Bf ai

- mines and logging ‘access and run

-erness tourism asset lost if we

TO ROAD or not to road. This section of tha lower Craig River, prime salmon and grizzly bear habitat, could see a road built along it if an Alaskan plan comes to fruition. Some in Alaska want the road bullt to get access ta B.C.'s toad system, and pos- sibly northwest re- sources. Environmental groups say the idea Is folly — environmentally and economically. PHOTO -JIM BOURQUIN / CASSIAR WATCH

Road warriors

An Alaskan plan to build a new road linking the panhandle to Hwy 37 could divide northwest towns — and unite environmental groups.

SOME ALASKANS think their golden

opportunity to build a road from the pan- handle to Hwy 37 has arrived now that the NDP has been driven from power in B.C.

The town of Wrangell, about 300 kilo- metres north of Prince Rupert at the mouth of ihe Stikine River, is spearheading a re- newed campaign.

The town has tong been interested in a road up the Iskut River valley to Hwy 37 and the economic benefits the connection would bring.

But the idea never got off the ground while the NDP governed B.C. and opposed the con- cept.

All that changed last May 16 when B.C. vo- ters routed the New Democrats and elected a landslide Liberal government.

Less than a week after the election consul- tants for Wrangell wrote a report suggesting

theitime isripe-to revisit:the issue. | 7: ia.. 5

i} Political-‘Support-in: Alaska; plus the elec-

tion-of+a Republican: president in the ‘White ~ House and a Liberal premier in Victoria

“provides the best opportunity ever to make the road a reality,” the report said.

“The B.C. New Democratic Party govern- ment has gone down to overwheming defeat,” it said. “The B.C. Liberal party is much more

favourably disposed towards economic deve- .

lopment.”

A mine access road already runs part way down the Iskut River from Hwy 37 to Volcano Creek.

More road would need to be built down the Iskut to where the Craig River joins it.

From there the most likely route would go up the Craig, cross over into Alaska, and then go down the Bradfield River to tidewater on

the Bradfield Canal. A ferry would take traffic.

from Wrangell to the landing. An estimated 80 kilometres of new road would need to be built.

Once in place the road would allow Alas--

From front

+, +

A special report by Jeff Nagel

kan residents in places like Wrangell and Pe- tersburg to drive to Terrace or other B.C. centres.

The Alaskan fishing industry is interested because fresh fish could then be trucked south to market, avoiding delays and congestion on the Alaskan ferry system, the report indicates.

And tourism in the mid-section of the pan- handle would flourish if Wrangell became an intersection rather than a whistlestop along the Alaskan ferry route.

Wrangell town manager Robert Prunella says the road would create a number of poten- tial new tourist circle routes by which travel- lers could partly by toad and partly by Alaskan ferry.

“We see it as benefitting the whole region,” he said, adding the road could pump much more tourist traffic from the Alaskan fer- ries onto Hwy 37 and Hwy 16,

But the road would be enormously expen-

sive, costing hundreds. of: millions.of dollars...

A 6,600-foot tunnel. through. the. Bradfield-

«Craig pass.to.avoid avalanche risks and-mini-

mize environmental damage might cost US $30 million alone, the report says.

The Craig River headwaters has also been made a protected area under the Cassiar-Iskut- Stikine land-use plan, although it indicates’ road access could be allowed if the gevern- ment deems il necessary.

Alaskan proponents concede the U.S. would likely have to front the entire cost, as it’s of much less interest to B.C.

For that reason, Prunella said the road hinges on a combination of pelitical support in B.C. and then finding the money from U.S. sources to make it a reality.

The report argues the U.S. military would also benefit from the road. It says the route would help ensure the resupply of the U.S. sub- marine testing base near Ketchikan in the event panhandle airports were knocked out by missile attacks,

“The adversaries we can expect for this road are the usual ones,” the report says,

r

r

e

3

listing the Sierra Club, the Friends of the Sti- kine and B.C. Spaces For Nature. -

It also expects opposition from Stewart, which might lose port business to Wrangell, and from Prince Rupert, because the Alaskan ferry terminal there could be threatened.

But topping the Alaskans’ list of allies are the City of Terrace and northwest Liberal MLAs.

“Terrace’s support has been beneficial and will likely continue to be so,” the report says.

It also says Alaskan proponents are increas~ ing contact with northwest B.C. MLAs, which was kept to a minimum before the election.

“Jt was important thal we not be perceived to be interfering with their electoral process,”

it says.

7] Prunella said B.C. gov- “| ernment approval is cru- {cial and Skeena MLA

been supportive. 4

will come on side with: ihe change in govern- ‘ment and philosophy.

“It’s prime time on your side of the border,” Pru-

sd nella said. Andy Burton Development Author- ity’s Ken Veldman said the road could allow Alaskans to shop here, and open up new markets for Terrace-based businesses.

: i | He’s..optimistic Victoria -

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 9, 2002 - A5

Roger Harris has so far —

'

The Terrace Economic °

Skeena MP Andy Burton says he doubis the

road will happen quickly or easily, if at all,

“It’s a very expensive route,” he said.

And he suggested it may be in B.C.’s inter- est — if it ever does happen — to restrict indus- trial traffic so B.C. resources can’! be trucked to Alaska and shipped out of there rather than Stewart.

“Southeast Alaska is very keen,” Burton —

said. “If they want it bad enough it will happen.”

roups denounce road idea

as a grab for B.C. resources

Arnold says the economic threat is an easy case to make.

“The Alaskans have been doing some pretty loud tub-thump- ing on the issue,” Arnold said. “We'd like to end it. It has no meril.”

Ecologically, he said, the new road. would create erosion and avalanche risks, open. up new

wildlife out of the. now-inaccess- ible area. Guide-outfitters ‘in the ¢ tegion would also lose out, he said. “There will be a sizable wild-

plow roads through. there,” says

Arnold.

_ If the Alaskans can send their

fish to market via a new road” route, he added, canneries. in

Prince Rupert that now can large

amounts of Alaskan salmon could

GIL Arnold, of the Transboundary Watershed Alliance, examines a map that lays out potential routes for roads Into the mineral-rich wilderness around the Stikine River,

lose business.

He said mineral companies.

such: as Stikine Copper Ltd., which has rights to a property near the mid-Stikine River, might use a-toad from tidewater to the Iskut to push for roads going further up the mainstem Stikine.

Lf. the ‘goal ig to access those. - properties, Arnoid argues there are other more ecologically sound

routes from Hwy 37 that would ensure B.C. resources are shipped through B.C, ports.

Skeena MLA Roger Harris,’

who the Alaskans see as a key potential ally;.says he plans to take the idea to the Liberals northern caucus for closer exami- nation in the new year.

He ‘said the Bradfield road

could increase tourism in northern B.C. and‘open up new resource development possibilities.

_ “But it doesn’t come. without

~gome risk,” Harris noted.

’ One danger, he noted, is if tourists that would normally drive up Hwy 37 turn left at Iskut and go to Wrangell, draining business

that would ordinarily go to Dease

Lake.

“We have to balance those questions very carefully,” Harris said. - o “We're ‘not going to run out there and say let's go and build this thing,” he added, “But it’s a project we're ‘going .to have a ser-

ious look at in: the not too distant

future,”

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

The Mail Bag

Best wishes

Dear Sir:

With the recent reorganization in the health in- dustry | find that my position takes me to Prince George in another capacity.

For the short duration that I spent in Terrace, working with Terrace and Area Health Council! , had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people.

I wish to express my ap- preciation and thanks for the great support | have had from Council mem- bers, staff; physicians and individuals from the com- munity such as Health Watch.

1 take pride in the many accomplishments we achieved which contributed to the improvement in pa- tient care.

The highlight was the commencement of con- struction of the Senior Supportive Housing © (McConnell Estate).

You have a wonderful community here and [ . have every confidence thal you will continue ta prosper, Best wishes to everyone in the new year.

Dieter Kuntz . Terrace B.C.

Yes to offshore oil

Dear Sir:

It seems to me that there are those whose liveli- . hoods depend on ferrying rich people back and — forth from coastal launches to cedar mega-man- — sions tucked away in distant inlets. :

The last thing these people want ta see is an oil rig blocking their view and casting doubt on their ability to maintain coastal B.C. as an environ- *: mental sanctuary.

It does not surprise me that there are those that would fight to protect their livelihood under the ; guise of enviromental protection, but you do this at the expense of econamic diversification, job diver- * sification, infrastructure and construction and new opportunities for our young people.

It is high time for B.C, to get back onto its eco- nomic feet and get back to work. ‘

We have developed over the years sound en- . viromental practice and continue to do so now and into the future. a

Let’s not forget that if we don’t start developing. our resources under our control someone else will _ find a way td extract them from under our noses. ,

Allan McIntyre ,

Terrace B.C.

Dieter Kuntz

we

No to treaty vote .

' 1 Dear Sirs- .,. ob gee, “re “The. proposed Provincial jeferendum on aborigi- ; ' nal treaties in B.C. will be a waste of time ‘and. taxa" payers’ money, ! There are several reasons why the proposed Te ; ferendum is flawed. : ; For example, in 1992 a similar type referendum was held regarding the Charlottetown Accord and , the peopte-of B.C. and Canada voted against abori- ” ginal issues. So why bother with another referendum when an

. answer has already been expressed?

From an aboriginal perspective, it is obvious 4 what the outcome will be, regardless of the question(s). ;

The j issue is also too complex for a simple “yes”. or “no” vote.

Furthermore, in 1997, Canada’s Highest Court, .‘ through the Defgamuuk decision, also urged gov- * ernments and First Nations to “negotiate” : settle-. ments. St

Considering these factors along with current economic hardships in the province, and the events | of September 11, it just seems fundamentally *‘ wrong and impractical for the BC Liberals to conti- :{ nue with the proposed referendum.

If it goes through, the referendum will be an--

other example of wasteful government spending. * Gary R. George . Burns Lake B.C. *

Cuts hitthe poor = *

Dear Sir: The cutbacks to chiropractic care, physiotherapy and massage therapy, effective January 2002 repre- ‘

sent a direct hit to the working poor of this Pro- 4

vince. ” While unionized workers have extended health- care benefits and Premier Campbell has spared |

’ those on social assistance, the workers who are in

Tetail stores, in warehouses, restaurants and on farms will lose this important benefit. Alternative therapies offer relief from: work-rela- ted injuries, not severe enough perhaps for a WCB claim, yet painful and debilitating and no doubt

contributing to long term chronic discamfort.

Relief from chronic pain contributes to a per- son's quality of life — and it is shameful for the Liberal government to take this benefit away from — people who are struggling to make ends meet and do not have other options.

For the sake of saving a few dollars towards a balanced budget, Premier Campbell ‘is dismantling the principle of universal healthcare and increasing the marginalization of the working poor,

Maureen Bostock Terrace B.C, ..

. deadilne Is noon Friday 0 or F noon: -Thursday If it Isa a long. weekend... : .

- About the Mail Bag

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Our address Is 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C.,

V8G 5R2. You can fax to 638-8432, And you. : can e-mail to standard@kermode. net. No at: tachments please. We need your name, ad: dress and. phone number for verification. Our”

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