$2,500 reward for information B.C, Hydro is offering up to $2,500 reward for in- formation leading to positive identification of persons wilfully damagin insulators, power lines an equipment. Hugh Williamson, B.C. Hydro’s chief securily of- fictr, said thoughtless persons with guns are costing Hydro money by ‘using pole insulators and transformers -for target ‘practice, “This form of vandalism through Hydro's province- wide electrical system during the past year is estimated to cost about $150,000 in repairs,” he said. ft usually increases during the hunting season each autumn, Williamson said that damage to power lines and . insulators each year causes hardship for a large number of innocent people. - One area heavily hit by rifle fire during the past ‘year was near Box Lake tween Nakusp and New Denver. Twenty-eight insulators on a 60,000 volt transmission line were destroyed and had to be replaced at a cost of about $5,700, , In another case of van- dalism a transformer was as a eters : = twice blasted by rifle fire on- Malcolm Island near the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Some of Hydro's customers were, without power for more than four ours including a Deparl- ment of Transport radio facility, In this instance cost of repairs was eslimated at about $700. Williamson asked any person with information on vandalism to report _ promptly lo the nearest police of Hydro office or hone collect to the security nvestigation section of B.C, Hydro in Vancouver at 685- y731, Minister Evan Wolfe during their recent annual: en is) British Columbia‘s government agents weré ad- dressed by Premier Bill Bennett and Finance Terrace; Howard Harding, Prince Rupert and meeting in Victoria. Pictured above, prior fo the ee Satara see manent RRA ptanees, THE HERALD, Wednesday. September 29, 1976, PAGE A7 Operation Service During October members its Ladies Auxiliaries are carrying out an ambitious attempt to contact people in their communities who have served in Canada’s armed Pree e- eee a meeting are, left fo right, Premier Bennett, K. Booth, Finance Minister Wolfe. forces, in the forces of Canada’s allies and with auxiliary services. ; Purpose of this campaign, called “Operation Service”, is to make sure all those who qualify for benefils under The Veterans Charter are. fully aware of their rights and privileges. Changes in legislation have endeavoured to keep pace with the changing economic and social cir- cumstances of veterans, particularly in pensions and ‘ allowances. Se too have the programs handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs - which include medical treatment, housing, educational assistance, counselling and other services. Among the problems the Legion seeks to solve is the fact that many who applied for assistance in the past, Seven Sisters logging decision . mountain’ clim Decisions to log or not to log. the Seven Sisters Mountain have been post- poned unti] a committee is formed to examine other logging areas in the Skeena PSYU. Such a committee is ex- pected to be formed about October i4 and will include a representative of the Cedarvale Seven Sisters Committee. . The following presen- tation was made to representatives of MacGillis and Gibbs (the Terrace company which wants to log below the Seven Sisters), CanCel and the Forest Service at a public meeting in the Kitwanga Community Hall September 23. The “presentation. was written by the Cedarvale Seven Sisters Committee. “For those who have not witnessed the grandeur of the Seven Sisters, even the most eloquent of descrip- tions would be inadequate to recall . their :rugged- splen- or. - Their beauty has been publicized as far back as 1914, when the Grand Trunk - Pacific Railway was issuing a brochure extolling fre scenery between Prince George and Prince Rupert, Among its illustrations was one of a striking range of mountains called the Seven Sisters. National Geographic magazine published an article - deseribing the first ascent of ’. the highest summit by Dr.. Neil M. Carter in 1941. In the words of. one of his fellow alpinists the range was: “So shaped and situated as to be easily the outstanding site west of Mt. Robson’. This challenge-‘sparked interest in, -othér.- professional in'climbers, and by 1962 all ‘seven of the -peaks had been conquered. The mountains. still attract skilled adventurous - clim- rs. wee These mountains are the subject matter of numerous posteards circulated throughout the province. They.are a continuing at- traction to photographer's - and tourists, looming as one of ‘the outstanding visual attractions throughout the northwest, and along the Yellowhead route. The CBC, which serves communities situated along “the Yellowhead Highway. (between Prince Rupert and Yanderhoof) refers to itself ' as the ‘Seven Sisters _ Network”, The Kitwanga Band Council features these mountains on their let- terhead. The mountains-are even depicted on - record _ albums and placemats. The B.C, Government ‘Lands Bulletin credits the peaks as being the highest in - a 400 mile radius, rising. to . ‘threatening an elevation of over 9,000 feet; as such, they serve as a navigational landmark to _aireraft pilots, who can easily identify the peaks, which often loom high above the cloud cover. These same mountaing are currently the subject of -a.controversy which centres around opposition to a logging. e forested foothills of the :Seven Sisters. | oe - Upon disclosure of the . planned logging, residents ‘methods ‘pace of life, Even as droves -and rivers have to offer. Can, pr oposal “When - developed areas elsewhere? Do we ever stop te question f° within the immediate vicinity were unanimous in their opposition to this roposal. This opposition as sincé , became widespread and continues to mount. . One may ask the question: “Why should any one of us appose a logging operation when so many of us in this region depend, either directly or indirectly, on the logging industry for our livelihood? Surely it is the backbone of our northern One may ask the question: .“Why should any one of us oppose a logging operation when so many of us in this region depend, either directly or indirectly, on thé logging industry for our livelihaod? Surely it is the backbone of our northern economy .. " There are technical as well as 2esthetic grounds on which te contest logging’ -as . currently practised in B.C. Both sides involved: here could ‘debate indefinitely. the — finer, technical aspects con- cerning the possible en- vironmental effects of clear cut logging, faclors and elfects of soil erosion, water runoff and blow down, the nature of sustained yield, the productivity of second or third growth forests, and the effects on fish and wildlife. But for certain as laymen we lack the specialized knowledge to competently discuss such matters: we cannot hope to present a’.technical, case . against a host of foresters and engineers... —° Our case is primarily one of aesthetics. To our parents and grandparents, the preserving of mountains and rivers in their natural - slate was rarely a priority. With only a few individuals carving their livelihood out of a seemingly unending wilderness, just surviving was a full time struggle, and - often the wilderness was an adversary rather than an a ; we are riding on the crest of a tidal wave of modern technology, our life style is vastly different from that of our forefathers, Physically, life is much easier; we now ~ have the time and money to look to activities not related to the actual struggle for survival. If this trend is to -eontinue, our children and theirs will have even more time and money for such diversions. Unfortunately,’ however, directly propar- tionate to the high wages’ and decrease in work hours is the increasein the general of people are moving out, of the cities, away from the noise and pollution, into the more peaceful countryside, so more and more will our , children seek the solitude ° that our mpuntains, lakes we comprehend the swift- ness with which our North American wilderness .has been transformed ‘into populated, productive settlement? And how much slighter has the impact been § here in the province of B.C, compared lo whether -our children’. will have unspoiled areas .to.. enjoy? ci y. Today, however, because “that. - we -can- “use The glruggle of our time seems to bé maintaining abundance and production white still keeping man's inner spirit intact. There are areas thal should be ex- cluded irom logging in perpetuity. Areas that should not be ‘managed”’ by man, The virgin forest, or an unspoiled view of awesome .mountains stirs the deepest chords in the human spirit. It is a thread drawing man back to a time of primitive simplicity. It is an ‘assurance thal civilization ‘need not strangle and twist everything into something “useful”. For in this forest, in this scheme of things, there are lessons to be learned and eternal, beauty which may be passed on to all our children’s children. The value of this unspoiled wilderness is not tangible or easily dealt with. These terms cannot be measured ‘with the clarity and ease describing net or gross dollars, specifie volumes or acreages, boundaries or harvestable limits. There is not the influence of money, not the pressure of con- tracted licenses to be felt in a full moon rising over 9,000 foot peaks, or a myslerious shroud of fog at sunrise. As our population grows, and development increases, the need to escape to wilderness areas will. be much greater. It is our _ immediate responsikility lo ‘recognize the full scope. of ‘human: needs,.now and in the future, inwardly as well as economically. And if we do choose to set aside special areas let us consider _ which are worthy and _ of, exceptional value. | ~ The Seven Sisters sland as a unique and exceptional monument along’ the Yellowhead route, Visually , they rank in magnitude with’ the most awesome and- greak. mountain range found in all - inspiring of any of B.C., if not, indeed any found in North America. Aside from. . isolated | rovincial, campsites, to the st of -our knowledge there is not to be found a single major provincial: park or wilderness area throughout the entire Skeena Public Sustained Yield Unit. There ure no major areas set aside tor parks. between Prince in” Rupert and Burns Lake, and non directly adjacent along the entire extent of Highway 1i west of Mt. Robson. - According to the 1961 Forest Inventory, on which current logging is based, there are just under two million acres of harvestable timber in the Skeena Public Sustained Yield Unit. Of this, 10,000 acres has been allotted for — potential parklands, of which to our knowledge, none have been implemented. The proposed cutting area on the Seven Sisters represents an in- finitesimal percent of the total harvestable timber in the P.S.Y.U. Our economic .wellbeing surely cannot hang in the balance over such a trivial cutting block. Since there is an allowance made for Environmental Protection Areas, why not designate the entire Seven Sisters block? The Seven Sisters have a. central location, and are easily panding communities of Smithers, the Hazeltons, Kispiox Valley, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince-Rupert. Companies wish to log this area . because it is economically attractive. It provides easy access and is nearby a short, expedient route along paved highways to waiting millsites. ‘Is it wise or. necessary to exhaust all of our. easily accessible timber for the sake of short-term gains? Eventually companies will -have to travel further for - logs. In some cases it has “already become more economical to move sel- tlements ta timber “rather than transport logs to existing communities. TQ QUOTE FROM A SUBMISSION TO THE PEARSE ROYAL COM- MISSION ON FOREST RESOURCES: *“We should not regard our resources as’ strictly our own but as belonging to future generations as well. It is our responsibility to pass them on to our children in such condition thal. they may also reap the benefits which would allow them and their descendants, in turn, i enjoy a high quality of ife.” . If the Forest Service is intended to serve as trustee of our public resources, we must all expect that they TERRACE & SURROUNDING AREAS nurry! | 3 MONTHS LEFT HURRY! TO INCOME TAX! , PERSONALIZED & QUICK SERVICE: WHY GET CAUGHT IN THE LAST MINUTE RUSH! SAVE MONEY! See us and get In on a reduced rate for early birds. Far get- ting records up to date. Personal - Self-Empfoyed - Private Companies. Frée - [n- formation on; Incorporating, Racords, ete. “MARR’S” ‘ Bookkeeping a Accounting . 4419 Leglon, Terrace, B.C, = . Ph. 638-1761 | : co Res. Ass. Anita Page. Res, - 635-6451. . ' Man. - Mary Stevens) | = 695-3105 . ASS. + Norm Buttertietd Res. - 638-1051 postponed will reflect the needs of the public whom they were intended ta serve. Lndeed any branch of the govern- ment . overseeing public resources must be aware of changing public needs and altitudes. For it is: popular altitude which will even- tually motivate policies. The Regional District Forester has stated that the Forestry “has grown up beyond residents’ concerns’ over managemenl practices. Does not the concept of a public. trustee verge precariously towards one of dictatorship when there is such a blatant neglect of popular concern? Other government branches have recently revised their research and study methods by including public input as an integral part of policy-making. We strongly advocate that this approach be implemented by the. Forest Service as ation well, so as to provide for accessible ‘from the ex: channels of public par- ticipation. Only in this way can our people be insured of having an influential hand in determining the quality of our environment and in caretaking its future. By this, we do not mean to devaluate all of the existing policies of the Forest Ser- vice. It is especially ap. parent that their latest ecological guidelines reflect a much more sympathetic approach to the en- vironment. This is to be sincerely commended. Bul let us not take premature comfort from promises of rose-coloured and well-intended guidelines. . 7 a Ski Patrol ‘All those interested in joining the Kitsumkalum Ski Patrol please turn out for a general meeting on Monday, October 4, 1976 al Caledonia High School beginning “at 7 p.m. but were refused, do not realize thal circumstances have changed and that pension, medical and other forms of benefits have been vastly improved. of the Royal Canadian and | “Operation Service’’ involves much unselfish, voluntary work — door-to- door calls and the filling out of questionnaire forms. The questionnaires are designed so that problems and enquiries may be referred lo the appropriate Legion service officers and government agencies for action. Members of the. Legion and .the ladies’ auxiliaries have earned a_ fine reputation for improving the lot of their former comrades-in-arms, widows and dependants. This current effort to help those in need ar distress merils our support, encouragement and appreciation. : SECOND MORTGAGES ® Nobonuses, brokerage or finder's fees @ Borrow up to $15,000 @ 14.9% on amounts over $8,000 @ 15 year amortization HOUSEHOLD REALTY CORPORATION LIMITED TERRACE 4608 Lakelse Avenue 635-7207 Tunnel & Rockworkers Local 168 GENERAL MEETING Green Room TERRACE HOTEL Thursday, September 30th 7:30 P.M. in Cash Prizes | | Thursday, Soptembor 30th y SPECIAL DOOR PRIZES arena Banquet Hall 4 _ PROCEEDS TO TERRACE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Sponsored by the Te race Cerebral Palsy Association