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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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The dark coloration in the river is the discharge from Rayonier, which discharges more than 50 million gallons of colored wastewater into the Altamaha. |
According to consultants with the Altamaha Riverkeeper, the new wastewater treatment process that Rayonier is proposing is likely to do more polluting than the one they are using now, due to it using an unproven color removal technology (chemical treatment) instead of proven technology, such as oxygen delignification. Sheppard said, “Consultants also say they doubt the Rayonier will be able to meet the timetable in the original consent order and that the proposed wastewater treatment process will add more chemi- cals to the mill’s effluent, causing a worse taste in fish. |
“For years, boaters, hunters and fisherman have complained about Rayonier’s discharge of over 50 million gallons daily of highly colored, foul smelling wastewater in the Altamaha River from its two discharge pipes just below Jesup,” she said. “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.
“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, Altamaha Riverkeeper was submitting comments asking the EPD to deny Rayonier’s request for a consent order amendment and to insist they require more stringent environmental controls immediately at the Rayonier facility.
WSAV TV news story: Rayonier Discharge Makes Dirty Dozen Rivers List
Rayonier Discharge Makes Dirty Dozen Rivers List
Rayonier acknowledges waste issues
Twelve Rivers Make 'Dirty' List
Altamaha named 2nd-most damaged GA waterway
Rayonier Pulp Mill Discharge Destroys Fisheries - Georgia Water Coalition's Dirty Dozen Report (pdf)
ARK Comments to EPD on Consent Order Amendment
Altamaha Riverkeeper concerned about Rayonier’s request to revise cleanup order
Rayonier Discharge continues to Pollute Altamaha
Your Comments to EPD needed by July 20
Altamaha River must be protected
Altamaha Riverkeeper objecting to Rayonier's plans to change its method of cleaning up discharges
Area fishermen say fish caught near Rayonier stink and are inedible.
Barton: What reeks about rivers
Rayonier Stink Affects Fish, Residents,
Tourists, and Tourism Dollar
Rayonier to cut smelly discharges into Altamaha
River near Jesup
Rayonier's Request for Amending 2008 Consent Order
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