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P.O. Box 2642 | Darien, GA 31305 | Tel 912-437-8164 | FAX 912-437-8765 | |
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P.O. Box 2642 | Darien, GA 31305 | Tel 912-437-8164 | FAX 912-437-8765 | |
| Home | About Us | River News | Wildlife | Advocacy | Education | Events & Meetings | Resources | Links | Newsletters | ||
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Area fishermen say fish caught near Rayonier stink and are inedible.Altamaha Riverkeeper Concerned that Rayonier May be Delaying Pollution Reduction — AgainJuly 13, 2011 The Rayonier Mill in Jesup is requesting changes that could delay or lessen a previously ordered cleanup of the pollutants in their effluent into the Altamaha River. On June 11, 2011, Rayonier requested permission from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to revise its previously issued Order requiring installation of color reducing technology to accommodate a change in its product lines. The Altamaha Riverkeeper’s consultants say the new wastewater treatment process that Rayonier is proposing is likely to be more polluting than the one they are using now because it is an unproven color removal technology (chemical treatment) instead of proven technology such as oxygen delignification. Consultants also say they doubt that Rayonier will be able to meet the timetable in the original consent order and that the proposed wastewater treatment process will add more chemicals to the mill’s effluent causing a worse taste in fish. Many citizens feel that Rayonier has had enough time to clean up its discharge into the river. For years boaters, hunters, and fishermen have complained about Rayonier’s discharge of over 50 million gallons daily of highly colored, foul smelling wastewater into the Altamaha River from its two discharge pipes just below Jesup. People who recreate in the area report sandbars are stained brown by the discharge color and that an obnoxious odor permeates the air for miles- all the way to the Altamaha Delta. Fishermen report they think they are catching good fish in the area, only to find when they return home and begin to clean them that the fish reek of the nauseous smells of Rayonier. Altamaha Riverkeeper’s Executive Director, Deborah Sheppard says, “Our River, its communities, and citizens need corrective action now by the EPD to make our river healthy. In 2008, the EPD approved and amended Rayonier’s consent order allowing the company 10 years to clean up half the color pollution. Three years later, our monitoring and field observations don’t show any improvement and the proposed amendment will create even further delays and more pollution.” On July 20, ARK is submitting comments asking EPD to reject Rayonier’s request for a Consent Order Amendment and to insist they require more stringent environmental controls immediately at the Rayonier facility. If you care about the Altamaha River, please send your written comments to the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) before July 20th 2011. Thousands of area citizens along the Altamaha River depend on the river for recreation and as a food source. The River is also an economic stimulus to the many scenic towns along the 137 mile corridor and Rayonier’s discolored and smelly discharge is a detriment to these communities, its citizens, and our visitors. Help the citizens of the Altamaha River Watershed demand that EPD protect “Georgia’s Mightiest River” now. Citizens have been waiting for years for Rayonier to clean up its polluting effluent into our river. According to Rayonier’s Annual Report, they are making millions and can well afford it. Excerpts from Rayonier 2010 ANNUAL REPORT (Scroll down to page 2) https://www.rayonier.com/Documents/2010-annual-report.aspx “We executed our strategies well in 2010, targeting opportunities that increased pro forma earnings 52 percent to 182 million and generated strong operating cash of 495 million.” Please ask EPD to take action now to require that Rayonier clean up their polluting effluent in the Altamaha River and to not allow any more delays or the installation of unproven technology. Address correspondence to: Mr. Bruce Foisy, Acting Manager, Coastal District Office Environmental Protection Division 400 Commerce Center Dr. Brunswick, GA 31523 On line comments are not accepted.
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WSAV TV news story: Rayonier Discharge Makes Dirty Dozen Rivers List
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