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Consultant says DEP draft permit includes daily discharge cap; county alerted to recent 115,000-gallon spill
Summary
Consultant Chad Copton told commissioners the DEP draft permit for the mill now contains a 12-million-gallon daily discharge cap and that DEP engaged two external experts. Copton also reported a Feb. 24 industrial spill of about 115,000 gallons into the river; DEP has proposed a consent-order fine of roughly $13,000.
Taylor County consultants and staff briefed the board April 21 on the DEP draft permit and related public meeting scheduled for Thursday. Chad Copton, representing Copton Associates, summarized recent changes in the draft and urged public attendance.
Copton said the draft permit now includes a cap limiting discharge to 12 million gallons in a single day and provides an option to discharge back to Peterson's Landing if property/easement issues are resolved. He said DEP has engaged two outside experts (a hydrogeologist and a biologist) to participate in the public meeting and answer technical questions.
Copton also notified commissioners about an industrial-wastewater spill on Feb. 24 that the consultant said involved about 115,000 gallons released into the river at the Credit Union Bridge; he said county staff only became aware of the full report recently. Copton said DEP has proposed a consent-order fine of roughly $13,000 and urged improved, timely communication between the permittee and county staff.
He encouraged commissioners to attend the DEP public meeting (4p.m. to 7p.m. at Mars Capital Hall), noted written comments will be accepted through the 30th, and said he will prepare draft county comments for the board after the meeting.
