Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 11, 2016 6:00 p.m.
SUVs tend to look pretty much alike these days. My silver Subaru Outback is no exception. But one of its distinguishing features is my bumper sticker, courtesy of a friend, that reads: Critical Thinking: The Other National Deficit. Sadly, the deficit is not just on the national level.
What started a couple of years ago as understandable outrage from a group of island residents over the ill conceived and even more poorly executed drafting of a new master plan for the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) now appears to be morphing into an attack on island industries that have been good employers and neighbors for almost 80 years.
How did this happen? Why did it happen? How do these attacks benefit our community?
While it is true that during their earlier days our mills were not particularly concerned over environmental issues, no other industries around the country were either. On those rare occasions in the 1950’s that our family drove into the big city of Buffalo, we kids always knew we were getting close when we could see the Technicolor skies, thanks to Bethlehem Steel and other industries on the south side of the city. There was the toxic dump known as the Love Canal north of Buffalo in Niagara Falls, NY. Lake Erie, the source of local drinking water for communities between Buffalo and Erie, PA, became so polluted that it was declared hazardous.
But times change. Thanks to both government regulation and citizen activists, industrial standards for emissions and handling hazardous materials have improved by quantum leaps. The environment has become cleaner, industrial operations safer than ever before. Industries that survived the switchover to newer, greener processes tout their concern for the earth and its two- and four-legged inhabitants. While there is a certain amount of altruism in developing a higher-level commitment to a clean environment, there is also a bottom line: profitability. Industries are not in business to be green; they are green to stay in business.
In the late ‘90’s there was a local scare here in Fernandina Beach over the disappearance of phytoplankton and other nutrients required to maintain a healthy fish population in the Amelia River. Fingers began pointing to Rayonier as the culprit. Instead of stonewalling the critics, Rayonier contracted with Dr. Skip Livingston, a scientist at Florida State University, to do a study. Livingston bristled at any hint that his study would not be independent, indicating that it would take him where it would take him, whether Rayonier was happy or not.
At the conclusion of his study, Livingston briefed the community at a meeting held at the former Shoney’s on Sadler Road.
The following four paragraphs were taken from a publication of the Council for Sustainable Florida entitled: A Review of Outstanding Achievements and Business Practices in Sustainability in the State of Florida that listed the Rayonier study as one of the 2002 Best Practices in Outstanding Achievements and Excellence in Coastal Conservation Programs:
“Prior to renewal of Rayonier’s treated wastewater permit, FDEP sampled the Amelia River and concluded that phytoplankton levels were lower than expected, and that ammonia levels in the estuary exceeded those found in Florida’s other rivers. This discovery suggested that ammonia may be a factor as a toxic agent.
“Rayonier commissioned Dr. Robert “Skip” Livingston, a noted Florida State University professor and expert n the field of marine ecosystems, to study the Amelia River and nearby Nassau River as a control. The study concluded ammonia was the likely cause, and Rayonier developed and implemented a series of initiatives to reduce the discharge of ammonia. A follow-up study documented an 80-percent reduction in ammonia concentrations, and that there was no statistical difference between the plankton in the Amelia system and the non-industrialized Nassau system.
“This initiative combined the efforts of the academic community, state regulatory authorities and industry to leverage resources and enhance the water quality of the Amelia River Estuary. Every water quality parameter that could reasonably be measured was investigated during the studies, costing $1.3M. In addition to funding the studies, Rayonier spent $1.2M in capital costs for the new ammonia reduction system at the mill and incurred additional operating costs of $800,000 annually—no small investment considering the highly competitive economic environment in which the mill operates.
“This public-private collaborative effort is a success story at resolving complex environmental issues based on sound scientific investigation and was accomplished through an atmosphere of mutual trust and a willingness to work together to solve problems.” [my emphasis added]
The above reflects my experience, admittedly limited, with Rayonier during more than 20 years not just living locally, but living in the Historic District as a neighbor of both mills—and the Port of Fernandina. (A friend of mine who used to work at Rayonier said that Greenpeace had no need to sneak up on the mill in the dead of night, because Rayonier invited them in to see things for themselves.)
Such a study and investment hardly seems consistent with the view in some quarters today that Rayonier is “trying to pull the wool over our eyes” by promoting a related industry on its own industrial site to deal with their non-toxic byproducts.
So where is the “mill problem” that currently needs to be solved? And why does the prospect of adding another industrial operation (LignoTech) to a site currently zoned industrial bring out such vitriol against the mills from some quarters? Where is the record demonstrating that the mills cannot be trusted to keep their word? Where is the track record of industrial accidents and HAZMAT spills? The only accidents I can recall during my time in the city have involved the occasional log truck spilling its load as it turns onto Gum Street and one incident of a coal car derailing on its way into the city. I would hardly call these events indicative of a dangerous industry.
Some of the people who are pushing for tougher land use regulations against the mills will acknowledge that there has not been a serious problem to date despite almost 80 years of mill operations. However, they add, that does not mean that there couldn’t be one. That’s true. But examining the track records—including the fact that both mills appear to be in the process of converting to natural gas to reduce their carbon footprint even more—should provide some level of comfort, not cause for alarm.
And as far as what could happen, well, where should we start? There could be a nuclear accident just across the river at Kings Bay, one of those low-flying Navy helicopters or civilian airplanes could crash into our houses, a terrorist could blow up the Shave Bridge … where do we stop? And even more important, how do we protect ourselves from every danger whether conceivable and probable or not?
My husband and I have only lived here 22 years, which means that in the eyes of some we are still newcomers. Be that as it may, I have come to understand the importance of our long established industries to this community’s history, prosperity and future. Our Old Families in many cases arrived here with the mills and owe their prosperity and that of succeeding generations to the mills and mill-related businesses.
One of the reasons that Fernandina escaped much of the turmoil of the 60’s with respect to racial unrest is that the mills were early promoters of integration and provided good employment opportunities to African Americans as well as Whites. Unlike resort communities such as Hilton Head, where African Americans have either been pushed off the island or relegated to cleaning houses and mowing lawns, Fernandina has a Black Middle Class that has been able to purchase and keep homes thanks to the mills. The mills have generously helped City and county non-profits over the years, when there was little or no help coming from local government for social or cultural improvements.
![Rayonier employees accepting 1957 Safety Award 9photo courtesy Rayonier Advanced Materials. Pictured in the photo are, amond others, L. Faison, Leon Jones, George Schofield, Henry Miller, Dewey Crist, Irving Thomas, Glenn Beugnet, Charles Braddock, Merle Holland, E.W. Duggan, Carson Christian, Dwayne Crisp, Kent Crisp, Thad Crisp, Francis [??]. Bernice Blasch, Warren Lewis](https://fernandinaobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Rayonier-safety-award-1957.jpg)
When people accuse Rayonier of trying to pull the wool over our eyes in adding a new industrial operation to their property, I must wonder whether these people have ever visited with any current or former millworker or read up on local history in an attempt to understand the importance of these industries. Should these operations close down—and I hope they never do—our taxes will go through the roof. If you need any further proof, visit St. Marys, GA, where the closing of the Gilman Paper Mill put most of the town out of work, leaving behind a hulking, abandoned factory to grace their waterfront. Efforts to recover and return to a level of prosperity have occurred in fits and starts. But the town has never recovered to its previous prosperity. Reusing an industrial site is costly and challenging.
Some of the mills’ opponents have expressed opinions that the time for industry on Amelia Island has passed, that the era of tourism and residential real estate development are the way of the future. I would remind them that tourists are fickle folks, who always seem to be seeking newer experiences. While Amelia Island has done an exceptional job of creating a full range of activities and experiences to attract ever more tourists, most of the tourism-related jobs are in the service industries and not high wage opportunities. As more and more people move here as a result of their tourism experiences, more and more trees are cut down to provide for additional residential development, which also require a need for more government services, or what we call “tax revenues.” And the economic pressures on those who work in the service industries make housing on the island increasingly unaffordable for them and their families.
I’m not sure what others thought when they first drove onto the Shave Bridge and saw Amelia Island laid out in front of them. We saw smokestacks and cranes to the north and an airport and high rises to the south. When we decided to buy a house in the Historic District, we did it with full knowledge that we would be living between two paper mills and near an industrial port. We knew there was a railroad that would probably operate at night, and it was impossible to hide the log trucks. It didn’t take long for us to figure out that given the right wind conditions, we would be treated to industrial smells and noise, along with train and ship horns. But we wanted to live in a city, not the suburbs, and even more importantly, we wanted to live in the Historic District. All of those so-called negatives quickly became part of the urban fabric of Fernandina Beach that we enjoy so much.
My question to those who can’t sleep at night because of the noise from the mills, or who built or purchased houses here in the shadow of the mills and the port is this: what were you thinking when you moved here? Your peace of mind is certainly critical to your happiness. But instead of trying to close the mills, you might better achieve the peace of mind you crave by living somewhere else, where the risks that you consider so unreasonable do not exist.
And when you find that perfect place where there are no hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards or earthquakes; where the weather is fine all year; where natural beauties and manmade attractions rival each other in excellence; where all the people are beautiful and the children well above average; where people live well without an industrial base and enjoy paying the taxes or home owner association fees that make it all possible … well, when you find that place be sure to let the Fernandina Observer readers in on your discovery.
In the meantime, I am happy to be a part of this community, risks and all. We have found our paradise, and I wish you the best of luck in finding yours.
Please try to find time to attend the Rayonier Open House this Friday at their plant on Gum Street between 3:-00-6:30 p.m. There you will be able to ask your questions and get answers from folks with industrial and scientific backgrounds. Perhaps if enough people take advantage of this opportunity, we will be able to lower the critical thinking deficit.
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Excellent insight, every word! If you don’t like our mills, which have provided employment to generations, not to mention tax and charitable dollars to this community, then please, go live somewhere else. I would rather have them as my neighbors than you!
As Usual thoughtful and insightful Suanne. there was a questionnaire today on Facebook asking if we were in favor of, or against the new facility at Rayonier Corp. My answer was “Yes” I’m in favor. I was at the Commission Meeting last week and was Impressed by their presentation. They have, and had a very strong Management Group at our Facility. I would believe that will continue. We do need both, A residential and industrial tax base as well as a diversity of employment on the Island as well as in the County. My only caveat to the yes vote at this time is; When will Rayonier fix the SO2 emissions problem? and it has been an Issue for years. I’ve not kept up with the status of the elimination of emissions, I do know that the Technology to eliminate the problem is not new, or does not need to be developed. Scrubbers need to be purchased and installed. So it’s money and desire to accomplish it. The hazard is to the young and older folks in the area. Hope that issue will be addressed on Friday @ Open House. Suanne, Please never use St. Marys, Gilman Paper Co. in the same copy with Rayonier Corp. , It was alleged, A hit man was hired by the plant manager to eliminate a troublesome whistle blower, with their Corp. lawyer complicit, in the Contract. Gilman Paper Mill, owned that Town. Lets make sure that never happens on Amelia Island.
About three or so years ago, a Rayonier worker could not immediately shut a valve on a tanker holding a hazmat – I believe it was anhydrous ammonia. Fortunately, the valve was closed quickly. To read the hazmat incident report, federal records must be searched.
The elephant has yet to enter the room……DIOXIN
Nicely done article Suanne. I too moved here with full knowledge of my neighbor industries. With American industry in decline, why is it that people do not appreciate the positive aspects of what these companies are doing for FB, Nassau County and Florida?
To Mr Leary I say, what about “dioxin”? Do you throw something on the table that you have no knowledge of? Dioxin was caused by use of elemental chlorine bleaching. With it’s ties discovered to pulp bleaching, this was stopped many years ago in the United States. So what do you know about “dioxin” Mr. Leary?
You may want to read about our 1930’s sister mill in Washington State concerning dioxins. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites_brochure/rayonier/rayonier_hp.htm
I was on the Rayonier Citizen Envirinmental committee when our Amelia River was found to be very polluted by the study you referenced. Citizens pushed for and eventually the DEP and/or St. John’s Water Management required Rayonier to recycle in order to reduce their chemical usage, reduce river pollution, and to reduce aquifer water usage. Rayonier put in a recycle system that used 1/3rd the aquifer water and 1/3rd the chemicals significantly reducing pollution and use of aquifer water. I suspect the regulatory requirement to do so helped our local plant obtain the $1.2 million in capital from Corporate to make this needed improvement. I always thought Raynoier annual operating costs were reduced, not increased as you report, as a result of using 2/3rds less chemicals in the recycling process. I would like to know if annual operating costs were reduced. I like to think we can find solutions to problems that use less chemicals and dave business money while also saving our environment.
I appreciated Rayonier having a Citizen environmental committee and I appreciate that it takes a combination of business, citizens and government working together to make needed improvements to protect our environment.
Hopefully we can continue to work together to have a good business here and protect our environment.
Excellent piece. Good, smart, responsible, corporate citizens are hard to find these days. Rayonier is one.
Great article! I hope many of the mill opponents attend the open house today with an open mind for learning the TRUTH.
Excellent article Suanne. It is vital for the City to have a mixed business economy as a residential dependent one cannot sustain itself without constantly raising property taxes. Is there any safe material in a manufacturing operation? Certainly some are more hazardous than others, but think of the 2008 sugar dust explosion in Savannah at the Dixie Crystals sugar mill that killed 14 people and injured dozens other. We talk locally about coal dust, ammonia and sulfuric acid leaks and other more hazardous materials, as we should, but as Suanne points out there is a limit to what one can do to protect themselves. It is the responsibility of industry to maintain a safe operating environment both within its property lines as well as for any chemical releases in the air, water or groundwater.
RAM and WestRock plants have a very good safety record and that is to be commended. Unfortunately, we see all to often that the problem where shortcuts are taken or processes not followed that the problems/disasters they create are not discovered until after the fact. And then it can be too late and the damage, especially bodily injury and loss of life, irreversable.
Open discussion and fact finding are keys to educating the community. For example, how much incremental groundwater will the new operation require? From what I have read, the only response given was that the new operation will use less water than the existing Rayonier operation. One also has to be influenced about the operation of the Rayonier AM plant up in Jesup that has been the target of numerous litigation and regulatory actions for their discharge in the Altamaha River. This plant has the largest commercial groundwater permit in the State of GA (72 million gallons/day) and it is pulling its water supply from the north FL aquifer – the same aquifer that supplies FB with its water.
Responsibility goes both ways in a corporate and community relationship. The company must be as transparent as possible and the community must be thoughtful and deliberate in their discussions. Also, civility is a necessary requirement for their to be a positive working relationship between the two.
As Dave Lott said, excellent article Suanne! Dave’s point about the need for our island economy to have a mix of businesses is an important one. Just because we have not had a direct hit by a hurricane in over fifty years does not mean it won’t happen again. About twelve years ago, we had four tropical storms in a row hit the island. An offshore tanker spill of oil or other toxic chemicals could shut down our beaches. Look at the Gulf Coast and the oil spill there. The point is that any number of things could negatively affect our tourism industry briefly or longer term, costing jobs in a domino effect.
The two mills have proven to be a steady job provider. They have had their layoffs, sure, but have hired back as soon as possible when production increased again. They have a history of being good neighbors. Not so much the people who move in near the two mills and then complain about them. As was said before, don’t like the mills, then don’t move there, go elsewhere.
As for why the two mills are under scrutiny and attack, the responsibility for that falls directly on The Port. Who has proven over and over that they are not good neighbors and have a low trust rating. The Port apparently dragged the two mills into The Port’s problem by telling them they were under attack too. Which they weren’t, not really. Recently The Port has made good neighbor overtures. Time will tell if they are sincere or if this is just another marketing ploy to distract from more bad neighbor actions being planned.
What is important is to be prudent here. Sure, let the mills know that residents are being watchful. However, stay on point with the cause of local unrest, The Port. Show respect to the two mills who have repeatedly proven to be generous & beneficial good neighbors. And stay focused on who has ptoven by their actions that they are not good neighbors, The Port.
Right on, Mac. Without the Port’s hubris, insults and other shenanigans directed at the citizens of Fernandina, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion.
I agree with Mr. Lott, responsibility goes both ways. And I certainly applaud the measures taken by Rayonier to make our air cleaner. Due to our “nonattainment” area of air quality (according to correspondence with the DEP), permits have been obtained by both mills to construct new equipment. I applaud them. However, water is becoming more of an issue in our aquifer. Hilton Head, Tybee Island, Savannah, St.Augustine/Jacksonvile are all experiencing salt intrusion. The State of Georgia Legislature formed a subcommittee on coastal salt intrusion. Large amounts of clean water are crucial to our mills’ survival.
I also applaud Ms. Thamm for bringing this new industry into the spotlight for our community. It offers all of us an opportunity to discuss issues that are not only important to industry, but to the rest of Amelia Island.
Susan, as usual, very well written and balanced article.
Yesterday, I was very disturbed after receiving materials being distributed in our community that contain erroneous technical information to oppose the LignoTech venture. Many of the arguments in those documents were far fetched and had no credible scientific foundation. Watch out community!
Please attend the open house and ask questions. I plan to do so and write an op-ed piece on the LignoTech venture.
Thank you for thinking of the fairness and history of the mills on the island. Corporate responsibility is something we should all recognize and praise.
Over, to WestRock and Port Authority….
The increase of truck traffic on our roads was still not addressed. Since new regulations were implemented, Rayonier has made our air and waters cleaner. However, there will be more carbon dioxide emissions from the increase of truck traffic. Why is it really necessary to bring this kind of business to the island, especially since LignoTech isn’t will benefit from this more than the city coffers in the end? Big businesses should NOT have the last say in our community. City planners, please be vigilant!
Suzanne, you posed the question: “And why does the prospect of adding another industrial operation (LignoTech) to a site currently zoned industrial bring out such vitriol against the mills from some quarters?”
There is more to your Rayonier story than you have detailed here.
The mills are no longer “locals” taking care of their own. They are huge corporations with, as you put it, a bottom line.
American communities are more proactive in vetting industry prior to rolling out red carpets for them because we have witnessed the all-too-prevalent culture of corporate greed among them. Their hunger for profit always outweighs concern for our shared environment. The number of increased jobs that the proposed lignin industrial complex will provide is small in comparison to the industry’s appetites. There has to be a limit to an industry’s share of water from our aquifer, a limit to the number of semi and log trucks on small town roads.
50 or 60 new jobs cannot be the reason for unbalanced compromise of our shared natural resources. American communities have a duty to demand answers from any industry before they are given carte blanche to proceed.
Fernandina has been very good to the mills and I don’t believe the city owes WestRoc or Rayonier any special treatment or allowances. It would be irresponsible for the Commissioners and the people of Fernandina not to thoroughly vet another industrial project.
To Miss McCallum and Miss Lehosit’s points: yes, vigilance is important. vitriol is not. one must learn to be happy when they receive the answer they wanted. The mills have been good neighbors. When it was deemed they could do more to reduce their pollution, they complied. We can not applaud them for one thing and then immediately take issue with something else. “They cleaned up the air and the water, BUT the trucks…” To compliment then criticize gives the impression that the critics who say such things will never be satisfied. As Miss Thamm pointed out, there will always be a problem, a risk, a something with every place and every entity. What we most certainly owe the mills is a fair shake and so far, they’ve done their due diligence. Now, let’s make sure we do ours. Not with an eye to catching them in something, but to simply keep up the honest exchange we’ve all carried on over these many, many years.
And also, is there a business in this whole entire world that doesn’t have a “hunger for profit,” an urge to grow and a bottom line? Are those the things that make a business evil these days? What knowledge do you have of the “industry’s appetites”?And, just as an onion has layers, so too do the “50-60” jobs you site; mortgages, vehicles, and food to buy, kids to raise, dinners to eat out, clothes to purchase and on and on.
Quit with the alarmist tone and the trigger words. Let the vetting process be objective. And learn to accept the results, regardless of whether or not they are what you wanted/expected.
Thank you for the informative article. We also moved to Fernandina Beach to live downtown and enjoy all the wonderful benefits it affords. We were aware of the industrial environment that also exists her and consider it to be an integral part of this vibrant community. This type of open dialogue can lead to problem solving from all sides.
Don’t kid yourselves. If either of the mills ever went out of business those sites would be superfund sites just like Gilman is. Now LignoTech, through their partial ownership, will take on partial responsibility. A crazy situation for them but they don’t seem to think along those lines.
The Gilman Paper Company was located in Camden County. Like other paper mills, the Gilman Paper Company released a variety of toxins into the surrounding environment during its years of operation. The site of the plant was later cleaned under Superfund legislation.
Twenty-six paper mills were operating statewide in 2009, the paper production industry generates roughly $20 billion in annual revenue for Georgia. Paper mills are found across the state, with most of the larger ones located near the coast, in Augusta, Brunswick, and Savannah. The by-products of the papermaking process, including dioxin, have contaminated these industrial centers. A deadly toxin, dioxin is a by-product of the molecular bleaching process of paper. In recent decades new methods have implemented the use of alternative bleaches and chlorine dioxide in order to reduce the production of dioxin.
Other forms of industrial toxins produced by paper mills include nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic chemicals, which are released into the air through leaky valves and open-ended lines. These air emissions often produce the unpleasant odor found in the vicinity of many mills.
Additional industrial toxins generated by the papermaking process include mercury, which is used in fungicidal processes; cellulosic fibers, which congeal into toxic sludge; and chlorophenolic wood preservatives and anti-sap stains.
Legislation passed under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) attempts to remediate the damage caused by the mismanagement of these by-products. The Durango-Georgia Company paper mill in St. Marys and the Gilman Paper Company mill in the Kings Bay area are among former paper mill sites in Georgia that have been addressed by Superfund.
It troubles me that a reporter for the Fernandina Observer is entitled to write an ‘opinion.’ The Observer is purportedly where we turn for balanced information. A reporter’s opinions does not belong here.
Rayonier may well have an expansion plan that is good for everyone. Concerned citizens, though, also have a right and arguably a duty to seek appropriate reassurances. I for one am grateful for their diligence.
The reporter’s opinion made no mention of the tax incentives, for which we as citizens either pay or make up for in lost revenue. And yet, take a quick look at the reporter’s coverage of the City Commission workshop. I wonder. If we didn’t subsidize corporate profit, would we still nickel and dime the cost of running our city?
No opinion there.