Metal Mining Technical Guidance for Environmental Effects Monitoring

Table of Contents

• List of Acronyms
• Chapter 1: Overview of the Metal Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring Program
• Chapter 2: Study Design, Site Characterization and General Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Chapter 3: Effects on Fish and Fisheries Resources
• Chapter 4: Effects on Fish Habitat: Benthic Invertebrate Community Survey
• Chapter 5: Effluent Characterization and Water Quality Monitoring
• Chapter 6: Sublethal Toxicity Testing
• Chapter 7: Sediment Monitoring
• Chapter 8: Data Assessment and Interpretation
• Chapter 9: Alternative Monitoring Methods
• Chapter 10: Information Management and Interpretative Reports
• Chapter 11: Public Involvement in Metal Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring
• Chapter 12: Investigation of Cause
• Chapter 13: Report on Historical Information

Purpose of the Guidance Document

In 1996, Environment Canada undertook an assessment of the aquatic effects of mining in Canada (AQUAMIN 1996

^Footnote 1), which provided recommendations regarding the review and amendments of the Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulations (currently titled the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations [MMER]) and the design of a national Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program for metal mining. The MMER under the Fisheries Act direct metal mines to conduct EEM as a condition governing the authority to deposit effluent (MMER, Part 2, section 7). EEM is a science-based performance measurement tool used to assess the adequacy of the regulations. Although this guidance document is not a legal document, it is intended to provide guidance for mines in meeting their EEM requirements and conducting EEM studies. For the regulatory EEM requirements, refer to section 7 and Schedule 5 of the MMER. This guidance document replaces the 2002 version.

Disclaimer

The objective of this document is to provide guidance to mines on how to meet the environmental effects monitoring regulatory requirements under the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER). This is not a legal interpretation of the MMER. For the Regulations, refer to the MMER.

Acknowledgements

The National Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Office would like to thank the many people who contributed to the updating of this technical guidance document. The content was greatly improved by contributions from the members of the EEM National Team and Science Committee. The quality of the document was vastly improved through the efforts of Environment Canada’s editing team and individual members of the National EEM Office.