Plant Washington Water Permit Reissued

Please take time to comment on revised permit by December 10 and attend the public meeting in Sandersville next Tuesday, December 7th at 7:00 at the Ridge Road Elementary School Cafeteria at 285 Ridge Road in Sandersville.
 
The Oconee River is the source of water for Plant Washington, according to permits re-issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division  (EPD) for water withdrawal and discharge. Check out ARK's website for more information on Plant Washington and how it will impact the Oconee River at: http://www.altamahariverkeeper.org/advocacy/energy.asp.
 
More Information: EPD has set a hearing date for the NPDES (waste water discharge) and water withdrawal permits issued after a court remanded the original permits earlier this year.  The hearing will be held on December 7th in Sandersville with public comments due December 10th.  EPD has modifed the NPDES permit, and view that permit along with the public notice.  

EPD did not modify the surface withdrawal permit but is holding an additional public hearing.   View this permit.
 
 
Some points to include in your letter:
 

Plant Washington will drain our groundwater when the Oconee River's levels aren't sufficient to supply the plant with 16 million gallons of water a day.


Not only will Plant Washington use up our water, it will also pollute it. The combined annual air and coal ash waste pollution for Plant Washington will result in mercury emissions 33 times higher than the EPA recognizes as acceptable for safe fish consumption in the Ogeechee River and its tributaries.
 

The Ogeechee River is already so full of pollution that eating fish is risky. It isn't a good idea to add any more.


By telling the EPD that the water permits should not be issued, we can protect our groundwater resources, the Oconee River, and stop additional pollution in the Ogeechee and its tributaries.
 

Send comments by December 10, 2010 to:
EPD Watershed Protection Branch
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, Georgia 30354
 
You can also email comments directly to EPD using the subject line: Plant Washington Water Permit Comments and email to: EPDcomments@dnr.state.ga.us.
 
 
Please BCC (blind copy) ARK at stewards@altamahariverkeeper.org if you send comments by email.  

Plant Washington Water Permit Hearing December 7th in Sandersville; Comments due December 10

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