PORT TOWNSEND — The state Department of Ecology and Port Townsend Paper Corp. have joined in a project to study the kraft paper mill’s “industrial footprint.”

The project will measure the mill’s impact on the surrounding community, with a voluntary commitment from the company to sustainable practices.

The study will look at how the facility can improve its environmental, economic and social effects in its community over time.

The project will run through April 2009.

Mill officials have volunteered, along with other pulp and paper mills, including Nippon Paper Industries USA in Port Angeles, to provide baseline data to Ecology on a range of environmental, economic and social indicators.

Working with consultant Earth Economics, stakeholders and the participating mills, Ecology will use the data to create a scoring system to establish a “footprint” measurement for the mill that employs 315 in Jefferson County.

The measurement will serve as a baseline to help companies set targets for improving over time.

“Ecology is pleased that Port Townsend Paper has volunteered for this project,” said Laurie Davies, manager of Ecology’s Solid Waste and Financial Assurance Program.

“We are excited to be on the cutting edge of our industry in terms of going beyond compliance to evaluate and track environmental, social and economic indicators,” said John Begley, Port Townsend Paper president and CEO.

When Nippon joined the project last summer, Boise Wallula, Grays Harbor Paper, and Simpson Tacoma Kraft also were involved in the project, and Ecology was seeking to sign on four more mills.

The four of the project for the four mills last summer was $254,000, including a $183,000 EPA grant and a $71,000 match from Ecology.