There is still the perception that Freshwater will be operating up to code if it gets the water permit on June 10, 2010. It will not. Somehow people heard all the propaganda about how Freshwater was going to open a green pulp mill and this is what they remember. Freshwater doesn't have the money to do all the things it talked about when it was hoping to get money as part of the government stimulus program. It did not get this money. Now it is planning a shoestring operation hoping to get investors once it gets the water permit. This is not going to be a green operation. It has asked for permission to break the clean water act until Sept. 2013. It will not be up to code.
Don't take our word for it. To quote Charles Reed of the Water Board staff. "...the wastewater discharge from the pulp mill during production of unbleached pulp cannot comply with the final effluent limitations for five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BODs) and total suspended solids (TSS) that are established in the tentative permit. Freshwater Tissue Company requested a compliance schedule that will allow three years from the mill startup to obtain required local development permits, and design and construct a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant...Violations of final effluent limitations for BODs and TSS ...during the production of unbleached kraft pulp will not be subject to Mandatory Minimum Penalties under California Water Code."
For copies of the proposed permit and the cease and desis order, go to www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/board decisions/tentative orders