Preparing for cycle two of aquatic environmental effects monitoring (EEM) at a Canadian mill

Results of the Cycle One aquatic EEM program have undergone extensive review by joint industry/government/private sector Expert Working Groups (EWGs) and an EEM Technical Management Committee. Recommendations were made for Cycle Two of the program and Annex 1 of the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (which includes the EEM requirements) was revised. The current Annex provides much more guidance to mills and their consultants, including the use of decision trees and criteria tables to assist in Cycle Two study design. Based on Cycle One results, the key Cycle Two EEM challenges at Strathcona Paper Company are 1) isolating biological effects on the Napanee River due to agricultural input (nutrient loading), and 2) selecting fish with a higher residency time in the effluent field coupled with chemical tracers showing exposure to effluent and other inputs. These factors are expected to facilitate EEM data interpretation. SPC conducted a mill-wide environmental awareness program in which Cycle One EEM data were presented and used to answer questions from employees about fish health and water quality in the river. The program resulted in better communication inside the mill to prevent and control spills and mishaps which may affect effluent quality and ultimately the aquatic ecosystem. The current strategy at SPC is to continue improving effluent quality by focusing on pollution prevention (i.e. in-mill improvements), including the development of an ISO 14001 environmental management system.