Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 23

EDMONTON JOURNAL CITYPLIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2004 B3 Fertilizer plant portrayed as threat to river of A ecologist Schindler opposes Agrium plan vV i DUNCAN TIIORNE journal Staff Writer FORT SASKATCHEWAN told reporters. Alex Watson, general manager of the Agrium site, said outside the hearing that the project design "exceeds what you see in other parts of the world." Watson said the storage area will have a liner with a clay layer on top "that has been designed specifically to ensure maximum protection for the groundwater systems." Schindler, whose workhas influenced pollution-control legislation, said safety liners eventually leak and contaminants can move quickly through Agrium is risking an environmental disaster with its expansion plans for a fertilizer plant near Redwater, says a renowned aquatics ecologist. The company insists it has safeguards in the project to prevent the leakage that University of Alberta ecologist David Schindler is warning against. Schindler, internationally known for his research on phosphorus and acidity RICK MACWILLIAM, THE JOURNAL Rameshwar Adhikari holds his son Sashwat, 4, at a news conference Thursday. The Nepal pavilion will return to Heritage Days.

66 I'd have less of a problem with this if it wasn't sited right on the biggest watercourse on the Prairies 55 of A ecologist David Schindler in freshwater, said Thursday he's that concerned phosphorus and nitrogen will escape into the nearby North Saskatchewan River. "This could be a disaster if any significant amount gets into fresh wa groundwater. Watson acknowledged there's a possibility of leaks' but said a monitoring system will make sure Agrium catches any problems. He said long-terrn plans include seeing that the site is cleaned up after its Dissidents return to Heritage Fest KEITH GEREIN Civic Affairs Writer EDMONTON ter," he told a hearing by the Natural Resources Conservation Board. "If you wanted to keep phosphates and nitrogen out of fresh water you certainly wouldn't put in an operation that's right along the watercourse." He said the chemicals can cause algae, and nitrates in groundwater can get into drinking water where they are toxic to infants.

Agrium is seekingapproval to add 119 hectares to its Redwater plant for long-term storage of phosphogypsum, a byproduct of its phosphate production. It says the extension is needed so it can keep producing the fertilizer. The plant, 25 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, also produces nitrogen and ammonia. Td have less of a problem with this if it wasn't sited right on the biggest watercourse on the Prairies in a very booths and then redeem them. Ten cents from each ticket went to the festival organizers to defray expenses.

Kleist said he doesn't like the process because it increases costs for the public. Instead of being charged $1.25 for a popsicle, people might now have to hand over two tickets worth $1.90. "There are still some issues that need to get resolved," Kleist said. "This is supposed to be a cultural thing, and it's going too much to the commercial. I know the organizers agree with us, but I want to see some action." The pavilions that will be returning are Mexican, Vietnamese, German, Irish, Borneo, Dutch, French, Nepalese, Ugandan and Ibero American.

Laos, which has not participated since 1992, will also make a return appearance. kgereinff thejournal.canwest.com 26-year operating life. Tia and Ken Bartlett live with their daughter Alysha across the river from the plant. Tia Baitlett, who is attending this week's hearings, said the family sometimes moves to their basement at night to avoid noise from the site. The disruption got worse five years ago and is still bad despite $1 million in new sound controls at Agrium, she said.

Tia, who is 41, blamed a series of medical problems including her loss of taste and smell on the noise. "The noise for us means stress and the elevation of anxiety." She said residents near the same type of project in Florida have reported similar illnesses. I Watson said he doesn't know abQut the Baitletts' situation but the company is trying to cut sound levels. dthornethejournal.canwest.com-1 He's been like a breath of fresh air, whereas before it was like talking to a wall," said Heinz Kleist, vice-president of the German Canadian Association. One issue was last year's inclusion of a Second Cup coffee booth in a festival that is supposed to promote cultures.

Little agreed to drop Second Cup in 2004. "I think the biggest key was listening. I told them that I didn't care about what had gone on in the past and asked them to look at me as the future," Little said. "It means everything to have these groups coming back, and to see how enthusiastically they are coming back." The ticket system, however, remains a sticking point. Whereas customers used to pay for their food at each pavilion, last year they had to buy 85-cent tickets from festival Salsa and spring rolls, sauerkraut and stew, along with a host of other ethnic goodies missing from last summer's Heritage Festival will be back on the menu in 2004.

Ayear after 16 groups pulled out of the multicultural shindig over controversial new food tickets, most have agreed to set up their pavilions again, even though the ticket system will be retained. Many of the returnees are crediting the festival's new executive director, Jack Little, for convincing them to come back They say he has worked hard to address the groups' problems and give them more input on how the festival is run. "My attitude was let's give the man a Trek honours those who helped man through desperate dag IT contract at the Workers' Compensation Board without having to meet anyone. "I like to think my scars wouldn't have influenced my selection." But since his 10-month contract ended one year ago, Ramji has tried in vain to jfjF fail 'U find work. I have had many interviews in both the private and public sector.

But I am sure I am rejected because of my physical appearance." He undertook much soul searching before deciding last summer that he would carry the banner for burn victims and gical research, to set up a fund to help burn survivors pursue higher education and to provide rewards for top high school mathematics students. He says his decision to help others was partially born of the respect he has for Norma and Jim McDonald, who befriended him during his darkest hours. Ramji was studying structural engineering at SATT when the gas leak occurred. Teacher Norma McDonald later noticed he was missing from classes. "The Foothills Hospital called one day to say Esmail had been severely burned," she said.

"His parents weren't here. Someone had to take care of him." Ramji won't forget the kindness of the parents who "adopted" him. "They asked me whenlwasinhospital if I wanted to go to university," he says. "I told them I couldn't afford it and they said that wasn't the question. "They paid for a teacher to come daily to help me improve my English.

And then He adds: "When I was later in a position to return the money, they said, 'No, use it to help Ramji, now married with two children, plans to begin his walk April 20, covering 32 kilometres daily and taking eight months to travel from coast to coast." 11 begin at the Foothills Medical Centre burn unit in Calgary, where I began treatment, and head east," he says. "My plan is to reach St. John's, Octll." Ramji then hopes to fly to Victoria and walk back to finish at the University of Alberta's burn treatment unit, where his treatment is being completed. Dr. Dale BirdseH, clinical professor of surgery and president of the CalgarySur-gical Research Foundation, did much of Ramji's surgery and is spearheading a campaign to raise $200,000 to support the walk.

Interested sponsors can call 918-7861. "The people of Canada have helped me for more than 30 years," Ramji says's now my turn to help others." nleesthejournal.canwest.com- eight months in hospital. It was four months before he saw his face. Tve had more than 100 reconstructive plastic surgery operations since," he says. "The last one was in October.

"I have at least one more. They have rebuilt my face gradually, including my nose and mouth. I have prosthetic ears." Thirty years after the blast, he's embarking on a walk across Canada to raise awareness of the disfigured. Ramji graduated in 1977 with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and worked in Edmonton forTelus (originally AGT) for 24 years. He left when the company cut staff in 2001.

At Telus, Ramji was a pioneer in the computing science area before moving into management roles, including leading the Y2K project team for defunct Stentor, the lobby representing Canada's major telephone monopolies. "I had trouble getting a job after that," he said. Tm sure my looks were a handicap. After eight months, I was given a Ramji It was 5 a.m. and Esmail Ramji had no idea calamity was seconds away.

"I had just finished my prayers and went to put on coffee before beginning my studies," said Ramji, who in 1971 was a recently arrived 21-year-old student from Tanzania. "I turned on the stove to heat water in my basement suite. And the next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed. "I can only assume there was a gas leak But I have no idea what caused the explosion and fire." Ramji suffered first- and second-degree burns to 52 per cent of his body and spent people disfigured by disease, birthmarks or other causes. "I decided Td walk across Canada and try and raise $3 million," says Ramji.

"I thought such a trek would gain attention and society would become more tolerant of people with looks they can do they paid for my first year of university absolutely nothing about. Healsohopestoprovidemoneyforsur- tuition." CRTC denies broadcasters bid for tipw Alnpra TV stations ARCHITECT SERIES JLVSJ. llv J. ULVltU -M- UtUUVlXli CHUM says it will pursue other means of entering market LARRV JOHNSRUDE CBC starts operating its new transmitters in I CBC starts operating its new transmitters in mutisms VT I JUSI KltchenAld- PROLINE KltchenAld Red BY WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION Deer and Coronanon. Journal Staff Writer FOR THE WAY IT'S MADE WhirlpOOl GOLD; STOVES "i Easy Clean Deluxe WASHERS.

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Officials with CHUM said they were disappointed but will continue efforts to break into the Alberta market, possibly by purchasing an existing station. "We maintain our belief in the strength and importance of the Alberta market and remain committed to find a way to provide local television service to Albertans," said Jay Switzer, president and CEO of CHUM. "We will continue to pursue any acquisition or licensing opportunities that may arise in the near or medium term." He did not outline any specific plans. However, Calgary-based Craig Media Inc. is trying to sell its A-Channel stations in Edmonton and Calgary.

In its application before the CRTC, CHUM promised to bring newlocalfyproduced programs to Alberta, including shows aimed at younger and ethnic audiences. Drew Craig, president and CEO of Craig Media, was a vocal opponent of the application, arguing A Channel already targets young and ethnic audiences and would lose $150 million in revenue over seven years. Craig applauded the CRTCs decision. The CRTC has acknowledged that the health of the market is critical in order for local broadcasters to serve their audiences well" he said. In its decision, the CRTC said advertising revenue in the Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer markets increased by 6.5 per cent from 1998 to 2002.

But profit margins "decreased significantly" during this time, it said. ljohnsrudelethejournal.canwest.com EDMONTON Television viewers in Edmonton and Calgary won't be getting new stations proposed by Toronto-based CHUM Ltd. following a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunica-tions Commission Thursday against addingafifth TV station in each of the two cities. In turning down CHUM'S application to expand into Alberta, the CRTC cited limited advertising revenue, saying the market wouldn't be able to support the new stations. The commission is concerned by the potential negative impact that approval could have at this time on the two Alberta television markets and finds that these concerns outweigh the potential benefits," the CRTC said in a statement The federal regulatory body also rejected an application by CanWest Global Communications Corp.

to build new transmitters in Edmonton and Calgary to rebroadcast signals from CRKD-TV in Red Deer. The CRTC noted Global is already the largest owner of media companies in Alberta and approving the new transmitters would increase ownership concentration in those markets. CanWest Global owns the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald. Edmonton viewers can tune into CKRD over cable. But Global was given permission to drop the CBC programming it has been carrying on CKRD and replace it with shows from CH Television, another Global-owned network seen in Hamilton and Victoria.

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