This blog was started and is continued by people who live in West Eureka in clear sight of the Samoa Pulp Mill. We were the victims of the toxic fumes from Evergreen Pulp Inc. It has been said that we are lobbyists from Southern California or most recently part of a law firm in San Francisco. No, we are just the pulp mill's neighbors. We are concerned enough to spend the time to keep up this blog.
There has been a news blackout on what is happening with the mill and Freshwater Tissue Co. We have been the only place where people could read about public hearings and correspondence with the mill. We have notified people of their right to submit public comments along with addresses and dates. We have also presented information from public documents. This is why there are so many quotes, so there can be no mistake about what the Water Board, the Air Board, Freshwater or the E.P.A. had to say. We always give a source. We also give our opinions, but we try to be respectful.
This has not been the case with those who support the mill and Mr. Simpson. Recently this blog has been flooded with personal attacks and downright bullying. Under the guise of their blog names, they have presented information that, in our opinion, they know to be untrue. We have never deleted a comment, but in the future we reserve the right to delete comments that are abusive. W
Do we have the right to be concerned about a kraft pulp mill that plans to operate out of compliance with the Clean Water Act? Yes, we do.
Do we have the right to be worried about future air quality violations?
Yes, we do.
According to the E.P.A. (10-2-07) "Particulate matter adversely affects humans principally through inhalation and the deposit of particulates in the nose, throat, and lungs. Health effects from chronic exposure to high levels of particulate matter range from nasal irritation to bronchitis to emphysema. Young children and the elderly are the most susceptible to the adverse effects of particulate matter once it is deposited in the body. Pulp mills also emit toxic metals including antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, nickel and selenium. Health effects associated with exposure to these toxic metals can include cancer, reproductive and developmental effects, gastrointestinal effects, damage to the nervous system and irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system." This was from a piece about Evergreen Pulp Mill and the $5 million dollar settlement.
Nov. 2006 E.P.A. "Final Report: Pulp and Paper and Paperboard Detailed Study." "During its 2005 screening- level analysis of discharges from categories with existing regulations, E.P.A. determined the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Point Source Category ranked higher than any other category of discharges of toxic and nonconventional pollutants."