SOC OR GL SEU Ce Se ee ee Se SW re oe et EE LL EIELE RE LEER RO EE EEE SOO B EOD. © STA ERR EEO COTE CEE EE ERE BEE EO EE EE EEE Bo BME CEE EEE EES he Sete Sy Se et i Wace tee te ae eee od ea a SPARS By 2y ety ty ety . PAGE Al, THE HERALD, Wednesday, November 24, 1976 by Jim Culp Last Thursday, November 18,. the Salmonid Enhan- cement Program held a public meeting in Terrace. Close to sixty people at- tended the meeting and four presentations were made by ‘oyd Frank, Lloyd John- stone, Cliff Bolton and the Northwest Chapter of the Steelhead Society. Considering that more than 30 percent of Terrace and areas population sport fishes, | am surprised there was not greater par- ticipation in the meeting. Mr, Frank, who is one of Terrace’s ‘original residents, expressed his concern over the decline of the chinook stocks which spawn in the mainstream Skeena River below the Kalum River. He deplored the generous daily and sian limits on these ‘ish, and the Fishery Ser- vice allowing anglers to kill dark fish. He also felt that anglers were overfishing the Git- . naidoix River for coho and thought that it should be closed to coho fishing after September 15. And he remarked that past logging practices have ad . detrimental effect upon the rivers in the area. Lloyd Johnstone based his presentation primaril around the idea of a {fis hatchery for Lakelse Lake. His father was the manager of the old Lakelse Lake sockeye hatchery and it is his opinion that the hatchery was the reason that the sockeye runs of the 1930's averaged 100,000, while today’s runs are less than 10,000. Mr. Johnstone was not advocating a large hat- chery, nor a hatchery simply for sockeye. He felt that one should be built that could accommodate all species, includin steelhead. He as well talk about past logging practices and the silting that has resulted. . Cliff Bolton expressed his own opinion (and not that of the Kitsumkalum indian tribe) on the question of aboriginal fishing rights. He was defending the. special status of Indians béing able to catch salmon and steelhead in fresh water for food purposes. He said that the Indian tribes on the Skeena make a real effort to control the illegal selling of salmon. But he felt that Indians should not be singled out as the only one to blame for the ‘bootlegging of salmon’. The people who buy these fish are as much. to blame and should be dealt with on equal terms with the illegal Indian netter. wir. Bolton said that the an people are gradually . losing nel right to fish, with less fishing time and less fish to catch. They have always practiced con- servation and feel they have not been a major con- tributor to the decline of salmon and steelhead, In response to a brief sub- mitted by the Steelhead Society, he said that Indian tribes not resident along the Skeena in the past, were not allowed to fish with nets and set lines. . The Northwest Chapter of the Steelhead Society of B.C. submitted a lengthy brief which covered a variety of subjects, namely, that the estuary of the Skeena River =was still free of major pollution, but that the construction of a second kraft mill on Watson [sland was a concern and that strict survellance and monitoring of both mills effluent was essential in keeping the estuary relatively clean, Shelford analyses Pearse Report. THE PEARSE REPORT by Cyril M. Shelford M.L.A. Skeena After months of wailing the Pearse Report is finally here, with no startling recommendations but basically a good report. There are some recom- mended changes however, but nothing that will rock the industry or help it back on the road to a competitive position on the world markets. This in fact is outside his terms of reference and more in the field of lJabour-management relations or the Anti- Inflation Board. On in- teresting recommendation that appears to come from the recommendations of the North West Loggers:is the encouragement for growth of the independent non- incorporated forest com- panies. Some other recommendations are: _ 1) Changes of the per- petual T.F.L. to not more than 21 years, with a reduction to 15 years after the first 21. , ‘2) Make specific terms in all licenses so all are treated equal to avoid separate negotiated terms. 3) Merge the Forest: Department. and Fish & Wildlife to bring better coordination, a very con- troversial recommendation. 4) Institute competitive bidding for some new forest licenses. This recom- mendation isn't as broad as it would sound as it appears to be very limited, but could depend on its application. 5) Government continue the long standing practice of leasing to private com- panies rather than selling. 95 percent of all Jand in B.C. is owned by the Crown. 6) Introduce a new system of classifying forest land to° provide a better base for estimating future timber supplies. ' 7) Make environmental * regulations more flexible that will apply to individual sites rather than the whole industry. The application of this recommendation will mean the life or death of most of the industry in B.C, 8) Allow Regionai Districts to take over supervision . of smal amounts of privately owned forest land in B.C. This recommendation should be watched closely as we could end up with small expensive forest services in many Regional Districts. 9) Reduce government powers of discretion to cancel timber rights. This could be good as it should bring equal treatment. In the past, Pearse points out. the policy was. completely biased in favour of the large companies. The in- dependent logger has known this for years. There are many other suggestions which are difficult to agsess at this time as the report generally is not written in a straightforward manner and could be interpreted to mean several things. Furthermore it doesn’t have an abbreviated section with recommendations A.B.C., etc. for the average person who won't read it all. They are scattered all through the report. This is unfortunate when there is good material but poorly laid out. It is interesting to note that Pearce mentions that some communities in B.C, may need government help if they are to survive. He also acknowledges the most advanced, - itinovative “and efficient mills have been built by small companies and independents. He claims, rightly so, that the consolidation of integrated companies is tantamount to’ phasing out the = in- ependent, whereas at the coast, ten large companies control 76.3 percent of all timber. One of the greatest problems as we all Know in Terrace, is the regional monopoly of ane company. This is true in other areas of the province such as Alberni, which means no competitive market for pulpwood and chips. I'm very pleased he ériticize excessive government regulations and millions wasted in extra road costs due to forest Buidelines This was rought up by the North West Loggers in their brief. Excessive regulations and the delays are expensive to industry. Delay costs money where simple timber sales or eulting permits take two years and better to approve with so many departments of government able to delay. or veto. Our ability to, cope with delay in all departments will Gecide whether we as a province will © survive economically. Already, due to high costs, 90 percent of Hecket and 40 percent of the Bell Irving will never be logged, This fact alone will make the proposed plywood lant at Stewart very dif- icult. One thing is very clear, the prablems at Terrace are problems in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick or the Kootenays. . We suffer from a “Green Delusion’* in British Columbia where we fly around and see all the trees and think we are rich, yet they are worth nothing to the ecqnomy' except recreation, unless they can be harvested at a profit, It’s time we got away from the far out academic dreaming of many so-called experts, come back from Cloud Nine and face the cold economic realities of the real world, where competition is tough, the world does not owe us a living. We only have 6 percent of the world’s total softwood in B.C, compared to the Soviet Union's 64 percent. In fact, at today's market conditions with pulp and paper mills running at 85 percent of capacity and surplus iumber on the world market, we could close our whole industry down, turn it all into an ecological reserve and the world wouldn't miss us at all. _ The Pearse Report is an ane decument as a de to governments in the years ahead, . but our economic survival will not depend on the Pearse Report, the’ federal or provincial governments, but all society as to whether we can come back to the realities of life and live within our capabilities to compete with our foreign competititors, . 635-6381 FANTASTIC | h Omincea Building ; | Supplies SELECTION NAME BRAND CARPETS DESIGNED PRODUCTS OF WELWOOD — ARMSTRONG — CAUCO — WESTMILLS — ‘AND MANY MORE TO CHOOSE FROM SEE OUR LARGE SELECTION OF VINYL FLOORING Estimates for complete installation © ~ L0. 4318 W. Hwy. 16 The Chapter looked at all the major tributories of the Skeena River arid attempted to diagnose the reasons for the decline in the steelhead and salmon stocks, while at the seme time, suggesting the kind of enhancement work it would like to see take place..On ali the tributary rivers, the Chapter felt that ‘logging damage was the prime culprit for habitat destruction in the water- sheds and that overfishing by the commercial fishermen, the Indian net fishery and the sport fishery, has all contributed to the decline of salmon and steelhead. Specifically, the Chapter » would support the use of ‘incubation boxes’ and rearing ponds to supplement natural spawning and rearing of chinooks or to give them a boost over a number of cycles on the Kalum, Lakelse, Kitimat and some of the minor rivers. As well, the Chapter felt that a sockeye hatchery for the Lakelse River public and sports fishermen om conservation, fish identification and fisheries management, is the long term solution to the un- derstanding of quality system was worthy ot serious consideration to bulid up the river's sockeye runs. A similar idea of a sockeye hatchery or a spawning channel for the lum River, aslongasthat angling and conservation of river’s sockeye ration the resource. moved inte the Skeena Such education should include instruction in the school curriculum and a mandatory test for the first fishing license. being issued to a person. -The Chapter wants to see the establishment of a salmon punchcard. ; - Make canning of salmon illegal, except at one’s permanent residence. - Make it legal to catch sockeye and pink salmon in the mainstream Skeena. -Is against enhancing one specie where conflict could occur with other species earlier than summer steelhead, so that there was no conflict between the two species. , Essentially, the Chapter felt that steelhead and coho stocks . throughout the Skeena system. could be rehabilitated through small stream habitat im- provement, spawning and rearing area improvement, stricter enforcement of the Fisheries Act, and more stringent controls over sport fishing, Indian net fis and commercial fishing. The Chapter will not support (i.e. such- as. what has artificial enhancement for happened with the Babine steelhead or coho, unless it Lake sockeye program, can be shown through which is jeopardizing thotough studies, that these summer stecihead in the species will notbe enhanced Skeena system. - Ig against the closure of rivers to salmon sports fishing. Would prefer more in any other way oe As well, the Chapter felt that education of the general Sixty people attend Salmonid Enhancement Meeting. stringent bag iimits, possession limits, gear restrictions, etc. - Would like to see guardians hired for the Lakelse, Txeax and Cranberry Rivers. On the question of com- mercial fishing, the Chapter would like to see the establishment of fish traps at the mouth of the Skeena River and at Babine Lake, to harvest the Babine sockeye. The Chapter feels strongly, that if the summer steelhead are going to be saved from the incidental catching by the commercial fishery, that the net fishery must be scaled down and more efficient and selective methods, such as traps, must be used. Bue to the length of the Chapter's brief, 1 cannot include all their points, so I will conclude this week’s column on the last subject in ‘ their submission. The Northwest Chapter. has taken a strong position on the proposal the Native Brotherhood and other Indian tribes, to gain Your Co-op has coe more (0 O _— fer. control of 50 percent of the fishery resource in-B,C, The Chapter felt that it is im- possible for fishery managers to determine how many adult fish are returning to a given stream, Therefore, it is impossible ta allocate a percentage of any run of fish to any particular user, whether itis an Indian fisherman or a sports fisherman. The Chapter suggested in recognition of certain prior rights by the Indian people, of the fishery resource, that there are other ways: which they could benefit. — In taking a strong Position on this question, the Chapter felt that the Salmonid Enhancement program is an ‘academic exercise’ unless the methods of harvesting and who will be harvesting the resource, can be answered. The Chapter made it clear that there was no Brefudice in its position an t it would welcome the op- pertunity to work with the indian people towards a just solution. ; ia Gur pallay isto have iessonable Quaniiiion of advertised mer | chandles on hand, at the meat the slg, lo magl our mambera* needs. On occasion stacks may not be suilicient. Such In- stances we regret, and where possible we try to provide & aultable substitute. November 24-27. 1976 BAKING CHIFS BAKER'S Butterscoteh, milk chocolate; or semi-sweet chocolate, | Gounce . 55° ; Pure, from concentrate. 48 fluid ounce tins. BLADE ROAST CANADA GRACE A SEEF Pound PORK BUTTS GOVERNMENTINSPECTEDPORK - SIDE BACON By ihe plece. Pound : WIENERS CAKE | MIX Ang#l food. Eons) 15oHunte packages. ach 2:/ (= SMOKED OYSTERS FILLING ouncatins TENDER FLAKE 1 pound Eat ce oF packages I ASPARAGUS CUTS, COFFEE MATE GEREAL ssasco te thale oe CANADA CHOICE GARNATION Shroddies. 180r.boxea If FO tM deter - ff) eee Ye Jers. ‘ : - BE cceceeee $1.33 | gam CREAM CORN ORANGE JUICE Strawberry. Pure, 24 Ituld of. HAGA CHOICE eon 2", $1.45. POUNG veces e rete ede eens yesee Pound Bul Top Qullty“.. Goodness and F SOUP HEINZ CUP A SOUP LIPTON Beet noodle, vegetable baaf, chicken noodle, chicken vegetable, spring vegetable, T2ounce tins. Each ..-ccccussaes 89° TUNA eee Flaked, white, 82 fl. oz tins. ic Each ,. sie ton tion. TQ) PROCESS CHEESE SLICES Miid.t8ounce - in? 61,00 Ey, ometened. | 9°] PEANUTBUTTER | PEAS QREENGIANT CANADAFANCY prone. GBP] Ears $2.9 | seer sone QUALITY MEATS FOR MIGATY |" * GOOD EATING © aah tie Local Ne. 2 a , el. ul ‘ dine geeeess 9° | POTATOES ORANGE | SEGMENTS . 4 Mandarin. 10 fluld ting ..... us os COOKIES “4 DANES. " . Lunchtlme, Cookie Jargr . . PantryPak.2pound... packages. 19° Eac _ deteteees $1 69 ‘ | CANDY BARS - - 4 ROWNTREE .. 99: “|. Reguler family pack. 19 bare . parpack. . Each pariceses | $1 wo _ Agoed varlety vf tins of cookles 89° In stock now ‘ POUNK 0.0. e cece cece een ret ene ene neeetreeeenen Canada No. 1 ONIONS Jumbo. For your ie ee lavour Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Refunded Terrace Co-op Shopping Contre SHOPPING HOURS: 9 A.M. -.6 P.M. Every Day’Except Friday 9 A.M, - 9 P.M." FLAVOUR FRESH PRODUCE 10 » =, 69° 5 .. $1.00 DETERGENT PUNCH powdered. 0 ounce xeB. Each ...,...... . $2.79 We Reserve the Right to Limit Quantities FRESH BAKED DAILY IN OUR 7 AN-STORE BAKERY SLICED WHITE BREAD 5. $1.89- - $159 .] Case 70 Loaves . debs cating