On this beautiful, rainy August morning I will attempt to update you on a few of the issues that are current, as briefly as I can.

Scallop farm investigative permit
There was a public meeting held on this issue of a scallop farm being situated off of the Cape Mudge Reserve #9 (Rebecca Spit). I mentioned in my last report that a public hearing would be required for this application for a Temporary Industrial Use Permit (TIUP). As it turned out, staff determined that a public hearing was not a requirement of the Local Government Act and that only a resolution of the Board was required. I still insisted on a public meeting so that all effected parties would have a say. Also, the Board made an unprecedented decision to allow anyone that felt their interests were effected to appear as a delegation at the Board meeting where the decision would be made. Four or five residents did come to both meetings to ask questions and to express their concerns. In the end the Board of directors decided to issue the TIUP for a period of two years for the purpose of investigating the feasibility of growing scallops on the site off of IR #9 just south of Rebecca Spit. If the investigation proves that a farm might be viable then the Band will need to come back to the Regional District and apply for a rezoning. That process will require a full public hearing prior to a decision being made.

Village project
As has been mentioned in previous reports and in other articles, we continue to work on the implementation of our OCP policies of creating a "village concept" in Quathiaski Cove. The planning department has been having discussions with me and our Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to determine when and how we will begin. The work will be done as a "neighbourhood plan" and will be done by a consultant of our choosing. The scope of work for that consultant is being developed at this time. I would anticipate that we will start the public process in the early fall. I think that everyone on the island will benefit from this exercise and we will be able to provide a more liveable community in the Cove for people of all ages. I will keep you updated on this as things progress.

Hydro line to Granite Bay
A meeting was held last Thursday at the Community Centre with representatives from all levels of BC Hydro, Timber West, the logging contractor, the Granite Bay community and myself. It was a very successful and productive meeting. There have been a number of delays in the clearing of the right-of-way for the hydro line and it seems that administrative "problems" were at the root of the delays. I believe that those have all been worked out now and BC Hydro has been very willing to accept the responsibility for some of the problems and have assured us that they will be making this project happen. Everyone left the meeting with chores to complete and the work should be back on track right away.

Transport Canada flight path issues
Many residents have complained to me over the years about the low-level of air traffic and the noise and disruption to their lives that this has caused. Recent information brought to my attention by a concerned resident put me in touch with Transport Canada (T-C). Apparently all of the islands in the Islands Trust area have a 2000 foot minimum fly-over zone in effect. I put our CAO in touch with T-C and they are currently upgrading their flight manuals. The inclusion of the south end of Quadra (from the Village Bay lake system south) and the southern portion of Cortes Island have been requested as areas to be included. This should eliminate some of the noise and disturbance to residents and to people that use the lakes for recreation without causing undue hardship to aviators. I will let you know if this proceeds.

Ferry fuel surcharges
I am sure that all of you are starting to realize the impacts of the hikes in your ferry fares and the effect on your finances. Our hike of 22.5% on the "discounted rate" was the highest in the system. The media was all over this issue when it was about to break and it was covered nationally in the print media. Ferry Advisory Committee chairperson, John Sprungman, did an excellent job in a CKNW interview of explaining the impacts on our communities. I was also contacted by CBC Vancouver and did an interview on the Early Edition show and then two days later I had the opportunity to be on CKNW radio on the Christy Clark show along with a member from Hornby island. We had 45 minutes to discuss the issue at length and had ample opportunity to get the point across to the public that this is a government decision, the responsibility of the Minister and that the ferry system is part of our marine highway system and should be treated as such. I have also corresponded with the other Regional Districts served by ferries to gather the figures for the amount of Provincial taxes that we all pay to the government for highways services. I will have those numbers very soon and be able to use them in our arguments against these outrageous increases.

A group of residents are putting together a strategy of protest that we will hear more about very soon. I really hope that the public will let the government know that "enough is enough!"

I think that is about it for this issue. Feel free to call me between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday (not on weekends, folks!) at 285-3355, or you can fax me at 285-3533 or you can email me anytime at abramfamoberon.ark.com , or by mail at Box 278 in the Cove, V0P 1N0... Lots of choices!

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Abram
Director, Discovery Islands - Mainland Inlets (Area J), SRD