' directors Les by Michael Kelly TERRACE— B.C. gov- ernment land manage- ment policies were the target of repeated con- demnation and critic- ism at the Wilderness Advisory Committee hearings in Terace on Monday, Jan. 20. Nearly 100 people as- sembled in the Skeena room of the Terrace Hotel to observe and participate in the pro- ceedings, Over 20 briefs were read addressing the subject of future land useages in North- western B.C., and the hearings lasted more than eight hours. The four-member panel listened atten- tively but with an air of weariness, having just completed a two-day marathon of similar hearings in the Queen Charlotte Islands.. The strongly-worded tl-page brief prepared by the Regional District ofKitimat-Stikine seem- ed to summarize many of the central concerns expressed at the hearing. It was read by board Wat- mough, and Joe Mur- phy. The brief began by calling into question the value of the committee itself, stating, ‘‘The time period allotted to the Wilderness Advisory Committee is not suf- ficient to address the complex issues assigned to it’’. It went on to contend that land-use decisions are often made by government officials within the region or in Victoria seemingly with- out the input of local residents affected.’’ The RDKS brief sup- ported in principle the creation of a class ‘A’ park in the Gitnadoix River valley. Les Wat- mough, that park designation is meaningless without commitment from the provincial governement to administer the area appropiately. He called attention to the fact the Parks Branch employs only two full-time and two seasonal staff to oversee Atlin, Mt. Ed- ziza, Spatsizi, Tatlatui, Boya Lake and Kinas- kan Lake provincial parks. The combined administrative area of these parks comprises almost the entire north- western quadrant of the province, -The Gitnadoix River was in fact the only area under examination about which a consen- sus of agreement was achieved. This was un- doubtedly due to the fact that no commercial timber or mineral values exist in the valley. People living in the Stikine River area were represented by Joe Mur- phy, RDKS _ board director and resident of Telegraph Creek. ‘‘in some places conflicts have risen to crisis pro- portions,’’ Murphy be- gan. ‘‘This points to however said: Terrace Review — Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1986 23 Wilderness advisory committee | hears local viewpoints Paul Sneed ‘resource base for tourlsm is being rapidly destroyed.” failure on the part of the provincial govern- “ment.”’ He went on to concur with various points in the RDKS brief, includ- ing the contention that resolution of native land claims will have to precede any further dis-- positions of wilderness areas in the northwest. Murphy concluded his presentation with a scathing condemnation of B.C. Hydro. The crown utility has done ‘extensive studies in the past years aimed at building a major dam on the Stikine. Imp- lementation of the pro- ject has been deferred due to low demand for surplus _hydroeleciric power. . Murphy predicted that if the damming of the Stikine were to go ahead, ‘“‘It will create a conflict, which, like Moresby (in the Queen Charlotte Islands), will reach international pro- portions. The construc- tion of such a dam Court On Thursday, Jan. 16 in Terrace Provincial Court, Alex Dowse was given a two-month jail sentence and fined $300 for conviction of an of- fence under the Motor Vehicle act. sk * Roger Bazil was given a $200 fine for an of- fence under the Federal Fisheries Act in Terrace Provincial Court Thurs- day, Jan. 16. “- # On Wednesday, Jan. 15 Rocky Wilson was fined $60 for committing an offence under the Federal Fisheries Act. se Stephan Schulmeister was found guilty and fin- ed $1000 for failing to provide a peace officer with a breath sample when asked. The fine was levied in Terrace Provincial Court Wednesday, Jan. 15. would be a great act of irresponsibility which history will judge harshly. The question of log- ging in the Khutzey- mateen River area near Prince Rupert generat- ed further controversy. Biologist Ben van Drim- melen argued for limit- ed timber extraction in the area in order to protect grizzly | bear habitat. Alan Edie, another local biologist, went a step further in requesting. ‘‘bench- mark’? ecological re- serve status for the entire valley. Dennis Jack of Wedeene River Cont- racting contested the premises and con- clusions of both scien- tists. Although spoken pre- sentations to the com- mittee were limited to proposals regarding the Stikine, Khutzeymateen and Gitnadoix rivers, many members of the Seven Sisters Society attended the hearings. lan Gordon, a Terrace board member, read a general brief which pointed out that the Society ‘‘has been for- ced to become a lobby group because the present provincial gov- ernment and the forest companies have not car- ried out their mandate’’ The Wilderness Advisory Committee representatives are 8 (eft to right) Saul Rothman, Bryan Wiilllams, Peter Larkin and Roger Stanyer. t Paul Sneed, prop- rietor of Wilderland Ex- ploration, expressed reg- ret that the tourism industry was not rep- resented on the com- mittee.He indicatedthat although tourism is the fastest growth industry in B.C., the resource base for tourism is being - rapidly destroyed. He concluded by calling on the provincial govern- ment to “recognize the true value of wilderness areas to tourism.”’ The Wilderness Ad- visory Committee will hold further hearings in Nanaimo, Cranbrook and Vancouver. Its final report will go to the Ministry of En- vironment at an un- ‘specified date in the future. The written briefs which were submitted at the hearings-are available for exam- ination at the Terrace Public Library, _ Terrace Churches Directory of 4830 Straume Ave, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Mass Times: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 a.m. 635-2313 4726 Lazelle Ave., Terrace St. Matthew’s Anglican/ Episcopal Church Rector Rev. L. Stephens — 635-5855 Sunday services: 9 a.m., Family Communion 10 a.m., Church Sehoo! We a.m., Traditional Service Phone 635-8019 Sunday School HRIST and Adult Class UTHERAN 9:45 a.m. HURCH Sunday Worship - 11:00 a.m. Phone 3229 Sparks Street, Terrace q 635-5520 Rev. Michael R. Bergman ] Inform your congregation and visitors to Terrace of service times and location. Only °15 per month a JT Coming Events Before Feb. 8 — Notice to all winners at last year’s Pacific Northwest Music Festival: If you have a perpetual trophy, please return it to Sight & Sound marked “attention Merilyn Kerr”. Thurs., Jan. 30, -- A self-help group for Women Alone (widow, divorced, separated, etc.). 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the auditorlum at the Skeena Health unit on Katum St. For more information call Jacqule Webb at 635-5491. Saturday, Feb. 1 — World-renowned pianist Anton Kuerti will be performing at the REM Lee Theatre, p.m Sat. & Sun., Feb. 1 & 2 — Northern Zone Pepsi Challenge Race hosted by the Kitsumkalum Ski Club. Total of 65 racers from Prince George, Smithers and Kitimat. Bantam racers (14 years & under). Races start at 10:30 a.m. Glant slalom on Saturday, slalom race on Sunday. Wednesday, Feb. 5 — Terrace Little Theatre will hold @ production and business meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 4711 Tuck Ave. The group needs several people, experienced or not, to help produce the upcoming plays. For Information phone Robin MacLeod, 635-2964 after 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 — Public meeting at the Skeena Health Unit, 7:30 p.m., to form a branch of the Ar- thritis Society. Marlon Ewing of Vancouver will be in attendance. Contact Edna Fisher — 635-3273. Saturday, Feb. 6 — The Theatre Alive Society presents Current Figures at 8 p.m. in the REM Lea Theatre, Saturday, Feb. 8 — B.C, Heart Foundation first an- nual semi-formal Sweetheart Dance at the Terrace arena banquet room, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music by Jim Ryan's Big Band — limousine service ts avallabie, phone Betty Campbell, 635-5221, or Lillian de Balinhard, 638-5888, for information. Monday, Feb. 10 — Terrace Riverboat Days Socie- ty general meeting at Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion. All member organizations are requested to ensure a representative attends. Call Daisy Malden for Information — 638-8141. Friday, Feb. 14 — The Kinette Club is holding a Valentine Bake Sale and Cookbook sale at the Co- op, 10 am. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 — The Kinette Club of Terrace third annual Senior Citizens’ Sweetheart dinner and dance. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m. Open to all seniors. Please call to register (and indicate if transportation Is required) 635-9788 or 635-6791. Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Prenatal classes at Mills Memorial Hospital staris a 6-week session, 7 to 9 p.m. Registration and Information at the public health unit. Terrace Public Library — Preschooi storytime for ages 3 to 6 is hald Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., starting Jan. 22. Tales for Two will be Fridays at 10:30 a.m. starting Jan. 24. Two-year-olds must be accompanied by a parent. Please preregister — 638-8177. Happy Gang Centre — Cribbage, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Carpet Bowling, Wednesdays at 1 p.m.; Bingo, Fridays at 2 p.m.; Bridge, Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Lunches served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pancake breakfast first Satur- day of every month. Regular monthly meating, second Thursday of avery month at 2 p.m. Michael Kefly photo