2 Terrace Review — Wednesday, July 2, 1986 Regional District examines — inland commercial fishery question TERRACE — The issues surrounding the Gitskan Wet’suwet’an fishing bylaws are being in- vestigated by the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District, and one director has urged the board to develop a definite posi- tion on the controversy. by Michael Kelly At a Committee of the Whole meeting June 27, the board heard presen- tations from Paddy Green of the Prince ‘Rupert Fishermen’s Co- . op, Richard Douse from the Kitwancool Band Council, Fishermen’s Coalition Acid levels in Terrace rain Sports . chairman Gary Mil- tenberger, and Gitksan representatives Michelle Good and Glen Williams. The meeting was closed to press and public, and no informa- tion is presently available about the proceedings. The positions of the principals in the case, however, are well known. The bylaws, as originally approved by Indian Affairs Minister David Crombie, would have allowed four Indian bands in the Skeena River watershed to sell fish caught. on their reserves. A massive public opposition cam- paign, led by recrea- tional and commercial marine fishers, caused Crombie to eventually back down and suspend the bylaws. B.C. At- torney General Brian Smith, acting on behalf of the concerned groups, recently sought and ob- tained a temporary Supreme Court injunc- tion to prevent the com- mercial inland fishery. Although the Gitskan have gone on record with assurances that their management scheme will protect the resource, op- ponents have repeatedly argued that the bylaws are an infringement of the federal fisheries remain constant over 5 years TERRACE — The B.C. Ministry of Environment recently released its fifth annual report on acid Tain. The report con- cludes that none of the destuctive effects of acid rain recorded in eastern Canada and the United States are evident as yet in B.C. . A monitoring system has been in place for several years in the Ter- race area to observe the rainfall acidity on a year- Mills Memorial will apply to cabinet fund for equipment | TERRACE — Linda Hamilton, chairperson of the Mills Memorial Hospital board, an- nounced recently that the board is presently draft- ing an application for grants from the newly- formed Health Care Im- provement Fund. Ham- ilton met last week with the Deputy Minister of Health during a gather- ing in Prince George to clarify the terms of the cabinet-administered fund. There will be $120 million available this. year to B.C. hospitals through the fund for cer- tain types of technical improvement and equip- ment acquisition. Al- though the fund was in- itially intended for the enhancement of trans- plant facilities and research into AIDS, Hamilton pointed out that these items have a minimum of interest for northern hospitals. She said the meeting with health officials was an open forum for express- ing northern concerns, and that they will be analyzing the informa- tion and views gathered from the meeting. Many of the terms in the funding limitations didn’t match the needs of this area, Hamilton said, but one point that everyone gave top priori- ty was mental health assistance for children and adolescents. She also observed that an area of increasing concern is care for the elderly because aging people constitute the most rapidly growing portion of the overall population and extended care facilities are already in- adequate for the present requirement. Hamilton said that the board’s application to the fund will be centered around more sophis- ticated diagnostic equip- ment, particularly in the field of nuclear medicine. . Mills Memorial ad- ministrator Norm Carelius expressed strong hope that the ap- plication will result in added diagnostic abilities for the local hospital. He stated that the institute’s surplus capital fund, which is used for new equipment, presently Stands at around $60,000, in contrast to the $500,000 required. Carelius said that the on- ly funding sources for capital expenditures are the Regional Hospital District and corporate and private donations. He concluded by em- phasizing the importance of community support to the hospital’s capability in providing the op- timum level of medical care to the Terrace area. round basis. Data are gathered at the Alcan site, the Terrace-Kitimat airport, the Port Edward pulp mill and various other locations. A study concerning air quality and precipitation acidity in the Kitimat and Skeena River valleys was undertaken by the Ministry of Environment in 1980 to investigate the correlation . between fluoride emissions from the aluminum smelter and acid rainfall detected at the Terrace airport. The study, published in 1982, shows a definite relationship between particulate and gaseous fluoride emissions from Alcan with the acidity of rain recorded at the air- port, and it notes a dramatic improvement in the rain ph level following the installation of several pollution con- trol devices by Alcan in the late 1970's. Information obtained from Murphy Kotturi, author of the 1982 study, indicates the constant in the past few years. Kot- turi’s figures show that the 1985 levels recorded at the Terrace airport range from ph 4.8 (highly acidified) in June to 5.9 (non-acid) during the winter months, These levels correspond closely to those of previous years, with higher acid concentrations in the summer due to lower rainfall and less dilution of acid-creating materials such as fluorides and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. “JT can see no reason for concern,’’ Kotturi concluded, noting that the danger from air pollution in general in north coastal areas is minimal due to frequent cleansing of the at- mosphere by heavy rain- falls. jurisdiction and forecast dire consequences for the Skeena salmon and steelhead populations if the bylaws are permitted to stand, In response to the court injunction, member bands of the Gitksan Wet’suwet’an Tribal Council are not is- suing permits for recrea-- tional fishing on reserve lands, and the bands are conducting their food fishery without the per- mits normally required by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The regional district has no legal influence on the final outcome of the issue, but the implemen- tation of the bylaws would affect its opera- tions and the residents of the region. At the June 28 board meeting direc- tor Alice Maitland put forward a notice of mo- tion for the establish- ment of a policy, saying, “Tf we don’t take a posi- tion on this we’re going to be left behind, the same way we did on the land claims issue.”’ The motion will be -brought up at the next board meeting, schedul- ed for August 16. Test Drive The Ultimate High Performance Sunglasses - DRIVERS By CORNING OPTICS More than fine sun- glasses, Corning Optics presents, SERENGET! DRIVERS . . . featuring state-of-the-art SPECTRAL CONTROL high contrast phato- chromic tenses. These unique, copper-colored lenses automatically adjust to varying light conditions and enhance contrast and visibility while reducing eye fatique. They also block more than 99% of UV rays in bright sunlight. Truly an exciting blend of high technology and enduring style. See them today at Benson Optical 4623-2 Lakalsa Ava., Phone Tarraca, B.C. 638-0341 | Coming. ; Trip for two RCMP Staff Sergeant Len Janis, joins Debbie Spearn (left), student at Caledonia Senlor Secondary School in Terrace as she accepts a cheque for $150 from Gall Munson of the Northern Motor Inn. The money was donated to promote an antl-vandalism program for the 1986 graduaiing class at Caledonia. Ewen Harvie, of the Terrace ROMP Crime Prevention Unit, sald if mo damage was at- tributed to the Grad ‘86 class over thelr weekend of celebra- tlon beginning June 20, then the funds would be directed towards cosis associated with putting on the ceramonias. ' The Grad ‘86 class demonstrated quailty of action and are a fy Terrace va Ee vents May 15 to Auguet 30 — Heritage P Park is now open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours are provided. No charge for school tours, senlor citizens or chlidren under 6 years (with an adult), Wednesday, July 9 — Northwest Development Educa- tlon Association js showlng the film “Development Without Tears”, concerning rural areas of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace Women’s Resource Centre, 4542: Park Ave. A short business meeting to follow discussion. Everyone walcome. Call 635-2436 for more Information. Thursday, July 10 — “Pick-a-Path to Expo" ts the thame of the Summer Reading Club at the Terrace Public Library. Children aged six and up are invited to Jjoln. Registration fs at 2 p.m. at the Bookworm’'s Bon Voyage party and runs to August 15. There is no charge. For more information please phono the library at 638-8177. Saturday, July 12 — A book sale, sponsored by the Tar- race Public Library at the Skesna Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18 — Prepared Childbirth Classes - a labor of love. This 11-week series for couples and single women (sup- port person welcome), starts its Summer session. To register call-635-2042 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by July 12th. In- structor Is Marlanne Weston of the Intemational Childbirth Education Assoc. Weekly class Includes many films, handouts, discuasion, a large lending library, slides, and more. Labor support offered. Friday, July 25 — Terrace Old Timers’ Reunion, 5th an- nual banquet at the Terrace Hotel Banquet Room. Social hour 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. All Terrace residents prior to 1957 are eligible. Tickets on sale at Rose’s Shop, Terrace Drugs and Grace Fell Flowers. For further Information, please call Ellesn 635-2305 or Julla at 635-5205. Aug. 1, 2, and 3 — The Terrace 3rd Summer Mixed Bonsplal, long weekend of fun, will be held. Deadline for entries Ia July 18 and there Is a limit of 48 rinks, with each rink consisting of 2 men and 2 women. There will be a banquet and dance. Bring the family and enjoy our fishing. Swimming pool on same grounds. To anter ph. 635-2082 or 635-5584, or write Terrace Curling, P.O. Box 247, Terrace V8G 4A8. Enter early please. Al-Anon Family groups. Meetings for friends and relatives of alcoholics. Meetings are held évery Monday at & p.m. at Mills Memorial Hospital, the conference room in the psychiatric ward. The Terrace Women's Resource Centre announces the closure of the centre for the summer — from June 29 un- til Sept. 7th. Have a good summer! ey XN Terrace Association for Community Living — Is needing advocates for handicapped people living In Terrace. For more Information please phone Janice at 635-9922 or Carol-Ann at 635-3940. Kermode Knit Wits, a club for all persons interested In furthering machine knitting. Regular monthly meetings will be held on the 2nd Tuesday at noon and the 4th Thursday at 7:30 p.m. For further Information call Audrey 636-1335, Jan 635-7517, or Nancy 635-5319. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair Basketball — Caledonia High School gym, “Monday and Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Everyone is walcome. ea ar