A12- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 10, 2002 Parks cuts outrage the local politicians By JENNIFER LANG THEY’RE MAD as heck and they're not going to take it anymore, After agreeing to fork over some of the dough to maintain one provincial park slated for closure, the Kitimat Stikine: re- gional district board has refused to step in to keep Exchamsiks open-next year, The campsite at the 18-hectare park has been pérmanenily closed because a decaying stand of old-growth. Sitka Spruce trees posed a safety. threat lo park Visitors. Now the Ministry of Water, Air and Land Protection.is looking for. a local pariner to maintain the day use ‘area and boat faunch at the former campsite, loca- ted half way between Terrace anil Kiti- mat. “It’s forced downloading,” Village of Hazelton mayor Alice Maitland ‘com- plained to ministry. official. Hugh Mark- ides June 23. “lt you Want the service, hit ; your taxpayer.” Markides said Exchamsiks is one of 32 provincial parks that will be closed. or downgraded, saving $300,000 as the B.C. government looks for ways to balance its budget over three years. “It’s our money for crying out loud, We pay [tax] money to have parks,” Maitland added. “Take the rotten message back to the government that we don’t like it,” “], too, share.-Alice’s outrage,” Terrace director Rich McDaniel. “You have to take the message hack that we Te not going to take this.” Markides’ message comes after the re- gional district and the town of New Ha- zellon agreed to contribute $3,000 to operate Ross Lake provincial park, a day use area near New Hazelton. It’s a arrangement that's working well, New Hazelton director Pete Weeber -said. “It’s kind of put the park in local ow- nership,” he added. His counterparts at the regional district aren’! convinced. “I’m just disgusted,” said Kitimat al- lernate director Leif Larson, who criti- cized the province’s growing reliance on partnerships. “[Partnership is] getting to be a hated word in my vocabulary,” Larson said. “If you want a court house in your commun- ity — you pay for it. If you want a camp- said - ground — you pay for it.” At-one point during, the meeting, acting regio- nal district chair Joanne Monaghan A simply shook her head in disbelief. “As you can see, Mr. Markides, we fre very angry,” Monaghan said, Markides also said private operators may be bid- ding for contracts to aperale some BC Parks. “L wouldn't be surprised to see ‘hot dog stands or small stores in some of these sites,” he said. Monaghan sounded ‘appalled at the suggestion of finding a hot dog stand in- side a provincial park. “T can-get that in downtown Terrace or Kitimat,” she said. “Take the message back that we are unhappy campers.” Markides said leases of up to 20 years are. being ‘considered ‘for potential. opera- tors. ; “So, McDenald’s and Burger King are still in the running?” Thornhill director Les Watmough wandered. “No, sir,” Markides answered. Alice Maitland clear.” Meanwhile, Prince Rupert, ward and the Skeena Queen Charlotte re- gional district have agreed to pay $12,000 to maintain Diana Lake Provincial Park, a picnic site near Prince Rupert that had - been stated for closure. ~ “wasn’t really pleased ta have to an- nounce six parks in our area,” Markides said. “It meant off loading. | won’t argue , that.” Visitors to BC Parks campsiles now have to pay for firewood, Along with park closures, Ihe move is expected to save an annual $1.5 million in spending on pro-— vineial parks. “We don’t have McDonald's in there, let’s be Port Ed- © - VO ee STANDARD 3210 Clinton Street, Terrace, B.C. V8G SR2 Phone 638- 7283 Fax 638-8432 NEW EMAIL ADDRESS HOR EDITORIAL CORRECTION The Thank You by the Skeena Aboriginal Planning Committee 2002 in the July 3 Terrace Standard was missing Mae Derrick. We apologize and hope this has not caused any inconvenience. EFFECTIVE (MMEDBIA newsroom @ terracestandard. com f— \_ Martyn Glassman@gems4.gov.be.ca OR to: ~ PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON AN APPLICATION FOR THE FORREST KERR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Coast Mountain Hydro Corporation (CMHC) has made an application for a project approval certificate under the Environmental Assessment Act (Act) for the Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Project to be located near the confluence of the Iskut River and Forrest Kerr Creek about 100 kilometres northwest of the town of Stewart. Por the purpose of the environmental assessment review, the Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Project includes the following: * powerhouse with a total capacity of 100 MW; ¢ intake structure, power tunnel. and tailrace; ¢ surge/access tunnel and powerhouse access shaft and hoist; « in-tunnel de- sanding system * 8km of new access road to the project site; * construction site and spoil storage/disposal areass; and ¢ 188km DC transmission line and converter stations. CMHC has also applied for authorizations under the Water Act, the Land Act and the: Forest Act for the development of the project. The review of these authorizations will be concurrent with the review of the application for a project approval certificate: The application for a project approval certificate and the applications filed for tihe concurrent authorizations may be viewed at the Environmental Assessment. Office (EAO) Project Hiegistry on the 2nd Floor, 836 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, V8V" 1X4, (Tel: 250-356-7441) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) and at: Dease Lake Government Agent Office Highway 37 Dease Lake, BC VOC 1L0 Phone: (250) 771-3700 Stewart Public Li brary 824 Main Street Stewart, BC VOT 1';WO Phone: (250) 636-2280 The application, as well as information regarding the environmental assessment process and projects under review, is also available on the EAO website at www.eao.gov.be.ca The EAO invites comments on the application to ensure that public issues are identified and addressed as part of the environmental assessment review process. All comments will ke considered as part of the review. The publie comment period begins July 15, 2002 anid ends on September 27, 2002. All comments will be available to the general public through the’ EAO Project Registry as originally submitted and required by the Act and on the EAO website. If your comments do not indicate that you wish your personal information (full address, e-mail address, and telephone number) to be treated in confidence, it will be made public. Comments must be received by September 27, 2002. Send your comments to: _ Martyn Glassman - Project Assessment Director Environmental Assessment Office PG Box 9426 Sin Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9V1 Telephone: (250) 387-2206 Fax: (250) 387-2208 - Comments by e-mail are encouraged and may be directed to: eaoinfo@gems5. zov.be.ca 18 B Hwy 16. Wi # 9662 — : Genuine Honda Oil and Filler Chaige ue www, arnt. : $Q888 Civic (Installed Price Genuine Honda Brake Pad or Shoe Replacement a | 18* All other models (Installed Price} Genuine Honda Wiper Blade Inserts ~BO00- 965-198