Minister says fish fee hikes are reasonable and justified Dear Sir: I would like to address some of the concems that have been expressed by residents and businesses in the Skeena region over the changes to B.C,’s angling regulations and the increases in angling fees, There seems to be two main areas of concern — the effect of the fee increases on tourism and the perceived lack of consultation on the changes. Let me say right off the top that the first priority of this ministry is conservation of our valuable resources. That is why 60 per cent of the new fees and 47 per cent of all angling fees go directly to the Habitat Conservation Trust for conservation projects. And in all considerations of how to best manage the fish resource, we feel it should be primarily for the long-term pro- tection of fish in the wild, We need to keep two key points in mind — our recreational fishing industry has been seriously under-valued for many years, and B.C. offers an ultimate angling experience un- equalled anywhere in the world, An increase in fees is never popular, but these fee increases bring B.C. up to par with other nearby jurisdic- tions, while still remaining’ much cheaper than other areas around the world that offer a world- class fishing experience. B.C. is till a bargain on CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag The angling fees for resident fishers remain very reasonable — $55 for an annual licence to fish for steelhead in a classified river (the most expensive option) — because B.C. fishers have a right to enjoy the primary benefit of our own resource. The bulk of the increases will be borne by visitors to our province, who can pay as little as $3.75 per day to fish without a guide on an unclassified river (based on an eight-day licence of $30), or up to hundreds of dollars per day for the blue-ribbon experience. These changes to the angling fees and regula- tions were not made on a whim. The criticism that there has been no consultation is unfair. Anglers and angling groups have repeatedly a world scale. told us over the years that our fees are too low, Offended by school board Dear Sir: Re: the controversy over art at the RE.M.Lee Theatre. I am offended that the school board considers the female body to be obscene and unsuitable for viewing, even in the context of an art display, by those under 19, "| bave been a public health nurse for ‘many years, and feel this attitude is dangerous, not only for cultural, but also social and health reasons. A few of the long-term effects of the sexualization and mystification of the female body can be: " low self-esteem among teenage girls; girls’ and women’s obsessions with body A case of moral fascism Dear Sir: What a wonderful world. Is it not an ex- pression of the freedom allowed us by dem- ocracy that a secretary teeasurer of a school board is able to make an informed judg- ment conceming art? Without a doubt, this is a marvel. It is only a matter of time before we see other, equally amazing occurrences: dancers will soon be managing the Department of Na- tional’ Defence; painters, poets, and musicians will soon take over corporate and public boardrooms to restore fiscal decency to this country. After all, we already have our conscience, our morality, and our aesthetic sensibility protected by thoroughly qualified adminis- trative personnel. _ Citizens of Terrace, you should be raising red flags over this one! This kind of moral fascism unfortunately results in the city being unable to shirk the stigma of cultural backwater. What about art gallery? Dear Sir: Once again I am very disappointed in city council, They have just come up with ap- proximately $26,000 (from where we don’t know?) and have decided the library should be open on Mondays. When board members of the art gallery went to them three years ago requesting a mere $10000 a year so we could have one Bring it back, Dear Sir: The following letter is for the gentlemen and his friend who took my ‘'8-24 snow- flyte’? snow blower from my yard on the night of February 25-26. I had only one more snowblowing job to do. Experience the distraught and sinking feeling to go out and find my snow blower missing on the morning of the 26. This is the only non-recreational toy I have ever bought for myself. Over the years my neighbours whose paths and parking places T have cleared have been very appreciative of it, [ am now in my 80th year and cannot handle the price of a replacement machine. I do not wish to make this a confrontational issue and I do not want you to construe this as a condemnation of the persons who per- petrated this deed. ] only wish to make.an appeal to the better part of you to search your conscience and shape and size, leading to constant dicting, excessive exercise, and/or eating disorders; * early pregnancies and sexually trans- mitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, resulting from withholding intbrmation about and prohibiting free discussion of, sexuality; * vulnerability to sexual abuse: leading to overcrowding on the rivers and threats to fish conservation. A public review process was begun in 1995 to look at what changes were necded. The B,C. Wildlife Federation — one of B.C.’s major an- gling groups — passed a resolution at its 1996 annual meeting calling for increased licence prices, and specifically citing increased fees for non-Canadian anglers, Recently, a series of public meetings were conducted in December in the Skeena region and on Jan. 7, 1997, all guides were notified in writing to expect increased guiding fees. Every single angler could not be personally contacted, obviously, nor could we force people to attend the public meetings that were held. One contentious issue, for the Skeena region in particular, is the number of rivers that are now classified, and the requirement of purchas- ing a steelhead tag while fishing on any clas- sified waters, even if steelhead is nat being pursued. The reasons behind these changes were main- ly to do with conservalion of the steelhead resource and enforcement. Nevertheless, these are understandable concerns, and we are seriously reviewing the regulations on classified waters to sec if there are more effective ways of dealing with these issues. It should be noted thal of the 24 classified water bodies in the Skeena area, only 10 are classified during the popular fishing months of July and August, and only seven are classified all year round. The bottom line has been, and will continue to be, the importance of conserving our fish stocks now and for the future. Cathy McGregor, Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, Apri! 23, 1997 - A7 Public Viewing / Call for Comments Forest Licence A16835 Forest Development Plan (1997 - 2003) Including the Road Maintenance and Deactivation Pian Ppap Repap British Columbia Inc. - Terrace Operations Repap British Columbia Inc. (RBC), Terrace Operations invites you to view and comment on our Forest Development Plan for the. years 1997 through 2003. This Plan applies to our operations on Forest Licence A16835 in and around the Terrace area. We will be showing these plans at the follawing locations and times. Apil 15 - June 16, 1997; Repap British Columbia Inc. - Woodlands Office Mon. to Fri,, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. 4900 Keith Ave. Terrace, B.C. April 15 - June 16, 1997; Terrase Publle Library ~ Regular Oparating Hours © ~~~. 4610 Park Ave. Tettace, 8.0. Friday, May 9, 1997: Skeena Mail, Terrace B.C, 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. : : Saturday, May 10,1997: | - Sheena Mall, Terrace 8.¢. 10.00. a.m, - 6,00 pm, : Representatives from Repap British Columbia Inc.: will be available at the RBC Woodlands office and in the Skeena Mali io answer your questions. Comment sheets will be available at all Iocations. The Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act requires haiders of a Forest Licence to’ submit.a Forest Development Plan to the District Manager of the 8.C..Ministry of Forests. This Plan must be prepared by a Professional Forester The main purpose of the Forest Development Plan (FOP) is to ensure that praposed harvesting operations address integrat- ed resource management constraints,: aboriginal use, and other public and resource uses. The FDP identifies those cutblocks and roads which the licence may include In applications during the term of the FDP, It-also indicates proposed road deactiva- tion activities for the next three years, The Forest Development Plan must be consistent with the Forest Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, the Forest Licence, the Management Plan for the Licence, and any Highter-Level plans in effect for the Licence at the time the Forest Development Plan is submitted. Upan review of these plans, please provide any comments you may have, in writing to: Stephen Viszlai, R.P.F. - Resource Planning Forester Repap British Columbla Inc., Terrace Operations 4900 Keith Avenue, Terrace B.C. V8G 5L8 (fax: (250) 638-5720) We ask that you provide these camments to us no later than June 18, 1997, All input received from the public during the advertisement period will be forwarded to the District Manager of the B.C. Ministry of Forests. pedophiles are known to seck out children’ who lack awareness and knowledge of their bodies. The implications of this seemingly isola- ted incident go far beyond the walls of the theatre. Carol Harrison, Terrace, B.C. It is ironic that this was done on the eve of the Pacific Northwest Music Festival, which, ostensibly, occurs in the name of promoting art and developing artists. Even more alarming is the fact that that the action was undertaken by a body of state representatives who have an enormous influence on how our children’s minds take shape. The school board and its agents should te: promoting openness and freedom of thought, rather than serving a narrow- minded agenda. Or are they in the business of creating automatons rather than individu- als? This action ullimately says volumes about the fears and biases of the censors, and does very little to foster learning. Bul, perhaps I am naive. Perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps Stalin and Solzhenitsyn were best friends. Perhaps. Douglas Stewart, Terrace B.C. peor itst employee at the gallery and be open to the public a few hours a week - they just could not see why this was important and definitely had no money. I have nothing against the library being open. [ think the library is wonderful - but it is already open numerous hours a week. The art gallery could have done wonders with half that amount of money. Vi Timamerman, Terrace B.C. please do ihe right thing. I can only refer to the lady whose son had all his clothes takes (letter March 19) while he was taking swimming lessons. The clothes were returned the following day. Some part of this person’s conscience must have been triggered to return the arti- cles he had taken, I bear no grudge nor ill will — I have al- ways had faith in all humankind, Maybe I Uniquely detailed traditional elegance. This sofa is elegantly finished and comes with rich fringed toss cushions. Loveseat and chair available at similar savings. Real value. This 5 piece dining set features a solid oak base and oak veneer table top with carved apron {extends to 60"). Four arrow bac chairs with solid oak seats, legs and arrows. ¢ Matching Buffet and Hutch also available at similar savings. t 28 Store lor Plate, 19 am naive but I will never give up. I only ask ‘Please bring back my snow blower”, even under the cover of darkness as it was taken — no questions asked. Should you or your friends see this appeal and return it I will be eternally thankful. I do not believe I was deserving of this even if it was taken on a dare. Make my day! 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