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49 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, October 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 23, 2004 Mill seeks revamped DEQ permit By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — New equipment may mean more production and more jobs at the mill in Rogue River, if the Department of Environmental Quality approves the mill’s permit change request. DEQ environmental specialist Anna Kemmerer says the agency is tentatively planning on granting the mill’s request at the end of the public notice period, which ends Sept. 30. Kemmerer stressed the mill is operating under its allowable emission standards on all applicable measured pollutants. The mill has virtually eliminated its particulate emission pollutants (PM and PM10 emissions) since it stopped green-end production, Kemmerer said. "If they wanted to exceed the emission standards, they’d have to prove they wouldn’t impact the area by performing a series of complex tests, which would include computer models and monitoring stations," she says. Advertisement The mill is continuing to shift operations from peeling and processing green timber to drying veneer for plywood products, says Panel Products LLC representative Chuck Vernoy. Panel Products, a Milwaukie lumber wholesaler, purchased the Rogue River mill at the end of 2003. The mill has added two veneer dryers and is considering installing three plywood presses in April 2005, says Vernoy. Vernoy says the mill has added 10 new employees to install and operate the veneer dryer and has plans to add another five employees. However, he says, although the permit requests installment allowance for the three plywood presses in October, that decision has not been finalized by the corporation. "We may install those presses in our White City mill," he said. "If they come here, it will certainly mean more jobs. But I don’t know how many." Kemmerer says a request to modify a permit is standard for these types of operational changes, and often does not reflect an increase in emissions. "They removed some of their material handling operations," she says. "They’re staying below their limits." Rogue River resident Sue Hughes-Booher, who wants assurance air quality will be maintained at current or higher standards, says she spoke to Kemmerer, but she still has questions. "The fact that you can see through the air here is a very important quality of life aspect," she says. Hughes-Booher says she’ll be submitting a letter to the DEQ stating her concerns. A copy of the proposed permit and review report is available for review at the Rogue River Branch Library, 412 E. Main St. The DEQ will review and consider all comments received during the comment period. A public hearing will result if written comments from 10 people, or an organization representing at least 10 people, are received before the end of the public notice period. Following the review process, the DEQ may issue the permit as proposed or modified. Specific questions may be addressed to Kemmerer at 776-6010, Ext. 237. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities