oh

require another $200,000 in capital investment. The facility is expected to
employ some 14 personnel with an annual payroll cost of $336,000. The per-
sonnel are likely to be provided by the Teamsters Union.

The proposed routing of asbestos fibre will also require additional tug and
barge equipment for the weekly round trip. An existing barge would have to
be modified to carry fuel at a capital cost of some $250,000. Approximately
three years after the system was in operation, two new barges would be re-
quired at a capital cost estimated at $1.8 million. Exhibit 2.6 illustrates
the type of barge vesselswhichwill be used on this proposed fibre

transport service.

Initially, one existing tug would be used on the route with haif its available
time allocated to this specific operation; however, after about ten years this
tug will have to be replaced. The capital cost of a replacement tug is esti-
mated at $2 million. The tug and barges would be built in British Columbia
shipyards. A tug crew will also be required, consisting of seven men and
having a payroll cost of about $154,000.

wae
The direct benefits to British Columbia from the marine facility are the
resultant construction and operating employment opportunities, employment in
British Columbia shipyards for the barges and tug, and taxes (income, sales
and property). 5/

25 Other Economic Impacts

The development of a truck/tug and barge transportation system for shipping
containerized fibre can promote other economic impacts, particularly those
facilities which improve the Port of Stewart, combined with a Resource Road
which connects the port to the north-west hinterland.

2a el Mineral Development

An inventory of known and anticipated resources in the Stewart area indicates
a number of mineral prospects which could use the Cassiar-Stewart Highway and

5/ See RivTow Straits Ltd. Annual Report, 1976, for additional details
on the company.