Paper mills responsible for cleaning up chemicals in the Fox River want environmental regulators to reverse a decision that puts the government in charge of planning for the cleanup.
Under the federal Superfund process for chemical cleanup, parties responsible for environmental damage can offer to prepare studies of the extent of contamination and recommended cleanup methods.
The mills did so in October, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Natural Resources issued a decision Dec. 11 denying the companies’ request to do the planning work.
The agencies said they could gather the data faster, by the end of 1998, a year before the mills had proposed.
The plan is aimed at toxic PCBs in the riverbed. PCBs have been linked to children’s developmental problems.
The agencies’ decision has prompted the mills to reassess a commitment to finance a $7 million demonstration dredging project near the river’s mouth, the companies said.
“It’s clear the federal parties do not want . . . a cooperative undertaking,” said Phil Servidea of NCR Corp., one of seven mills targeted in the cleanup.
Bob Paulson of the state agency said the mills are welcome to add their input along the way, but the agencies have learned from experience that allowing companies to plan projects can delay cleanups for years.
