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2 - The Canadien Champion, Friday March 27,19M8 Conservation activists upset over NEC choices By STEVE LeBLANC Special to The Champion The Niagara Escarpment Commission will find itseif under the prov-crhial microscope if proposed appoînîrnents 10 their board go through. That's the waming from 1l Qntario environ- mental organizations. Under the banner of CONE (Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment), widespread concemn has heen raised regarding the addition of David Ami. Mr. Ami is a past president of the Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario and continues 10 sit on their hoard of directors. Aggregate is the term used in the industry by those who quarry the Niagara Escarpment to produce gravel for road beds and concrete. There "What concems us is that a member of a group with a vested interest in harming thse escarpment s now hecoming a member of thse organization tha's supposed t0 protct il," challenges CONE co-president Linda Pim. Aggregate producers have long favoured the Niagara Escarpment as a source of building matenials and, according to CONE, "have resist- ed land use controls tIsat limit aggregate extrac- tion every step of thse way." Ms Pim also questions thse proposed appoint- ment of Jaquelyn Fraser, a memher of Envirormental Services Group, who represented tIse Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario in tIse eurly 1 980s during initial drafting of thse Niagara Escarpment Plan. Said Ms Pim, "I îhink îî's sale 10 say the Minîstry of Natural Resources has moved towards a pro-development hias when il comes 10 NEC appointments." Disputing this dlaim, ministry representative Peter Hickey said providing a balance of interest and expertise on tIse NEC has always heen the chief concem. A communications assistant under Minister John Snohelen, Mr. Hickey added tIsaItthe NEC also includes past members of CONE as well as tIse Brace Trail Association and other environ- mental organizations. "Thse appointment of Mr. Amui would add a certain expertise and interest tIsaIIasn't heen included on tIse NEC," said Mr. Hickey. "We strive for a balance between development inter- ests and those with conservation siants." NEC chairperson Don Scott believes it's important 10 ocus on the indivîdual being appointed and not the organization they repre- sent. WVhile admitting he's had no personal deaings with Mr. Ami, he's found many aggregate pro- ducers 10 he "just as concemned with good land use planning as environmentalists." aafley (aggregate producers) have matured a lot since thse NEC was formed. Many have taken great measures to rehabilitate their pits and quar- ries," said Mr. Scott. "And if there was a conflict of interest then that NEC hourd member would refrain from vol- ,se. APPOINTMENT on page 12 o, 7 lAID ALUE MYST9 CA5BACK PRICINO 1 o0OY4 Acd, spad à oN WINDSTAR Fid di. leisi 24 M ose i o M air a htitx MEANIS No HASSLE BUYINO F-150 XLT OVR 0 IN MMIN The Realistic pr*ce that cars Maiket Vlue PNing OVER T COWNSTAFR M ond trucksffl selling for in $22,997 STOCK T CHOOS FROM ndom&bcs 242 litre V6, automatic o&r- COIIIIM Le m ný. cdn'etrans.,speed ontrd h fk steernng StK.#8T1 31 fr.m ý W "Ne"18 VNDTAR Teonly Mînîvan wîth,. a 51star * Quad captains chairs front impajct crash ratcng - Overhead console *Famîly security package e Interior convenence group *Anti-lock brakes* Luggage rack *Traction contrai Power windows & locks *Remote keyless entry * Tilt steerîng *Self sealîng tires* Privacy glass *Securily group *3.8 Litre V6 engîne MARKET VALUE PRICE Ski # 8w5" 37 M il VQL*AAWR i na AIl prices include freigli and air tax. Red carpet cease based on 18,000 km. per year aliowance. Ail cown payments and monthly payments exciade taxes. 0.A.C. expires EXPLORER SPORT Mokt ô .'rci 2 d r,4L, S 0HC V67%rne, clb, pemiLm s"xoF4).,~ ge lcics grcapsçx mot Sk #8T339 S2 2 4 M o n tb Le mS 91e fom$ 1 .prce ndudesFrehtand air fax' Markt Value pieicue rih and air texAil Red Carpet Leie based on per0 k year allowancc, ai clown paymenis andi paymcnis plus ail taxes OAC Sec dealer for deiaiis. Id~li