Port Dear Editor: Re: North Vancouver waterfront for public use, I weuld like to correct some inaccuracies contained in Mr. Neil Thompson's recent letter ‘to the editor (“North Van's wasted waterfront" March 13 edition) for your readers. The Vancouver Port Coquitlam (VPC) leas- es-to the city and the district of North Vancouver eight acres of waterfront land and water for public recreational use, for example: Waterfront Park and Harbourview Park. We also lease water for recreational use, for example: the water lot off Cates Park in which VPC installed an artificial reef for recreation- al divers (leased to North Vancouver District). Another publicly accessible waterfron: site is Maplewood South in North Vancouver District. This 43.5 acre site has been provided by VPC to Environment Canada as a “natural preserve,” which includes the new Environmental Sciences Centre. ’- In VPC's long-range Port 2010 pian, sig- nificant waterfront jand and water have been importance formally designated for public recreational use throughout the Port of Vancouver. It is also important to note that the VPC and North Shore-bused port facilities on Crown land pay just under $10 million annually to the city and district of North Vancouver in grants- in-lieu of taxes and taxes respectively. This does not include taxes paid for private water- front lands, such as the Fullerton, Versatile and Vancouver Wharves sites. Port industry on the North Shore is aot only an important revenue generator for local gov- ernment but also provides substantial employ- ment opportunities. For example, Neptune Terminal Ltd. (which handles coal, petash and phosphate rock) employs about 250 full-time employees not 12, as mentioned in the fetter. Additionally, Neptune has an annual pay- roll in excess of $10 million and pays almost $2 million in property taxes. Norman Stark President and Chief Executive Officer Vancouver Port Corp. Eradicate Esplanade eyesores Dear Editor: mo including the “36” flea market and the surrounding area will ° I wish to publicize a major “concer that I have with. the : proposed Versatile Shipyard site on East Espienade (page 1 - “ and 3’Mus 24 North Shore News). . agree. with. the published comments ‘of .the local. resi-- dents end. business .associa- use’ of the proposed area, aS ted on the map. . : gotten yy succeeding s born fi ty hail for. ihe " the future of those’ horrible “'greyand green ramshackle° “buildings ; (both. sides ‘of. East’ Esplariade) that are a total eye-: sore and an appalling blot on whi Yor lower Lore desirable . cating an historic industrial en is all. that is nevessary. After all re archive pictures of the : in use available ‘for : stest-oled