NC0000272_Public Comments 5-4-2021_20220401

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REPRESENTATIVE MARK PLESS
118TH DISTRICT
OFFICE:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
533 LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING
300 N. SALISBURY STREET
RAL.EIGH, NC 27603-5925
[phone]
[e-mail]
Danny Smith, Director
NC DEQ — Division of Water Resources
1611 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Danny:
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
COMMITTEES:
APPROPRIATIONS
APPROPRIATIONS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FEDERAL RELATIONS AND AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS
HOMELAND SECURITY, MILITARY, AND VETERAN
AFFAIRS
TRANSPORTATION
WILDLIFE RESOURCES
I am reaching out to advocate for the Evergreen Paper Mill and its crucial role in the Town of
Canton ahead of the NPDES wastewater discharge permit renewal. The mill has been a fixture of
the town for over a century and currently provides over 1,000 jobs. As the largest industrial
employer in Canton, any overly burdensome requirements would negatively affect the town and
Haywood County.
Evergreen Paper Mill is also the wastewater treatment facility for Canton, and the only option for
wastewater treatment available to the small town of about 5,000 residents. I understand that
thorough completion of your job requires the Division to inspect all aspects of the discharge that
impact the Pigeon River that our community enjoys. As the public comment period ends,
however, I want to reach out to express the importance of this industry and its ability to support
the residents of Canton. I urge you to take into consideration the balance of economic and
environmental impacts as the Division issues its permit. Thank you for your attention and
understanding, and please feel free to reach out if there are any questions.
Respectfully,
Representative Mark Pless
118th District — Haywood, Madison, and Yancey
CIP