EFFECT5 OF PLANT EXPANSION BY KAKOOPS PULP AND PAPER, LT'D. This report refers to an application (dated 23 February, 1970) for a permit under the Pollution Control Act, 1967 by Karnloops Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd., 105 Seymour Street, Kamloops, to discharge effluent from a bleached kraft - pulp mill into the Thompson River near Kamloops. Kamloops and district is widely advertised and recognized as a focal point for recreation in British Columbia. The attractiveness of this area for recreation is largely a consequence of the presence of open, pastoral land- scapes, an abundance of clean water for water-based recreation, and sizeable populations of sportfish and wildlife. Kamloops Lake, irtinediately downstream of Kamloops Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd. pulp mill supports moderate swiming, water-skiing and fishing use in spring and sumer months. Four motels and resorts are situated on Kamloops Lake at Savona. To some extent, the existance of each establishment is depend- ent upon clean, attractive lake water. The Government of British Columbia has recognized a need for public access for use of the lake for recreation by establishing a provincial park and three recreational reserves on Karnloops Lake. Karnloops Lake supports populations of rainbo1.1 trout averaging 1%pounds in weight, Dolly Varden char, kokanee, whitef ish and burbot. The sport f ishiry is judged by this Branch to be relatively unexploited as yet. Trans-Canada Highway I parallels the Thompson River for much of its length downstream of Kamloops Lake. The clear- appearing river water adds considerably to the attractive- ness of the valley through which the highway passes. Several developed and informal camping and picnicking sites are situated beside the river between Kamloops Lake and Lytton. Thompson River downstream of Kamloops Lake is one of the most important sport fishing rivers in British Columbia. Resident rainbow trout to six pounds, Dolly Varden char to four pounds, and mountain whitefish to three pounds in weight are caught throughout the year. Steelhead trout to twenty-five pounds in weight are angled in fall and winter months. Annual catches of steelhead in the Thompson River have varied between 2,600 and 5,000 in the past three years, and this fishery is particularly favoured by anglers from the State of Washington and the lower mainland. There is easy access to much of the river, and the river can accommodate a much greater fishing use than is experienced at present. A five-fold increase of effluent from Karnloops Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd. to Thompson River upstreamof Kamloops Lake presents serious implications for continued optimum recreation- al use of Kamloops Lake and Thonpson River downstream of Kamloops Lake. 1. It is likely that the effluent (at an average discharge rate of 60,000,000 gallons per day) will discolor the waters of Kamloops Lake and Thompson River. This effect will be most evident during the late winter and early spring months of January through April. This will coincide with beginning of the fishing season for resident fish in Kamloops Lake and Thompson River, and with the conclusion of the steelhead angling season in Thompson River. We estimate that the effluent will add between 20 and 50 standard color units to the background color of water in Karnloops Lake and Thompson River during January through April. Throughout the fall and early winter months the mill will add about 15 standard color units. These estimates are based on waterflows in 1953, a year of lower than average waterflows. The significant color change in winter . and spring months will detract from the scenic attractiveness of the drainage systems downstream of the pulp mill. More particularly, it will impair optimum fishing use of Kamloops Lake and Thompson River at least during winter and spring months. We have observed that anglers voluntarily refrain from fishing in streams which have the appearance and odor of being polluted by pulp mill wastes (for example, in Kootenay River downstream of Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. pulp mill, and in Columbia River downstream of Celgar Ltd. pulp mill at Castlegar). 2. In general, reduced light penetration related to color and turbidity in water retards growth of plant life and, in turn, the food chain for fish. An increase in color in Kamloops Lake can be expected to lower the productivity of the lake, although this may be a difficult effect to measure. 3. In spring months, pulp mill effluent will be at maximum concentration in lake and river water. In conditions of surface agitation in Kamloops Lake and Thompson River, offensive patches of foam will probably develop. 4. Odor of lake and river water will probably be objectionable in conditions of minimum dilution of pulp mill wastes. Because of the above considerations to protect the recreational fishing of the affected waters, the following itens should be included in any Pollution Control Permit issued to the applicant. 1. Mill effluent when diluted to 65% concentration (65% BKME and 35% river water) shall not cause any mortal- ity to fish of the family salmonidae in a period of 96 hours. Testing to be performed on a monthly basis, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the director of the Pollution Control Branch. 2. The discharge of effluent shall not alter PH by more than one unit, nor lower dissolved oxygen in river or lake water by over 1.0 p.p.m. downstream from the diffuser upon initial complete mixing of waste and river. 3. Settleable solids in the effluent shall be maintained at such levels as may be required to prevent discernible accumulations, bottom deposits or slimes attributable to the effluent at any point in the river or lake. 4. The waste discharge shall not cause a conspicuous increase in taste, odor, color or foam in the river or lalce. 5. The Director may redefine the conditions of the permit at any time that the effluent causes unforeseen harmful effects to aquatic life or offensive conditions for outdoor recreation. I. L. Withler, Biologist, i/c Fish Habitat Protection. April, 1970. .