DEP approves wastewater permit

But critics may challenge International Paper's plan Michael Stewart • mstewart@pnj.com • July 19, 2008 International Paper Co. is a step closer to obtaining a permit to discharge industrial wastewater into wetlands along Perdido Bay. On Friday afternoon, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced a notice of intent to issue the permit. Anyone who opposes the permit has 21 days to petition for an administrative hearing. If there is no challenge, the DEP will issue the permit. "We are going to go ahead and challenge it," said Jackie Lane, a founding member of Friends of Perdido Bay. For years, the grassroots environmental group has fought to block a permit it said would further distress the bay already suffering from decades of paper mill discharges. IP response Officials with International Paper, however,... [read full story]