By JENNIFER LANG” decades z ago. - ‘Back:in ‘the. early. i9708, he started faithfuily. “recording the “Gilxsan, ‘place® hames “his “elders uséd to. describe the’ rivers, mountains, ridges and - ; valleys that formed their ancestral dands. . ‘phrase he still loves to Say. “; of the giant groundhog. Moe “1 knew) what’ they” were. : “knowledge- ‘to- them. I thought, a dinosaur country." ~ >] Theeldérs = ‘men “such as David Gr “have since passed: away..- ~Last-week as he learned, of. the Surivaéciime * discovery” of ‘a’ set. of “dinosaur. tracks “and “as <" fossilized turtle by a pair‘of geologists surveying ; the. Bowser ‘Basin. north of Terrace ‘for: energy. “potential, Sterritt ‘had a shock, of: recognition, northern tertitori¢s,” he: thought.” we! ‘region, says:he’s excited-‘and: pleased’ about ‘the c historic - ‘announcement, “made by: federal. “and " Mictoria last Week." "He remembers the elders iat i ‘interesting feature,..0) 0): : _-Gitksan’ ‘elders, includin Gre n;. about another +. big monster ina canyon on ‘the Skeena, they galled - Gi'gai'a, which means: hip. bone ‘or. pelvis ; a me can. 1 walk ight throught on the} “The 16 Footprints p prove. s-ditioseuis: onée tiigide’ eine es ‘ trek to. the. ancient west coast of North America. * Was very different from: today. -- “| ‘There weré.no | permanent.ice packs or glaciers, : : en and a lropical, OF: “subtropical | climate. ‘Prevailed. . : fight up to the north pole. ae : : . Dinosaurs- ranged: all ‘over: “the. earth, “which looked very different. from today, - a and Saskatchewan. tothe western U. s. = 70, million 10 90'n million years. including. the area, where Terrace i is today.” “this ancient marine: asin, ee o . community: of Deiise Lake: is today. By JERE NAGEL © BUBBLES of ‘methane: gas that. gurgle. up ‘ins’ “.. ‘Tatogga Lake near Iskut are just onic of the telltale ~. signs that. Scientists say. increasingly point to a . + Significant. oil and, Bis: resource in: the. Bowser Basin. : “Dr “Garal-: Bvenchick,” : reports that’ Talogga never completely: freezes. el “There wast report of someone being ; able to : “light bubbles.that:were comiitig up,” she said, - : “-Bveichick, who’ has : been: part'of a ‘federal- “provincial drive: to ‘expand.’ ‘knowledge: Of,-.th took. samples ofthe mystery,pas. >." “2 STC doesn't freeze because these bubbles: “ar coming. up. ‘coritiiuously," she said. » the:next, question was:which type. 2: One: variety: ‘signals a: large: nderground! and: gas: “pool that would almo ‘cetlainly Wigger -arush of drillers: - Loe The’ Tatogga gas; fa another variety. of metha me: with Less ‘clear: os signals as't to the ¢ ommercial prospects. blogg, 3 “ ‘surface, . ~ Its interesting" Evenchick says of the result But there's no oe there drillirig’? 0. “Still; she-says,“it forms ‘part ‘of ari ‘intri We pattern of oil, gas. and coalbed ‘imhethane prospects: oan the, Bowser, Basin: north: of f Terrace, that. has. 1 XCITING: NEW evidence of dinosaurs i ‘inn northwest. B.C. doesn’t come as much,” of a surprisé ‘to “Hazelton, -B.C:'s Neil». Sterritt;: a former tribal council leader - who: began mapping Gitxsan traditional lertitory : we, Ole. tidge south of Panorama Lake slretching from: near Groundhog Mountain to’: ‘Muckaboo. > Creek. ‘northeast. of Meziadin.’ ‘Was. called’ “Wil maxhila: dox: hia’ genx wil anton, -a melodic , Tei means, “Where can be seen the trail ot tracks, i ascribing were. : "fossilized tracks of some ‘kind ‘of. animal, likely” a dindsaur,” Sterritt recalls: “It. was: - just common ‘This : ‘must’ be . oe en, Waller : : Blackwater and: David: Sunangor: ‘to Name. a- few: The new" discovery. is ‘located’ north of =f - Panorama ‘Lake,’ siniilar: terrain’ to: that’ of’ the: ‘location’ of the plant groundhog” prints at. wit» : “W's 'n noi. new 10 the elders: ‘who provided n me with. information-about. the place: names, Of ¢ our ‘Sterritt, -an.expert, on: tribal boundaries i in ‘the: ‘provincial: officials tthe Roy al: B. C. Museum. in’ junainoot and oe 7 Jamies Mortisoii;, ‘also described: the. rémains “ofa > ox _, Bodlogicl lone he tar use, Fuelled by natural Curiosity, he began cording, : * .Gilxsar’ ‘place riames.on geographical Features j ins: The ‘early Cretacecus. Period i in’ northwest B. C, - : ~-Westerh North “America: ‘was ‘separated frome _, the, rest of- the: continent bya -shallow, interior. FF “ seaway- that: stretched. through” “mich: of Alberta a: ago, | most of .ine Bowser,- Basin. was an ‘ocean, . “Highway. 37° north sits right j in the. middle le of “It's ‘thoiighi “an ancient coastline: ‘existed ea tL of” ‘Smithers running “northwest le _ where ihe. : “ead” federal. : scientist™ ‘surveying the penleumi resources.of 4 “the: ‘northwest,. says: shé ‘visited thé” lake’ with a. 5 colleague’ from Terrace ast. winter. after’ receiving ° “AS suspected, ittumed ott to.b methane, but: PINOSAUR, tracks found east of Bell li: are believed to be 125 to 130 o milion years old. . “He was’ a: recent “BCIT. mining lechinslogy a “grad with: ‘some: relevant work’ experience. when’ ‘hie: réturned. hom:to Hazelton i in 1973 = tie Sanie* year “the: watershed” ‘Calder - Case: caine, down,’ _Teifivigorating the cause ‘of Ireaty rights‘in B.C... heir traditional \errilory.. ‘is s more proof of our tropical seaside past. 2 ‘The tracks ‘were: © rok righ. along 4 the “coastline,” Mustard said,: Me : ‘ The, area where ‘the. inicks ‘and ‘fossil. were ‘found i is about: 30° Kiloinetes ast of Bell 1 cone “Highway 3 a : oe “already drawn, commercial interest. on Shell Oil. this -summer signed the. first lease in recent. years in, the- basin, paying Victoria $9.5 million for the tights: to explore: for coalbed: | ‘methane over! ‘eight. years in-the: - Klappan coal area’. Thé.co Ly is at, work right now drilling test wells. in the’ area, osWe're- “finding lots ‘of: diffe ni iypes ie) ; “encouraging things,”:says: -Eyenchick, who works~ “for the Geological Survey ‘of. Canada Her! team: ‘as. ‘been’ at-wark-in the Bowser: ‘years: NOW, ‘performing governifnl led. adv ce'survey work that'aims: “(he 10-ad-vance: what Bowser’ § energy potential, headed to the. lak and own: oF tlie area’ and’ pu more exploration: by. oiland gas, companies, ; “That work: slowed. (hat a‘large® pare of the: “basin has. ‘significantly’ more potential” ihan: people. used: ‘La think f for oil: and gas,” "she: said: in fate Meath Bere ps ta my: Saat aad aa) aerate et ited ‘He- was: hired, as. manager: of Ksan Fisoreat . they were here.” : : Shell Oil j is- -spendif nearly 3io mitlion on: ‘a. “drill program in the néarby Kappan: coal beds, ae -. That fills Mustard with: hope! that-oil' companies. | —: in resiéd nv lapping. the: reserves. ‘of the: ‘Bowser a A FOSSIL of turtle uncovered by geologists " Lean ~ ‘ {2,000-heetare ve ~ forthe team, 2, ae “hey ¢ can. figure ouil a tvemeridous ‘amit oF Iportant, dewil by. looking . at-thethin sections |. 1 was, inicrested, ‘and L started récording, Sterritt. went Onto. ‘play. “A. ‘key role in itie’ landmark Delganuabw: court’ case: on, . aboriginal : : rights and title: : vie EE Ironically, both: prehistoric features described a by the elders lie outside the. drea Supreme’ Court: a “2 Justice Allan’ McEachern: carved’ off from the. , ismnissing the ‘area ‘as’ out’ riginal Jand ‘claim, the: "years, there’ are tow. oily about. two ‘who are: “still ‘alive to" recall. the’ names inthe horthern . “th . “We kneiv it. was a: non: -marine ‘pitt of. the 2 "basin, but nobody's 8 ever found “any evidence oe ; a dinosaur.” onan 0 A lack’ of dingsai finds it in v this region: “have led a ‘some to speculate. ‘that, théfe was" once’ an.ocean «-f —or-marine: stiaight: that’ Prevented them “from: : S migrating. . ™ “This changes that idea summer as a gesture of goodwill. ‘ nothing,” the. Calgary- baséd technicians who. do Tab wor of rock by: micrascope, "she said. *: lanid that was‘orice’a tropical. seashore. interest:in the massive 65 region is. Somewhat more, uarded. ‘|. in cost estimate. that has’ ‘been, presented : ~~ Ttis-my. understanding. that the. Prince George: quote iS, order: to match “ye . our present level of-service. ° oe . implemented before the next’ election: If this is meant to bé anelection, platform, it would be a ~‘thueh better’ platform. if 97: included’ creating local jobs. ° cee {°° +For a small-inyésiment of $30,000, possibly.less:when <0" ‘To we receive Prince: George’ s.final quotes, why: sfioulda’ Le owe do something positive. for. our. community? - Once-the OL fire dispatch is established i” Terrace, ne Tt ‘we: Cduld: then’ reach out to. other: communities - such’ as” soe “the: ‘Hazeltons; Aiyansh, Kincolith, Thornhill, Greenville, on Queen Chartoltes, Kitiniat and Smithers: Thie potential for. =. row i is huge and ' ‘0 is Lhe: potential for future’ revenue: © It is* about, time, that’ our’ council becomes:‘more’-. “°° * progressive in keeping jobs. local. and think for: the future. ie E Tt is not always ‘ “cheaper” ta' go somewhére els¢, ing. ‘anid our’ depatttient oo f relies. on. Volunteers ‘to’. complement our -career staff, — | : thereby: providing our communi with an, excellent level. a i cof s services“: : ore oo By. creating the: * new 911. fire’ dispatch: positions. il oe a would give our Voluntect’s'an. incentive to.stay-currerit and = and: the possibility of providing ve - active in-our department : future jobs, we oa “Given all” ihe advantages, of keeping: fire’ ‘dispatch ine ms z Terrace, for. ‘the ‘small ‘cost difference, : if-any, why is isn ve on : council fighting to: Keep. the service and jobs- here?- ae op os Given. that Council is spending! $400, 000 of: ‘our money. ar | 2 on projects: like. the. ‘George Little. House, with oo. dong- ae * term jobs: being generated, again why’ aren't they: fighting ve “for this service. I look. forward to. your public response. tO: the Points F I have faited | it n this letter, 7 “Dear Sirs, too “The Terrace . aren -continues™ ‘to experience ‘dificult . > econoinic conditions, Businesses.of all. dypes and all- three levels of government, are reducing: costs: and services... - However, ore’ loval: government ‘funded. body, Terrace . 1k District Community, Services’. Society. : ‘apparently is notfeeling an ‘economic, Squeeze a he sid “Obviously mee now: ‘the ‘fossils; ' ‘which. are considered’, propetty: “of “the: provincial: government, are on ‘. “display at-the Royal B.C. ‘Museunvin'Victoria, |?’ Ya After. that; the’ turtle, ‘which: is “intact: but’ is ” “missing its’ fiead, will likely end up at the’ Royal : Tyrell Museum i in Alberta for further study, 7 _Lake’s mystery gas just one ‘clue to Bowser’s potential ~-of this- ‘yea . ° attend. ~The team's mostrecent work has conceritrated . on the-s arta ofthe basin eastand southeast of Bell’: Il crossing whefe they. unexpectedly stumbled’ upon evidence, that dinosaurs.once:. walked. the: a “The; provincial: ‘government's: “energy: and “ minisiry.. actively. works. to drum up” 009 square kilometre | “TutBvenchick'sobibseience- noipromotion . of salesmanship:.-As- 0 :result,: her ‘asses ment - of: -the .out}ook: for “commercial: drilling 4 in’ the: ~ a “ap Clinton St; Terrace; B.C. V8G 5R2: ; * 250-638. -843Zore-inailusalnewsrooin @ erracestandard. a “Name, ‘address 7 an and, phone’ The Te trace. Standard, Wednesday, September 29, 2004'- AS | -CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD _ - The Mail Bag _ Do not send ott an “away to Prince George Dear Sinn “ASA lifelong fesident and taxpayer i in. our. fine’ city, 1, “am very disappoinicd . and angered. by the decision Of city. 2.0% 22) “council to abandon the: ‘attempl.to. keep 91 1. fire’ dispatch” : An. Terrace and: Linstead farm this: service Gut to Prine ‘George. : ; _— Itis bad etiough | thata large mount ic of people . area'do a lot. of shopping'i in ‘Prince: George,. noi leeted council i ‘as “rbady: AS: fatin. Out. local jobs to Prince. _ George for thé mere amount of approximately.$30,000.". 1f911 fire dispatch slays'in-Terrace, it would reale 4. 5 we “new. well- -paying jobs: for this. community, earnes With-our already high une nplayment. rate this would a rs ‘seem-like a “no- brainer"; Pate create jobs ‘that: would put” monn, -money back tour commiunit ot ty via-taxes and-shopping, : This would far out weigh the mere $30 not final.-The cost is: “likely ta increase “Tf you add ‘the’ benefivof’ hdying’ “local"? “dis Pi oe 7 who know our ared ‘and “ ‘would ‘understand’ the:: scopic: of © _ service-we provide, Stich as Search and Rescue, highway whe rescue, first qesponder, regional hazardous materials, ete. | the cost differénce seems negligible?» ~~ aa : Weall know the advantage ‘of laving: local. dispatchers . “‘F who know: our: area‘: they “don’t confuse. ames ‘like * i |. Kitimat Air, Park ‘anid Tertace/Kitimiat. Airpott). es -problem. with: ‘the ot Tt. it _goes- -to'Prince: George the _-quoted approximate: tartup, would: be fall ef 2005, vat it the: we “City - council: seetis:.io. have a. implementation’ date earliest, but not- likely; TO fire dispatch: Was. Biven ‘to Tertace, the. 40: week ~ : impleinentation f pracess cauld start immediately. aan : hurr} ‘lo eet ; I find it interesting that council 45 Bi » Volunteerism, i in: general, i Ubienies » society i is _. Spending 1 too lavishly * One ‘supplier’ told“.me. she was. pressure - Twas: angty and. when 1 in uited. oft at 7; 30 | p.m as has: been the: practice: in prior ‘years. « ‘As [listened to this’ explanation;. I pictured ohe-or. riwo a “‘non-board’ jnembers’ @. p.m, is-not conv nient for Most... people) i in attendance in the restauraiit-facili a As. the board rushed. through: the-AGM at a- ‘pace that: ‘ would, seta new. record. of AGM- length: (ast year it-took | “-ThSm: and ‘too’ much: attention was on prior. the. year’s’ “time: of Thi 3m when'it -should’-haye: been; ‘directed :to “the: ‘government ‘furided: budget of. everal mhillions of- ~dollars), ® why Do. not misunderstand: ane, La was’ a: “Strdii I will be following up inithree ways, About the. Mail Bae The Terrace: Standard welcomes lette No. ‘attachments, please. number. tequired ‘for. verffeation. ~ Lawrence Stella a Terrace, B. Cc. DCss), -by ‘he. |. accountant: at TDCSS ‘to . reduce. her. already, discounted “ a bill for hér'services: : : oo 3 Phe supplier i is'a single mother and client of mine wha: Poe O was’ not. looking to’ nie’for help. She'did-not-know: that: . 0” _ Ehad. been a board meniber of TDCSS ‘and, at the'time, 2 a merber-at-large. “That membership: expired’ ‘at the-end General Meeting. which 1 did. not ° = ingi : Executive © Direetor was even angrier: al.the- ridiculous explanation, “The matter Would have ended then, but'six days, later the | fiotice | of TDCSS AGM was in the’ Terrace Standard. The “notice. advised iC was being, held’ al 5 p.m: September’ 14, -} 2004 at the Bavarian’ Inn. The Bavarian Inn-is a’ ‘very fine . . establishment, but.also ihe: most’ expensive.in: ‘Terrace. ‘The Execulive: Director: ‘explained, thatthe ‘board’ felt ipiconvenienced to-have their: usual: ‘dinner metting at 3-¢ Evenchick explained; “of the whole 7 © p.m. and: the rush. tothe. TDCSS. boardroom for the AGM area. had been heated too" much there wan t be a “! resource there for us." -- at She. said: (iajor ‘advances have: been made bi 7 os B supporter: + of: TDESS. : ‘Particularly ~ the --Northwest- Addictions .. - aT Programme: The j personnel at Northwest‘Addictions, Tocal’ = “medical personnel and friends literally picked:me lip from. - “he guller, and returned j meé.to: beirig a. productive: ‘member “of society. forthis Tain tiost thankful. : ill work to have : , Northwest ‘Addictions: separated ‘from ‘Terrace & District Community: Services” Sociely:: L will: take. my client.to- - dinner al the Bavatian-Inn. so she Gan: sett how.some of her. | “discounted dollars" were spent. “September not to’ Provide s services 310.1 C38; goes a ; ae, a ‘Don, Dunster, : __Terri¢e, B.C. Twill pay: my. ellent next oo Ot Sar shea _ 000 difference a