Proposed GP Pipeline to Dump into St Johns River

The following is an exerpt from a Riverkeeper email on July 7, 2011:

St. Johns Riverkeeper is hosting a public forum regarding the proposed pipeline by Georgia-Pacific to divert its polluted wastewater into the St. Johns River.

This is your chance to learn more about this issue, ask questions, and find out what you can do.  I will provide a presentation about the proposed pipeline and our concerns.  We will be joined by Dr. Bob Hayes, a chemical engineer, hired by St. Johns Riverkeeper to do a peer review of the GP study that has been used to justify the pipeline. 

What:    Georgia-Pacific Pipeline Public Forum

When:    Thursday, July 14  6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where:  Wyndham Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel
               1515 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville 32207

As we reported in our last e-mail update, we are still working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff to get answers to important questions regarding the sources of pollution at the Georgia-Pacific (GP) paper mill in Palatka.  Until the sources of GP's pollution are identified and fully understood, it is not feasible to identify the best solution(s) to fix the problems, and that includes the pipeline. 

We based our questions on the reports of two experts - Dr. Bob Hayes, hired to do the peer review, and the other a highly-regarded chemist, Dr. Lucinda Sonnenberg, hired by DEP to provide technical expertise needed to help them evaluate the GP permit. 

Hayes found significant technical errors in the GP study and recommends a comprehensive chemical engineering study of the mill and its entire waste stream.  He uses a MRI analogy, suggesting that a doctor often needs an MRI to know what is going on inside the body to better understand the source of the ailment before prescribing a treatment. 

Hayes has over 50 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, and has identified and worked on numerous mills that have solved their wastewater pollution problems with a variety of alternative strategies.   So, we know there are alternatives that have worked and could work for GP.  However, until the "MRI" is done, it is not feasible to select the best option for GP.   

Dr. Hayes and Dr. Sonnenberg both independently came to the same conclusion.  They both concur that more information is needed to thoroughly understand and pinpoint the sources of GP's pollution problems and to sufficiently identify and evaluate all of the alternatives to the pipeline that may exist.  

In the meantime, please make sure that you have signed the petition to Governor Scott and Secretary Vinyard opposing the Georgia-Pacific pipeline at www.ClearnerGP.com.  Better yet, make a phone call or send a personal letter or e-mail.  You can find contact information on the Cleaner GP website. Also, consider sending a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. 

You can learn more about this and other issues by frequently visiting the St.Johns Riverkeeper website and by becoming a Facebook fan.  Please, stay informed and  remain involved. 

With your help, we are confident that a solution can be found that resolves GP's pollution problems and keeps jobs in Palatka, without the need for a pipeline.

 
We hope to see you at the forum next Thursday, July 14th.

For the River,
Your St. Johns Riverkeeper