Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Inc - Pulp and Paper Facility in Ontonagon, Michigan

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Inc is a pulp and paper facility located at One Superior Way in Ontonagon, Michigan, United States. The plant is operational and serves as a key industrial utility in the region, processing wood fiber into paper products. Its location in Ontonagon County places it within a rural area near Lake Superior, which influences its operational and environmental context. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. As a pulp and paper mill, it is subject to specific effluent guidelines and air emission standards. The plant's NAICS codes indicate involvement in pulp mills, paper mills, and paperboard mills, suggesting a vertically integrated operation. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its potential impact on local water resources, given its proximity to Lake Superior. The pulp and paper sector is known for high water usage and discharge of organic pollutants. The plant's compliance with EPA regulations is critical for maintaining water quality and air standards in the region. Its operational status contributes to the local economy and industrial base of Ontonagon.

The pulp and paper industry is inherently pollution-intensive, with primary process emissions including particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and volatile organic compounds. Water discharge from such facilities often contains organic matter and chlorinated compounds. The plant's location near Lake Superior, a large freshwater body, necessitates stringent wastewater treatment to protect aquatic ecosystems. Community proximity to the facility may raise concerns about air quality and odor, typical for pulp mills.