By ED YUDIN

} Herald Staff Writer

; Opposition to the
proposed Kemano 2
project, which would
Supply additional elec-
trical power for Alcan’s
pluminum smelting,
continues to ‘mount,
“Last month the B.C.
forest ministry upheld
Aican's right to cut trees
on the site of the proposed
Kemano 2 project, as
prescribed in a 1949 water
licence granted to the
company. .

However, pressure
from environmentalists,
local political and labour
leaders, and possibly
federal fisheries officials
may puta snag in Alcan’s
expansion plans,

The objections centre
on plans to dam up the
Nanika river which in
turn would result in a
reversal of the flow of two
lakes, the Nanika and

Kidprice Lake. In ad-

dition, the Morice River
flow weuld be reduced.

The provincial forest
service in Houston had
filed a trespass notice
against Alcan for its
exploratory work at the
site, It was alleged the
drilling taking place on
3.6 hectares of Crown

land constituted
trespassing.
However, the B.C.

forest ministry’s ruling
has upheld Alcan's right
in that area. There was
also concern expressed
that the exploratory
drilling was causing:
harm tosalmon spawning
grounds. An-investigation
was conducted by a
federal fisheries. officer
on Nov. 10 of the ‘site.
According ‘to’ & ‘depart:
ment source, it appears
there was no damage
done to spawning beds in

that particular = ex-
ploratory drill.
However, whether

fisheries officials will
give their blessing to the
entire project, is another
matter.

the

‘Gus Jaktema,

Prince ‘Rupert district -
sufervidor For fisheries;

has said damage to
spawning beds could
exceed an estimated $88
to $372 million made in a
1975 federal fisheries
department report.
Environmentalist
concern has te this point
centred around the
Father Morice Outdoor
Recreation Society of
Houston. Now it seems

the B.C. Wildlife
Federation is getting into
the act.

Dan Santano, the
president of the
federation, questions

whether Alcan has the
proper objectivity to
conduct the en-
vironmental studies.

“The idea of Alcan
doing the environmental
studies in this area is the
wrong way to go,” he said
while in Terrace last
week, .
. sSantano

represents 24,000
federation. members,
says his group “will fight
as hard as we fought on
the McGregor issue,”

“To damage three
rivers to create power,
well, there must be
another way,’’ he said in
Terrace recently. He said
the fish and wildlife
branch should be the ones
conducting the = en-
vironmental studies, and
says the government
should step in to stop the
project if necessary. He
indicated a brief on
Kemano 2 will be
presented to the
provincial government
by his federation, and a
resolution condemning
the project will probably
be passed at their next
convention.

Deiter Wagner, 4 local
director of the federation,
isan Alcan employee who
has his doubts on Kemano

who

2,

“It might have been
better if the government
would be doing the en-
vironmental studies,”’ he
sald.

He noted 40 per cent of
the power produced at
Kémano 1 presently
sold to B.C. Hydra.

“Maybe we can use
that power to make the

aluminum and create
some of the jobs,” he
suggested.

Brian Hemingway, 2
public relations
spokesman for Alcan has
nated 2000 permanent
jobs and 3,000 industry
related jobs will be
created by Kemano 2.

Wagner, however,
wonders how many of
these jobs will go to

recruiting overseas.

“I do not want to see
development for the sake
of development,” he said,
adding the natural
habitat - should be
protected.

Hemingway stressed
that while Alcan has
commissioned Envirecon
Lid. todo a study on the
environmental impact,
“the results of the study

Woe tae, ee

results of that study, and
if we find problems, we

would be seeking to find -

solutions to those
problems,” he said.
Paul Johnson, the
secretary of the Kitimat-
Terrace and district
labour council, said this
week that the concept of
Kemano 2 was “totally
opposed’? at the recent
convention of the B.C.

concerns center around

‘the potential loss of fish

habitats, and Alcan’'s
plan to produce and

. export raw aluminum.

“If they were really
concerned about jobs,
they would develop
fabricating and
manufacturing facilities
here in the Northwest,"
he pointed out.

MLA Frank Howard

are open to challenge.”

native Canadians, since When we have “the
Vi 1

‘Alean is‘ noted for

Federation of Labour.

(NDP-Skeena) said last
Johnson said the

week that Alcan has “an

IN KEMANO FIGHT ©
Labor, natives united

By ANN DUNSMUIR
Herald Staff Writer

Adversity makes strange bedfellaws and opponents

of Alcan’s Kemano 2 project are no exception to the
e. :

Apprehension about the possible ecolagical effects if
the hydro-electric project goes ahead has united such
diverse groups as the labour movement, native In-
dians and environmentalists.

Representatives of these groups and members of the
public discussed the project at a sparsely attended
workshop Saturday sponsored by the Canadian
Association of Smelter and Allied Workers, Local 1.

The proposed project involves a dam on the Nanika
River, a tunnel between Kidprice Lake and the
Nechako Reservoir and a second tunnel from the
reservoir to a power house at Kemano,

The flow in Nanika Lake and Kidprice Lake will be
reversed, resulting in a reduced flow in the Morice
River system.

The water licence given to Alcan in 1950 by. the B.C.
government was unanimously condemned by people
attending the workshop. ;

The licence gives Alcan the water rights to the
Nechako River above Grand Canyon, to Skins Lake
and to the Nanika River up to two miles below Kid-
price Lake.

It algo gives: the company the rights to all Crown
lands below the 2,820 foot mark around the Nechako

‘reservoir and the 3,120 foot mark in the Nanika area.

nUAndthe government also agreed to “from time’ to
time, when required by Alcan, sell and convey, in fee
simple, to Alcan such Crown lands as may be needed
for the works.”

“Such sales shall be made at the prices not in excess
of the present minimum prices specified in section 47
of the Land Act.”

In other words, Alean can buy Crown land at the
minimum 1950 price.

Tom Robinson of the Haisla Band Council said his

people are “totally against any development in the
Kitimat, Kemano areas until native land claims are
settled.” ;

Robinson said the project will affect his‘ people
because “we live by means of the sea.”

He said the proposed project could cause drastic
changes by possibly wiping out salmon stocks.

Robinson said his band is “‘in the unique position of
having watched Alcan develop from day one.”’

He said the company professes concern for people
and the environment but builds power lines through
reserve lands instead of detouring around the com-
munities.

Robinson said recent research in the United States
and Russia indicates that the magnetic field around
high tension wires can cause heart problems. .

He said that when Alcan first came to Kitimat a
company engineer told the band council that pot lines
would generate so much heat it would do away with
snow in Kitimat.

“We are still looking for the end of the snowfall,”
Robinson said.

He said the band has hired Aspect Consultants of
Vancouver to study the socio-environmental effects of
the project.

Aspect consultant Bill Horswill said that as well as
the publicized effects on the Bulkley and Nechako
salmon stocks, the diverted flow throirh. emeno par
house wiil have the combined effect of seriously
disturbing the sand and gravel beds of the Kemano
River where salmon and oolichan spawn.

He said the Kemano River ootichan run is the only
remaining source of oolichan for the Haisla since the
loss of the Kitimat River run. .

People attending the workshop agreed to link up
with other concerned groups such as the Save the
Bulkley Group, the Skeena Protection Coalition and
the Father Morice Outdoor Society. ‘

They also decided to set up an information exchange
among opponents of the project to avoid duplication of
efforts,

Wroolweortin
department storeq=™™
‘SYLVANIA.

Me
Christmas
to all...

Wish your family and friends the very
best this Christmas and be sure to
picture all the fun with dependable

Sylvania Blue Dot Photoflash —
quality products that brighten up your
holiday pictures and offer a Christmas

greeting all their own...

and to all a good “light”
..dfon't forget

5YLVANIA

A. “Flip Flash” guaranteed “Blue Dot’

quality flashes. Greater flash
rellability with improved electrical QT
design!

pkg. L-P

B. “Blue Dot’ quality flash bars.

10 guaranteed flashes with flash In-
dicator to check unflashed lamps.
each L-P

Cc, “Btue Dot’ quality ‘‘Magicubes’’.

convenience

For all X-type cameras, 3 cubes for 12
SYLVANIA PHOTOFLASH For all 21 7
pkg. LP
for your
shopping

Use These Cards in Woolworth Stores Across Canad® gum

undue amount of power
through its possession of
a 30-year-old water
licence issued at a time
when environmental
matters were not of great
public concern.”
Howard is urging the
environment and land use
secretariat of B.C. hold
public hearings on

Kemano 2.

“Alean has a vested
interest in Kermmano 2 and
is primarily influenced
by its balance sheet and
not necessarily by social
and

—

mnie »2

on

a a 7 =

=

—_ TT _}

environmental

Kemano is where the

racli.

considerations,” he said.
“Alean should not be the
only one with any input.”

MP Jim Fulton (NDP-
Skeena) holds the same
concerns on destruction
of spawning grounds,
damage to the water
system, and the effects on
wildlife. “I feel the
provincial government
must step in, and if
necessary, use legislation
to remové the powers
apparently possessed by
Alcan under the

original...water licence,”

eae

2" ge

», Dettinbes ., wis Page 3

, Alcan receiving flack over Kemano II

time

5

he wrote in a Nov. 7 letter
to the chairman of the
Northwest Chapter of the
Steelhead Society of B.C,

. The 1949 water licence
granied to Alcan, and
which has caused the
controversy still has an
additional ten years to
run, Whether or not
pressure groups seeking
to stop the Kemano 2
project can get the
licence revoked by —
legislation, won't be

determined for some
et

power will be generated

SS

WYO WAKE ATHP DOG EAL
— YOU COM

| 1974 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

1977 FORD £150 ECONOLINE

Short w, base van, V@ auto. trans.

=

Ss

1979 ZEPHYR 4 DOOR S.W.

_ V8 auto, PS, PB, 11,000 kilos.

—

* v8 automate, 8 ft. box.

1977 FORD F350 CREWCAB

Va radio, 4 speed

1978 FORD BRONCO

1978 FORD VAN CONVERSION

Security conversion, fridge, furnace, eic.

Only 4000 kitos.

1979 20FT.OKANAGAN MOTORHOME

4cyl., 4 speed, radio

1976 DATSUN 4x4 PICKUP

Terrace Totem Ford
Sales Ltd.
4631 Keith

Dealer No. 5548A

CoS eee eee ee

$9995
$12,995
$20,995
$4995

ae Do -

hn an ee =

635-4984

a a

=