January31, 2001 EXPRESS Page 7 Conferencesfighting Arrovv tin1ber AAC is racism and hate groups CASTLEGAR-A pair of conferences on fighting racism and intolerance will be held in Castlegar in April. reduced by 11 per cent VICTORIA - The allowable metres, unchanged from the previous vesting. The two day-long conferences are intended to "pro- annual cut for the Arrow timber sup- determination. That harvest level had The chief forester's determination mote acceptance and appreciation of cultural differ- ply area will be reduced by 11 per cent been in place since 1983. is an independent professional judge- ences, and recognition of the value and contribution of to 550,000 cubic metres effective The allowable annual cut reduction ment based on information ranging other peoples and cultures," according to a press release April 30, British Columbia's chief is a result of a number of factors, from technical forestry reports and issued by the Kootenay Ami-racism Education and forester Larry Pedersen has said. including a smaller timber harvesting public input, to the government's Research Society in Castlegar. "This was a complex determination land base as a result of new protected social and economic goals. Under the "They invite people to examine stereotypes and their with many factors that combined to areas, requirements for wildlife habi- Forest Act, aUowable annual cut deci- own beliefs and feelings about community members influence the reduction in the timber tat, and reserves for streams, lakes and sions must be reassessed every five who differ from them. This exercise is meant to decrease supply," Pedersen said. "I used the wetlands; management practices in years. systemic subtle racism, xenophobia, bullying and homo- best available information - includ- scenis areas; and old-growth forest The Arrow is the eleventh of 37 phobia in the community." ing considerable public input - to requirements. allowable annual cut determinations Although "traditional enmity between the small arrive at a harvest level for the next The determination accounts for for timber supply areas in the second towns and different cultural groups" has diminished five years that accommodates all for- provisions ia the Kootenay-Boundary province-wide timber supply review. because of modern transportation and communications, est resource goals." higher level plan, including biodiver- The review provides an up-lo-date it "has not disappeared," says the group. "Now new The new allowable annual cut does sity, caribou and grizzly bear habitat, assessment of timber supply in each of immigrant groups are the target of racist attitudes. Most not include 12,015 cubic metres aUo- and deer winter range. Social and eco- B.C.'s 37 timber supply areas and 34 racism is so subtle that the people displaying it are not cated to woodlot licences since the nomic implications of possible tree farm licences based on the best aware of it." previous allowable annual cut deci- changes to the allowable annual cut available information and current The conferences will raise awareness of other cul- sion. Woodlot licences, which are are also considered in the determina- management practices. tures and alert people to the tactics of organized hate administered separately, are issued to tion. A copy of the chief forester's allow- groups, the release says. The workshops will "explore local residents for small-scale The Arrow timber supply area cov- able annual cut determination for the ways to deal with tbese issues in our communities." forestry. After accounting for woodlot ers 741,000 hectares in southeastern Arrow timber supply area and the The first day's conference, on April 5, will be direct- licences, the new allowable annual cut B.C. and includes the cities of summary of public input on the Arrow ed to young people and the second day's, on April 6, is a decrease of 56,985 cubic metres Castlegar, Trail, and Rossland, and the timber supply review are available at will be open to the general public and community agen- from the previous harvest level. smaller communities of Fruitvale, the Ministry of Forests Web site, cies. Both conferences will be held at the Castlegar The last timber supply review for Montrose, Warfield, Salmo, Slocan, www.for.gov.bc.ca/tsb and at the Community Complex. For further information, caU 399- the Arrow timber supply area was Nakusp, Silverton, and New Denver. Nelson Forest Region office. CaU 354- 4316 or email tdrop@web.ca. completed in 1995 when the allowable Only 27 per cent of the timber supply 6200 for further information. annual cut was set at 619,000 cubic area is considered available for har- -Ministry of Forests Passmore Hall back in action The historic Passmore with a little landscaping Public Hall Association is and brightening the build- back. ing with some paint," Displaysthe last50 phonecallssoyou'llknowwho cares. The not-for-profit, reg- added Neil Nix, represent- istered society held its first ing the Lion's Club. Andwho really,reallycares. public meeting in "It's a very busy, popu- November to inform the lar community haU," said local community about the Joel Harris, "but the build- Hall's newly re-estab- ing is beginning to show its lished society, register age. We formed the about 40 new members, Passmore Public Hall answer questions and elect Association to make sure people to join with the future generations will charter board of directors enjoy using the hall too." in taking responsibility for Anyone interested in the day-to-day operation, booking the hall should improvements and mainte- call Julie Robbins at 226- nance of Passmore 7539 or, if she is not avail- Community Hall. able, Joel Harris at 226- Elected to the board are: 7327. Joanna Busch, Judith For general information Ceroli, John Fearing, Joel about becoming a member Harris, Lydia Kania, of Passmore Public Hall Margie Kootnekoff, Association, or volunteer- Jerome Liboiron, Neil Nix, ing to help with repair Nick Osachoff, and Julie or improvements call any Robbins. of the Board members .The new directors are or e-mail the group at very appreciative of all the passmorehall@hotmai I. work put into keeping Passmore Hall available to com. $10·57 FLEXPAY permo K24mos the public, over the past BoomtownB&E 0.A.C. few years in particular, but On Jan. 1 I Castlegar "it is now time for the RCMP attended a break RETAIL: $199.95 community to re-establish and enter at Boomtown its commitment to this Emporium Sports in SANYO CLT 9950 lovely little hall which is Castlegar. Numerous in need of some tender items, including skis, loving care," according to snowboards, jackets, This 900 MHzcordless phone is Call Display capable. Which means you get to see who's calling, who's been Lydia Kania, representing pants, gloves, and a bicy- Passmore Seniors' Society. cle were stolen. calling and who's been calling a lot. Plus. with its digital clarity and range you can use it up to 1 kilometer away. "We're already working Anyone with informa- on planning renovations to tion regarding this crime is FOR TELUS STORE LOCATIONS. CALL 1•877-877-5552. WITH TELUS YOU CAN. the kitchen, sprucing up asked to call Castlegar the outside in the spring RCMP at 365-7721.