Helena Joyce
Perdido Bay, located on the Alabama-Florida border, has faced water quality issues for decades. The bay's pollution has been a topic of debate since the 1960s, with residents, environmental regulators, scientists, and politicians discussing the impact of industrial activity on the bay's ecosystem. The paper mill in Cantonment, owned by International Paper, has been identified as a significant contributor to the bay's pollution, particularly due to the discharge of liquid waste into Eleven Mile Creek, a tributary of Perdido Bay. Despite efforts to reduce pollution, such as the 2010 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination program, the bay continues to face environmental challenges, including the loss of seagrass beds and declines in aquatic life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Alabama-Florida border |
| Water Source | Perdido River |
| Other Bays in the System | Tarkiln Bay, Arnica Bay, Bay La Launch, Bayou St. John |
| Water Quality Issues | High levels of enterococci bacteria, mercury in fish tissue, fecal coliforms, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen |
| Loss of Seagrass Beds | 75% decrease between 1940 and 1992 |
| Decline in Seabed-Dwelling Organisms | Marine worms, snails, and bivalves |
| Major Polluter | Paper mill in Cantonment owned by International Paper |
| Pollution from Paper Mill | Effluent containing sulfur drained into the bay |
| Environmental Agencies' Response | Lowering standards to allow more pollution by industries |
| EPA Research | Evaluating local access and vulnerabilities, investigating sources of pollution, and examining water quality |
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![Report of the New York Bay pollution commission to Frank Wayland Higgins, governor of the state ... 1908 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Water quality issues in Upper Perdido Bay
Perdido Bay, located on the Alabama-Florida border, is a small estuarine system fed by freshwater from the Perdido River. The upper bay has been facing water quality issues for decades.
The paper mill in Cantonment, now owned by International Paper, has been identified as the major polluter of Perdido Bay. In the 1990s, Dr. Robert Livingston, working for Champion Paper, declared that the source of the bay's pollution was the Gulf of Mexico. However, residents, environmental regulators, mill representatives, politicians, and scientists have debated the extent of pollution caused by the mill since the 1960s. The mill has been accused of lowering its ponds by draining poorly treated effluent into Elevenmile Creek and Perdido Bay in preparation for potential high rainfall, which could be dangerous.
A National Wetlands Research Center study found that Perdido Bay lost approximately 75% of its seagrass beds between 1940 and 1992, a more significant decrease than any other bay on the Gulf Coast. The grand jury report also noted declines in the quantity and diversity of seabed-dwelling organisms.
The DEP has identified 27 impaired segments in the Perdido River and Bay watershed, with issues including mercury in fish tissue, bacteria (including fecal coliforms), turbidity (cloudiness), and dissolved oxygen. The upper bay is on the DEP's list of "impaired" water bodies due to high levels of enterococci bacteria, which may indicate the presence of other disease-causing agents.
There have been efforts to address the water quality issues in Upper Perdido Bay. In 2014, the county implemented the Eleven Mile Creek Bacteria Pollution Control Plan, which includes monthly monitoring of bacteria, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and other factors. Additionally, the EPA has conducted research in Florida's Pensacola and Perdido Bays to evaluate local access and community vulnerability to potential hazards, including water pollution.
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The paper mill in Cantonment as the major polluter
Perdido Bay has undoubtedly faced water quality issues, with residents, environmental regulators, mill representatives, politicians, and scientists debating the level of pollution caused by the paper mill in Cantonment since the 1960s. A National Wetlands Research Center study found that Perdido Bay lost approximately 75% of its seagrass beds between 1940 and 1992, a more significant decline than any other bay on the Gulf Coast. The bay also experienced a decrease in the quantity and diversity of seabed-dwelling organisms like marine worms, snails, and bivalves.
The paper mill in Cantonment has been identified as a significant contributor to this pollution. The mill has been criticised for releasing foul odours, soot, and water pollution, impacting the local environment and community. While the mill employs several hundred people and is essential to the local economy, it has faced scrutiny for its environmental practices.
The mill has been associated with high levels of mercury in fish tissue, bacteria, and dissolved oxygen in the bay. The upper bay, in particular, has been identified as "impaired" by the DEP due to high levels of enterococci bacteria, which can indicate the presence of other disease-causing agents.
The paper mill in Cantonment is not an isolated case. Pulp and paper mills are known to be large emitters of air pollution, impacting the environment and human health. A report titled "A Paper Trail of Pollution" revealed that many mills operate with outdated infrastructure, lax oversight, and little accountability for their environmental impact. The Covington mill, for example, was named the nation's top climate polluter in 2023, releasing over 2.5 million tons of greenhouse gases.
To address these issues, increased monitoring and stricter regulations are necessary. The Eleven Mile Creek Bacteria Pollution Control Plan, implemented in 2014, is a step towards addressing water pollution in Perdido Bay. Additionally, mill operations upgrades, such as those undertaken by the Crofton mill in British Columbia, can significantly reduce pollution levels and improve environmental and human health.
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The role of environmental agencies and rules in addressing pollution
Environmental agencies and rules play a crucial role in addressing pollution and its impacts on both the environment and human health. Pollution, particularly in the form of air and water contamination, poses significant risks to ecosystems and communities. Environmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, implement various strategies and regulations to combat pollution and mitigate its effects.
One of the primary roles of environmental agencies is to collaborate with other organizations to develop and enforce environmental policies. For example, the EPA works closely with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, as well as international organizations and foreign governments, to address pollution and promote sustainable practices. This collaboration allows for a unified approach to tackling complex environmental issues, such as transboundary pollution, which affects multiple regions and countries.
To address specific types of pollution, environmental agencies establish and oversee dedicated programs and initiatives. For instance, the EPA has focused on improving indoor air quality by educating the public about indoor air pollutants like radon and promoting actions to reduce potential risks in homes, schools, and workplaces. This is particularly important as certain demographics, including the young, elderly, and chronically ill, are more susceptible to the detrimental health effects of indoor air pollution.
Additionally, environmental agencies play a crucial role in protecting and restoring natural ecosystems. For example, the EPA is actively involved in initiatives to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems and wetlands in key geographic areas, such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. These efforts aim to address nutrient pollution, which poses a significant threat to the long-term health and biodiversity of these ecosystems.
Environmental laws and regulations are powerful tools used by agencies to combat pollution and enforce sustainable practices. Notable examples include the Clean Air Act, which regulates emissions from vehicles, power plants, and factories, and the Pollution Prevention Act, which emphasizes source reduction and encourages industries to reduce or prevent pollution through cost-effective changes in production and raw material usage. These laws provide a framework for industries and governments to follow, ensuring that their actions minimize harm to the environment and human health.
Overall, environmental agencies and rules are essential in addressing pollution by coordinating efforts across various levels of government and sectors, implementing targeted programs, and enforcing environmental laws and regulations. Through these actions, environmental agencies play a critical role in safeguarding ecosystems, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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The impact of pollution on the local ecosystem and biodiversity
Perdido Bay, located on the Alabama-Florida border, has undoubtedly faced water quality issues and pollution concerns. The impact of this pollution on the local ecosystem and biodiversity has been significant, with far-reaching consequences for the delicate balance of nature in the area.
One of the most notable effects is the decline in seagrass beds. According to a National Wetlands Research Center study, Perdido Bay lost approximately 75% of its seagrass beds between 1940 and 1992, a more drastic decrease than any other bay on the Gulf Coast. This loss of seagrass beds disrupts the habitat for various marine organisms and can lead to a decline in biodiversity. The grand jury report associated with the study also noted decreases in the quantity and diversity of seabed-dwelling organisms like marine worms, snails, and bivalves.
The water pollution in Perdido Bay has also impacted the fish population. Samples collected by environmental advocates revealed high levels of mercury in fish tissue in multiple segments of the bay. This contamination poses risks to both the fish themselves and any humans or other animals that may consume them. Additionally, the presence of bacteria, including enterococci, and other indicators of pollution, such as turbidity and low dissolved oxygen levels, further suggest a decline in water quality.
Pollution in Perdido Bay has been a long-standing issue, with residents, environmental regulators, and scientists debating its causes since the 1960s. The paper mill in Cantonment, owned by International Paper, has been identified as a major contributor to the bay's pollution. Despite efforts by organizations like Friends of Perdido Bay to hold the mill accountable, environmental standards in the area have faced continuous pressure for relaxation, potentially influenced by the global economy and the competitive advantage sought by certain industries.
The impact of pollution on Perdido Bay's local ecosystem and biodiversity is evident, and efforts to address these issues are ongoing. The EPA has conducted research and developed methods to evaluate local access and vulnerability measures within the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds. This includes identifying potential hazards, such as superfund sites or facilities emitting hazardous air or water pollution, and working to improve community resilience. Additionally, EPA researchers are investigating the sources and impacts of tire particle pollutants in Pensacola Bay, which may also have relevance to Perdido Bay and its surrounding ecosystem.
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EPA research and methods to evaluate local access and vulnerability
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been conducting water research in Florida's Pensacola and Perdido Bays. The EPA's research aims to outline and meet objectives for assessing the social vulnerabilities of communities under a changing climate.
One aspect of the EPA's research involves observational surveys of public recreational use in coastal estuary areas. In 2022, EPA researchers observed visitors at two sites in Pensacola, Florida: Sanders Beach and Bayview Park. These observational surveys aimed to test the transferability of a method for using periodic counts to estimate public recreational use. The sites were also part of EPA sanitary surveys, which examine water quality and the number of people using the area.
Additionally, the EPA has been conducting geospatial analyses to assess individual, family, and housing vulnerabilities in conjunction with flood susceptibilities for census block groups within the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds. These analyses combine drivetime analyses, which calculate the shortest drive time from every residential building to various amenities in the watershed. Researchers then create groups, such as recreation, education, and healthcare, and combine parcel data (households) to inform decision-making. Hazard overlays are also used to calculate the intersections of the population with all hazards, such as hurricane paths.
The EPA's research in Perdido Bay is also focused on community vulnerability and resilience as part of a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The models used in this research incorporate access distance calculations, community infrastructure, and historical occurrence overlays to calculate vulnerabilities. The EPA created a framework to assess baseline community characteristics, including social, economic, and physical attributes. Social characteristics include community attachment, education level, feeling of support, and health. Economic characteristics encompass home values, poverty rates, and the percentage of income spent on housing. Physical characteristics include housing conditions. Infrastructure data, such as roadways, public transit, utility types, and communication infrastructure, are also incorporated into the models.
The EPA's research is vital for helping communities make informed decisions about local resilience and sustainability. The findings will be included in the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan to address social vulnerabilities and improve water quality in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Upper Perdido Bay has water quality issues, and there is debate about how much pollution is caused by the mill.
The paper mill in Cantonment, now owned by International Paper, has been identified as the major polluter of Perdido Bay.
Perdido Bay has been found to have mercury in fish tissue, bacteria (including fecal coliforms), turbidity (cloudiness), and dissolved oxygen issues.
The EPA is conducting water research in Perdido Bay and has developed methods and models to evaluate local access to community amenities and vulnerabilities to potential hazards, including hazardous water pollution.
