DNR requests more information on paper companies’ past PFAS practices

As part of its ongoing investigation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in Stella township, the Department of Natural Resources has sent letters to the current and former owners of the Rhinelander paper mill seeking information, records and documents related to the “generation, transportation, treatment, storage and/or disposal of PFAS at sites or facilities within a three-mile radius of the Village of Starks...”

The letters, dated April 24, were sent to the current owner of the mill, Ahlstrom Rhinelander LLC and related entities, as well as Wausau Paper Corp., Wausau Paper Mills, LLC and Essity North America, the former owners.

The Village of Starks, named after its founder “Potato King” Leonard Starks, is located in Stella. 

According to the letters, the DNR is seeking to better understand where PFAS-containing solid waste may be located or has been discharged within the designated three-mile radius.

“PFAS contamination has been found in various areas in and around the Town of Stella and appears to be most concentrated in the areas to the north, south, and west of the Village of Starks,” the letter states. “As of April 2024, 56 private wells have reported concentrations of PFAS that are greater than the 2019 Department of Health Services recommended health guidelines.”

Specifically, the agency is requesting information, records or documents regarding “the type and quantity of PFAS-containing solid waste that (Ahlstrom/Wausau Paper) generated, transported, treated, stored, or disposed of at the Stella sites or facilities and the dates of these activities, including, but not limited to, PFAS technical reports, PFAS sampling data, PFAS data and analyses, PFAS emissions estimates or calculations as well as emissions modeling data, PFAS usage estimates per year for any process or function at any of these locations, and any hazardous waste manifests or other waste documents which list PFAS-containing solid waste.”

In addition, the agency is requesting that the companies disclose the identities of “persons who generated, transported, treated or stored waste which was disposed of at the sites or facilities” and identify any subsidiary or parent corporations of persons who generated, transported, treated, stored, or disposed of PFAS-containing solid waste at the sites or facilities.

The letter indicates the DNR expects the companies to respond to its requests within 60 days.

The DNR has been investigating PFAS contamination in Stella since late 2022, when the agency’s voluntary water sampling project revealed some private wells in the town had some of the highest PFAS levels recorded in the state.

Along with the Department of Health Services, the agency was scheduled to provide an in-person update on the PFAS investigation to Stella residents Wednesday evening at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander. As that meeting was scheduled to take place after this edition went to press, information related to the presentation will be included in a future edition of the River News. 

PFAS are a group of man-made, fluorinated chemicals manufactured and used since the 1940s. Because they are designed to be stable and unreactive to water, grease, heat, and other elements, they are often referred to as “forever” compounds. 

Studies have shown a link between human exposure to PFAS and adverse health effects.

Last August, six Stella property owners filed a federal lawsuit against Ahlstrom and Wausau Paper/Essity, and chemical giant 3M, alleging the spread of PFAS-contaminated sludge/fibercake from the mill on local farmlands caused their drinking water to be contaminated.

An amended complaint, filed in February and listing 43 named plaintiffs, alleges various health issues have resulted including kidney cancer, kidney disease, thyroid disease and high cholesterol.

The companies have been vigorous in defending themselves against the allegations, each having filed a motion to dismiss the case. Among other things, they’ve argued that land-spreading is a common practice, regulated by the DNR, that does not meet the definition of a “hazardous activity” under state tort law. 

Ahlstrom did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on the DNR’s request.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].