FAQ
What is the plan?
Georgia-Pacific will invest nearly $65 million dollars in manufacturing improvements at the facility to significantly reduce groundwater consumption and effluent loading into Rice Creek. Almost half of the improvements at the mill exceed requirements currently mandated by state and federal law. This is in addition to the more than $100 million the mill has invested in environmental improvement projects during the last four years.
How will groundwater consumption be reduced?
Georgia-Pacific will invest more than $5 million to construct a 90 million gallon storage basin, enough water to operate the mill for 3 1/2 days, that will further reduce the mill's groundwater consumption.
How will effluent loading be reduced?
Georgia-Pacific has invested more than $100 million on environmental improvement projects at the Palatka Operations, which have made significant improvement to our wastewater. A number of these improvements and future investments in environmental technologies go beyond those required by federal and state law. The wastewater permit requires an additional $65 million for process improvements that include:
- installation of an enhanced (i.e. two stage) oxygen delignification system;
- replacement of existing brownstock washing lines with new brownstock washing systems;
- installation of a specialized chemical recovery filter to improve chemical recycling and reuse;
- installation of equipment to minimize leaks and spills;
What are the projected reductions in effluent loading into Rice Creek?
How much will the manufacturing improvements cost?
Georgia-Pacific has already spent over $100 million in capital expenditures to go beyond federal requirements and replace two older bleach lines with one advanced, low-impact system.
Georgia-Pacific has agreed to spend an additional $65 million in capital expenditures for environmental improvements which are not required by federal and state law.
What is the timeline for the plan?
As part of the agreement, Georgia-Pacific will be implementing the proposed technology during the next six years. After all environmental improvements are complete, the mill will be given one year to optimize new or improved production processes, which will be followed by a one-year monitoring period of water quality standards in Rice Creek.
How were the improvements determined?
Experts from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia-Pacific worked to develop the proposed manufacturing improvements.
Other technologies, including closed loop and zero discharge technology, were considered but are not technologically feasible or commercially available for this type of mill. The technology proposed in the permit represents the best technology in commercial use in the world today.
Why can't the mill have a zero discharge or recycle all of its wastewater?
The option of implementing closed-loop technology simply is not feasible for a fully integrated bleached Kraft facility like Palatka. In fact, there isn't a single bleached Kraft mill anywhere in the world using a complete closed-loop system. Georgia-Pacific already does recycle to the extent we can. Nevertheless, our mill's environmental improvement plans will result in additional water recycling and a significant reduction in water usage over the next several years. It is important to keep in mind that the water we can't recycle is treated and must meet state water quality standards before it can be discharged, which is the reason we are implementing the costly equipment and process changes we are discussing.
What additional benefits will result from the plan?
The plan protects the jobs of 2400 employees who rely on the timber industry in Putnam County for their livelihood.
Will the public have an opportunity to comment?
The public had an extensive opportunity to comment formally in late February and early March of 2001. Georgia-Pacific believes that environmental excellence means continuing to have open and constructive discussions with our neighbors and employees regarding our environmental performance. We welcome the opportunity to hear any comments or concerns the public may have regarding our permit. The petitioners were the only citizens to file an objection to the permit application.
Does Georgia-Pacific believe a pipeline will still be necessary after this new technology is implemented at the mill?
Our main objective is to be in compliance with future water quality standards in Rice Creek and the St. Johns River. This package of improvements represents our best effort to implement the best available technology and the Florida DEP believes it will meet future water quality standards. If these improvements don't succeed in meeting water quality standards, we need an option to help us do so.
Why did it take Georgia-Pacific so long to reach an agreement on its wastewater permit with Florida DEP?
The agreement was reached after Florida DEP and a technical team from EPA thoroughly reviewed current mill operations and environmental controls, and analyzed the company's proposals for environmental improvements. We agreed to and participated in this review in order to fully address the issue of our discharge. This review was thorough, involving investigations of technologies and practices both here and abroad, and accordingly it took time to research and address each issue. All parties acted as quickly as possible given the complexity and uncertainties surrounding these issues.
During these discussions Georgia-Pacific has not been idle, but rather, has moved forward with more than $100 million in environmental improvements. We traveled across the region seeking input from citizens regarding our planned improvements. We heard the public's concerns and are pleased to commit to this package of improvements.
What is the mill's track record for environmental performance?
Everyone's goal is environmental protection. We have been investing in and improving our operation for the past several years. We've reduced water usage by 30 percent over the past four years. The mill has had no NPDES permit violations for more than a year.
What is the overall economic impact of the Palatka Operations on Putnam County and the surrounding area?
The Palatka Operations employs nearly 1,250 people from Putnam, Clay, St. Johns, and Alachua counties. The payroll exceeds $86 million each year. The mill has a $300 million operating budget. The mill spends over $13 million each year in Putnam County alone and pays more than $3 million in local taxes.
Provide some examples of Georgia-Pacific's efforts to reach out to the Putnam County community.
We realize that our success is closely tied to that of our community. We must participate in activities that foster local economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Palatka. The list of organizations that have felt the impact of Georgia-Pacific is lengthy. Employee volunteers support the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Putnam County District Schools, Putnam County Humane Society, The ARC, Rodeheaver Boys' Ranch, Girl and Boy Scouts and Putnam Community Blood Bank to name a few. These organizations, along with many others, benefited from fund-raising efforts or direct contributions totaling more than $150,000 during the past year.
What efforts has Georgia-Pacific made to keep the public informed about mill process changes or environmental improvement projects?
The mill offers environmental education tours for schools and civic organizations to foster a better understanding of how GP is doing its part to protect the environment and the community. Visitors are able to tour the mill's Kraft and tissue paper making operations to get an 'up close' look at how we acquire and use resources, treat and dispose of wastes, and prevent impacts on the environment. We must earn our right to operate in this community. And giving the public a chance to come see the manufacturing process is an excellent way to foster a positive working relationship.
An extension of the mill's community outreach efforts is the Community Advisory Council or CAC. The CAC is made up of 18 community leaders who volunteer their time to discuss issues with mill management every two months. CAC members hear detailed presentations about mill activities, and they offer feedback to management. The open and honest atmosphere of the CAC provides an excellent sounding board for mill management and offers a forum for addressing issues that concern the community.
Provide general facts about GP's operations in Florida
- In Florida, Georgia-Pacific operates eight manufacturing facilities, five building products distribution centers and 19 paper distribution centers.
- GP's Florida operations generate about $144 million in taxable wages each year.
- More than 6,000 employees work for GP in the state.