JOINT STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE CONFEREES 

 these mills are now in the process of building primary 

 treatment and recovery facilities points out that our 

 goals of having both pulp and paper mills and clean water 

 can be achieved. 



"We grant that the cost of carrying out 

 the conference recommendations may be large. We believe 

 these costs can be absorbed by the pulp and paper in- 

 dustry and the users of their products. The contribution 

 of sulfite pulp and paper production to the Northwest's 

 economy will not be lessened by our recommendations, 

 and because of the nationwide adoption and enforcement 

 of water quality standards, these recommendations will 

 not endanger this industry's competitive position. We 

 cannot afford the cost in terms of degradation of the 

 environment in not exercising adequate water pollution 

 control. 



"The only remaining question is whether 

 or not the conference recommendations for abatement will 

 be followed. Actually, there should be no question here 

 either. The desire to have clean water, as clean as 

 practically and technically possible, has been expressed 

 by lawmakers at all levels of government in our Nation. 

 The issues and controversy have been debated in the legis- 

 lative chambers. Both the laws of the State of Washington 



