The appeal of Freshwater Tissue's Water Discharge Permit is proceeding through the petition process at the State of California Water Resources Control Board. It is now officially listed on their website. Freshwater Tissue Co.'s permit is being challenged by the League of Eurekans Against Pollution (L.E.A.P.). We will keep you informed.
44 Comments
8/6/2010 10:42:17 pm
Carol,
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8/7/2010 03:16:11 am
Mr. Simpson,
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Johanna
8/7/2010 03:29:15 am
There are many, many Eurekans who have experienced the terrible odors and black clouds from the mill. The pollution extends much further as well. Isn't it time our city is set free from this mess and threat to our health?
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Grantst
8/7/2010 03:39:45 am
We are your neighbors. Up untill the mill closed. I lived and raised my family on W-Grant. I worked in that mill 15yrs and 15 in another LP mill. I've seen NO greater than usual cancers in the mills.
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Miranda Blakely
8/7/2010 04:30:12 am
If it is jobs that you are worried about, then it is to environmental causes you ought to look. Jobs of the future are in "green" energies. The demand for such energy solutions is increasing not because most people care for the environment, but because it is a much more viable and economically sound solution for the future. These green technologies are increasing in their sophistication and efficacy so fast it has been impossible for companies to keep up with production.
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Oliver
8/8/2010 07:46:48 am
Once again, let's try to be clear about air quality problems and the Samoa Pulp mill. It is simply a scientific fact that over relatively long periods of time a kraft pulp mill, however well regulated, will contaminate it's environment with a certain amount of toxic pollutants on an ongoing basis. These are a health hazard for nearby residents, especially the elderly, children and individuals with certain chronic illnesses. These contaminants fall under the categories of particulants, sulfur compounds, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Sometimes odors may be associated with these emissions and sometimes not. Sometimes, under certain weather conditions, they will be associated with a dark stack plume, sometimes not. The real problem isn't the odor or the color of the plume, it's the actual toxic emissions that exist in the air around the facility. People who don't want the Samoa mill as a 'neighbor' aren't really complaining about bad odors; they're basing their position on medical and environmental facts concerning chronic air pollution. While it's true that the level of this pollution may be 'low' at any one time, it's chronicity can be deadly. And then there are intermitent "breakdowns" when the neighborhood is flooded with short term high level toxicity. Anyone who doesn't think this is true can consult the literature on kraft pulp mills and/or the records of the local air quality control office.
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Cricket
8/8/2010 10:28:05 am
I'm willing to give Mr. Simpson the benefit of doubt as he may not have been in Eureka at the time, but I find it hard to believe that "Grant Street" is unaware of the problems that occurred in August 2005, regarding the discharge of toxic odors/dark clouds across Eureka. The air quality office received over 100 complaints on one occasion. He also must have been oblivious to the numerous "breakdowns" that occurred in August 2005. It is difficult to believe that he was unaware of EPA actions and of citizen law suits that have been filed against the mill - or that over 2,000 citizens signed a petition against Evergreen's pollution during the time they operated the mill. (We organized then, we can do it again). But I think he is aware of the air pollution but can not admit it because he has an economic interest and is willing to accept the health risks for himself. Those of us without an economic interest in the mill will not accept the further damage to our health. I agree with Miranda, now is the time to work for a green economy that will protect our families' health and the environment.
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Bob Simpson
8/9/2010 12:06:12 am
Part of determining whether an event occurred is to gather information, analyze each piece as evidence, and determine whether the information is fact or fiction.
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bolo
8/9/2010 04:40:32 am
Simpson, it is so good to hear that Evergreen has records to consult. Maybe we can subpeona them. You gave an interview last year when you said that Tsang had removed all the records, didn't you?
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Bob Simpson
8/9/2010 05:08:18 am
All industrial plants with NPDES permits or Title V air permits are required to keep environmental records. You are welcome to seek a subpoena though. Of course that would require a lawsuit against Evergreen, and given their unknown status, I don't think that would be the best use of your time or money.
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Cricket
8/9/2010 06:36:49 am
Mr. Simpson,
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Frank
8/9/2010 06:47:59 am
Speaking of the August 2005 breakdown emission, I also remember this and I have some journal notes concerning it. In fact, I was standing in front of the County Courthouse with a group protesting Evergreen when I first became aware of the event. But, I wanted to make a contribution to this blog on another subject. It is my understanding that Robert Simpson was General Manager for Louisiana Pacific, following Joe Wheeler, in the mid 1990s when L-P Western Division went belly up under massive environmental fines. I've also heard that Bob had hopes of taking Harry Merlo's vacated position at the time and was turned down by the L-P Board. I think it's also the case that Bob Simpson's father, Lee Simpson, was a long time L-P director or official. I can't help wondering - since "T.P." feels free to speculate about personal motivations - if a part of Bob's motivation in trying to revive the Samoa dragon isn't to make good in the eyes of the father?
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T.P Wypins
8/9/2010 06:55:59 am
To Mr Simpson
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Cricket
8/9/2010 07:17:41 am
I checked my records and the date was August 4, 2005 and the time was approximately 5:30PM.
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Patrick
8/9/2010 07:40:53 am
I've been following the discussion of the August 2005 event with interest. Let me share my own observations and the result of my research. Let me say, however, regarding T.P. Wypins' "Stinks like hell" comment -- again, odor and plume color per se are not what's at issue, it's emission toxcity; in this case an unusually strong TRS emission. First from my journal. August 4, 2005, 5:30PM-- "Unusually strong TRS odor near Court House. Walked west, odors get stronger;congestion in throat, dizziness, nausea. 6:30 PM, observation from 6th and C St.: Sky suddenly dark to west obscurring sun, sky light blue to east, vivid contrast.Fog gathering over Bay. 7:00 PM, 7th & Broadway fog over Bay totally obscures mill, intense TRS odor. 8:30PM, 7th & Broadway, TRS odor mostly gone." Now to continue with my journal: "8-5-05, phoned Jason Davis (acting APCO at air qualigy office). Davis said he received enough complaints yesterday to cause him to declare yesterday's emission a "public nuisance" and that Evergreen will be required to respond." End of journal entry. I tried for some time to get official documents concerning the August 4 event but with no success. Finally, on May 30, 2007 I received a response from the NCUAQUMD in response to a public information request saying that I could come in and look at all records relating to accidental toxic air emissions in August 2005, emission reports and breakdown reports. Records concerning fines and fees assessed, legal actions taken, and court documents were not subject to public disclosure at that time due to a pending enforcement action. Among other documents I have a recovery boiler 24 hour emission concentration summary for 8-4-05. In other words, the event did happen and I have actual hour by hour emission readings from Evergreen documenting what took place. Basically this was a shutdown due to temporary lack of chips, as best I understand.
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Bob Simpson
8/9/2010 08:18:56 am
Thank you for the information. We will search through Aug. 2005 environmental files.
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chuckles
8/9/2010 01:30:23 pm
You mean the water treatment plant that you haven't built yet? That one?
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Bob Simpson
8/9/2010 11:49:11 pm
That's worth a chuckle! Yes. The one we haven't constructed.
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T.P.Wypins
8/10/2010 01:48:47 am
Chuckles ! Yes, thats what this blog is worth , chuckles. We explane stink, They insist toxic death with every breath . Yes, chuckles,,,,,
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8/10/2010 04:55:39 am
Once again, I will quote the EPA on Freshwater/Samoa Pulp Mill.
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T.P.W
8/10/2010 05:40:27 am
West;
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T.P.W
8/10/2010 05:42:39 am
Sorry that was July 15 of 2010,,,,,,
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8/10/2010 05:56:24 am
Once again, the State Water Board did not vote to allow the Freshwater Tissue Co. to start up. It was the North Coast Regional Water Board. The State Board now has an appeal of this decision. We will see what they will do.
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T.P.W
8/10/2010 06:19:04 am
Semantics,,,,,,,,Its all EPA,,,,
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Frank
8/10/2010 01:39:14 pm
My appreciation to Mr. Simpson for being upfront about the L-P heritage. I also acknowledge that the change to non chlorine bleaching was a significant advance--although I think too much emphasis on it tends to obscure Louisiana Pacific Northwest's serious environmental problems in the 1990s. Furthermore I don't think your skunk odor analogy is honest. As various opponents of the mill on this blog keep trying to explain, the problem with pulp mill air pollution is not odor per se but a tendency for chronic low level toxic air contamination in the near environment--with or without odor. This is a well attested scientific fact and trying to deny it is on the level denying evolution or man made climate change. As you explain, this is where the pollution control system is crucial. One of the primary reasons I am skeptical about pulp mills and environmental safety is because the efficency of these systems tend to vary with changes in management and economic conditions.
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T.P.W
8/10/2010 02:12:52 pm
Frank'
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Bob Simpson
8/11/2010 03:45:50 am
We are very confident the State will uphold the North Coast Regional Board's decision. But time will tell.
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8/11/2010 09:54:19 am
May 19, 2010 the E.P.A. sent a letter to Mr. Simpson that said, "This letter identifies potential compliance issues related to the Clean Air Act ("Act") National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants...for the pulp and paper industry...The Environmental Protection Agency...discovered these compliance issues during a January 2008 inspection conducted by EPA's National
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Plaintruth
8/11/2010 10:22:15 am
"Prior to the restart, EPA expects that ODS (Oxygen Delignification System) controls will be operational and in compliance..."
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8/11/2010 11:49:55 am
I am looking at the EPA letter. It is dated May 19, 2010. The E.P.A. is requiring these updates before they can open. According to the North Coast Regional Air Quality Management District, these updates have not been done.
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Plaintruth
8/11/2010 12:43:28 pm
As I said . They are not yet in-line because the mill shut down. The equipment was installed in our last maintenance of 08.
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Bob Simpson
8/11/2010 01:32:32 pm
Carol,
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8/12/2010 04:30:27 am
A response to their letter does not mean clean air. No one believes that starting up this mill is not going to make our air smellier and more toxic. A kraft pulp mill even at its best is toxic. Unfortunately, this mill is not at its best. It is old and has frequent breakdowns. You can call a turnip a rose, but it will still be a turnip.
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T.P.W
8/12/2010 07:57:38 am
Hey thats that Rose is a Rose qoute;
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Steve
8/12/2010 01:58:57 pm
Ok, Bob,
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Bob Simpson
8/12/2010 11:34:24 pm
Carol,
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8/13/2010 03:02:15 am
According to the North Coast Regional Air Quality Management District, they have received nothing from Freshwater Tissue Co. since the letter from the E.P.A. dated May 19, 2010. Apparently, it is not so clear that the updates have been done.
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T.P.W
8/13/2010 03:49:17 am
Is it true that you "Carol" has only lived here for few years give or take.
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Cricket
8/13/2010 06:23:58 am
Why the personal attacks on Carol? There are many of us in west Eureka who are concerned with the mill and the air quality issue. We have done a lot of research over the last six years and we also have our own personal experience. But T.P. and Mr. Simpson prefer to use the same old propaganda & arguments and pretend we are naive-- don't know the difference between a bad smell and TRS, the particulars of a kraft pulp mill, etc. Probably you will never honestly discuss the issue of the air quality, and probably there is no use in arguing with you. However we use this blog to communicate quickly with one another and you are free, of course, to post what you wish but it is petty for you to attack Carol, as if she were the only one concerned about the pulp mill.
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Bob Simpson
8/13/2010 06:49:22 pm
Carol elected to start a blog to continue the spread of pulp fiction. She isn't being challenged on the accuracy of the information.
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Bob Simpson
8/13/2010 06:54:38 pm
Sorry for my typing error in the first paragraph of my preceding blog. I meant to say "She is being challenged on the accuracy of her information." It was late!
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8/14/2010 03:59:25 am
Regarding the accuracy of our information, this is why we often quote from government documents. That way there can be no question. Anyone can go to the source of the documents and check our information
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Frank
8/14/2010 07:33:20 am
I don't know if Cricket would take you up on your invitation to bring research information to the mill or not. I know I wouldn't. Anything I have, I'll save for the courts if I have an opportunity. No, the Samoa mill isn't a "dinosaur" because the facility was built in 1965. It's a dinosaur because the economics for it are extinct.
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T.P.W
8/14/2010 11:02:01 am
Cricket;
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AuthorWe live here in West Eureka have been victims of Evergreen Pulp's pollution. Now Freshwater Pulp wants to start it up again. We would like to know your thoughts and experiences with this. Now that Freshwater is not going to reopen, we are concerned about the massive quantity of contaminants that have been dumped on the site. These sites usually leak into adjacent areas and people live 750 yards from the point of maximum impact, the most polluted point, a Hot spot. We are also concerned that the Marina center site be properly cleaned up and will continue to discuss other local issues here. However, we will not let the mill issue rest until we actually see the smokestacks go down and the site is cleaned up. Archives
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