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Arctic Gas Withdraws Application At a hastily called press conference this morning, Mr. Wilder, Chairman of Canadian Arctic Gas Pipeline, announc- ed that Arctic Gas was withdrawing its application to build the controversial Mac- kenzie Valley pipeline. In a stern statement setting out the reasons for the surprise deci- sion, Mr. Wilder said that "after an exhaustive review of all the circumstances, the sponsors of the Company have decided to terminate the project." In an exclusive interview with PIPELINE UPDATE after the press conference, Mr. Wilder discussed some of the factors which led to the abandonment of the project. Asked whether he felt the opposition of various publie interest groups to the pipeline had played a role in the decision, Mr. Wilder replied: "Certainly but you must realize also how unfair their opposition was. They had all the good arguments on their side: land claims, environ- mental impact, cost overruns, gas surpluses... Imean, any- one can stop a pipeline under those conditions." Mr. Wilder went on to outline some of the internai problems Arctic Gas had faced recently: "Do you have any idea how much work it is coordinating a dozen lawyers in Ottawa and as ,many again in Washington? I couldn't even remember all their names! And the endless rounds of testimony. Poor Vern, (Vern Horte, the presi- dent of Arctic Gas) he just couldn't take it anymore. Do you know what it's like being cross-examined by the Pages and MeDougalls of this world? I'm telling you, it's no picknick." The reaction to CAGPL's announcement so far has been mixed: - the Nation energy Board has decided to ignore the news and has ordered that no reference to it be made. The Board will pursue the hearings twelve hours a day, seven days and week until intervenors suc- comb from exhaustion.' - Mr. Gillespie, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resour- ces, expressed his "disap- pointment" at CAGPL's with- drawal and restated that he would not be pressured by any interest group, including Arc- tic Gas. "How am I expected to justify the expenditure of $180 billion in the energy sector over the next 15 years if pipeline applicants start drop- ping out?" he asked. "This is- obviously unacceptable and I intend to ask PetroCanada to investigae the feasibility of building a Mackenzie pipeline entirely with pulbic funds. - Mr. Rene Levesque, when told that the Federal Govern- ment might ressucitate the pipeline, exploded: (transla- tion) "This is an outrage. We shall definitely leave Confede- ration if they do that. Why should Quebec pay for white elephants in English Canada when we've got our own to worry about aiready?" - Mr. Clark, interviewed on his way to Ottawa, stated: "I would prefer not to comment on this important announce- ment at this time as I believe I should first consult my caucus about this grave decision before making a public state- ment on this crucial issue of concern to ail Canadians which would demonstrate tha the Progressive Conservative Party has no position on this matter." - In the United States, Pres- ident Carter refused to be interviewed until he had an opportunity of consulting "President Trudeau." The withdrawal of the Arctic Gas application has had on unexpected result in that it has thrown out of work the many Canadian and Amer- ican environmentalists who have made a career of opposing this project. PIPE- LINE UPDATE bas learned, however, that representatives of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Energy Probe, Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club have already held preliminary discussions on the formation of an alternate international consortium to study the construction of an environmentally benign pipe- line. Ms, Pam Rich, Chairper- son of Environmentally, benign Pipe Line Ltd., (EBPL), claims that such a pipeline would differ signifi- cantly from CAGPL or from any other existing pipeline. "For one thing,"' she states, 'the pipeline will be built entirely out of renewable resources, mostly wood. To ensure the highest technical specifications, every piece of pipe will be individually hand-carved. This will have the added advantage of pro- viding gainful employment to the native people." The pipeline itself will have a surprisingly small diameter of only four inches. "We want to plan prudently on the basis of discovered reserves to date exclusively" says Mr. Sean Casey, EBPL's President "We don't think the National Ener- gy Board would go for an oversized pipeline." The pipe- line will have another distinc- tive feature in that all its compressor stations will be solar-powered. The consortium's officials exude quiet optimism and are confident théy will receive the necessary regulatory ap- proval. Mr. Francois Bregha, Director of Public Affairs, believes the Government will recognize the merits of the EBPL application: "The Government has been com- mitted to a pipeline for years. So now, we're offering them what they want but with some safeguards: a Canadian-own- ed pipeline, tailored to Cana- dian needs, which results in almost no environmental dis- ruption and which relies on the traditional skills of the native people. What more could they ask for? The soundness of our proposai was confirmed to us when Imperial Oil refused to join us. It shows we're doing. something right." EBPL will rely on project financing to raise the capital necessary to build the pipe- line. At the time of writing, no reply had yet been received from the Department of Man- power to the request for a Canada Works grant. Mixed Reaction to Planning Amendment For Bowmanville Reactions were mixed last week as residents considered official plan amendments for 250 acres of land in northeast Bowmanvilhe. The meeting in the Bow- manville police and fire build- ing resulted in 15 people signing up as opponents of the change in Bowmanville's of- ficial plan. Ten people were in favor of the change and another 10 registered no opinion either for or against the amendment. The amendment in the Bowmanville official plan would place land between Liberty St. and Mearns Ave. in the category of stage one development. The 250 acres lie mainly south of the CPR railway une. Moving the land from stage one to stage two would mean the town could consider plan- ning studies for northeast Bowmanville and eventually consider subdivision prop- osals, residents at last week's meeting were told. Opposed Bob Sheridan, a resident of Liberty St. north, said at the meeting that land should be left for agricultural purposes. He said that there is sufficient land elsewhere in the town for development. Mr. Sheridan added that although there has been little timç to marshal opposition to the planning amendment, some HOSPITAL BOWLING Ladies high single-Barb Tony Chappell 721. High Hanc 301, high triple-Barb average-Ray Ferguson 209. Hanc 775. High average-Barb Team standings-Team 3, 65 Hanc 205. points, Team 2, 58 points, Team 6, 54 points, Team 1, 47 Men's high single-Les points, Team 5, 44 points, Zulbowski 313. High triple- Team 4, 26 points. residents on Liberty St. are "certainly opposed to it." Mr. Sheridan said he repre- sented about 20 residents on the street. However, about half a dozen homeowners on Liberty St., Concession St. and Mearns Ave. indicated that they had no objections to the change in land designation. The plan- ning amendment was sup- ported by representatives of Penwest Corporation, Shick- endanz Development and Lib- sol Investments. All of the companies have interests in land on the 250 acre site. Dr. Peter Zakarow, a Bow- manville resident with land at the north end of Liberty Street opposed the planning changes. Dr. Zakarow said that he felt land he owned on Liberty St. North should also be placed in the stage one category. He said he had requested a change in designation for his own property but his request had not yet been acted upon. "Certain people shouldn't have special status over others," he said. Dr. Zakarow said that development should not be planned because of what looks pretty on a map but according to sewer and water services. He said that his property could be more easily serviced than the 250 acres between Liberty St. and Mearns St. No Services "I don't think we should be planning in an area where there are no services," he said. The Town of Newcastle's assistant planner pointed out that any sizeable development east of Liberty St. or any- where else in Bowmanville cannot proceed until water and sewer services are ex- panded. Norma Forrest told the audience last week that a new sewage treatment plant to accommodate more growth would probably not be ready before 1979 or 1980. She said development in the northeast could probably not begin until at least that date. Last week's meeting was called in accordance with regulations of The Planning Act and it was held at the request of the Durham Region. The region will have to decide whether or not the land in Bowmanville will be placed in the stage one category. Section Two The Canadian Statesman. Bowmanville April 20. 1977 13 Answers Next Week Residents Raise Many Questions At Courtice -Meeting Scarcely a question was answered last week when officials with the Town of Newcastle met about 170 Courtice area residents in the gymnasium of the Courtice Secondary Scbool. But, that's the way the Town of Newcastle wanted it. "Tonight we said we'd hear the questions and try to get them identified," sald New- castle Mayor Garnet Rickard. The mayor added that he was prepared to give off the cuff replies to any questions but council felt that off-hand answers at a public meeting might only lead to more confusion. Instead, the Courtice resi- dents were told that their questions were being recorded on a tape recorder and in writing at the meeting last Thursday. The answers will be returned during a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 26. Mayor Rickard cautioned, however, that some of the answers may not iend them- sleves to complete answers in the two weeks. But the town will try to answer the citizens' questions. In accordance with the procedures laid down by the town, more than 50 questions were posed by about 25 people in the audience. One resident asked why the people of the municipaiity needed the Courtice Sub- division and how the citizens would benefit from it. Preliminary approvals. for 1042 housing units in the Courtice community have already been granted by the town. Fire Hall Other residents wanted to know whether or not the Courtice fire hall depended on development in Courtice or whether the hall would be built even without the subdivisions. Another resident asked whether or not large lots in Courtice area would be divid- ed and sold if development were to go ahead. "I want to know why we are paying such high taxes and whether or not our taxes are going to have to subsidize this deveiopment, another person asked. Thoroid Bobier, the presi- dent of the Courtice and Area Citizens Association, said he wanted to know whether or not the town would supply house- hoid water to Courtice home- owners if development were to damage the well water supply of the community? The president of the Town of Newcastle Ratepayers' Assoc- iation, Ron Amyotte, asked why Newcastle council is asking to encourage resident- ial development when indust- rial development is more valuable in bringing tax dollars to the municipality. Industry "Why aren't you working at least half as hard to provide industrial land in the area?, he asked. Courtice residents aiso asked for general information on the number of housing units proposed for their community and the possible size of Courtice in five years if development proceeds. Another question involved the possibility of Courtice joining Oshawa. "Would you object to a referendum on where we would like to belong?" another resident wondered. Further details' on how provincial funds and lot levies would provide money to cover the expense of residential development were aso re- quested. Round two of the Newcastle council's publie information sessions wiil be beld Tuesday, April 26. The meeting wiii be in the gymnasium of the Courtice Secondary School and it starts at 7:30 p.m. 4-H News Ontario's rural youth are becoming more aware of energy conservation through 4-H electrical energy conser- vation clubs, according to Grant Webber of Ontario Hydro. The clubs, organized by the Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture and Food, have been conducted in various counties throughout Ontario since 1960. Instruction for the program is provided by the agricultural conservation supervisors at Ontario Hydro's six regional offices. "The 4-H electrical conser- vation club program deals with the wise use of electrical power. During the program club members investigate electrical energy use on their individual farms. They dis- cuss heat loss in production buildings and the farm home, lighting controls and other ways to reduce energy waste?" The club program also gives practical advice for common problems such as incorrect wiring, outdoor wiring and rodent damage. Last year, electrical energy conservation clubs were active in Bruce, Nipissing and Northumberland counties. Mr. Webber says he expects clubs will be set up in several other counties this year. 4-H club programs are organized in each county to provide training in a variety of subjects from farm safety to animai care. More than 10,000 boys and girls from 12 to 20 years of age participate in Ontario 4-H agricultural clubs. thFor more information about the 4-H programs offered in your county contact the local offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Own a Kitchen that's easy to Keep-Up Easy-to-care-for cabinets and counter tops of FORMICA laminate keep their beauty for yearsl Visit our showroom or call us for a free estimate. Telephone 623-2056 -FRIA amateRMlstCA It's the FORMICA®Iaminate finish that does the trick. Dirt, cooking grime and fingermarks wipe off cabinets with a damp cloth, counter tops resist damage from bumps and spills. The original elegance lasts and Iasts. Call today for an estimate no obligation. licil 'â, I É liI I This is the third in a series of four ads in which we explain how- and how much -our Port Granby waste- management operations have polluted Lake Ontario. Previous ads in this series dealt with radium and nitrates. We demonstrated that they have no significant effect on the quality of the lake water. Now for the arsenic: Arsenic. An emotional word. Smacks of little old ladies brewing fatal tea. In nature, the stuff is everywhere. The earth itself is about 5 parts per million arsenic. Arsenic is more common than gold, silver, mercury, iodine, bismuth and 33 other elements. There's enough in seawater to end up in shellfish. Oysters range from 3 to 10 parts per million arsenic. In fact, you can find it in all plants, animals and people. In extracting minerals from the earth's crust, we extract arsenic too, sometimes. Witness the gold mines, and the debate over arsenic contamination in those areas. At one time there was a significant level of arsenic in the Port Hope refining residues that were trucked to our Port Granby site and buried. Now there is very little - a trace, and that's all. But the difficulty has been that as rainwater and groundwater has seeped through these old buried residues at the Port Granby site, some of the arsenic has been washed out and has been carried towards the lake. If you listen to Eldorado's critics in this area, tlhey will tell you that every year 1,500 pounds of arsen ic enters Lake Ontario from the Port Granby site. We admire their interest. But their arithmetic may leave something to be desired. The actual figure is 31 pounds. To put that figure in sorne perspect ive, consider how much other arsenic is in the lake. Remember that it's a big lake 393 cubic miles of water. From data published by the environment al authorities, we have calculated that the water of Lake Ontario contains 3.3 million pounds of arsenic, and that the top 3 centimeters of the lake bottom contains 7.8 million pounds. Obviously, Eldorado's contribution is minuscule in relation to that total. In fact, the arsenic concentration in the run-off from the Port Granby site is well below the permissible level for farm irrigation water. But what does it do to the lake? Nothing, much. Nowhere in the vicinity of the Port Granby operation has extensive sampling of the lake water found arsenic concentrations greater than 0.01 ppm- one-fifth the permissible level in the Ontario drinking-water criteria. Nowhere on the lake bottom in the Port Granby vicinity have the investigators found arsenic concentra- tions higher than 4 ppm- and then only once, at one spot. Almost everywhere, all of the time, it is less than 2 ppm. As mentioned above, the natural level in soil is usually more than that. At Eldorado Nuclear, we think this evidence points to a non-issue. But we're doing something about it. As explained in a previous ad in this series, we have designed - and now are building- a system that will intercept the run-off water, and treat it for the removal of arsenic, as well as any radium present. If you would like more information, please visit one of our information centres in Port Hope or Bowmanville. They're open noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. ELDORADO ELDORADO NUCLEAR LIMITED 3.Arsenic and Old Arithnetic Durham Precision Cabinets Limited 159 Base Line Rd., East, Unit 1 Bowmanville I -FIU ýv. luit la