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Department of Ecology News Release - December 31, 2007
07-381
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has been given the green-light to move ahead with plans to amend an air permit the agency issued at the beginning of 2007.
The state Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) has dismissed a citizen appeal of the Port Townsend Paper Corp air operating permit, instead turning the permit back to Ecology for amendments.
Earlier this month, Ecology announced plans to reopen and amend the permit based on a recent review by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ecology determined that it made sense to await a PCHB decision and make any and all changes in one step. The PCHB action now clears the path for Ecology to pursue those changes sooner.
Here’s a link to a Dec. 20, 2007, news release, describing the changes to the
permit:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2007news/2007-374.html
“We look forward to working with Port Townsend Paper, the EPA as well as members of the community to issue a permit that meets state and federal emissions requirements and hopefully incorporates the concerns of the residents,” said Carol Kraege, head of Ecology’s Industrial Section, which oversees permits for Washington’s pulp-and-paper industry.
Ecology's goal is to time its permit amendments to coincide with the results of a health consultation being conducted by the state Department of Health. That report is nearing completion. If Health recommends specific improvements to the current air quality monitoring of the mill’s emissions, Ecology will work to incorporate those suggestions as appropriate into an order to accompany the permit.
Ecology will work with EPA to ensure the federal agency’s recommendations are fully addressed in the amended permit.
Members of the public will also be invited to comment on the new draft permit once written and available for review.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, Ecology media relations, 360-791-9830
For more information about air operating permits: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0707050.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
