NC0000272_StudyPlanPigeonRiverDioxinMonitoring_20011201

EA Project 13900.01
aD
STUDY PLAN FOR PIGEON RIVER
DIOXIN MONITORING IN FISH TISSUE
Prepared for.
Blue Ridge Paper Products
Canton, NC
Prepared by.
EA Engineering, Science, and Technology
444 Lake Cook Road, Suite 18
Deerfield, IL 60015
December 2001

i ,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I Introduction .................................................................... ..............
1-1
2. Station Locations .............................................................................. 2-1
3. Fish Collection Techniques and Target Species .......................................... 3-1
4. Sample Preparation ........................................................................... 4-1
—J 1 5. Analysis of Fish Tissue Samples ............................................................ 5-1
6. Quality Assurance ............................................................................. 6-1
7. Project Schedule ............................................................................... 7-1
8. Monitoring Report ............................................................................. 8-1
9. References ...................................................................................... 9-1

I
1
1. INTRODUCTION
This study plan details the materials and methods that will be used to annually assess the levels
of dioxins and furans in fish tissues from the Pigeon River downstream of the discharge from
_..4 the Blue Ridge papermill in Canton,North Carolina. This study plan was developed in
response to requirements in the mill's current NPDES permit (Permit No. NC0000272).
Changes to original permit conditions as detailed in letters from North Carolina Division of
Water Quality (NCDWQ) and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
(NCDHHS) dated 22 August 2001 and 31 August 2001, respectively have been incorporated
into this study plan. -Section 2 of this study plan provides information regarding the locations
of the sampling stations. Section 3 details the techniques that will be used to collect fish at
each station and the target species. Section 4 describes the procedures that will be used to
r
prepare the collected fishes for tissue analysis. Section 5 specifies the analytical technique that
will be used to determine the concentrations of the different dioxin and furan isomers in each
tissue sample. The Quality Assurance plan is presented in Section 6, and the project schedule,
monitoring report, and references are found in Sections 7, 8, and 9, respectively.
I '.
i ,
- 1

BLUE RIDGE
PAPER PRODUCTS INC.
January 7, 2002
Mr. Forrest Westall tASNEV11LI
N 1 12002 D
Regional Supervisor
Division of Water Quality E ALIREGIONAL"�l�E
59 Woodfin Place
Asheville,NC 28801
Dear Mr. Westall:
Attached is the revised Study Plan for Pigeon River Dioxin Monitoring in Fish Tissue, December
2001 for the Division of Water (DWQ) approval. The study plan was prepared by EA
Engineering, Science and Technology for Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. in Canton, North
Carolina. The study plan has been revised in response to the fish consumption advisory on the
Pigeon River being completely lifted and the Walters Lake advisory being partially lifted and to
be consistent with current Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch methodology
for dioxin in fish consumption advisories.
The primary changes to the study plan were approved by Ms. Coleen Sullins, Chief, Water
Quality Section on August 22,2001. The highlights of changes include:
• Removal of sportfish from the target list
• Collection of one whole body bottom feeder composite at either 4A or 4B
• Changes to the TEF and TEQ calculation methodology
Please approve the attached Study Plan for Pigeon River Dioxin Monitoring in Fish Tissue. If
you have any questions or need additional information please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
f�c
Derric Brown
Manager, Environmental Affairs
copy: Mr.Keith Haynes
Mr. Mark Hale
NC Division of Water Quality
Environmental Services Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617 175 Main Street • P.O. Box 4000
Canton, North Carolina 28716
Phone:[phone] • Fax:[phone]
Raising Your Expectations

2. STATION LOCATIONS
Six stations have been established for the collection of fishes (Figure 2-1 and Table 2-1).
Station 1, the background site, is located at Pigeon River Mile(RM) 64.5 adjacent to the
Canton Recreational Park, approximately 1.2 RM upstream from the Canton Mill outfall.
Except at very high flows, the Canton Mill dam blocks the movement of fishes thereby
preventing the interaction of control and monitoring station fishes. Station 2 is located at RM
59.0, upstream from Clyde, NC and approximately 4.3 RM downstream from the Canton Mill
outfall. Station 3 is located at RM 52.3 just upstream of the old Rt. 209 bridge, approximately
11.0 RM downstream from the Canton Mill outfall. Stations 4A and 4B are located in
Waterville Lake at RM 41.5 and 39.0, respectively. Station 4A is located approximately 21.8
RM downstream from the Canton Mill outfall, near the Messer Branch-Pigeon River
confluence. Station 4B is in the vicinity of the Wilkins Creek-Pigeon River confluence,
approximately 24.3 RM downstream from the Canton Mill outfall. Stations 4A and 4B
correspond to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of Waterville Lake. Station 5 is at RM
19 near Bluffton, TN, 44.3 miles downstream of the mill outfall. Fish sampling will be
conducted in the immediate vicinity of each location described above, however, the sample
reach may be extended somewhat, if necessary, to facilitate collection of the required number
-- of fish.
I
I
� J
t
II
2

1-40
Station 5
RM 19.0 5
Bluffton TN
(19.3f Hartford,TN
, i �"�.•TENNESSEE N
— NORTH
CAROLINA
03
GteeK Ito
\9 Hydro Plant It m
O \
ale
Walters Dam B
Station 4B Station 4A
RM 39.0 RM 41.5
4 Waterville Lake
�V Fines
Creek
New Hepco Bridge
_ FLOW Jonathans
_ Creek Old Rt.209 Mill
I 3 Station 3 Station 2 RM 63.311
RM 52.3 RM 50.0
Waynesville STP 2 Canton,NC
i G 0utfall Cif
RM 50.4 eG��e� Clyde station 1 1
RM 64.5
(Control)
� f
Figure 2-1. Fish tissue sampling station locations on the Pigeon River.
3

TABLE 2-1 PIGEON RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS
Station River Station Location and
Nu mber Mile Distance from Outfall Site Descriolion(llabitat Tyne Fish Community
1 64.5 Pigeon River upstream from Canton, Characterized by riffle,run,and pool habitats. Maximum Relative abundance dominated by minnows and darters. River
NC,adjacent to Canton Recreational depth approximately 6!t Substrate primarily cobble and boulders chub,greenfin darter and rock bass are dominant. Northern hog
Park(1.2 RM upstream from Canton interspersed with gravel and sand. sucker,black redhorse,minor shiner,redbreast sunfish,central
Mill outfall). stoncroller,greenside darter,and mottled sculpin are common.
2 59.0 Pigeon River upstream from Clyde,NC Characterized by ride,sun,and pool habitats with canopy Relative abundance dominated by redbreast sunfish,central
(4.3 RM downstrearn from die Conlon rover. Maximum depth approximately 5 ft. Substrate stoncroller,and northern hog sucker.
Mill outfall). primarily cobble/gmvellsand with some boulders and bedrock.
3 52.3 Pigeon River in the vicinity of the RL Characterized by riffle,sun,and pool habitats with some Redbreast surdish,northern hog sucker,and common carp are
209 bridge(11.0 RM downstream canopy cover. Maximum depth approximately 5 It dominant Central stoncroller is common.
from the Canton Mill oufall) Substrate primarily bedrock and boulder:with some
cobble and samilgmveV6nes deposited in pool areas.
F 4A 41.5 Upper Waterville lake(21.8 RM Characterized by deep-water lentic habitat,bedrock, Relative abundance dominated by black crappie. Bluegill,flathead
downstream from the Canton Mill and soft bottom sediments. Maximum depth sampled catfish,channel catfish,largemouth bass,and common crup are
outfall) approximately 14 f. common.
413 39.0 Lower Waterville lake(24.3 RM Characterized by deep-water lentic habitat,bedrock, Relative abundance of catch dominated by black crappie. Bluegill,
downstream from the Canton Mill and soft bottom sediments. Maximum depth sampled channel ash,flathead catfish,and carp are common.
outfall) approximately 401E Very sleep banks with little cover.
5 19.0 Pigeon River near Bluffton,TN,jusl Characterized by deep pools and runs with some shallow riffles. Central stoneroller and northern hog sucker are dominant
upstream of I40(44.3 RM downstream Maximum depth approximately 6 to 8 f. Substrate primarily Smallmouth bass,whitetail shiner,telescope shiner,greemide
from the Canton Mill outfall) bedrock,boulder,and cobble. darter,and banded sculpin are common. Except for smallmouth
bass and rock bass,centrarchids are uncommooa.

3. FISH COLLECTION TECHNIQUES AND TARGET SPECIES
A listing of the Pigeon River fish collection techniques is provided below:
~ Station Number River Mile Sampling_Techniaue
! 1 64.5 Electrofishing
2 59.0 Electrofishing
3 52,3 Electrofishing
4A 41.5 Gill nets
4B 39.0 Gill nets
5 19.0 Electrofishing
Except in Waterville Lake, the principal sampling gear will be electrofishing. Depending on
-- depth, either a pram or boat electrofisher will be used. Gillnetting is the most effective
technique for the collection of bottom-feeder species from the Waterville Lake monitoring
stations. Gill nets will be checked at least once a day, usually within 12 hours of being
deployed. Other appropriate sampling techniques may be used if necessary.
Field notes will be recorded at each sampling station including the type of sampling gear, level
of effort(time), flow and clarity conditions, and selected physiochemical data (e.g., dissolved
I oxygen, water temperature, and conductivity [electrofishing locations only]) using accepted
proceedures and equipment. All fishes submitted for tissue analysis will be measured (total
length), weighed (wet weight), examined for anomalies, and recorded on a standard Fisheries
Data Sheet(Figure 3-1).
The goal of the fish collection effort is to collect one composite bottom feeder fillet sample at
each of the six sampling stations. Each composite will consist of 3 to 5 similarly sized (shortest
specimen within 75% of the length of the longest) adult individuals of the target species.
Common carp will be the target species at Stations 2, 3, 4A, and 4B, with northern hog sucker
and black redhorse as alternative species in the riverine portion of the river below the mill (i.e.,
Stations 2 and 3). Common carp are absent at Stations 1 and 5. At these stations, black
redhorse will be the target bottom feeder, with northern hog sucker and smalimouth buffalo
being alternative species. Alternative representative bottom feeder species may be collected in
the rare event that these target species are not collected.
In Waterville Lake, one additional fillet composite sample using either channel catfish or
flathead catfish will be collected at Stations 4A and 4B. Catfish are rare in the river between
the mill and Waterville Lake. However, in the event that three or more catfish of a similar size
are encountered at either Stations 2 or 3, a catfish fillet composite will be prepared for either or
both of these stations.
In addition to the fillet composites, a whole body composite consisting of 3-5 similarly sized
- . common carp will be collected at either Station 4A or 4B in Waterville Lake.
5

Figure 3-1 EA ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-FISH FIELD DATASHEET
Data
� Pro ect! Project Name Site
Gear Location� Sampling Effort —
Page_ of
Start Datetime End Datetime
D D M M M Y Y h h m m D D M M M Y Y h h m m
Water QualitY Information
Depth TempC D.O. Field Notes
=Specimens preserved(C)
I
OUTPUT
Vohs
amps
L Plus Batch Anomalies
Common Name SPCODE S Length Weight Count Weight At A2 A3 A4 AS REMARKS
I ,
� 1
' I
1.Body deformity S.Anchor worm-light B.Leeches4ight 13.Blind 17.Swirled scales
2.Eroded fins S.Anchor worm-heavy 10.Leeches-heavy 14.Emaciated 18.Other
3.Leslons-Ulcers 7.Slackspot-light 11.Fungus 15.External parasites-other
4.Tumors B.Blackspol-heavy 12.Ich 6 16.Popeye Life Stage(LS):YOY=B

In summary, fish will be collected as follows:
• Bottom feeder fillet composite—one sample at all six stations
• Catfish fillet composite—one sample at Stations 4A and at 4B
• Common carp whole body composite—one sample from either Station 4A or 4B
• Catfish fillet composite—one sample at Stations 2 and at 3, if specimens are encountered
i^I
� 7
j
I
L1
I

4. SAMPLE PREPARATION
Fillet samples will consist of the epaxial muscle tissue from one side of the fish. The fillet
from the other side will be retained as a backup until laboratory results are obtained. Bottom
feeder whole-body samples will consist of the entire fish. Specimens collected will be rinsed in
site water, stunned with a sharp blow to the head and placed on wet ice until processing. Each
fish selected for analysis will be weighed and measured. Fillet samples will be prepared by
removing all scales (or removing skin from catfishes) and subsequently making an incision
behind the opercula (on both sides of the fish) from the base of the spine (behind the skull) to
just below the pectoral fin. Care will be taken to not puncture the gut lining. A second incision
will be made along the length of the spine to the caudal fin on both sides of the fish. The
epaxial muscle will then be gently cut away from the rib cage to obtain a fillet. In this fashion,
all flesh and skin (except catfishes) will be obtained from head to tail. The fillets from
specimens comprising a particular composite will be combined, then the sample will be
wrapped in aluminum foil (dull side toward sample), placed in a water-tight plastic bag, labeled
(see Section 6), and placed on wet ice. Within 24 hours of processing, the samples will be
frozen.
I ,
I !
I
� i
! i
it
8

5. ANALYSIS OF FISH TISSUE SAMPLES
Samples will be analyzed for dioxin using EPA Method 8290 (U.S. EPA 1994). Percent lipids
will also be determined for each sample. The laboratory will measure the concentration of 17
isomers of chlorodibenzo dioxins and furans (CDD/F). The toxic equivalent (TEQ) of each
detectable isomer will be calculated based on toxicity equivalent factors (TEF) provided by the
World Health Organization (WHO 1997). The measured concentration of each CDD/F isomer
will be multiplied by its appropriate TEF to obtain a concentration of that isomer equivalent to
the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, the most toxic of the many CDD/F isomers. As per the directive
of NCDHHS, non-detectable concentrations will be treated as zero values for TEQ calculations.
-I
I
I�
, I
J
I
9

I
6. QUALITY ASSURANCE
The following procedures will be followed to prevent contamination of samples collected at
__. different stations or between composites collected at the same station. Dip nets, fish scalers,
and holding containers will be rinsed with site water prior to use at each station. All fish will
be rinsed in site water to remove any debris (e.g., sediment) prior to processing. During
processing, the measuring board will be wrapped with clear plastic wrap and this wrap will be
changed among stations. Fillet knives will be solvent rinsed(hexane and acetone) between fish
from different stations. Each composite sample will be wrapped in aluminum foil (dull side
-- toward sample), labeled, and placed on dry ice within 24 hours of processing.
All fillets or whole bodies composing a single composite sample will be foil-wrapped, then
placed in a water-tight plastic bag labeled with the station name, sample number, and the
species in that composite. All labels will contain the following information:
• Sample identification number,
• Station identification,
• Sampling team initials,
• Date of sample collection,
• Species name,
• Sample type (i.e., fillet or whole body)
• A unique composite number
_ Chain-of-Custody (COC) sheets will be completed following sample preparation and
compositing. The composite identification number and corresponding number and type of fish
comprising that composite sample will be recorded on the COC. Copies of all COCs will be
retained.
Following completion of sampling, samples will be shipped on dry ice to the analytical
-- laboratory via an overnight courier. Upon receipt, the laboratory will compare the contents
with that noted on the COC sheets and will note the condition of the samples.
' I
10

i
7. PROJECT SCHEDULE
To be consistent with past collections, all samples will be collected in August or September. A
final report will be provided to NCDEQ within 180 days of sampling.
i
I
I
� 11
i

8. MONITORING REPORT
Each annual monitoring report will include the sampling methods and procedures employed, a
description of the sampling locations, descriptions of each fish collected (e.g., species, length,
and weight), as well as the results of the chemical analysis (reported as individual TCDD/F
isomers and 2,3,7,8-TCDD Toxic Equivalent Values). Also included in appropriate appendices
_- will be field notes, copies of all chain-of-custody sheets, and any pertinent memorandum or
communication record forms.
I A
12

9. REFERENCES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) 1994. Analytical Procedures and Quality
Assurance for Multimedia Analysis of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-para-dioxins and
Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans by High-Resolution Gas Chromatography/High-
Resolution Mass Spectrometry (Method 8290).
World Health Organization (WHO). 1997. Exposure and Human Health Reassessment of
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds: Part II Health
Assessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds.
-4
"I
.J
I
yf
13
II

1 G
Making iur mark for you.
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS INC.
January 24, 2001
Mr. Forrest Westall
Regional Water Quality Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
59 Woodfm Place
Asheville,NC 28801
RE: NPDES Permit No.NC0000272, Blue Ridge Paper Products, Canton Mill
Dioxin Monitoring in Fish Tissue—Report 2000
Dear Mr. Westall:
Attached is the final report detailing the results from Blue Ridge Paper Products eleventh annual
Fish Tissue Study. This study, as required by our NPDES permit, consists of annual sampling of
fish at specific sites in the Pigeon River and analysis of those fish for dioxin. The actual fish
collection took place in August 2000. All surveys were conducted by EA Engineering Science
and Technology and the analysis conducted by Severn Trent Laboratory — Sacramento
(previously Quanterra Laboratories).
Table 6-4 provides the summary of the Blue Ridge Paper Products, Canton Mill, Fish Fillet
Tissue Analysis Results of 2,3,7,8—TCDD from 1990 to 2000. No 2,3,7,8, tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
dioxin (TCDD) or 2,3,7,8, tetrachlorodibenzo furan (TCDF) have been detected (not detected in
the parts per quadrillion range) in any of the sport fish fillet composites collected in both North
Carolina and Tennesse in over 5 years. No 2,3,7,8 TCDD has been detected in the mill's
wastewater discharge since 1989.
If you have any questions or comments please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
���
Derric Brown
Manager, Environmental Affairs
Attachment
175 Main Street • P.O.Box 4000 • Canton, North Carolina 28716 • 828-646-2000

JEpRIDGE
ER PDUCTS INC.
Mr. Keith Haynes
Water Quality Section
Asheville Regional Office
59 Woodfin Place
Asheville,NC 28802
Attn: Central Files
Division of Environment and Natural Resources
NC Division of Environment and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 29535 �e
Raleigh,NC 27626-0535 h
Mr. Marshall Hyatt ✓4 d
Water Management Division �q
USEPA Region IV �;�Gr �Op
345 Courtland Street,N.E.
°r F•
Atlanta, GA 30365 yi�F4%
pro
Mr. Coleen Sullins
Chief, Water Quality Section
Division of Environmental Management
512 N. Salisbury Street
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh,NC 27611-7687
Mr. Paul Davis,Director
TN Department of Environment and Conservation
Division of Water Pollution Control
6 h Floor, L&C Annex
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243-1534
Mr. David McKinney
TN Wildlife Resources Agencies
Ellington Agricultural Agency Center`-
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
Mr. Bryn Tracy
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
9401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh,NC 27607
Mr. Charles Lewis Moore
Cocke County Executive
Court House Annex, Room 146
360 East Main Street
Newport, Tennessee 37821