Paper prices are going up. Vendors of cardboard boxes recently implemented a 10-12% rate hike, and there is talk about another hike in April. Smurfit-Stone, the largest producer of cardboard packaging materials in North America, filed for bankruptcy last year.
Now, Evergreen Packaging, in Canton, cannot afford a permit to continue operating. The problem is, the EPA does not approve of the water color of the Pigeon River near the plant. It’s the old, “We don’t know what the thresholds are, but whatever they are, you’re out of compliance,” routine. It is argued the tea-colored water is not conducive to aquatic biodiversity and rafting.
The agency doesn’t believe the color limits in the draft permit capture the mill’s current performance or give the company an incentive to improve its color output, said Davina Marraccini, a spokeswoman for EPA’s Region 4.
Plant officials argue maximum teainess is neither specified nor scientifically-derived. At stake are 1000 jobs.
