The natural resource trustees for the Weyerhaeuser Plymouth Mill case have released a Draft Phase 2 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) (PDF, 50 pages). They seek public comment on proposed restoration projects that would compensate the public for injuries to fish, aquatic habitat, and recreational fishing caused by releases of hazardous substances from the former Plymouth Mill in Plymouth, North Carolina. The draft plan accompanies a proposed consent decree that would resolve natural resource damages associated with the site.

The natural resource trustees are NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Restoring Natural Resources

The Plymouth Mill began operating in 1937 as a wood and paper products manufacturing facility. Over several decades, industrial operations released hazardous substances into groundwater, soils, Welch Creek, and the Roanoke River. Contaminants, including dioxins, furans, and mercury, accumulated in fish and other aquatic species, contributing to a fish consumption advisory that has remained in effect since 1990. The mill withdrew water from the river as part of their manufacturing process, as a result the cooling water withdrawals from the mill also entrained larval fish–reducing fish populations and affecting recreational fishing in the lower Roanoke River.

Warren Neck Conservation
The Warren Neck tract is an extensive area of stream and swamp forest near the mill. The tract provides fish nursery habitat important to the health of the Roanoke River. The trustees’ conservation approach will protect the ecological value of Warren Neck from development pressures.

Floodplain Reconnection, Wetland Protection and Fish Passage 
Many roads cross over the lower Roanoke River floodplain. Old and/or deteriorating culverts can often inhibit natural water flow in the floodplain and restrict fish access. This project will repair up to five lost natural connections with habitat restoration and construction/installation of simple water crossings and fish-friendly culverts. Results will include reconnection of three miles of historic stream channels to natural flow and flood regime and over 600 acres of improved habitats.

The Draft Phase 2 Restoration Plan builds on restoration completed under the 2006 Phase 1 Restoration Plan (PDF, 17 pages). It recognizes restoration actions already completed by Domtar and proposes additional projects that will provide long-term ecological and recreational benefits.

The draft plan includes:

• Credit for previous improvements to the Plymouth boat ramp and waterfront park completed by Domtar
• Credit for installation of high-capacity cooling water towers that eliminated cooling water withdrawals from the Roanoke River–reducing fish mortality
• Credit for lighting improvements completed by Domtar
• A proposed conservation deed-restriction protecting approximately 760 acres of Warren Neck forested wetlands
• Approximately $1.75 million to support a future floodplain reconnection, wetland protection, and fish passage project to be implemented by the trustees
• Funding for restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring

Public Comment

The trustees encourage the public to review the Draft Phase 2 RP/EA and submit comments through October 26, 2026. The proposed consent decree is also available for public review. Following the close of the public comment period, the trustees will review all comments received before finalizing the Restoration Plan and determining whether any changes to the proposed restoration projects are warranted.

Please submit comments by:

• Mail: Howard Schnabolk 
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
  2234 South Hobson Avenue Charleston, SC 29405 
   
• Phone: 854-429-2252 
   
• Email: Howard.Schnabolk@noaa.gov 

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