Fee protests cause Nisga’a to cut ‘shroom permit price By JENNIFER LANG THE PRICE of a mushroom picking permit on Nisga’a treaty lands has been dropped because the public felt the fee was too expensive, Nisga'a government officials say, Last year the Nisga’a introduced two different fees for Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a pickers. Nisga’a citizens paid $25 for a botanical forest pro- duct harvesting permit, while non-Nisga’a pickers forked over $250 to access treaty lands. Nisga’a Lisims Government lands and resources offi- cer Ben Haizimsque said the permit price for non- Nisga’a citizens has been reduced to $75. The change comes on the heels of a series of public meetings held earlier this year in the four Nass Valley villages and in Terrace. “One of the resounding recommendations from the public was well, it’s too much,” Haizimsque said. _Last year, Terrace mushroom buyer Tory Charlton warned many pickers would slay away from the Nass Valley because of the permit cost. Experience seems to have borne that warning cut. “Some pickers just didn’t come because of the situa- tion,” he said. Haizimsque’s department sold 126 permits last year. That's down from 263 permits sold in 2000, when a flat fee of $25 for Nisga’a and non-Nisga'a alike was in- troduced. Under the treaty that came into effect two and a half years ago, mushrooms and other forest resources on - Nisga’a treaty lands are owned by the Nisga’a. The treaty allows the Nisga’a government to set fees for harvesting permits for botanical forest products on treaty lands. At the public meetings, residents also they’re con- cerned about safety. “We do want people here, but we want to know who they are and what they’re doing,” said Haizimsque. Pickers also want to see better enforcement of the permit system, he added. Enforcement will be stepped up this year, with offi- cers checking pickers to see if they’re carrying valid permits. Anyone caught harvesting mushrooms on Nisga’a lands without a permit faces a $300 fine. No fines were issued last year, Haizimsque said. The Nisga’a government introduced a grace period, and handed out warnings instead. The permits, available from the Nisga’a Lisims gov- emment office in New Aiyansh, have been also simpli- ied. “Last year they were picture ID and you had to do them at our office. Now you just fill out a form, so they’re more accessible to pickers.” The permits enable the bearer to pick a range of wild mushrooms, including pine mushrooms, chanterelles, morels, and chicken of the woods on land protected under the Nisga’a treaty. Pine mushrocoms harvested from Nisga’a lands must be sold to an accredited buyer. Permits for pine mushroom buyers are once again $250 this year, and require the buyer to pay the Nisga’a government $1 per pound for grades 1-3. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Andy Burton Member of parliament . for Skeena Constituency Office 4654 Lozelle Ave. Terrace, B.C, V8G 186 Phone: (250) 635-1601 Fax: (250) 635-4109 ‘ Toll Free: 1-800-661-2208 E-mail: andy@andyburton. SAFEWAY CGY] PHARMACY: 4655 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace Friday, October 4 10 am - 4pm A Registered Nurse will be available for your Flu Vaccination. Influenza, or “Flu” is an infection that affect millions of people every year. It is highly contagious, affecting all age groups - causing loss of work, pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. . The best method of protecting yourself against the flu is by receiving an annual flu shot. Don't let the flu bug ruin your winter fun - vaccinate! for Your Appointment Call: 250-635-1375 — , CITY OF TERRACE 2002 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION PUBLIC NOTICE ts-hereby given to the Electors of the City of Terrace that a General Local Election will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2002 to electone Mayor and six Councillors for a 3-year term cammencing December 2002, and terminating in December 2005. Nominations for qualified candidates will be received during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays, at the office of the City Clerk, Terrace City Hall, 3215 Eby Street, Terrace, B.C. during the period 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 1, 2002 to 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 11, 2002, Nomination documents are available at the City of Terrace Municipal Hall during regular-business hours. NO NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 4:00 P.M., FRIDAY, October 11, 2002. QUALIFICATIONS Ft A person {s qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: « Canadian citizen; « 18 years of age or older; « resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and ¢ not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia ar from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office. A List of Registered Resident Electors will be avatlable for public inspection, upan signature, at the City of Terrace Municipal Office during regular business hours from October 1 to November 15, 2002. The List of Registered Electors has been produced on the basis of the Provincial List of Voters, prepared under the Provincial Election Act. An elector may request that personal information respecting the electar ba omitted from or obscured on the list in accordance with the Local Government Act. : An objection to the registration of a person whose name appears on the List of Registered | Electors may be made in accordance with the Local Government Act until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2002. An objection may only be made by a persan entitled to be registered as an elector of the City of Terrace, and can only be made on the basis that the person whose name appears has died or {s nat qualified to be registered as an etector of the City of Terrace. : Further information on the foregoing may be obtained by contacting the City of Terrace Municipal Office at 638-4722 of 636-4723, or the Chief Election Officer at 635-2965, Elaine Johnson, Chief Election Officer