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01.29.08

GEORGIA PACIFIC UPDATE

On Jan 22, Surfrider's Environmental Issues Team (EIT) met with staff from the Oregon Deparment of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to discuss the agency's reconsideration of the NPDES wastewater permit for the Georgia Pacific Pulp Mill in Toledo. The four hour meeting was a follow-up to DEQ's acceptance of Surfrider Central Coast Chapter's 2006 petition to formally reconsider the terms (e.g., monitoring requirements, effluent standards, etc.) of the GP permit. DEQ declined to provide a specific date for completing the permit reconsideration, but emphasized it is a 'high priority' to get it done. DEQ agreed with Surfrider's argument that Marion County landfill leachate is not an appropriate waste stream under this permit, and indicated that their reconsideration document will reflect this (good news!!) Unfortunately, agreement on many of the other issues was harder to come by. Still, DEQ staff indicated their willingness to consider science-based resources provided by Surfrider in the reconsideration process. We are currently working to develop several memos, including recommendations for additional monitoring. The Georgia Pacific mill releases an average of 11 million gallons a day of treated wastewater through an ocean outfall located 3,800 feet off Nye Beach in Newport.