Liabilities for Dispositions and Discontinued Operations Site Liabilities Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						240 Months Ended	732 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		240 Months Ended	780 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		240 Months Ended	924 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			180 Months Ended	408 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						180 Months Ended	816 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2014 Augusta, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Augusta, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Augusta, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2031 Augusta, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 1988 Augusta, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Spartanburg, South Carolina [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Spartanburg, South Carolina [Member]	Dec. 31, 2031 Spartanburg, South Carolina [Member]	Dec. 31, 1989 Spartanburg, South Carolina [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 East Point, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 East Point, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2031 East Point, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 1984 East Point, Georgia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2016 Baldwin, Florida [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Baldwin, Florida [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Baldwin, Florida [Member]	Dec. 31, 2026 Baldwin, Florida [Member]	Dec. 31, 1987 Baldwin, Florida [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other SWP sites [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other SWP sites [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Total SWP sites [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Total SWP sites [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Port Angeles, Washington [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Port Angeles, Washington [Member]	Dec. 31, 2026 Port Angeles, Washington [Member]	Dec. 31, 1997 Port Angeles, Washington [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Port Angeles Increase in Disposition Reserve [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 All other sites [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 All other sites [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Site Contingency, Type of Operation								wood treatment plant				wood treatment plant				wood treatment plant					wood treatment plant								dissolving pulp mill
Site Contingency, Years in Operation								1928 to 1988				1925 to 1989				1908 to 1984					1954 to 1987								1930 until 1997
Site Contingency, Permit Type					10-year hazardous waste permit issued pursuant to RCRA								10-year RCRA hazardous waste permit, which is currently in the renewal process					10-year hazardous waste permit issued pursuant to RCRA
Site Contingency, Permit Expiration Date				2014													2016
Site Contingency, Environmental Remediation Costs Recognized					The majority of visually contaminated surface soils have been removed, and remediation activities currently consist of a groundwater recovery system.				Remediation activities include: (1) a recovery system and biological wastewater treatment plant, (2) an ozone-sparging system treating soil and groundwater and (3) an ion-exchange resin system treating groundwater. The cost estimate includes potential remediation of identified off-site areas which appear to have been impacted from a portion of the former operating plant.				In 2009, SWP entered into a consent order with the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources which requires that SWP perform certain additional investigatory, analytical and potentially, remedial activity. Therefore, while active remedial measures are currently ongoing, additional remedial measures may be necessary in the future.					Visually contaminated surface soils have been removed, and current remediation activities primarily consist of a groundwater recovery system. Investigation and assessment of other potential areas of concern are ongoing in accordance with the facility's RCRA permit								The site and the adjacent marine areas (a portion of Port Angeles harbor) have been in various stages of the assessment process under the Washington Model Toxics Control Act ("MTCA") since about 2000, and several voluntary interim soil clean-up actions have also been performed during this time. In 2010, the Company entered into an agreed order with the Washington Department of Ecology ('Ecology"), under which the MTCA investigatory, assessment and feasibility and alternatives study process will be completed on a set timetable, subject to approval of all reports and studies by Ecology.
Site Contingency, Factors Changing Estimate					Current cost estimates could change if recovery or discharge volumes increase or decrease significantly, or if changes to current remediation activities are required in the future.													additional remedial activities may be necessary in the future. Therefore, current cost estimates could change.								Upon completion of all work required under the agreed order and negotiation of an approved remedy, additional remedial measures for the site and adjacent marine areas may be necessary in the future.
Site Contingency, Indication Accrual May Change									SWP is currently negotiating a consent decree with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control which will govern future investigatory and assessment activities at the site. Additional remedial actions may be required in the future. Therefore, current cost estimates could change.
Total Spending-to-Date					$ 66,500,000				$ 37,900,000				$ 20,000,000					$ 19,700,000								$ 39,500,000
Date through which Recorded Liabilities Cover Estimated Obligations							through 2031				through 2031				through 2031					through 2026								The Company's recorded liabilities cover its obligations for estimated assessment, remediation and monitoring obligations that are deemed probable and estimable at this time
Increase to liabilities	$ 6,873,000	$ 3,201,000	$ 2,111,000		$ 100,000	$ 1,100,000			$ 1,400,000	$ 200,000			$ 0	$ (1,300,000)				$ 500,000	$ 2,400,000			$ (3,300,000)	$ (1,600,000)	$ (1,300,000)	$ 800,000	$ 7,100,000	$ 2,000,000			$ 6,500,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 400,000
Environmental Cost Recognized, Caption																														"other operating income, net"