The mill generates a pollutant known as “black liquor,” which typically is burned as an energy source, the Michigan environment department said.
The river was deprived of oxygen, and fish — pike, bass, walleye and others — were killed for three miles. The Escanaba River runs for 52 miles from Marquette County to Lake Michigan.
Verso, based in Ohio at 8540 Gander Creek Drive in Miami Twp., will pay $244,000 in civil penalties and natural resource damages, Michigan officials said.
An email seeking comment was sent to the company Thursday.
The Escanaba mill has been making paper since 1911.
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