604.247.4400

2nd Floor,
3600 Lysander Lane,
Richmond, BC V7B 1C3

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Crofton

Catalyst Crofton Mill is located on Vancouver Island, in the Cowichan Valley, near Duncan and plays an important role in the cultural, social and economic health of this community. Commissioned in 1957, Catalyst Crofton Mill today has two paper machines and two pulp lines. Committed to environmental sustainability, 89% of Catalyst Crofton Mill’s energy comes from renewable sources with a 71% reduction in greenhouse gases since 1990. Its unique deep-sea port facility provides an economic gateway to major marketing in western North America, Asia and Latin America.

FACTS & FIGURES

  • State of the art kraft digesters, bleach plant, utility island, and waste water treatment system
  • Deep-sea port facility
  • NBSK pulp: 380,000 tonnes per year
  • Printing / packaging papers: 334,000 tonnes per year
  • Coastal BC fibre supply dominated by sawmill residual chips and pulp logs
  • 590 full time employees
  • 1,700 indirect jobs in British Columbia
  • $1 billion in economic contribution
  • Local property taxation of $4.6 million annually
  • ISO 14001 environmental management system and ISO 50001 energy management system certified
  • 87% of the mill’s energy comes from renewable sources with 71% reduction in greenhouse gases since 1990
  • 22% of their power use is self-generated green electricity
  • 100% of their wood fibre is low risk using the FSC risk assessment process
  • Certified to SFI Fibre Sourcing, FSC Controlled Wood; FSC®, PEFC™ and SFI® Chain of Custody standards1.
  • Robust health and safety program to help protect employees
  • Local donations program that focuses funds cultural, athletic and other important aspects of the community
  • Active relationship with Cowichan Tribes First Nation to protect the Cowichan River
  • First Nations and community at large scholarship program for post-graduation students

FACTS & FIGURES

  • State of the art kraft digesters, bleach plant, utility island, and waste water treatment system
  • Deep-sea port facility
  • NBSK pulp: 380,000 tonnes per year
  • Printing / packaging papers: 334,000 tonnes per year
  • Coastal BC fibre supply dominated by sawmill residual chips and pulp logs
  • 590 full time employees
  • 1,700 indirect jobs in British Columbia
  • $1 billion in economic contribution
  • Local property taxation of $4.6 million annually
  • ISO 14001 environmental management system and ISO 50001 energy management system certified
  • 87% of the mill’s energy comes from renewable sources with 71% reduction in greenhouse gases since 1990
  • 22% of their power use is self-generated green electricity
  • 100% of their wood fibre is low risk using the FSC risk assessment process
  • Certified to SFI Fibre Sourcing, FSC Controlled Wood; FSC®, PEFC™ and SFI® Chain of Custody standards1.
  • Robust health and safety program to help protect employees
  • Local donations program that focuses funds cultural, athletic and other important aspects of the community
  • Active relationship with Cowichan Tribes First Nation to protect the Cowichan River
  • First Nations and community at large scholarship program for post-graduation students

DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS

Below are links to the major regulatory permits relating to discharges to the environment at Crofton Mill.

Attachment Size
Catalyst Crofton 2020 Environmental Emergency Public Notice 99.69 kb
Air Permit PA 01902 36.79 kb
Effluent Permit PE 114 39.84 kb
Landfill Permit PR 506 16.74 kb
ISO 9001:2015 (Expiry May 16 2021) 23.99 kb
ISO 14001:2015 (Expiry July 6 2021) 22.76 kb
ISO 50001:2011 (Expiry January 5 2021) 18.43 kb

We try to keep our finger on the pulse of the communities of Cowichan Valley and Salt Spring Island and operate with local concerns in mind. To help us do this, we established a community advisory forum in 2004.

A broad range of individuals from community interest groups attend our forums: residents, business owners, environmental leaders, employees, First Nations, local government and more. The group discusses issues related to our operations and offers input. This invaluable feedback helps us form our plans for the future.

For more information or details about upcoming forums contact Darlene Poole at 250-246-6122.

Attachment Size
Community Advisory Forum (Apr 13 2021) Minutes 73.97 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Dec 8 2020) Minutes 69.6 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Aug 18 2020) Minutes 13.26 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Dec 10 2019) Minutes 62.6 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Sept 17 2019) Minutes 38.71 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Feb 19 2019) Minutes 36.69 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Dec 4 2018) Minutes 36.84 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Sept 18 2018) Minutes 55.77 kb
Community Advisory Forum (Sept 18 2018) Minutes 55.77 kb

Catalyst operates a weir which regulates water flow from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River for much of the year. The Cowichan River is the source of the water used at Crofton Division and of drinking water for local residents. Catalyst collaborates closely with regulatory authorities regarding weir operation, and it engages with local stakeholders on water management through its involvement with the Cowichan Watershed Board. Catalyst also contributed to and endorsed a comprehensive water management plan developed through a multi-stakeholder process.

Information relevant to local water levels can be accessed here:

Cowichan Lake levels and Cowichan River flow Trend

Cowichan Lake levels and Cowichan River flows  (see “Cowichan Lake near Lake Cowichan”, “Cowichan River at Lake Cowichan” and “Cowichan River near Duncan” in alphabetical list)

View Snow Pillow Map of B.C.

View weather forecast data for Lake Cowichan

Attachment Size
Authorization: Water License (Expires 2028) 57.98 kb
DEP Dam Emergency Plan for Cowichan Lake Weir (February 2, 2021) 3.75 mb
2021 DFO Authorization 4.5 cms 1.59 mb
2021 FLNRORD Authorization 4.5 cms 29.17 kb
Weekly Lake Update (August 10, 2021) 1.17 mb
Weekly Lake Update (August 18, 2021) 1.26 mb
Weekly Lake Update (August 23, 2021) 85.65 kb
Weekly Lake Update (August 30, 2021) 87 kb
Weekly Lake Update (September 13, 2021) 78.73 kb

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