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Recammendations

PULP MILLS

The issue of pulp mill pollution has been a focal point for many environmental groups in
past years. Lobbying for an end to the massive amounts of toxins being released into the
Strait of Georgia has been an arduous and sometimes seemingly hopeless task. The
federal and provincial governments have been ineffective in confronting the pulp indus-
try. Government appears to favour the benefits derived from the production of white
paper products over a healthy fishery and marine environment. The responsibility for
creating change falls on the shoulders of each and every one of us.

ray Ge goverment, Universities, Colleges, School Boards, labour unions,
businesses, non-governmental organizations and consumers ;
¢ Ensure that all the stationery you use is produced from recycled and non-chlorine
bleached pulp.

To: Environment Canada

° Require that all pulp mills utilizing or proposing to utilize chlorine dioxide-bleaching
systems fund third-party, in-depth research on the effects of the resulting chlorates and
organochlorines on the marine ecosystem.

To: Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada

Research the present and potential economic value of the commercial, sport and native
fisheries in the Strait of Georgia, inchuding opportunities for development of diverse
aquaculture species (eg. seaweed, scallops, mussels), Assess actual and potential income

loss caused by fisheries closures that result from pulp mill pollution.

To: BC Ministry of Finance
* Introduce a tax on chlorine-bleached and chlorine cioxide-bleached paper products, to
finance research into the production of environment-friendly paper products.

To: BC Ministry of Environment

Immediately implement regulation (with no variance orders) requiring that AOX levels
in pulp mill effluent not exceed 1.5 kg per air-dried tonne of pulp produceri. Set a
reasonable deadline for reaching a 0.1 or 1 level.

° Require mandatory posting of bonds by the pulp and paper industry sufficient to
compensate those who suffer a loss of income as a result of pulp mill pollution.

© In cooperation with school districts, youth and community groups, create a database to
coordinate the findings of intertidal quadrat studies throughout Georgia Strait.

To: BC Ministry of Development and Trade

° Initiate research into, and offer financial incentives to encourage the development and
expansion of alternate sources of fibre for pulp and paper (eg. flax, hemp, cottonwood).

¢ Establish a value-added economic development program to utilize all BC pulp and to
eliminate the export of raw pulp.