IN CASSIAR

The government appointed transportation plan-
ning committee for the Nechako region appeared before a
public meeting in Cassiar on March 18th. Colin Seeley,
Fraser Lake Mayor, chaired the delegation which also
includes Shirley Connolly (Atlin), William Gilgan (Burns

Lake), Bill Zemenchik (Cassiar), Jim Togyi (Fort St.
James), Ross McArthur (Granisle), John Lyotier
(Houston), Jim Davidson (Smithers), Holly Prowse

(Telkwa), Jim Oryschuk (Vanderhoef), and Re Bisanz
(Bulkley-Nechako Regional District). .

This committee is charged with the responsibility
of receiving public input and reporting to the government
the present and future transportation requirements of this
region.
Formal presentations were given by Sherry Sethen
representing the Stikine School District; Garry Periard on

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TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Recreation

‘behalf of the Cassiar Community Club; and Werner
Schneeberger. As well, informal presentations were
voiced by Sherry Sethen and Bruno Koch as local business
people and by Joe Hebert who expressed concerns regar-
ding first aid and safety.

All of these briefs basically suggested the improve-
ment and total paving of Highway 37 as the major recom-
mendation. Also suggested was the need for a rail link
with the outside as well as an electric grid system.

Colin Seely thanked the thirty people who had
attended the meeting for their input and added that all
briefs received to date were concerned with the condition
of Highway 37.

It is the opinion of this writer that although the
committee consists of northerners from northern com-
munities, they were generally surprised by the added costs
and the lifestyle under which we in Cassiar live. This was
very aptly stated by Bruno Koch who explained that a
$0.50 newspaper in Vancouver costs $2.50 in Cassiar.

The Cassiar Oldtimers are shown here after winning the Watson Lake Tournament on the weekend of March

4th and Sth.
Pictured above, Back Row, left to right are:

Clarence Quock, Danny Harrison, Don Harrison, Gene Mehr, Vic Pirie. Centre Row: Glen Madore, Front Row:
Chuck Molloy, Albert Quinn, Bryan Lundale and Guy Gregoire, standing.

Northwest Study

The Honourable Jake Epp, federal Minister of
Energy, Mines and Resources and the Honourable Jack
Davis, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Re-
sources announced on February 9 that Thurber Consul-
tants Ltd. of Vancouver has been selected to lead a

~ $75,000 study of potential resource road access in the

remote Iskut River area in northwestern British Columbia.

The study will be funded jointly by the Canada-
British Columbia Mineral Development Agreement and by
a number of mining companies active in the area.

“This study is a good example of projects under
the federal-provincial Mineral Development Agreement,”
said Davis. “Here we have a group of companies working
with both governments towards a common beneficial goal.
Once completed, the studies will be made public to all in-
terested parties.” :

“cess from the Iskut Road into the’ Unuk River valley and

Funded

“Careful selection of access is an essential first step
in long-term development planning,” Davis said. “Natural
resources and significant tourism potential will be the base
to develop and sustain the northwest regional economy.
It makes good business and environmental sense to look in
advance ‘for routes which minimize impacts and bring the
greatest long-term benefits.”

Approximately 200 kilometres of routing will be
studied to find the most economical and environmentally
sound access into the resource-rich region. Under investi-
gation are options along the Iskut Valley from Highway
37 near Bob Quinn Lake to the area near Johnny Moun-
tain where a new gold mine opened last year and where
other properties are being intensively explored. Recom-
mendations are also expected on the best options for ac-

- Cassiar Courier

the Voice of Cassiar Country

1989 15°

Board

Members” win

by acclamation

Pictured above are the new Members of the Recreation

Board. From top to bottom they are: Wendy Stark, Ken
Buchanan and Rachel Beckett. :

through the Craig River valley to the Alaska boundary.
One gold mine is already in production in the area

.and another is in an advanced stage of development. Pre-

sent access for these mines and for the intense exploration
activity in the neighbouring district is by air. Road access
will eventually be required to fully develop the area’s min-
eral potential. The supply and service industries in Ter-
race, Smithers and Stewart will Be in positon to pepane
from these developments. * °° a