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Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 2, 2001
P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Pennsylvania 1-3560 23-0628360
(State or Other (Commission File (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
96 South George Street, Suite 500
York, PA 17401
(Address of Principal (Zip Code)
Executive Offices)
(717)225-4711
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
The Registrant has previously reported with respect to certain
environmental matters regarding the lower Fox River in Wisconsin, upon which the
Registrant operates a manufacturing facility. On October 2, 2001, the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) released a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP), which
sets forth WDNR and EPA's proposed remedy to address alleged contamination in
the lower Fox River and Green Bay. Six parties in addition to the Registrant
have been identified by the agencies as potentially responsible for this alleged
contamination.
The proposed remedy would include the removal of approximately 7.25
million cubic yards of sediment and long-term monitoring. WDNR and EPA estimate
that various activities proposed by the PRAP will cost approximately $307.6
million, without a contingency factor. There is no assurance that the cost
estimates contained in the PRAP are accurate. Based on cost estimates of
large-scale dredging remedies at other sites, interested parties believe that
the PRAP's cost estimates may be significantly understated. The Registrant does
not believe that the proposed remedial activities are appropriate or cost
effective. The Registrant believes that a protective remedy can be implemented
at a much lower actual cost using barrier techniques (such as capping) and
monitoring, rather than large-scale dredging. In addition, the Registrant
maintains that its share of any liability for the alleged contamination is much
less than one-seventh of the total liability and that additional responsible
parties exist other than those currently identified by the agencies.
The Registrant intends to vigorously advocate for the implementation
of less costly but environmentally protective alternatives. The public and
interested parties may submit comments to the PRAP from October 5, 2001 to
December 7, 2001. There is a possibility that the agencies may extend this
comment period. The Registrant intends to submit extensive comments to the PRAP.
EPA, in consultation with WDNR, will consider comments on the PRAP and will then
select a remedy for the site.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/George MacKenzie
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Date: October 11, 2001 Name: George MacKenzie
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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