May 19, 2013
Friday, Sep. 7, 2012
DOVER, Ga. -- Last month the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued King America Finishing plant a new permit to discharge into the Ogeechee River. Now, a petition by the Ogeechee Riverkeeper organzation is delaying that permit, according to King America.
King America says the new permit would require the textile company to obey stricter guidelines about the discharge of ammonia, formaldehyde, and dissolved oxygen into the Ogeechee. They also must pass toxicity tests regularly, which measure the effect the company's chemical discharge has on river wildlife and ecology.
However, the Ogeechee Riverkeeper organization is challenging the new permit and on Friday asked a judge to take a closer look at the permit.
The Riverkeeper sued King America for the massive fish kill last year. This legal action will likely delay the effectiveness of the new permit for up to several months.
King America Finishing representatives say they are disappointed that their permit to discharge into the Ogeechee will be placed on hold while the conditions undergo review before an Administrative Law Judge.
Meanwhile, the Ogeechee Riverkeeper says the review of the permit will be worthwhile.
"The permit that the state issued allows this pollution to continue. We believe the state should require King America to remove the pipe from the Ogeechee and re-use their wastewater instead of subjecting people and wildlife to their toxic chemicals," said the Riverkeeper, Dianna Wedincamp.
Have information or an opinion about this story? Click here to contact the newsroom.
Copyright WRDW-TV News 12. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished without express written permission.
