Watershed access and study at issue AN ENVIRONMENTAL group said a flawed public input process and unreason- able limits on access to Vancouver watersheds from Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) bureaucrats has forced it to seek help from the provincial ombudsman. By lan Noble News Reporter And depending on the ombuds- man's response, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) may also launch a legal challenge to reach its goals. SPEC president Paul Hundal said frustration over the GVWD's continuing cefusal to approve his group's request for an environmen- tal study that he said will help resolve the contentious issue of whether logging in the watersheds contributes to turbidity in Lower Maintand drinking’ water has prompted the letter. »Hundal added water’ district bureaucrats have also made his :group's work difficult in other o ways He’ said the district requires “those wishing to speak to the water committee to make their desire known before agendas are released. “By the time we see what is in the agenda package, it is too late to apply for a delegation request.” he said, : Hundal’s complaints also “include SPEC's aud the Western ‘Canada Wilderness Committee's absence on the GVWD's Water ANN MARIE SWEENEY B.A., M.S.W., LL.B. BARRISTER & SOLICITOR 922-0131 Advisory Committee and limits to public participation in ongoing ecological inventorics on the Seymour, Capiluno and Coquitlam watersheds. In an effort to gain more access to the watersheds and change the public input process, Hundal out- lined his complaints in a letter to B.C. Ombudsman Dulcie McCallum Murch 8. However, Greater Vancouver Regional District communications officer Mairi Welman rejects Hundal’s arguments. She said public consultation will occur on plans coming out of the ecological inventories, and added the Seymour inventory i almost complete. Welman said anybody can speak to the water committee on any topic. not just the ones on the agen- da. “(Hundal) just has to go through the right process,” she said. On the I4-member water advi- sory committee, there are two envi- ronmental members. Welman said. She pointed out that both want to remain on the committee. SPEC, as an environmental group, does rot fit into other cate- gories, which include industry- labor, consumer, academic. tourism and public health. Welman said the GVWD policy calls for closed access to the water- sheds. “It's purely for safety of water quality and water supply.” she said, adding requests are often made to get into the watersheds. Welman said the district con- ducts tours of the watersheds in the summer and SPEC members are welcome to participate. Hundal said he has taken such tours, but they do not provide ai opportunity for him and others o do ecological studies. Welmun said Hundal's request to enter the watershed at a Feb. 10 water committee meeting was WILLS ESTATES/TRUSTS © Family Law & Mediation * Power of Attomey © Real Estate & Mortgages * Separation'S& Divorce id Committecship #201-1590 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver FREE HOME BUYERS SEMINAR: PANEL: KAREN UNGERSON Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp. STEVEN TURNER - Lawyer | SANDRA CUMMING Home Inspections BRUCE CARPENTER Mongage Approvals VIDEO: DATE: TIME: “HOUSE HUNTING” by David Knox Wednesday, March 15, 1995 7:00pm - 9:00pm ~ PLACE: Royal LePage Real Estate 1221 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, B.C. COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS SERVED Limited space: Reserve Scating early (604) 985-9544 tabled until the next meeting March 10. Hundal also questioned the water committee’s Feb, 10 decision not to refer hotly contested logging issues to the water advisory com- nittee. That decision makes the $18,000-a-year advisory commit- tee nothing more than window dressing, Hundal said. RUNNERS KILIMS | SUMAK SADDLEBAGS HORSE BLANKETS TABLE CLOTHS WALL HANGINGS SALT BAGS Qutcalan : Bay City Insurance Services Ltd. “Visa and Mastercard accepted at no cost to you!” West Van North Van 1445 Marine Drive #10-1199 Lynn Valley Rd. (Beside McDonald's) Lynn Valley Centre 925-3533 986-1155 Financing O.A.C. Available OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Thursday & Friday till 9 p.m. N.Van. CORNER CABINETS WASHSTANDS: DESKS CANOLESTICKS | OIL LAMPS MIRRORS POTTERY LAMPS Friday March 10, Saturday : March 11, Sunday March 12 & Monday March 13 | Personal Shopping Only. .