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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0000272_Public Hearing Oral Comments 4-15-2021_20220401Blue Ridge Paper Public Hearing Oral Comments, April 14, 2021 Comment Categories Against Removal of Color Variance 1 Support Color Variance Removal 2 Stance Uncertain on Color Variance Removal 2 Silent on Variance, Spoke about Color 3 Silent on Color, Spoke about Variance Error! Bookmark not defined. Spoke Neither about Color or Variance Error! Bookmark not defined. Against Removal of Color Variance Amelia Taylor, Rapid Expeditions Rafting I'm concerned about this permit proposal. Specifically, the removal of the color variance concerns me. In Tennessee, the Pigeon river isn't deemed suitable for full body contact and has poor water quality, foam, a funky smell, and a brown color. I've gotten rashes from the river. It is unacceptable to put more chloroform into the river, and there shouldn't be more pollution allowed into the river each permitting cycle. I'm also concerned about the proposed increase in water use. The Pigeon is one of the nastiest rivers I've paddled in the country. Hope Taylor, Executive Director Emerita of Clean Water for North Carolina The discharges into the Pigeon River have improved due to environmental challenges by environmental groups and Tennessee officials, not due to efforts of the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) or the Division of Water Resources (DWR). For the last 20 years, progress has stalled, and there have been essentially no improvements to discharges into the river, except that it doesn't vary as widely. DWR speakers who say this mill is one of the best in the world for environmental performance are using a purely industrial definition of pollutants per ton of production. Because this is a huge mill on a tiny river, the work to restore the river to health is far from over. The current draft permit is unjust for the river and its people, and the color variance shouldn't be removed because the mill doesn't meet a narrative standard for color. The in -stream color level must be monitored and enforced daily at the monitoring point closest to the mill, not just twice a week. The color discharge limits at the pipe must be reduced by 20% to make up for two decades of lost time cleaning up the Pigeon River, and they should be enforced on a daily or weekly basis rather than an annual average. The permit must not allow for increased levels of chloroform and the temperature variance should be reduced a few degrees. Deborah Bahr, Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee I'm against removal of the variance because we need the variance and we need further improvement to the river. I'd like to see the effluent be closer to 20,000 pounds. The only reason the mill undertook the environmental improvements they did is that we worked hard for it and paid for it with lives. I am worried about fish testing and dioxin and this testing should be continued. Dioxin is still in the clay and fish tissue. I won't go in the water, I won't let my animals in the water, and when I drive by the water, it creates a taste in the back of your mouth that won't go away for hours. I can see foam in the water, and the color is an issue. I've had paddlers that won't go in the river because of the smell that goes into their gear. I want the river to be as clean below as above. There is a lot of patting on the back going on, but there is still much work to be done. Jillian Bryan, River Guide and Concerned Citizen I'm concerned about the removal of the color variance, the increase in allowed chloroform dumping, the dioxin levels, the lack of monitoring of forever chemicals, the increase of water being withdrawn from the river, and how the proposed permit will impact the whitewater and downstream communities. I appreciate the work the mill was forced to do to clean up, and its economic contributions to Canton, but these contributions do not justify the backsliding on the mill's requirements. I have experienced rashes working on the river, and I know of others who've had rashes and internal injuries due to exposure to the Pigeon river downstream from the mill. Joe Novotny, Owner of Rip Roaring Whitewater Adventures I oppose any increase in pollution into the Pigeon River and the lifting of the color variance. Several guides, myself included, have had issues with skin problems and watery eyes and itchy throat. It's great that the local community benefits from the mill, but downstream water users need to be considered too. Support Color Variance Removal Derric Brown, Director of Sustainability for Evergreen Packaging I've been a member of the Haywood County Community for over 50 years. I have been involved with environmental improvements, including reductions of wastewater flow, to the Canton Mill prior to this instant permit and prior to being in my current position. The Canton mill has one of the cleanest wastewater discharges of any paper mill in the world. In the past 20 years, more than 90% of the color discharge into the river has been eliminated. River surveys show that there is a balance of indigenous fish communities in the Pigeon River. Whitewater rafting is gaining in popularity. Managing forests and recycling paper to keep it out of landfills is an important part of our business. Please let the facts speak for themselves by removing the color variance. Michael Ferguson, Business Unit Manager— Pulp Mill for Evergreen Packaging I grew up in the area here, and as a local, I know the history of the Pigeon River. In 1989, when I joined Champion International, color in the river wasn't good — 389,000 pounds per day on average. Since that time, I've been a part of over 500 million dollars in investments in color reduction and environmental improvements. These investments and our committed workforce ensure that we can reduce color and protect the river. This permit and the removal of the color variance are appropriate because we believe we are in compliance with North Carolina's water quality standard. Jay Clary, Operations Manager of Evergreen Packaging I've worked at the Evergreen mill for 30 years. The permit is important to the employees. The paper company has invested in its employees and worked hard to improve air and water quality. These improvements occurred due to Evergreen's employees' dedication and attention to detail. 30 years ago, we needed the color variance, but now the color variance should be removed from the permit because our work has made the variance unnecessary. Daniel Curry, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Evergreen Packaging I came to the Canton as part of the mill environmental modernization project in 1992. I was part of the team that propelled the mill into the world -class environmental performer that it is today. I have provided environmental consulting to many paper mills, and bar none, this mill has the greatest attention to the environment, particularly to the river, than any of the mills I've been in. Evergreen is committed to continuously improving its environmental performance, and it no longer requires a color variance. Removal of the variance will not allow us to discharge any additional color that we are discharging right now. Stance Uncertain on Removal of the Color Variance Emily Kistner, Pigeon River Guide for Rip Roaring Adventures I want to re -iterate what the other guides have been saying — the river is horrendous for us. Every year I see guides get bad rashes, especially on their feet, and sometimes they can't even walk or work for a week. The river smell stays with you for hours after you get off the river. It isn't feasible for us to be able to continue if the paper mill is allowed to increase the color variance or chloroform. Silent on Variance, Spoke about Color Don Safer, Board Member of Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association My comments are based on my personal experience with the Pigeon River. This experience of this river as a kayaker is different from any other river I've been on in the Southeastern US. I am concerned about the taste and the color of the river. Sometimes the rocks have an unusual slime on them, and the rocks' color is different. A little bit of the river water will leave a bad taste in your mouth for hours; something is not right about the river. This permit doesn't go far enough to improve water quality, and we should be more proud of the water quality of this river. The number of people who use this river recreationally shouldn't be considered as an endorsement of the water quality. Finally, it has taken too long for this permit to be re-evaluated. Spencer Scheidt, Associate Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) Although progress has been made, work is still needed to improve water quality on the Pigeon, and the current draft permit either doesn't do enough to improve water quality, or allows backsliding on key permit terms. First, temperature limits are required by law to be set as both average monthly and daily limits unless impracticable, but the draft permit doesn't include daily limits or find that they're impracticable. This means that the mill can discharge hot water into the river for days, which can lead to fish kills, and still comply with the permit. This permit doesn't include a weekly limit, although DEQ's 2012 permit did include that. Second, DEQ can't grant a continued thermal variance, as under the Clean Water Act, the mill can only receive that variance if it will ensure the protection of a balanced indigenous population of fish and wildlife. However, below the mill, there is no such balanced indigenous population. Third, the paper industry is a known consumer of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which pose serious risks to human and environmental health. Any such use or discharge of such chemicals must be disclosed under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Fourth, DEQ shouldn't reduce the frequency of testing for fish tissue dioxin. Dioxins are known carcinogens that accumulate in fish tissue, and dioxins are still contaminating the river and the fish in the river that people eat. Finally, DEQ can't skip steps when setting pollution limits for the mill. The CWA requires that DEQ first impose technology limits, even if they are more strict than state water quality standards. In the draft permit, DEQ skips this first step for pollutants like heavy metals and color. Stephen Hutchins, Project Planning and Execution Manager for Evergreen Packaging I've worked at the Canton Mill since 2009. Evergreen employs over 1,100 people and our annual wages and benefits to Western North Carolina (NC) employees exceeds 95 million dollars. The Canton Mill treats the town of Canton's wastewater on the mill site, and the mill's emergency response team helps with community needs. Since 1990, the Canton Mill has spent more than 500 million dollars on environmental improvements, including color improvements. Today, there is a balanced indigenous aquatic community in the Pigeon River, both above and below the mill. Evergreen has been working with NCDEQ and the EPA concerning the NPDES permit to protect the river and allow the mill to continue to operate. Silent on Color, Spoke about Variance Callie Moore, Western Regional Director of Mountain True We are concerned about the increase in chloroform limits associated with new permit. If the mill is able to meet the existing permit limits, why should we allow more? Many of the mills in the US aren't being fed by high quality waters flowing out of national forests. We are also concerned about temperature; I understand that you're not changing the temperature variance in terms of the amount of temperature increase, but a daily average would be more protective of temperature than a weekly average. Temperature is impacting the aquatic life in the river. There should not be a reduction in dioxin fish tissue monitoring until no fish show dioxin in their tissue. Finally, we have concerns about fecal coliform violations that have been happening, as E. coli and fecal coliform are threats to human health. CeCe Hipps, President of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce I support the permit and variance removal. Evergreen is Haywood County, both of those entities need each other. My father in law worked at the mill for 44 years in the maintenance department, he was proud to work there and thankful for a good job. Evergreen engages and supports the local community and has made investments and improvements to their facilities. Evergreen also provides educational opportunities to children. Evergreen is the largest employer in the county and is a major economic engine in the county. Joshua Martin, Director of Environmental Paper Network I am a recreational user of the river for fishing and rafting. I am concerned about the odors and visual impacts that other rafters have noted. We should continue to improve the performance of the mill and not go backwards. We are concerned about the increase in chloroform and about the removal of the variance until further progress can be made. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) should make more efforts to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release the Pigeon river study before doing anything to change the standards or increase any allowances. Donna Norris, Owner of Off The Beaten Path I've seen a lot of progress regarding the river water quality over the years, and I don't want to see any backsliding. I own a wedding chapel on the riverbank, and people often comment on its beauty. We ask that Canton continue to improve the plant so that we can enjoy clean water on our end. We should not lower any variances. Michael Malone, Off The Beaten Path I object to raising the variance and adding to the pollution in the river. I've been a whitewater raft guide for over 20 years, and I've seen an improvement in the water quality. I commend the paper mill for the efforts they've made, and we appreciate the mill's financial contributions to the community. But, I am concerned about the additional output to the river, including temperature, and that pollution should be reduced. Downstream health issues are a problem that need to be addressed. Spoke Neither about Color or Variance Zeb Smathers, Mayor of Canton, NC I was born and raised in Canton, and after college and law school, I returned to Canton. Evergreen is the heart and lifeblood of our town, and we embrace it. I have witnessed firsthand throughout the years how much the river water quality has improved. I could not be more proud of what the mill has been able to accomplish. Kevin Hensley, Haywood County Commissioner On behalf of the Commissioners, we ask that DEQ approve the permit, mainly due to the huge positive economic value of the mill to our region. The mill also produces recyclable and renewable products that help reduce use of plastic. The mill works hard to reduce discharges into the river. Personally, I own property on Douglass Lake in Tennessee, and the Pigeon River flows into that lake, and there have been no issues with water quality in that lake. I'd rather paper be made in America than in a country like China with weak environmental protections. Sally Hudson, CEO Emeritus of Sunburst Trout Farms The Champion paper mill granted my father a lease of land on mill property so that we can raise trout there, and we rely on the Pigeon River as a water source. Our 56-year relationship with the mill has fostered a tight bond between us. During those years, we've employed people of diverse backgrounds, helped our employees with educational pursuits, and hired felons. Many of these employees we helped have returned to Haywood County with their own children. I have developed relationships with the folks who manage the mill, and they have stellar character and try hard to improve their environmental efforts. The mill should be allowed to continue operating while focusing on the perpetual safeguarding and improvement of the Pigeon River. Chuck Francis, Chairman of Haywood County Board of Education I am here tonight in support of the permit. I've worked with the mill through the school system, and the mill has been impressive and outstanding. I'd like to thank the mill for their support of Haywood County Schools. I've seen the progress that the mill has made and the many hours they've spent improving the water quality of the river. Jim Trantham, Mayor of Clyde, NC I'm a Haywood county native speaking on behalf of the mill and the people in our community. I am a former employee of the mill. The environmental improvements I've seen the mill make have been remarkable. The mill has brought so much to our people, and it supports its employees' involvement in the community. The mill is one of the largest employers in the area with good, decent wages. Ronnie Clark, Elected Haywood County School Board Member I am a former mill employee of 21 years. My father and grandfather both worked at the mill. The mill and its employees have supported our schools and communities. I am proud of the mill and its accomplishments and how much progress it has made. Bryant Morehead, Haywood County Manager About 20 percent of our population is eligible for food stamps and Medicaid. The mill is a large employer in our area, and they offer benefits. It is critical to our economy. Charlotte Leibrock, Resident of Newport My perception of the river because of the pollution is that is has marred the health, beauty, and livelihood of us here in Newport. Clean water is the best economic engine, and if our river that flows through Newport were clean and clear, we'd have condos, golf courses, parks, and other developments along the banks. I perceive the river to be murky and stinky. It is time for North Carolina and Blue Ridge to do better. Suzi Phillips, Resident of Haywood County I live on a lake fed by the Pigeon River, and I strongly object to any lowering of water quality to the waterway by my home. A smelly, dirty river will have a major impact on the lake, my health, and my property value, and wildlife. We need more progress on cleaning up the Pigeon River, not less. Hartwell Carson, French Broad Riverkeeper with Mountraintrue We've come a long way from where we were in the 70s-90s, but the goal of the Clean Water Act is to keep us moving forward. My issue with this permit is that it moves us backwards. I am most concerned about temperature — we fought hard this permit cycle to get a weekly limit on temperature instead of the monthly limit. The 2007 fish kill didn't violate the permit limits in place at the time because there could be such wide temperature swings within a month. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission did an extensive temperature study that shows a big temperature discrepancy between up and down river. The wastewater treatment has a long way to go and there have been multiple violations. Also, we shouldn't reduce dioxin monitoring. Jeremy Montanas, Whitewater Raft Guide on Pigeon River I oppose any and all rollbacks in regulations. Climate change is a danger to our future and will continue to be a danger if we allow these rollbacks. The mill hasn't been updated since 1980, which isn't modern anymore. The term "sustainability" is little more than a feel -good term used by corporations, as there is no sustainability in dumping any amount of chemicals into a natural river. Tommy Long, Haywood County Commissioner I'm on the Solid Waste Committee in Haywood County, and the Commission for a Clean County, which entails picking up trash on a monthly basis. One of the biggest issues we have with trash management is the influx of plastic water bottles. The bulk of what the mill in Canton produces is a biodegradable liquid container, and we seldom ever pick these up. Most of what we pick up are plastic bottles and aluminum beer cans. I strongly suggest that the permit be renewed. We should promote biodegradable packaging to reduce plastic pollution.