Dear Editor: Gambier Island still is a subject of controversy, with an uncertain future. The government maintaims that, until a mine proposal is sub- mitted, no decision can be made. Because metal prices currently are cepressed, it appears for nov that an open pit mine is not imminent, nevertheless, the claims, covering 3/4ths of the island, remain in good stan- ding. These mineral claims will never be dropped. What is uneconomic today, can be highly profitable tomorrow. Who then benefits from the government's’ refusal to make a decision? In 1979, two major stadies for the Small Craft Harbours Deep Cove has key to gov't cash box Dear Editor: May I congratulate the residents of Deep Cove, you seem to have acquired the magic key for opening the Pandora's box of provincial school funds. From the report im a re- cent Sunday News provincial government has allowed School District 44 $3,947,920. If one totals the amount going to Deep Cove, it comes to $2,054,620 which leaves $1,973,860 for the the rest of the whole of North Vancouver. My children attend Upper Lynn, the largest school m the District of North Van- couver. Our kindergarten children are in portables, our gym 1s not the regulation size but the standard size. | have been told that when Upper Lynn has applied for improvement they have been told continually that there are not cnough funds. As far as a cafeteria and drama areca at Seycove, | find it imecredible that this school, built only two years ago, did not have these facahties provided at that tame. We hear about “Cove Chiff Anncx” but hke Topsy will this be another project which just “grows and grows”? Meanwhile we at schools uke Upper Lynn will just have to go without! Sue Cook North Vancouver Of FICE PERSONNE 1 Auto Elford Tt MPORARTY Sytwie Gowaens PE RIMAN® NI Oe’> aSSts tance Wo save you the search oe 40) VW 1%) “itp evert Nath Vie cnowen 984-0251 EE mailbox = __ _. More money in boating than staking Branch (federal government) and the village of Gibsons confirmed the need and economic justification for additional facilities in Howe Sound. One report states that .... “severe shortages of transient berthage facilities exist in most coastal waters, but particularly along the mainland coast. This fact is not surprising, since every past survey of transient boating has indicated the need for additional moorage facilities in this area, especially Howe Sound.” According to both studies, boatowners in 1976 spent an estimated $150 million in this province with federal taxes from recreational boating estimated at $19 million. Because of this substantial revenue, the federal govern- ment, over the years, has reinvested part of these revenues to ensure that boaters are provided with adequate facilities. In 1979, the use of Howe Sound by overnight boaters was estimated “very con- servatively at 23,400 boat days. With expenditures estimated at $21 per boat per day. some $490,000, was spent in this area. By 1985, it is estimated that the number of boaters in Georgia Strait will increase by 32%. generating !,300,000 boater- days of use; with correspon- ding expenditures estimated to be at least $48 million per year. (10% inflation factor since 79). Knowing that 51% of all Georgia Strait boaters use Howe Sound now, expenditures of $24 million per year can be pro- jected. Currently, there is only one marine park with both moorage (30 for boats) and camping (89 for campers) facilities in Howe Sound. The mining company must spend less than $3.50 per acre per year to maintain their claims in good stan- ding. Therefore, the revenue the provincial government can expect to receive is about $30,000 per year. Whereas, if facilities for 500 boats were established on Gambier, roughly $463,000 would be spent by the AT,- Wednesday, Febrpary 17, 1982 - North Shore News boaters by 1985 in only 25 boating days assuming full occupancy. A substantially greater benefit, not only to the government, but to Horseshoe Bay and Gibsons merchants, several marinas, and most important, to the public! Considering widespread the support by 9 Lower Maintand municipalities, 28 known organizations, pius thousands of lower mainland residents, to free this Crown land, just who is the govern- ment representing in this easily understood, clear-cut issue? Elspeth J. 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