And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 17:20:03 -0600 From: Billy Stern <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: 120 Groups Ask EPA For Moratorium on Chlorine Use in New Paper Mills Press Release: Embargo until 1PM EDT April 15, 1999 Over 120 Groups Ask The US Environmental Protection Agency For A Moratorium on Chlorine Use in New Paper Mills Contact: Therese Vick North Carolinians Acting For The Environment (NC ACT) (252) 539-2728 Billy Stern Native Forest Network (NFN) (406) 542-7243, [EMAIL PROTECTED] David Jenkins American Canoe Association (ACA) 703-451-0141 Rick Hind Greenpeace (202) 319-2445 MISSOULA (MT) - Today over 120 groups from around the country and around the world called on the EPA to place a moratorium on water and air pollution permits for new pulp and paper mills planing to use chlorine-based bleaching. In a letter to Carol Browner, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the groups note that the rules for permitting many types of new mills are outdated. While the EPA is in the process of developing new rules for secondary fiber (recycling) and various other types of pulp mills, the letter asks that no new mills planning to use chlorine or chlorine derivatives for bleaching be permitted. "The EPA would be failing in its responcibility if it allows new mills to use outdated technologies," said Billy Stern, Pulp and Paper Strategist of the Native Forest Network. "The more the paper industry is allowed to invest in these technologies, the more resistant they will be to the EPA's efforts to tighten regulations." The letter also notes that the risk of creating more persistent bioaccumulative chemicals in chlorine-based bleaching processes is too great, considering that effective and economical bleaching alternatives already exist. Recent studies have noted that the average dioxin level in human fatty tissue is at the point that it can cause cancer, immune disorders, and birth defects. These newer bleaching techniques, based on hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and oxygen, have been developed by the industry over the last twenty years, and are increasingly being used by environmentally responsible companies. These new processes will ultimately allow the pulp and paper industry to approach zero discharge of pollution while at the same time reducing costs. The letter to the EPA started as a result of a controversy over the permit request by Wisconsin Tissue Mills, Inc., of Menasha Wisconsin. Wisconsin Tissue proposed to locate a new mill in Halifax County, North Carolina and revealed their plans to use a chlorine derivative, sodium hypochlorite, to bleach recycled pulp. The mill would be located adjacent to the Roanoke River, discharging chloroform and other chlorine chemicals into one of the most important spawning areas in the state. Striped Bass fisheries in the river have recently been restored to health through millions of taxpayer dollars and tight fishing restrictions. "Our community is unprotected by the lack of more stringent regulation," stated Therese Vick, NC ACT member. "Wisconsin Tissue will be permitted under old standards that may not be protective of public health and the environment. We have tried to convince Wisconsin Tissue to choose a cleaner, safer alternative, to no avail. Eastern North Carolina is again in the sights of polluting industry. We don't want this to happen to any other community." Acting in conjunction, North Carolinians Acting For The Environment and Native Forest Network wrote and distributed the letter, getting widespread support from other social and environmental groups. Groups calling for the moratorium included American Canoe Association, the Environmental Defense Fund, Greenpeace, Health Care Without Harm, the Indigenous Environmental Network and USPIRG. "The EPA needs to step up in its responsibility to uphold the Clean Water Act's goal of zero discharge by making the pulp and paper industry invest in the most advanced technologies that achieve this goal. Using chlorine chemicals to bleach toilet paper is outdated, unhealthy and absurd," said Laurie Valeriano, Policy Analyst for the Washington State based group, the Washington Toxics Coalition. "The EPA has got to take a strong stand and discourage new mills from using these obsolete technologies." "I'm betting on an end to the use of chlorine in the pulp and paper industry within ten years," added Billy Stern of the Native Forest Network. A complete list of the groups signing the letter is available upon request. -30- Billy Stern Pulp and Paper Strategist Native Forest Network Western North American Clearinghouse Box 8251 Missoula, MT 59807 Ph: 406-542-7343 Fax: 406-542-7347 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.nativeforest.org http://www.nfn.org.au -NFN Southern Hemisphere &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
