BADIN, N.C. – The Yadkin Riverkeeper is battling Alcoa again in Stanly County over environmental issues. The two sides spent years debating its relicensing agreement to operate the dams. Now, the riverkeeper is concerned about the impact of an Alcoa-run landfill on a nearby creek.
Larry Parker is one of a number of neighbors concerned about the old Alcoa aluminum plant that’s next to the West Badin community.
"The landfill caused a lot of people to get sick around here,” said Larry Parker, a resident.
The company closed the plant in 2007. A study from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources shows cyanide and fluoride levels above quality standards for groundwater. Alcoa applied for a permit which would give the company three years to comply, but some say it needs to be enforced immediately.
"We're just concerned that the new permit gives them a three year pass to discharge as much cyanide or fluoride as they can instead of regulating on them for those violations,” said Will Scott, Yadkin riverkeeper.
They are concerns that could impact Little Mountain Creek, which is next to the landfill.
"We just need a thorough assessment of what the risks are here so that the community can feel like they know well, what's safe and what isn't, especially to fish out of,” said Scott.
Alcoa sent a statement which reads in part:
"We have regularly monitored the outflows from the plant site and testing shows no adverse impact in Little Mountain Creek,” said Ray Barham, Yadkin Relicensing Manager. "Alcoa remains committed to using best practices to address environmental issues associated with the former Badin Works site.”
Many in the community plan to attend the permit hearing Wednesday to learn more about what Alcoa plans to do. Some hope it gets fixed fast.
"They need to go ahead and do away with everything and fix it,” said Parker.
The Stanly County Board of Commissioners and the county manager declined to comment due to a past settlement agreement with Alcoa. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Stanly County Commissioners meeting room in Albemarle.