Each of Catalyst's four paper mills in British Columbia participates in the federal government's Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Program. This involves a continuous three-year cycle of study design, implementation and reporting — focusing on the impacts of water discharges.
EEM goes beyond end-of-pipe-measurement to directly determine how effectively aquatic ecosystems are being protected by environmental regulation. Canadian EEM programs are considered among the most stringent in the world.
EEM studies have location-specific focal points, which in the case of Catalyst facilities include the health of fish, shellfish and invertebrates; concentrations of contaminants in sediments, fish and shellfish tissue; and the chronic toxicity of effluent. Community input helps guide study design.
Catalyst also undertakes supplemental monitoring of dioxin and furan levels in sediments and crabs at the Crofton and Elk Falls divisions, in cooperation with federal agencies.
Recent EEM findings at Catalyst facilities have generally indicated similar levels of aquatic biodiversity to what is found elsewhere and decreases in the concentrations of contaminants such as dioxins and furans.
The following documents relate to the most recent round of EEM field studies at Catalyst's facilities, conducted in 2007.
Crofton
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EEM Cycle Four Interpretative Report (March 2007) [pdf: 9.37MB / 325 pages] |
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Crofton EEM Cycle Four (2004-2007) Presentation to Local Monitoring Committee November 2007 [pdf: 1.11MB / 48 pages] |
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Elk Falls
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EEM Cycle Four Interpretative Report (March 2007) [ pdf: 7.58MB / 94 pages] |
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Powell River
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EEM Cycle Four Interpretative Report (March 2007) [pdf: 20.6MB / 60 pages] |
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Port Alberni
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EEM Cycle Four Interpretative Report (March 2007) [pdf: 9.94MB / 330 pages] |
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