Dear Louisiana Lawmakers,

The massive fish kill on the Pearl River is a disaster to our local ecosystem and to the residents who rely on it for their livelihoods and recreation. We urge you to hold Temple-Inlan, Inc. fully accountable for their actions, including fines for the loss of endangered species and loss of recreational and commercial use of the river. Please direct the state to conduct a thorough natural resources damage assessment, enforce stiff penalties for this incident, and work to make sure that all paper mills in Louisiana are held to the maximum achievable control technology available.

We also believe that the best use of any future fines against Temple-Inland, Inc. would be to establish a formal conservation program for the Pearl River basin. This program could include componets that would focus on environmental education and stewerdship, ecological recovery and maintenance, enhancement of recreational and commercial access, and citizen engagement and oversight over the process. Thank you for your concern.