Tuesday, December 9, 2008

At Prairie du Sac & WI Dells Dams: Alliant seeking exemption from DNR to use cinders for sealing dam gates

Contact(s): Tom Bennwitz, Waste Management Engineer, Fitchburg: 608-275-3211

PRAIRIE DU SAC – The Department of Natural Resources intends to issue a ten-year grant of exemption from solid waste requirements to Alliant Energy for using cinders to seal gates at two dams on the Wisconsin River.

Cinders generated from burning coal in industrial boilers operated by the state’s Capitol Heating and Power plant in Madison will be used to seal gates at the Kilbourne Dam, Wisconsin Dells, and Prairie du Sac Dam.

Ice build-up and damage from erosion can occur if water leaks through the dam gates. Using cinders as gate seals can prevent such damage and allows for efficient operation and maintenance of the dams, according to Alliant’s exemption request.

“It’s also a beneficial reuse of a solid waste,” noted DNR waste management engineer Tom Bennwitz, Fitchburg.

DNR has made a preliminary determination that the proposed exemption will not involve significant environmental impacts and an environmental review document is not warranted.
Public comments on DNR’s preliminary determination and the proposed exemption are welcome and should be submitted to the agency by Dec. 23, 2008. Written or verbal comments should be addressed to: Thomas Bennwitz, DNR, 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53711, phone – 608-275-3211, email – Tom.Bennwitz@wisconsin.gov.

Interested persons can also contact Mr. Bennwitz for more information on the proposed exemption.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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