U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman (San Rafael, Calif., USA) reported in a release this week that the final shipment of 3 million gal. of "dangerous chemicals" has now left the former Samoa Pulp Mill site in California, drastically reducing an environmental threat to the surrounding area. "I’m very pleased that the final truckloads of caustic chemicals have left the Samoa pulp mill site, ensuring that Humboldt Bay is protected from a toxic legacy irresponsibly abandoned by previous owners," Huffman said.

 

The Harbor District purchased the mill last year, which never restarted following its 2008 shutdown.

 

As the U.S. EPA became involved, cleanup was elevated to the highest level of the agency. KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. in Longview was willing to receive and process the chemicals for reuse and recycling.

 

"Completing this first phase of work is an important milestone as EPA protects Humboldt Bay and the community from threat of toxic releases from the abandoned Samoa Pulp Mill," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Reusing hazardous chemicals from the site promotes our mission to both protect the environment and conserve resources. Our partners at the Harbor District, the Coast Guard, and KapStone Paper and Packaging were essential to our success."