LIONS GAPE Peoyecr UPpate New Year's n20 Phono are neturther bridge doses planned until Nooet rhe cad ot Panwars Precis are maioded % agega That polos continue te cntorce a 0 kin fh speed What's On, where to 805 hat Into owe hensatebrdite ger bec and what to wear DECEMBER 15, 2000 sums Automotive oe 35 sed Bright Lights ooo 12 Classifieds ooe 43 Crossward eae 48 Dining ooo 16 j j Voice Personals 9 eee 43 — i : Father and daughter write the new Michael Sowet Murat Ppastieg See VANNET Seereran | =_ VS a SS oe Slade thriller. ¥ | This Week n13 The Voice of North and West Vancouver since 1969 84 Pages Terry Jacks battles Howe Sound pollution Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter adangclo@usnews.cam TERRY Jacks is not a quitter. The passionate environmentalist and music teon hay stack with a frustrating five-year battle against the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MTEL) over pollution from the Port Mellon pulp mill in Howe Sound. “A much better name for Ministry of Environment is Ministry for Industry,” said Jacks. He claims the public is being placated by tough pollution Laws which aren’t being enforced, “We are not being looked after. We are not being protected so why not tell the people... They (provincial environment ministry) are not supposed to be adding (pollution) to our environment with permits,” said Jacks. Jacks, who lived in Horseshoe Bay for 20 years, is best known for his interna- tional hit song and all-time Canadian bestseller Seasons in the Sin. The Sunshine Coast Madeira Park resident points out that he no longer writes songs. He pro- duces environmental videos these days. Jacks spoke after four days of hearings before the Environment Appeal Board (EAB). The board has reserved its decision. In the mid-1990s, Jacks was tipped off that Howe Sound Pulp and Paper in Port Mellon was not in compliance with it: pollution emission permit, specifically for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The chemicals are released into the air through a tall stack. The chemicals cause acid rain — diluted solutions of nitric and sulfuric acids. Both chemicals go into Howe Sound and inty the air surrounding the mill. Horseshoe Bay residents can smell the mill pollution, according to Jacks’ submission to the EAB. Alter a determined effort through Freedom of Information and other means, Jacks confirmed the two harmful chemicals were higher than the mill’s permit allowed. In 1997, with the government's apparent inaction, Jacks launched a private prosecution over the non-compliance, The pros- ecution was taken over by the Attorney General ministry. The ministry then dropped the case. In the meantime, the mill applied and government officials increased the allowable emission levels for the substances so the pulp mill was com- fortably in compliance. Jacks appealed the amendment, and eventually got to the hearing last week. He said the amendment should not have been issued and said the pulp mill should have been charged with polluting instead. Jacks has appealed against the actions of the Deputy Director of Waste Management, with the pulp mill being a third party in the matter. Jacks argued it was improper to amend the . permit. He took issue with other things including the way the mull itself monitors the pollution level with one “lite stupid” ambient monitor in Langdale. Jacks said there is unproven new technology out there to reduce the pollution, but the mill won't try it. “Their lawyer was unbelievable. Tr was sort of like I was interrupting that cozy relationship between the ministry of environment and the pulp mill,” said Jacks. “They should have no pollution. They do not have a right to put their poisons in our backyards. The mill has improved, but they are stil running, the circus.” Al Strang, environmental superintendent at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, explained that the emission limits on the boiler in question were theoretical and based on design criteria. He said the limits were “best estimates” that couldn't be met in practice. Strang said the mill spent about three years trying to meet the emission limits, “It is our contention that the limits were unrealistic,” said Strang. “The min- NEWS photo Paul McGrath TERRY Jacks has not backed down in five years of taking on the provincial government and a See Mayors following page | Howe Sound pulp mill in a frustrating legal and bureaucratic battle over pollution. é Se ep LO gn ONG Ce Ble ot tee ang a ; Noma’ Ds Black & Decker WA Black & Decker Firestorm ‘Hele toms, conoiess pat, 314 utes cali fences. ive Kitbox scares duck. Roa ™ Cordless versatity incudes 8.5' white or green wire. ee as Reg. $04.99 ‘ kithox & 5 ocressovies. ; ‘ : Reg $12.99 Reg $159.99 915 West ist St., N Van : e SKU #5645108 xy, #1239877 (behind Capilano Mall) . n ; ‘ g y E oper ... 985-3000 3 YC : . * it us at www.homebuilders.ca aa CHECK’ OUT OUR:NEW. GOURMET KITCHEN CENTRE--UPSTAIRS-—EVERYTHING TO MAKE