Eee Marsox Environmentalists ‘enhanced’ mill spill Dear Editor: I would like to clarify a number of inaccuracies in the Woodfibre spill article of March 23. The Woodfibre pulp mill did aot spill toxic chemicals directly into Howe Sound. A pump casing cracked at 8:10 p.m. on March 8, releasing dilute filtrate which was collected by a system of sewers and sumps and fed back into the normal effluent treatment system. All the spilt filtrate was collected inside the plant and did not significantly increase the toxicity or volume of the mill's effluent beyond its normal range. Mr. Brian Killeen of Greenpeace was incorrect in stating that the chemical has an impact ‘‘equivalent to that of an oil spill’’ and that it “‘would burn skin ... off.’’ In fact, the caustic content of the solution was 5% grams per litre and when diluted in our norma! effluent stream, it contained oniy a fraction of a gram of caustic per litre. It would not have hurt the skin of humans or fish. Killeen’s comment that weak black liquor is a ‘‘thick, globby type of chemical” and that it would still ‘“‘be floating around out there today”’ is also incorrect. This filtrate has the consistency of water and would have been fully diluted in our effluent stream. I also disagree with his statement that Woodfibre was ‘‘trying to downplay the spill.’” We immediately reported this spill to the Ministry of Environment and conducted an internal investigation which included a metallurgical analysis of the pump casing. Recommendations from our findings are being implemented now. I believe, in fact, that Mr. Killeen and Terry Jacks are enhancing this incident. This was a fully contained in-plant accident that had very little " FALSE CREEK | has changed Lower Lonsdale is SQUAMISH The frend of Squarmsh 7 - Friday, April 20, 1990 - North Shore News ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors IMPAIRED DRIVING seven ours [9 g6-4366] afte 300-1401 LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. Shopping Centre § presents f Outdoor effect on our effluent or the environment. Bill Rempel Manager, Technica! and Environmental Services Western Pulp Limited Partnership Women, kids Dear Editor: I think it is a sad sign of our times that the North Shore Women’s Centre has been forced to close its doors. It is a tragedy to me that the poor and vulnerable in our society are always hit the hardest by gov- ernment cutbacks. The poor and vulnerable of the 1990s are women and children. 1 do not think the women’s cen- tre caters to ‘‘radical and fringe women,’’ but rather helps many women trying to live full, enriched and functioning lives within the community, against overwhelming odds. Our women and children are at 3-DR. HATCHBACK 5 SPD. need centre great risk in the nineties, with 50 per cent of marriages ending in divorce, leaving many women rais- ing children as a single parent with incomes substantially lower than their male counterpart, never mind the emotional responsibility of raising a family alone. They need financial, emotional and psychological support, from the community, more than any other time in history. We cannot afford to close the doors of help. We must support this most de- serving sector of Canadians. I would hene that most North Shore women will write Mary Collins in protest. Tricia Andrews North Vancouver 1990 Mazda 323. Ends May 2, 1990 Now AS LOW AS $Q650. FREE AUTOMATIC TRANSWiSSION OR EQUIVALENT DISCOUNT ON MANUAL. TRANSMISSION LEASING AVAILABLE AND BANK FINANCING 0O.A.C. Notthshore S i mazDa 700 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 9 9 Fn Sat ea Sun RBs 987-4458 Lifestyles Garden Show APRIL 20, 21 AND 22 Friday, April 20, South Mali 4:30 p.m. — Golf Pro from Lions Gate Golf Center 7:00 p.m. — Brian Minter of Minter Gardens Saturday, April 21, South Mall 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Trotman’s Food Sampling — at Peter Black's 11:00 a.m. — Composting Clinic 11:30 a.m. — Coast Guard — Boating made safe 12:30 p.m. — “Vancouver Balconies Beautiful” demonstration 2:00 p.m. — Golf Pro from Lion’s Gate Golf Center 2:45 p.m. — Gordie Moore “Landscape Lighting Made Easy” Sunday, April 22, North Mall 1:00 p.m. — Ron Rule, “Gardens of England” slide show — P. Lawson Travel 1:45 p.m. — “Vancouver Balconies Beautiful” demonstration Sunday, April 22, South Mall 1:30 p.m. — Golf Pro from Lion's Gate Golf Center °e ae