OCTOBER 24, 2023 - ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT FOR REMOVAL ACTION
The Evergreen Packaging Site operated as an integrated pulp and paper mill between 1908 through June 2023, at which time manufacturing operations at the Site were permanently shutdown. Respondent continues to operate the wastewater treatment plant at the site to treat domestic wastewater from the Town of Canton, stormwater from the site, and leachate piped from an industrial solid waste landfill located approximately 2 miles northeast of the Site. The Site is located on over 200 acres and is bisected by the Pigeon River. Most of the former production areas are located on the east side of the Pigeon River. The west side of the river is used for chip storage, warehousing, and for the wastewater treatment plant.
In March 2023 EPA Region 4 was notified by a citizen that there were ongoing releases from the Site into the Pigeon River. After consulting with North Carolina Department Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and Respondent, EPA confirmed that a release of black liquor from the Site to the Pigeon River had been previously reported by both Champion International, which was subsequently acquired by International Paper Company and Respondent to NCDEQ. The seep of #6 fuel oil from the Site to the Pigeon River had been previously reported by Respondent to NCDEQ. Both the reported seeps remain open and active incidents at NCDEQ.
Fuel oils were stored at the Site and were used to hea