MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. – An Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) team came to Mohave Valley from Phoenix Wednesday evening, Oct. 7, to hear comments and concerns from residents prior to approving a permit for a Peaker Plant in their neighborhood.
Representing ADEQ was Rob Verville, Air Quality Inspector and Public Hearing Officer; David Kim, ADEQ Groundwater Protection Section Manager; and Wendy Eikenberry, Groundwater Mining and Industrial Permits Unit Manager.
Eikenberry said the plant would use reverse osmosis and the excess water would be stored in an evaporation pond on 8.3 acres.
“It will be double-lined,” Eikenberry said. “The pond will be fenced in to keep the public and animals out.”
Everyone that spoke Wednesday night was against the Peaker Plant being built in Mohave Valley.
Several residents opposed the plant because of too much water being used and water contamination concerns. Resident concerns included erosion, water usage and groundwater protection, that it will be too close to current schools, and concerns that the ponds will leak.
Irene Evanston, Director for the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe Department of Response and Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said, “I come tonight to ask that ADEQ deny the permit to AEPCO and MEC for the aquifer permit. Our response is based on the legal responsibility to protect the groundwater, public health, tribal resources, and long-term environmental integrity of the community of the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe and the Fort Mohave residents. (We) will have to suffer the consequences as outlined in the permit, should it be approved.”
Audda Bender, Fort Mohave Indian Tribe, said, “The draft does not require routine groundwater monitoring. The community may have limited early warning if groundwater conditions change.”
Roy Hagemyer said there are 3,500 residents in Mohave Valley and that 2,300 signed a petition saying they do not want the Peaker Plant in their community. “That’s over two-thirds of the population of Mohave Valley.”
“Have you heard of Hinkley, California? Erin Brockovich?” Hagemyer asked. “They’re going to turn this into another Hinkley, California. They will pollute the groundwater. People will get sick. People will die.”
