News
By George Miller, 9-14-22
Rayonier Performance Fibers has applied for a permit to dump over 26 million gallons a day of “non-process wastewater, process wastewater and storm water” into the Amelia River and also “secondary wastewater treatment solids and boiler ash to the Yulee Active Sludge Management Site.” We contacted the company and were told that this is a renewal of an existing permit which has been in place for decades. They sent us a written statement for publication as well. The applicant is listed as Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC and the statement came from Rayonier Advanced Fibers. There is a hearing on this October 6 (see below).
Company Statement
We contacted the company about this and received the following statement, which we publish in its entirety:
“RYAM is simply renewing an existing permit (one that’s been in place for decades), which is a normal part of the regulatory process. The renewal does not change the volume or content of treated water. FDEP has determined that we continue to meet all state and federal regulations, which protect both water quality and the health of the Amelia River. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must also review and approve the permit before it is finalized.”
– Ryan Houck, Rayonier Advanced Materials
We received this email via a local activist:
“FDEP ALERT. There’s a meeting coming up at FSCJ October 6, 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nassau Center Campus that people may have questions about.
Rayonier is requesting to dump 26.31 MGD of non-process wastewater, process wastewater, and stormwater in the Amelia River. Who knows about water quality? And how this will affect water quality of the river?
Rayonier will also be dumping or continuing to dump fly ash in Yulee. Fly ash is heavily contaminated and causes cancer and premature mortality. Seems like someone living near such a site would like to know….”
They also included the state’s bulletin:
Florida State Notice
From: <[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])>
Date: Mon, Aug 22, 2022, 12:18 AM
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Subject: The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its preparation of a draft permit and intent to conduct a public meeting regarding the permit application of Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC, Mr. Mark J. Homans, Post Office Box 2002, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034 for renewal NPDES permitting to operate the Rayonier Fernandina Dissolving Sulfite Pulp Mill – Sludge Management Site.
This permit authorizes the permittee to operate a 26.31 MGD maximum daily flow of non-process wastewater, process wastewater, and stormwater to Amelia River; and land apply of secondary wastewater treatment solids and boiler ash to the Yulee Active Sludge Management Site.
The facility is located at latitude 30 degrees 39′ 45.12″ North, longitude 81 degrees 28′ 12.23″ West on 10 Gum Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034-4285 in Nassau County.
The Department has assigned permit file number FL0000701-012-IW1S to the proposed project. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions of Department staff and submit comments to consider for the Department’s proposed permitting decision.
Date/Time: October 6, 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Florida State College Jacksonville (FSCJ), Nassau Center Campus, Lewis “Red” Bean Nassau Technical Career Center, 76346 William Burgess Blvd, Yulee, Florida 32097
[https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=26197292](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flrules.org%2Fgateway%2FView_Notice.asp%3Fid%3D26197292&data=05%7C01%7C%7C68958e197c7744b8b0fc08da841e0ec8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637967561918452992%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Lex1497EdFUrxJbi9ZwR0Di9iRL4hxgFI3LOyW7uAwo%3D&reserved=0)
George Miller is Publisher and Co-Founder of Citizens Journal Florida, based in Fernandina Beach. He is a “retired” operations management consultant, software and publishing executive and manufacturing management professional.