Pollution of Perdido Bay by the papermill
IP's reports sent to DEP on pipeline project
Water quality data in the creek into which the mill dumps
A short history of Perdido Bay
Bacteriological Survey of Perdido watershed
Environmental Survey of Perdido Watershed
Grandchildren splashing in foam on Memorial Day weekend 2010. Is this bay safe for our grandchildren? It is doubtful
It would be nice to enjoy kayaking without pushing the kayak through a mountain of foam. Picture taken March 7, 2011.
EPA is proposing a new numeric nutrient rule for Florida. The rule is ,unfortunately, so full of loopholes that it probably will not help water quality.Click for the websiteMaking soap at the papermill is a byproduct of paper making. This is why we see so much foam and scum on Perdido Bay. The fats in pine trees combine with the alkali in the cooking liquor to make soap. A certain amount of this is extracted as Tall Oil. 70 pounds of tall oil are extracted for each ton of pulp produced. Click for information on Tall Oil
A new threat to the water quality in Perdido Bay has arisen. Bayou Marcus waste water treatment plant is increasing its discharge to wetlands which drain into Perdido Bay. Studies have shown that there will be a net increase in nutrients entering Perdido Bay from this sewage. Click to read the permit for Bayou Marcus
The latest Toxic Release Inventory is out (this is for the year 2009). Among other toxic chemicals released into 11-Mile Creek, IP lists 160 pounds of lead and 6,286 pounds of barium discharged to 11-Mile Creek. IP also discharges material to the publicly-owned Escambia County landfill. Click for link to TRI
Perdido Bay makes up the border between Florida and Alabama. Perdido Bay encompasses an area of about 50 square miles with the state line running approximately down the centerline of the bay. It has an elongated shape which lies along a northeast-southwest axis. Perdido Bay is relatively shallow in the Upper part near the mouth of the Perdido River but gets deeper toward the Gulf of Mexico
The Perdido River provides most of the fresh water (>70%) for Perdido Bay. The Perdido River is a Florida outstanding water and the water quality in the upper Perdido River is considered to be very good. On a Sunday afternoon, sitting in the river on a lawn chair is refreshing. Click for visual image. The Perdido Bay watershed covers 1205 square miles which is considered large for a small bay. The Upper part of Perdido Bay and to some extent lower Perdido Bay are polluted with wastes from a paper mill, now owned by International Paper Company. See the photo pages and pollution page on the left.
It appears that International paper increased their flow into Eleven Mile Creek in late 2004 to mask their increased discharges to the creek. If you wish to join Friends of Perdido Bay Click to download form A member who passed away recently remembered how bountiful and beautiful Perdido Bay was. Follow the administrative hearing in the IP permit case. Click to Friends of Perdido Bay - IP docket
Comparison of 23 years of gage height in Perdido River, Styx River and Elevenmile Creek
Click for her words
