Paper mill takes blame for Northshore fish kill

The weekend brought with it jarring news about thousands of aquatic species dying or already floating dead in Pearl River. Paddlefish, American eels, catfish, bass, bluegill and shad were among the casualties. Biologists with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have surveyed 45 miles of the river from Richardson Landing to the entrance of the West Pearl River Navigation Canal. In declaring a state of emergency Tuesday night, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis noted that there was a “black” discharge area in the river 40-50 miles long and moving southward slowly. Emergency responders from the Department of Environmental Quality have taken water samples. State officials say the results could be made available within the next 48 hours. According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, there is no impact on drinking water, but the agency is still advising people not to come in contact with the now-discolored water and foam being generated in Pearl River and—as a general rule of practice—to never collect dead or floating fish to eat. Paper producer Temple-Inland Inc. took responsibility today for the fish kill, blaming a discharge from one of its paper mills. In a statement, Austin, Texas-based Temple-Inland apologized “for the impact this issue at the mill has had on the Pearl River.” The company said it is working to remove the dead fish and restore the river’s quality. For the rest of 10/12 Corridor Weekly, click here. —Jeremy Alford