NC0000272_Public Comments_20220401

North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality
April 29, 2021
To Whom it May Concern;
I am writing on behalf of Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee. Citizens of Cocke and
surrounding counties are distressed and concerned over proposed changes to the
NPDES Permit # NC0000272 for the Pigeon River. Over 11 decades of degraded water
inflicted on downstream communities is ENOUGH!
Dropping the color variance is unacceptable! This last week the color , odor, and general
slime that is difficult to remove from gear and bodies has been especially rancid. This is
toxic. Visitors and locals have been commenting on the smell also, a chemical smell that
leaves a taste in the mouth. The Pigeon river is considered degraded by the state of
Tennessee, perhaps because they are more aware of the state of the water than North
Carolina? These factors of smell, color and foam impact the esthetic of enjoyment along
the river and hurts our tourist economy!
Fecal coliform is an issue, and since the Mill treats the town's sewage it must also be
considered in this permit.
Dioxin should continue to be tested in fish. This dangerous carcinogen has impacted the
communities downstream for far too long. Recently the medical community is realizing
the generational effects of dioxin in our environment and in humans. CWEET believes
dioxin testing stopped in 2014, before the permit SHOULD have been reviewed, five
years ago. Dioxin tests should not have been discontinued and SHOULD be stringently
required in this permit and reported to downstream communities, in plain language so
citizens may easily comprehend the results. An independent lab should do the testing
and reporting.
Temperature of heated releases should be minimal. The trout stream quality of water
above the mill should be of the same quality as below the mill, currently NOT the case.
Toxic pollutants called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in industries like
pulp and paper packaging to enhance water-resistant properties of paper products, do
not biodegrade, often persist in organisms, and pose significant health concerns. The
more scientists learn about PSAS the clearer it becomes that chemicals that produce
PFAS should be tracked and when possible not discharged into waterways.
The amount of effluent dumped into the Pigeon river should be lowered substantially.
Decades ago, Cocke county citizens requested no more than 22,000lb. limit as opposed
to the 36,000lb limit currently allowed. This amount should have been reduced in 2015.

The Clean Water Act calls for No Backsliding on permits. NC is already 5 years overdue
in making any reduction, it is time to do the right thing!
Daily dumping limits should be set and enforced. Averaging the amounts weekly or
monthly allows for conditions that are outrageous for downstream communities to have
to deal with. Large piles of foam have once again become more common. The color and
smell ARE impacting our ability to use the river for recreation and that does impact our
economy. Tourists ask guides and locals about what they see and smell, how the water
feels. The potential for our historically distressed economy to build and recover from
over 100 years of pollution by the NC mill is impacted by the continued degradation of
our precious natural resource, the Pigeon River!
No one has looked at the effect these changes are having through the ecosystem as
some of the larger birds and mammals have come to river for sustenance. We know the
raft guides who are continuously exposed to the degraded water of the Pigeon suffer
from health issues. The pollution effects downstream communities in very real ways. Do
the right thing, you were forced in the past to finally take a stand and clean up the river,
this time take the initiative to get the job done. Downstream communities are proud of
the recovery the mill was forced to take in the 1990's. Do not be idle, become good
stewards and good neighbors, CLEAN UP THE PIGEON RIVER. Create a more stringent
permit that addresses our issues, NO BACKSLIDING!
Deborah Bahr
cweet.org
865-453-8535
966 Yellow Breeches Rd
Cosby, TN 37722