to this assault on the water quality of the Meadow River.: send copies to: Joe Manchin III Stephanie R. Timmermeyer See www.cleanbrier.org for more information. Publication Date: Expiration Date: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Western Greenbrier SCOPE OF CERTIFICAION: Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act, the State may, either certify, certify with conditions, deny or waive certification that the proposed activity will comply Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Federal Clean Water Act and other appropriate requirements of State law. When issuing certification, the WVDEP may consider the proposed activities impact on water resources, fish and wildlife, recreation, critical habitats, wetlands and other natural resources under its jurisdiction. Procedural and interpretive regulations governing the scope of the Departments certification, public comment hearings and the appeals are in Title 47, Series 5A. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY: Western Greenbrier co-Generation, LLC (WGC) is proposing to construct and operate a waste-coal fired, co-production facility that would produce stream/electricity and cement as a by protect. The facility will be located on approximately 28 acre sire within the city limits of Rainelle, West Virginia. In addition, there will be a water line, 18 mile electric transmission line and waste coal will be from Anjean initially. The areas that WGC will develop as a part of this project are : (1) Main project site that houses power plant; (2) Water line corridor to city of Rainelle sewage plant including an intake structure in the Meadow River; (3) Approximate 18 – mile electric transmission corridor; and (4) Anjean Waste Coal site. PROJECT LOCATION: The main plant site is located within the town limits of Rainelle at 37 degrees, 57’ 41” N latitude, 80 degrees 46’ 47” W Longitude. The water line corridor follows the existing PSD right of way from the plant site to the Greenbrier PSD #2, located at the confluence of Sewell creek and Meadow River. The transmission line corridor originates at the plant site and follows a generally north route to the Grassy Falls sub-station located at 38 degrees 11’ 39” N Latitude 80 degrees 41’ 27” W Longitude. The Anjean waste coal site is located on the Little Clear Creek Mountain at 38 degrees 00’ 48” N latitude 80 degrees 36’ 06” W Longitude. Map shows general location. INFORMATION AVAILABLE: The Water Quality Certification application is available for inspection between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00p.m., Monday – Friday, at the following location: COMMENTS: Comments and information relating to Section 401 Water Quality Certification for this activity are herby solicited. Such information on the activity’s impact will be considered if postmarked prior to the expiration date of this notice. The need for public hearing will be determined based on a evaluation of specific request for such hearing. All comments and information should be mailed to: Comments and information postmarked later than the expiration date may not be considered. 2-28-WED-1-RH; LG 2089 The Register-Herald
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