APPLETON, Wis., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Appleton received the state and federal governments' order today requiring responsible paper companies to implement a solution for the Fox River cleanup by next year. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the order so that work on the $400 million plus cleanup project can begin without delay.
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"Appleton is committed to advancing the Fox River cleanup and is asking all responsible companies and municipalities to reach settlement expeditiously," said Pam Barker, executive director of environmental health and product safety for Appleton. "We hope that the governments' order will hasten the mediation process. Fox Valley residents have waited long enough to tap into the economic and recreational benefits of a healthy, vibrant river."
The actual cleanup of PCB-contaminated sediment from the river is slated for 2009, but much of the groundwork -- design, equipment orders, and a decision on a landfill location -- must be completed in 2008. Without cooperation from the companies regarding how the costs should be allocated among them or the governments' order, cleanup would be stalled.
Appleton, along with its former parent Arjo Wiggins Appleton Ltd., has worked diligently over many years to reach a cleanup solution. Together with another of its former owners, NCR Corp., Appleton has paid more than any other company to achieve progress on the cleanup.
As sign of good faith efforts, the Appleton and NCR Corp. have already provided $41.5 million to the WDNR and EPA for cleanup and natural resource damages. In addition, Appleton put forth $1.5 million to launch and implement the Lower Fox River Watershed Monitoring Program, a partnership among local high school students and experts to improve the water quality and habitat within the Lower Fox River.
"Our efforts on the Fox River demonstrate we have acted in good faith every step of the way," said Barker. "We look forward to working with the paper companies and other responsible parties to reach a resolution so that recovery efforts on the river may begin on schedule."
For more information on the Fox River cleanup project, please visit http://www.foxriverfacts.com/
About Appleton
Appleton creates product solutions through its development and use of coating formulations and applications, encapsulation technology and secure and specialized print services. The Company produces carbonless, thermal, security and performance packaging products. Appleton is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and has manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom, employs approximately 3,100 people and is 100 percent employee owned. For more information visit http://www.appletonideas.com/.
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Appleton
