Florence Tetrault -, NEWS n Certified Practioner Conservation aroum demand compensation for lost fish Crown corporation called on to pay $15 millibn tbr water5. losses By Michael Laycock this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of water misman- agement.” Conservation groups are calling for B.C. Hydro to pay McDade cited similar problems with B.C.Hydro oper- $15 million in compensation for lost fish production on ations on the Alouette River and at Downton Lake. the Cheakamus River. “It is very likely that a full review of B.C.’Hydro’ The Steelhead Society of B.C. and the Sierra Legal other operations would lead to similar findings,” h Defence Fund made the call Friday in the wake of a added. hydrologist’s report last week indicating thaj. The groups‘ call for compensation was repeated b A top perfom!ng member of the prwsffglousPmslknt‘a Club rOr the cmmcutlw 9th ye81 B.C. Hydro has been exceeding water diversion limits on the officials with the Squamish Nation Fisheries Committec THIS COZY HOME Cheakamus River for more tkrar: 30 years. “In the case of our people, the Squamish, the endan “The illegal diversions by B.C. Hydro and the failures germent or extinction of any species further compra (of the) comptroller of water rights have had devastat- mises our traditional way of life,” a release from th ing effects on fish populations in the Cheakamus River,” committee states. “Presently the Squamish Nation wil a joint press release from the groups states. be reviewing all options for a timely resolution of thi The groups estimate wild pink salmon runs have gone issue.” from an estimated 1,000,000 per year to extinction, and The report, compiled by Ward and Associates o P coho and chinook populations have been affected as Vancouver for the provincial Ministry of Environmer! ‘J. well. and the federal Department of Fisheries and Ocear. @l The $15 million figure is based on the impacts on pink (DFO), found that since 1956, B.C. Hydro has diverted it€ salmon only, and should be used for Cheakamus River on average, 19 to 27 per cent more water frlom thc lUI restoration projects and to compensate those whose Cheakamus than allowed under its licence. In 1995, thc ier Right in the heart of the Highlands - is just livelihoods and ways of life have been harmed, the Crown corporation diverted up to 62 per cent mon .ac.r the right place to start off - or for the empty release states. water than permitted. “British Columbians clearly value salmon,” said Craig The water is diverted from the Cheakamus River basir nesters, large fenced, fully landscaped Orr, executive of the Steelhead Society “It’s time to into the Squamish River basin and is used for powei garden. Check the price - you probably ensure that fish have adequate water.” generation. would be paying less than YQU do for rent. The pair also called for the provincial government to The conservation groups note that the B.C. Water Acl conduct an inquiry into the role of the provincial Water makes it an offence to divert more water than one? Call RONNIE McCARTNEY for more details. Management Branch and the comptroller of water rights licence allows. 2556 JURA CRESCENT - $207,900 with respect to B.C. Hydro’s management of the Fines of up to $200,000 may be imposed for each daj Cheakamus and other rivers. the offence is committed, and a maximum 12-month jai. CALLRONNIE MCCARTNEY TODAY! “The Water Management Branch has shown itself inca- sentence is possible. pable of regulating B.C. Hydro,” Sierra executive direc- B.C. Hydro officials could not be reached for commenl Jlu tor Greg McDade said in the release. “We suspect that by deadline Monday. - [ici ns w Howe Sound safe for floatplanes in! sf Continued from Page 1 just all part of flying. It doesn’t mat- at very high temperatures, solving a vic said that wind shear -which Coun. ter where you go - you get it.” forest industry problem of what to ck’ Bill McNeney has previously said The successful operation and fre- do with its waste and at the same 5th MOUNTm VIEW would be a factor that would not quency of floatplanes from creating the marketable product of ke allow airplanes to use a downtown Vancouver now providing regular bio-oil. Both the District of ba airport - does not exist in the area. service on Mamquam Blind Channel Squamish and the Squamish- ie, FABRICS In Squamish there is turbulence and floatplane use in past years has Lillooet Regional District are sup- .. associated with winds blowing off shown that ‘‘Howe Sound is more porting the Pacific Waste Energy- - Howe Sound, which are created by than safe for continued operation of Ensyn B.C. proposal. As well, Ross cool air over the water meeting floatplanes,” Podlasly said. He said said he believes that B.C. Rail and1 warm air from over the ground. the CXY Chemicals site would be CXY Chemicals representatives Surrounding buildings and moun- ideal for a floatplane base, notwith- addressed council at the April m IC tains are then factored into the equa- standing the long-term lease and the ing about the downtown. air /vi tion to create orographic turbulence, environmental cleanup taking place. concept ”were under the influen Podlasly said. In fact, Mountain Spirit Aviation is of somebody here to tell them to s f ”Are we having a wind shear prob- proposing to taxi from Golden Eagle (the land) is not available.” 01 lem down there? No, we’re not hav- Marina to its takeoff point, which is Mayor Corinne Lonsdale said t All In Store items including pine furtures, ing a wind shear problem - we’re located about 100 metres north of district is currently gathering infor d shelving & Casio cash register just having to deal with some the CXY Chemicals plant site. mation to do with the operation o - consignment pieces excluded - mechanical turbulence that is natu- The land-use issue is a moot point, floatplanes on Mamquam Blin rally assumed with obstacles in however. There have been discus- Channel and added that the concl - OPEN DAILY front of a constant flow of wind. I sions about using the CXY sion of the issue will be dealt with a don’t faresee there being a wind chemicals site for a wood waste an open-to-the-public regular coun a #lo4 - 1080 Mill;pr Creek Rd., Whistler shear problem whatsoever - it’s plant that would burn wood waste cil meeting. 932-4439 diainarid earrings 0 Contested and Uncontested Divorces 0 Child and Spousal Maintenance 0 ChiId Custody and Access Separation Agreements LTD. orc Cohabitation and Marriage Agreements Property Division GEM JEWLLERS 1P Whistler - 332-4370 Lorimer Road Squamish - 201-1365 Pemberton Ave. CHlEFTAIN CENTRE E3EsiDE SAVE-ON-FOODS 932-3211 892-5254f932-6938 I- - \ - . THE SQUAMISH CHIEF JULY 2, 1996 3 NEWS TIPS? CALL US (604) 892-9761 OR FAX (604) 892-8483 1 Canada Day '96 P Downtown Squamish was' a sea of red and white VOS pair receive scholarships Monday morning, as residents and visitors alike gathered for the annual Canada Day festivities at the environmental performance slippinl Squamish Pavilion. Among the traditional activities global problems growing, school anc were the cow chip tossing event, below, a sack race munity educators are increasingly seek featuring the 1996 Miss Squamish Youth new ways to teach people how to care fo Am bassador contestants, below right, and nurner- Earth and its inhabitants. Victor Elderton ous events for kids, as well as the flag raising, bag- cipal, and Joan Fawcett, recreation direc pipers, Canada Day cupcakes and much more. of North Vancouver Outdoor Schoo Brian Goldstone photos ed in Brackendale, have been selected tc e scholarships to attend the 1996 sum rogram of Harmony Foundation'! e for Environmental Values Education encing innovative educational tech- ,Elderton and Fawcett will spend eigh from July 13-20 at Pearson College of tht c, near Victoria, working with theii from across Canada and around the ofkckett re-elected to BCLA boara enL3 J gr. r2pamish resident Muff Hackett was re- ed, /&ed to the board of directors of the British the Jumbia Lung Association during its annual the era1 meeting earlier this month. 3re ackett has volunteered as a lung associa- tion director since 1993. F At the same meeting, $1.2 million in person- nel support and grants for medical researchers in B.C. were approved by the association's executive committee. A voluntary health agency with' nearly 130,000 supporters provincewide, the B. C. Lung Association funds [iical research, conducts educational pro- ms and coordinates patient support activi- . With less than one per cent of its budget ling from government, the association 2s for support mainly on donations from "'4 Sa widual British Columbians. tc 3ckett represents the Squamish and New councmr will st ne istler area, which includes Bowen Island, Oi :kendale, Britannia Beach, D' Arcy, oi ibaldi Highlands, Lions Bay, Mount Ih- rie, Pemberton, Squamish and Whistler. of industrial park hotel i P- By Ron Enns is taken. convince at least one of them to suy- The vote earlier this year for the first port the groposcd hotel, thus garner- Quote of the Week Developers whose proposed hotel and second readings of an official ing the fourth vote htis needed to was stalled by a close, but defeating, community plan amendment bylaw proceed. hardly believe .I1 - I could vote by Squamish council was supported by Mayor Failing that, Kehler said the p-cP JPOS- when they all voted in earlier this year will not get Corinne Lonsdale, Coun.