The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 4THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, SEPTEMBER 20,2000 Group proposes to sink warship in Lake Ontario Durham divers hope their ship is sinking RON PIETRONIRO/ This Week photo BY CHRISTY CHASE Staff Writer A group of local divers want to sink a warship off Oshawa. The Lake Ontario Scuba Association Association (LOSA), based in Ajax, wants to buy, perforate and sink the 2,400-ton Canadian destroyer, HMCS Nipigon, about two kilometres offshore in 100 feet of water. The sunken hulk would then become become an artificial reel', attracting fish, aquatic vegetation, scuba divers and perhaps even marine biologists and filmmakers, said Errol Sarpkaya, president of LOSA. "We're eager to begin," he said. "One word from Ottawa and this project project is a go." The artificial reel'could be in place by this time next year, he added. It would be the first "inland" deliberate sinking of a military vessel to create an artificial reef, lie said. The association has the money lined up to buy the mothballed ship, has support from the Naval Officers Association of Canada, Oshawa MP Ivan Grose and the American-based Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility Responsibility and Education. The Canadian Coast Guard has confirmed the proposed proposed location conforms to Navigable Waters Protection Act guidelines. LOSA is now just waiting for an answer from the defence ministry on the proposed sale, he said. "We just received a letter from (Defence Minister) Art Egglcton, letting letting us know they're still delaying," Mr. Sarpkaya said. The delay is related to an American American law which requires Canadian military military equipment using American technology technology be certified stripped of classified classified military gear, electronics and paper before being sold. Since many of these ships were used in the Gulf War, they have United Stales technology technology on board, Mr. Sarpkaya said. "I'm not sure what it has to do with a bunch of divers in Durham though," lie added. But LOSA is "about 100 per cent sure" the plan will get approval, after being assured by Mr. Grose's office the prime minister likes the idea. "We've been told it's not a matter of if it would happen but when. We're very confident," Mr. Sarpkaya said. Nipigon, a 366-fool long, Annapolis-class Annapolis-class destroyed, put into service in 1960, is currently in Halifax. It's for sale for $113,000, a mere fraction of its price, to non-profit groups. With defence ministry approval, LOSA would arrange to have the ship towed by • lug through the St. Lawrence Seaway, expected to cost $150,000. Nipigon would be taken to cither Hamilton or Port Colbournc to be stripped of non-ferrous metals and stripped of contaminated fuel lank liners before being lowed to Oshawa and sunk. Diver safety would also sec the ship's 45-foot antenna and hatches removed removed and the engine room and lower compartments scaled off for casual diving. • * "Sinking Nipigon here will make Oshawa into one of the Great Lakes' most attractive diving locations," Mr. Sarpkaya said. "The location could hardly be better - this is where the divers arc." ft Half of Canada's 120,000 sedba divers live in the Golden Horscsljoc and divers would also come from New York and Michigan, lie "explained. "explained. The wreck, public and free, wop Id bring economic benefits to Oshawa and Durham Region, lie added. $ LOSA and Oshawa Harbour Commission Commission arc discussing LOSA's usd 1 of the west wharf as LOSA's headquarters, headquarters, including a central booking facility. facility. Divers would be required To check in before diving for safety purposes. purposes. The diving season runs from the end of March to the first week of November. Visibility in the area is 11 meters (35 feet) during the diving season. K4MEK4 FOOTWEAR Whitby Mall 728-4197, FIîüTîl 1970- WIDTHS FOR ALL YOUR LIFESTYLE NEEDS, FROM RUNNING, WALKING A CROSS TRAINING TO CASUAL W years of excellence Proper shoe for problem fit new balance ■ 1 Errol Sarpkaya of the Lake Ontario Scuba Association (LOSA) proposes to tow and sink an old Canadian military ship, the HMCS Nipigon, two kilometres out from Oshawa harbour to serve as a site for divers. Oak Ridges Trail to be blazed OAK from page 1 propriété to encourage its use. But, ORTA member Carl Schenk said hikers should not be penalized for the actions actions of others. "We urban dwellers also experience similar problems and concerns concerns associated with the throw away, socially irresponsible and law-breaking segments of society," he said, noting the rural residents have the option "of fencing fencing their properties. The Oak Ridges Trail Association hopes to clear approximately 32 kilometres kilometres of trail through the municipality to meet up on either side with the rest of the trail which begins west of Toronto and goes through to Hope Township. The general purpose and administration administration committee voted to allow the trail to go alongside the Mosporl Road properties properties with an alternate route along Best Road and Cone. 10, to also be included in the trail guide as an alternative. The Community with Future! The Municipality of Clarington and the Clarington Backyard Festival Committee would like to thank the following businesses for their generous contribution. Apple Blossom winners APPLE from page 1 Individual residence garden awards were presented to: Ward 1, Carole Fournier and Theresa Friedhoff, who tied for top spot; Ward 2, Harm and Tel- tje Prins as well as Hen try and Jean Simplonius who tied in that ward; Ward 3, Peter and Joan Tax and in Ward 4, David and Johanna Bryant. It was simply simply a coincidence that there were double winners in two of the wards, says Ms. Cooke. " Judges go out and review the homes. There's certain points for each category. The people tied for first had the same points so rather than pick a name out of the hat it was important to us to recognize recognize the efforts of everybody." The gardens gardens were judged by volunteers from local horticultural societies. Providing council gives the go-ahead, Ms. Cooke says, "given the success of the last two years and the popularity" of the contest, she anticipates the event will continue next year. Courtice wetlands redesignated COURTICE from page 1 Courtice resident and environmental watch dog Kerry Meydarn calls the move "definitely a step in the right direction." direction." However, at the same lime, she points out, some lands designated in 1987 as wetland have lost that designation designation based on the new report because some are still being studied and some mapping done in 1997 appears to be missing. Ms. Meydarn says she hopes these lands, including those west of Trulls Road in the Pebblestone Road area, will be included in the wetland designation designation at a future date. This past December, council called for a reconsideration of the municipality's municipality's official plan designations for Cour- ticc after learning it was powerless to stop a housing development known as the Birchdalc (Glenview) subdivision on environmentally significant lands in Courtice because the land had been designated designated as urban area. At the meeting, councillors requested planning staff investigate investigate whether that subdivision could now be included in the wetland complex. complex. Another proposed subdivision in north Courtice known as the Hancock neighbourhood was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) prior to the release of the 1999 wetland study. It will also be affected by the new map ping, according to the planning report. The municipality is investigating the legal implications of how the new mapping mapping may affect development of this subdivision. Clarington will ask the Region to review review the need for an extension of Adelaide Adelaide Road between Trulls Road and Courtice Road in consideration of the environmental sensitivity of the area. As well, the municipality is requesting the Ministry of Transportation review the current alignment plan for the Highways 401-407 Courtice Freeway Link. "Asking for the reviews will do an awful lot," says Ms. Meydarn. "I hope the Ministry of Transportation and die Region will review. The problem is Clarington has to rely on these other agencies." Mayor Diane Ilainrc praised Clar- ington's planning department for its work on the report. "I'll tell you when 1 saw this report I wrote on my agenda, 'Hallelujah'," said the mayor, who added Clarington has one of the most environmentally friendly official plans in Ontario. 'They have some really good stuff already already in the official plan," agrees Ms. Meydarn, adding, "but they don't stick to it. This is good, I think it can help if they don't water it down." Council will vote on the decision Monday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Centre for Individual Studies Adult & Alternative High School High School Credits & Diploma Instruction or Self-directed CLASSES BEGIN SEPT. 5 Registration Continues 623-6505 2226 Maple Grove Rd, N, Community Partner Ontario Power Generation Inc. -Darlington Community Heroes Dorn's Auto Parts Deighton Associates Conveyor Splicing Frontier RV Blue Circle Cement Optimal Health Chiropractic Clinic Pine Ridge Auto Supply A&R Flooring Noone's Restaurant Syvan Developments Bowmanville Wood Products Roy NichoVs Motors The Marskell Group Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery Tim's Rental Canadian Waste Evergreen Farm & Garden Bon Apetit Catering J, R, Freethy Architect The Co-operators - Sciore & Associates Veltri Group - Marianna Developments Morris Funeral Chapel Newcastle Golf Course Valiant Property Management Royal Bank of Canada - Bowmanville Royal Bank of Canada - Courtice M&MMeats Williams Communications Community Services Department Mobile Skate Park Schedule Effective September 5 th to October 29 th , 2000 Day 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ' Sunday Enniskillen School Lord Elgin School Orono Park Monday Courtice Community ; Complex ! Tuesday Newcastle Public j School ; Wednesday Enniskillen School ; Thursday Fire Hall #5 j Havdon/Enniskillen ' Friday Clarington Fitness | Centre (Bowmanville 1 US) : Saturday Special Events or Clarington Fitness Centre (Bowmanville MS) Newcastle Public School Courtice Community ; Complex ;