NEENAH PAPER INC - WHITING MILL: Pulp and Paper Facility in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

NEENAH PAPER INC - WHITING MILL is a pulp and paper facility located at 3243 Whiting Road in Stevens Point, Portage County, Wisconsin. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS codes 322120 and 322121, indicating paper mills and paperboard mills. As a pulp and paper facility, it is part of a sector known for significant water and energy use, as well as emissions of pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces multi-media environmental laws including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. These regulations require permits for air emissions, wastewater discharges, and hazardous waste management. The plant's location in Wisconsin also subjects it to state-level environmental regulations administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Pulp and paper facilities like this one play a key role in the regional economy by producing paper products from wood pulp. The environmental significance of such plants includes high water consumption, potential for water pollution from bleaching and pulping processes, and air emissions from boilers and recovery furnaces. The facility's proximity to the Wisconsin River and surrounding communities necessitates robust environmental management to minimize impacts.

The facility is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a city in the central part of the state near the Wisconsin River. The region has a mix of agricultural and industrial land uses, with the river serving as a key water resource. Pulp and paper mills in this area must manage wastewater discharges carefully to protect water quality, as the river supports aquatic life and recreational activities. Air emissions from the plant, including sulfur compounds and particulate matter, can affect local air quality, especially given the area's continental climate with temperature inversions that can trap pollutants.