Algoma Lumber permit renewal challenged Company head claims opposition has 'vendetta' By Kevin Boneske For The News-Chronicle A group calling itself "Algoma Area Concerned Citizens" has raised environmental concerns related to a permit renewal application the Algoma Lumber Company has submitted to the state Department of Natural Resources. A hearing on the permitted waste water discharge at Algoma Lumber's facility, 1400 Perry St., was the topic of an informational hearing the DNR conducted Friday morning at the Kewaunee County Courthouse. The DNR's Charles R. Hammer said a petition with enough names had been submitted to request the hearing he conducted. The sawmill and lumberyard is seeking a five-year renewal of its Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. At issue is what impact the company's operation may be having on groundwater of the Ahnapee River watershed. According to the hearing notice, logs at Algoma Lumber's facility are sprayed with well water, typically during daylight hours in warm weather, to prevent internal staining from bacterial or fungal organisms. Water runoff from the logs falls into the storage yard, soaks into the ground or flows over land, and is collected in a dike area where absorption takes place. Milwaukee attorney Alan Eisenberg, who spoke at Friday's hearing representing the citizen group, has raised concerns over the company's use of a fungicide known as "Sta Brite," which he has characterized as being "toxic" and "hazardous." While he noted using a fungicide is a way to prevent wood from rotting, Eisenberg said the Sta Brite variety shouldn't be used by Algoma Lumber. "I don't have a problem with (the use of a fungicide), so long as it's being done properly," he said. Eisenberg is also questioning how thorough the DNR is reviewing Algoma Lumber's permit application renewal and looking into claims the facility's operation could be affecting the groundwater. But Lynn Busch, who heads up Algoma Lumber, pointed out the company was investigated by the DNR in 2000 and 2001 in response to a pollution complaint, which turned out to be unfounded. The latest allegations, Busch said, have been made by the same people who previously accused the company of harming the environment. He contends it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars for the DNR to conduct another investigation into Algoma Lumber's operations. Busch, who noted he attended Friday's hearing, said Algoma Lumber has been using Sta Brite as a fungicide when the wood is in lumber form, while only well water is sprayed onto logs. "It's completely legal," he said. Busch claims the pollution allegations which have made against the company are the result of a "vendetta" by a former employee who was fired. In addition to the DNR accepting written comments through this Friday on Algoma Lumber's permit application, Hammer said he is referring the allegations raised during the hearing to other DNR staff members in order to determine if they relate to the permit. Hammer said he wants to find out whether the fungicide use in question is something the DNR doesn't regulate, such as if regulatory authority over Sta Brite might instead be the responsibility of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or the federal government. A decision by the DNR on whether to renew Algoma Lumber's permit won't be made until at least February, Hammer said. The DNR's Nanette E. Jameson, who drafted the company's permit renewal, said the proposed renewal is "pretty much" similar to the permit which remains in effect, pending the outcome of the application. She noted "no significant changes" have been made.