Progress
The Chilliwack
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GW Graham’s Treyvon Walsh will be heading east.
Seeking support in battle with feds.
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IHIT still looking for tips in death The Integrated Homicide unit says they are still investigating the death of a Chilliwack man. Stuart David Ellis, 39, was killed late at night on Jan. 12. Witnesses have said they heard gun shots, followed by a vehicle crashing into a driveway on Hazel St., near First Ave. Ellis was found dead in his vehicle, police said, with injuries inconsistent with the crash. Ellis, who was known to police, was in possession of a firearm at the time of his death. IHIT’s media relations office, Sgt. Stephanie Ashton, said there is no new information to release yet. “At this point we have no further information,” she said on Tuesday. IHIT continues to work in partnership with Chilliwack RCMP, the Forensic Identification Section and ICARS to determine what occurred, she said. Anyone with information related to this investigation can call the IHIT Tipsline at 1-877-551-4448.
■ I CE T IME
Two-year-old Ben Billingsley (left) chats with cousin Lawson Berze, 20 months, during a public skate at Prospera Centre on Saturday afternoon. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Gravel removal threatens aquatic values: gravel committee The Progress The debate over gravel mining in the Fraser River is rearing its head. An application under review by DFO to remove gravel by Seabird Island Band should be rejected to protect prime rearing and spawning habitat, says a biologist with the Fraser River Gravel Stewardship Committee. A long-term management plan for the Gravel Reach — a sensitive
stretch of the river from Mission to Hope — is something long overdue, said Otto Langer, fisheries biologist and aquatic ecologist with FRGSC. “It was hoped that this recent lull in such in-river mining would serve as a starting point to develop a long-term cooperative management plan for this section of the river where flood risk reduction needs could be imbedded into an overall environmental management plan,” wrote Langer in a letter to federal and provincial ministers.
The ideal management plan would include elements of shoreline protection, flood control and gravel and habitat conservation. The four-year lull in gravel mining was a promising step forward, Langer wrote. Now he says they’re “taking a step backwards” and setting “a terrible precedent” for B.C. and Canadian rivers, since repeat mining could lead to permanent fish stock and habitat destruction. Langer said “extensive damage” to juvenile Chinook rearing habitat
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from the proposed gravel removal is certain, “particularly on the main stem face of the bar.” Seabird Island Chief Clem Seymour took issue with the suggestion. “This application is going through the process. We’ve been jumping through all the hoops,” he said. “We’ve done all our due diligence and I think most of the environmental concerns were taken care of already.” Two companies were hired by Seabird Island Band to conduct
environmental reviews, he countered. “I’ve asked these environmentalists to come walk with me on the river, but they won’t come,” Chief Seymour said. “This is the main channel of the river, but spawning and rearing channels are more in the estuary.” According to Langer’s letter: “The proposed mining site is one of only two identified remaining while sturgeon spawning areas in the lower Fraser River for this Continued: GRAVEL/ p5
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