News August 8, 1990 menacticger LOCAL NEWS Final in a two-part series Loggers and environmentalists haven't had what could be called a warm and fuzzy relationship over the years. Truth be told, the two have been at each other’s throats for a long time. But there’s been an odd, but nevertheless i in their i i sheep. It’s not that the two groups are now cozying up . unde?¥ome warm and woolly blanket. But rather than__ busting each others chops, environmentalists and forest companies have begun talking these days and, wonaers never cease, actually working together. All because of sheep. Specifically, Westar Timber — Castlegar’s second largest emp! at it’s sawmill i —anda group of 1 P who call their company West Coast Browsers are conducting a novel silviculture experiment in a logging area northwest of Nakusp. It’s a simple idea, really. One of those things you hear about and say, ‘‘Well, why didn’t I think of that?” What happened was that Westar — which has taken it’s share of heat from environmentalists for its logging practices — was on the lookout for other ways to clear brush away from small trees in reforested areas, which gives the seedlings a better chance of survival in early life. That’s when the folks down at West Coast Browsers in Vancouver starting thinking that there’s nothing a herd of sheep like better than munching on brush. Add a few modern day shepherds, some sheep dogs to keep their furry friends in line, and presto! an instant growth industry was born. So since early June there’s been about 600 sheep eating to their heart’s content on some of B.C.’s finest biomass, four full-time shepherds employed, and environmentalists and forestry people getting together outside of a courtroom for a change. Penny Dewar, a biologist, environmentalist and manager of West Coast Browsers, is one of the shepherds on the project. Her brother and common- law husband are also shepherds. Dewar — who prior to this spent eight years studying cougars on Vancouver Island — says that though it was a simple idea it took more than two years to put all the elements together. First, there was the obvious problem of where to find 600 sheep in B.C. where there’s not enough mutton for a meal. Dewar found the answer by going to Alberta and talking a Taber, Alta. farmer into lending his herd for the project. Then there were the logistical problems, like where to put sheep used to grazing in relatively flat land in Alberta on rocky terrain in B.C. Transportation, vaccinations to prevent the spread of disease and housing for the sheep all had to be considered. Once a solid business plan was in place there came the tricky part — getting the Ministry of Forests and Westar to literally buy the idea and provide the funding. After a couple of years of wrangling, the ministry and Westar agreed to get involved with the ministry funding 75-80 per cent of the project while Westar picks up the rest. But the company and the government did attach some stringent conditions that, if not met, could spell the end of the project at any time. One such condition is that the sheep, not surrounding wildlife like bearggnd wolves, are expendable. The shepherds carty no firearms and if any predator looking for a shéep snack is killed, so is the program. That’s why Dewar has in her employ two Italian Maremma dogs — Dewars says they are among the best in the world for this type of work — four border collies and a kelpie, as well as two or three shepherds on duty 24 hours. Dewars says the shepherds soon found out that their’s would not be a peaceful and placid existance on the side of the mountain when they had 600 sheep to care for and keep track of. “Sheep tend to like to spread over a very large area, so there were some problems keeping them together and being able to see them all,’’ Dewars said. “*A person wouldn’t be able to do one thing (to contain the sheep because) you don’t have the power a dog has. A person can jump up and down all they want and they may get fhe sheep to do something but a dog just has to look at them.”’ And, of course, Westar and the ministry want results, which is why they send two monitors to the site twice a week to check on the progress of the sheep, the seedlings and the project in general So far things are running smoothly and if the experiment works it will be one of those situations where there doesn’t seem to be a loser — which would also be a novel in an often acr relationship. The forest company gets what it wants — which is to protect its investment. If more young trees survive then it means more older trees one day can be cut down and sold. Not to mention that this method costs about $140 to $150 per hectare while manual grazing, which is done by workers by hand, costs in the neighborhood of $1,000 a hectare. The environmentalists get a way to build future forests with as little damage to the surrounding wildlife as possible and get paid in the process. Then there’s the sheep farmer in Taber who didn’t give his herd to the project out of the goodness of his heart. He wants his sheep fattened up and ready to go to market when they come home. That is another condition that, if not met, will likely spell the end of the program. The results of the experiment won't be in until the S Ed Mills Clockwise from top: A Maremma sheep dog — considered the best in the world at their jo! keep an eye on his charges as they do their job by eating brush as part of a Westar Timber silviculture experiment North of Nakusp. Westar Timber chief forester, Doug Land, and West Coast Browsers manager and environmentalist Penny Dewar are an example of the new i hip developing b what have been acrimonious foes. Ray Green and the four other shepherds on the project found their lives were not going to be totally peaceful in their mountain getaway. When you have 600 sheep to take care of it's a 24-hour-a-day job. end of the summer when the sheep are returned to their owner and all the data studied. But listening to Dewar and West Timber’ chief forester Doug Lang talk about it, the results may be secondary to the preedent set. They say at the very least, if the program isn’t a fundamental change in the relationship between and forest i it’s a start. “Battling doesn’t get anybody anywhere,”’ said Dewar. ‘‘Whereas when you work together to improve the situation, much more can be accomplished. That's why we're really excited. “We're already seeing things change. Otherwise we wouldn't be here. In the last 10 years we've seen a tremendous change in the relationship.”” Lang is more cautious, saying the project can’t be blown out of proportion. Still he believes the time had come for a new era in the forestry business. “I think companies want to address the environmental concerns and I think were being responsible in.trying other options (to certain practices),”’ Lang said. “1 think it’s just a natural succession: Tcatsay that we have to work closer together. There has to be less confrontation and much more conversation. I believe only then can we resolve all our differences.”” So if the experiment is something of a breakthrough in silviculture so too is what it could do for the relationship between loggers and environmentalists. “*Polarized view points aren’t the solution. So is it a breakthrough? I think it’s a step in the right direction,”” Lang said. Because of Monday's holiday, Editorial Page will cppear In car Gedney: NATIONAL NEWS August 11 issue. OPINION RS Castlegar News PAGE A4, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1990 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 INCORPORATING THE MID-WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978 AUGUST 27, 1980 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUABY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Campbell EDITOR — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER — Wayne Stoiz OFFICE MANAGER — Linda Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadley WINNIPEG (CP) — Claiming that Manitoba needs a stronger, more unified voice on the national stage, Premier Gary Filmon plunged the province into its third election in just over four years Tuesday. Manitobans will go to the polls Sept. 11, two years and five months after the Conservatives came to power with a minority government. ~ The 47-year-old business college owner claimed he’s achieved almost everything he set out to before being elected and needs a fresh mandate to bring in a set of brand-new policies, which he promised to unveil during the 35-day campaign Appearing restrained but con- fident, Filmon is still riding high on the personal popularity he built while fighting the Meech Lake accord. He said he wants a majority government so he can let outsiders know where the province stands. Filmon seeking mandate in Manitoba election “It’s time to clear the aii premier told his morning news con- ference. ‘Corporations and _ investors looking at Manitoba as a possible place to locate can't be sure of what sort of policies they will be facing,”’ he said. **Manitobans should be given an opportunity to decide who speaks on their behalf."” Filmon, who took his campaign to Brandon Tuesday evening, will try his luck with the voters less than a week after the Sept. 6 election in Ontario. In the 57-seat house he led a 24-seat government — the Liberals under Sharon Carstairs held 21 seats at dissolution and Gary Doer’s New Democrats 12. Filmon said the sale or closure of Crown corporations, reduced taxes and a leaner bureaucracy were elec tion promises he fulfilled. NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS Forces to arrive in Saudi Arabia today, Bush says WASHINGTON (Reuter) — U.S. President George Bush said U.S. combat aircraft and troops are arriving today in Saudi Arabia to help defend that country against a possible attack by Iraq. Bush, in a televised address from the White House, asked the American people to support his decision “to stand up for what is right.”’ Bush said he was sending units from the 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. warplanes to Saudi Arabia as part of what U.S. officials expect to be a multinational force including troops from some Arab countries. So far, only Britain has said publicly that it will also contribute to the force. Bush condemned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for an ‘‘outrageous and brutal act of aggression’’ in- vading Kuwait last Thursday. He demanded that Iraq immediately withdraw its forces from Kuwait. He said, ‘‘Iraq has massed an enormous war machine on the Saudi border’’ and that it would be foolhar- dy to assume Baghdad would not at- tack. “*We are working around the clock to deter Iraqi action’ and enforce United Nations sanctions against Baghdad, Bush said. In a 10-minute address, delivered in a calm and restrained tone, Bush said his decision was based on four prin- ciples — the unconditional with- drawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait; the restoration of Kuwait's legitimate government; security and stability in Oka tense after ultimatum expires OKA, Que. (CP) — With hundreds of its citizens evacuated, there was a tense quiet in this small town today after Quebec’s ultimatum to Mohawk Warriors expired. Hundreds of Mohawks were also BRIEFLY From Wire Service Invasion may lead to recession OTTAWA — Turmoil in financial markets and soaring oil priges following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait could heat up inflation and ti] the Persian Gulf; and a determination the slowing Canadian into a severe ion, some to protect U.S. lives. my. He noted that the crisis, which has “It isn’t good news, the only people who might be cheering are the oil companies,” said George Saba, chief ecgnomist at Montreal Trust. ‘Crude prices have jumped to the highest fevet in four years as major oil-consuming countries observe a United Nations boycott of oil exports from Iraq and Kuwait. ‘The price of crude has jumped about $8 US a barrel to more than $27 US since the invasion of Kuwait and each development that rattles commodity markets sends the price higher. ‘That will lead to sharp rises in gasoline and heating oil prices and a painful inflation shock to major industrial economies including Canada’s, if the cost of crude remains high, the economists said. Alberta steelworkers to strike EDMONTON — Stelco workers in Edmonton voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of joining 15,500 other Canadian steelworkers already on strike in Ontario and Quebec. ““We hope this sends a strong message to the company and that they will not take us seriously,’’ said Blanny Boyd, president of United Steelworkers of America local 5220. Stelco workers voted 73 per cent in favor of strike action. More than 360 ballots were cast. Workers will be on the picket lines at 6 a.m. Saturday, Boyd said. The union must give the company 72 hours notice of a strike, he said. Stelco General Manager Jim Lepp said earlier Tuesday a strike could permanently close the Edmonton plant and lead to hard times ahead. oil, could threaten the U.S. and international economies. But he said steps would-be taken to replace the oil produced by those countries and he ended his remarks with a plea to U.S. oil companies **to do their fair share’? and avoid un- necessary price rises. “They should exercise restraint and not abuse today’s uncertainties to raise prices,"’ Bush said. Gasoline prices have already risen as much as 15 cents U.S. a gallon at the pump in some parts of the United States. Hussein, now confronted by U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia,—says his people ‘‘would rather die than be humiliated” and has threatened to **pluck out the eyes of those who at- tack the Arab nation.”” Iraq’s state radio said an important announcement would be made today and there was speculation the news would be that Iraq has annexed Kuwait. The BBC reported today Ww had received issi from the Saudis to deploy 4,000 troops on the eastern Saudi coast facing the Persian Gulf. It said some had already landed. Washington congressional sources said the U.S. trdops and warplanes, ordered in Tuesday to guard oil giant Saudi Arabia, would be part of a multinational force. Liberian rebels free hostages MONROVIA — Rebel leader Prince Johnson today freed foreign hostages his forces had seized to provoke international intervention in Liberia's bloody civil war. The British Foreign Office said Johnson released all the hostages seized Monday and Tuesday, but said it had no total number for the people freed. On Tuesday, Johnson presented 22 hostages from eight countries To Teporters at aniews conference: A Foreign Office spokesman in London said Britain was waiting for the hostages to come to Monrovia from the nearby town of Caldwell, where they were being held. Only eight of the hostages have been i ified. They are an A an A ine, three Britons, a Dutchman and two West Germans. A fourth Briton has been freed but not identified. Andre issues Senate warning OTTAWA-— The Mulroney government is prepared to invoke an obscure constitutional power to load the Senate with Tories if the Liberal majority blocks the goods and services tax, Commons House Leader Harvie Andre warned Tuesday. “All options are open,”’ Andre said in an interview. “*If the Senate behaves in a very partisan manner, as they have done since 1984, we will have to respond in kind.”” Asked Tuesday if the Warriors at Oka and Kahnawake are preparing for armed intervention, negotiator Mavis Etienne replied: ‘‘It would be stupid not to be, wouldn’t it?”” CASTLEAIRD PLAZA August 8, 1990 jaction is our main concer “Better you bet” $25.00 in groceries purchased entitles you to oducts +4 these super low prices 3 of ouch with ot ech with $50.00 $75.00 THE MORE YOU BUY, THE MORE YOU SAVE! frozen © reguier © more pulp © pulp free Minute Maid orange juice 899 MEAT: Cut from Canada approved beet boneless top sirloi a. steak aS cut from Canada grade ‘A’ beet lean ground beef 5-18 ib. pkg. kg. 4.14/Ib. government inspected pork * frozen . Picnic — Ssked ron shoulder kg. 2.18/lb. @ reported to have left their ity behind siege lines set up by Warriors and provincial police four weeks ago as reports proliferated about possible troop movements and military alerts. The reports were denied. “‘There is no special alert,”’ said Capt. Yvon Desjardins of National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. “There have been no special troop movements in the Montreal area,”’ said Maj. Gerald Baril, senior infor- mation officer for the department’s Quebec region. While troops may have been called back from summer vacations at the Valcartier military base near Quebec City, he added, ‘‘this has no connec- tion with any proposed operations in the Montreal area."" Any military movement to help police in the dispute over land claims, he said, could only occur after a request from the Quebec government “and we're still waiting for Quebec to make a decision.”” , On Sunday, Bourassa gave the Mohawks until this morning to end their dispute with the Quebec gover- nment or face unspecified retribution. They have not complied, saying they will wait to see what the premier does. BRIAN’S REPAIR SERVICE SMALL ENGINES * AUTOMOTIVE GENERAL MECHANICAL 613-13th St., © 365-7233 BUT NEED HOMES TO SELL Call JORDAN WATSON 365-2166 © 365-6892 For o Free Market Evaluation jeolty Ltd. * 1761 Col. Ave. DRUG MART RRECT 1ON GORE T CIRCULAR VOLUME 23 No. 32 Due to manutacturer shortage the back pocks odw on 5 of the Shoppers Drugmart Flyer will not be available. Please ask for o rain check. 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