Pulp and Paper

The objective of the Pulp and Paper Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Program is to evaluate the effects of pulp and paper effluents on fish, fish habitat, and the use of fisheries resources and functions as a performance measurement tool to inform the adequacy of the regulations.

The Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (PPER) have existed since 1971. Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans developed the first EEM program for its inclusion in the 1992 amendment of the Regulations. The EEM portion of the Regulations were subsequently amended in 2004 and in 2008 as a result of:

  • experience with implementation of the EEM program
  • stakeholder consultations
  • feedback from the Smart Regulation Initiative on Improving the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Pulp and Paper Environmental Effects Monitoring

The amendments did not change the fundamental basis or reduce the effluent quality requirements of the regulations.

Pulp and paper mills in Canada have completed five sequences of monitoring and interpretation cycles. These were completed in:

  • 1996 (Cycle 1)
  • 2000 (Cycle 2)
  • 2004 (Cycle 3)
  • 2007 (Cycle 4)
  • 2010 (Cycle 5)

The 6th EEM cycle for pulp and paper will be completed on April 1st, 2013.

Using the data from each Cycle, Environment Canada has regularly published National Assessments of Pulp and Paper EEM.

 

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