Pollution UpDate 04.10.98
J. Turner
Raymond Proffitt Foundation
Pollution UpDate
10 April 98
"Pollution UpDate" is a publication dedicated to the
reporting of timely environmental news. Environmental
activists with story ideas or comments can e-mail
gat...@rayproffitt.org. I'd like to thank the readers
of Pollution UpDate for their comments and suggestions,
and DEP for giving us plenty to write about.
Joe Turner, Editor
***
SEND COMMENTS TO PA DEP ON CONTINUED POLLUTION OF CODORUS
CREEK
The public comment period is open on the discharge
permit Pennsylvania DEP has prepared for the PH
Glatfelter paper mill in Spring Grove, York County.
DEP's draft permit will allow continued pollution of
Codorus Creek, despite hundreds of comments asking DEP
to make Glatfelter obey the same laws everyone else
does.
There are ways in which the permit is just as bad as
last year's draft permit, and some ways in which it is
worse. Specifically:
Glatfelter is permitted to discharge dioxin and
related toxic chemicals without having to even
monitor the dioxin levels of fish. Fish with
dioxin is harmful to humans and wildlife that eat
the fish.
Codorus Creek is stained from the discharge, and
there is no provision that Glatfelter meet the
water quality criterion for color. The permit
allows pollution of our waters. Glatfelter has
been "studying" color for 9 years, and this
permit allows them to keep "studying" it while
doing nothing else about it.
Glatfelter's effluent heats up Codorus Creek so
much that the aquatic life is harmed. They must do
yet another study of temperature, although DEP's
information says that their effluent is too hot.
DEP's solution to Glatfelter's pollution is more
dilution. DEP is requiring Glatfelter to release
more water from Lake Marburg without considering
the effects on Lake Marburg State Park. Is it good
public policy to allow more dilution rather than
follow the rules the rest of us live by?
See the sample letter below. Send comments to Ms. Susan
Frank, Pa. D.E.P. , One Ararat Blvd., Harriisburg, Pa.
17110 by May 14, 1998. There will be a public meeting
on April 23rd. at the North Codorus Fire House. Call
Ms. Frank or her secretary Ms. Mary Ann Fisher at 1-717-
541-7969 by April 17, 1998 if you want to speak at the
public meeting.
*****************
PA DEP
Ms. Susan Frank
One Ararat Blvd.
Harrisburg, Pa. 17110
Dear Ms. Frank:
I must register my disappointment at the draft permit
issued by DEP to the PH Glatfelter Company of Spring
Grove, York County. The permit will sanction the
continued pollution of Codorus Creek.
DEP is allowing Glatfelter to discharge dioxin and
related toxic chemicals without having to even monitor
the dioxin levels of fish. Fish with dioxin is harmful
to humans and wildlife that eat the fish. Glatfelter
should be required to monitor fish or stop producing and
discharging dioxin.
Codorus Creek is stained from the discharge, and there
is no provision that Glatfelter meet the water quality
criterion for color. The permit allows color pollution
of our waters, diminishing private property values and
rendering downstream communities less desirable in which
to live. Glatfelter has been "studying" color for 9
years, and this permit allows them to keep "studying" it
while doing nothing else about it.
If Glatfelter would switch to an ozone bleaching system
and recycle more water, they could stop discharging
dioxin and color. If DEP would enforce the water
quality standards that everyone else has to live by,
maybe Glatfelter would get the message and make the
switch. As long as DEP allows pollution, Glatfelter
will pollute.
Glatfelter's effluent heats up Codorus Creek so much
that the aquatic life is harmed. Enforce the water
quality standards. The stream has been studied enough.
The solution to Glatfelter's pollution is NOT more
dilution. DEP is requiring Glatfelter to release more
water from Lake Marburg without considering the effects
on Lake Marburg State Park. What do the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources and the Fish and Boat
Commission think of that? Has DEP bothered to ask?
Another year has passed and DEP has not gotten the
message: Stop worrying about Glatfelter. They are not
your customer. The downstream communities are. They
need Glatfelter to have a permit that obeys the spirit
and letter of Clean Water Act. This permit does not cut
it.
Sincerely,
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