Two Masset organizations are receiving $1,500 economic development grants from the regional district. Regional district directors voted last Friday (Nov. 24) to give $1,500 to the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum Society and the same amount to the Delkatla Sanctuary Society after reading applications from both groups. The maritime museum had asked for $3,000 from the regional district. It is working on a short film about the early days of crabbing, fishing and boat building in Masset and Old Massett. The film has a $12,470 budget. But the board decided to give the museum half of what it requested - $1,500 - saying it wanted to reserve funds in case it receives more economic development grant applications, said administrator Janet Beil. The Delkatla Sanctuary Society also receives $1,500, which is the amount it had asked for. According to the society's application, it plans to use the money to offer educational programs at its nature centre in Masset. After giving out these two grants, the regional district will have $10,500 left in its budget for additional economic development grants. In other regional district news: o The board voted to write to Telus, saying it is concerned about the fact that cell phone service is not available in all communities on the Charlottes. The islands communities sent a similar letter to Telus last month. o The board turned down a request for support for the Haida Gwaii Climate Forest Pilot Project. The Old Massett Village Council is looking for a $100,000 grant from the Northern Trust for this project (total cost is $4.5-million), but directors rejected the application, saying that there is still uncertainty about Canada's commitment to the Kyoto protocol, that the project is not linked to the Haida Gwaii land use plan, and that technical staff may not be available. Ms Beil said Old Massett economic development manager John Disney is planning to come to the board's January meeting to explain the project further. o The board gave first reading to a change to the Moresby Island official community plan and will hold a public hearing in Sandspit on Jan. 10. Ms Beil said the change concerns a large piece of land owned by Teal Jones which the company wants to subdivide into separate lots. There are several homes on the large lot as well as the TimberWest office. o The board recommended approval of an application by Jasin Wourms to use a piece of land on Moresby Island for a sawmill. o The board recommended approval of an application from Donald Boudreau for residential use of land in Tlell, subject to the Integrated Management Bureau being advised that the property is subject to erosion and storm damage. o The board considered an application from Bill Woodworth for a residential subdivision on Beitush Road in Tlell. Directors voted to advise the Ministry of Transportation that the application should not be approved unless: the owner meets the road frontage requirements, a panhandle gets replaced with a scheduled road, and that no further subdivision or rezoning be allowed. o Directors listened to a presentation from Dale Gueret of Fisheries and Oceans Canada about marine zoning on the north coast, how climate change is affecting the ocean here, and how DFO is already anticipating extra marine traffic from Prince Rupert's new container port, once it opens. o The board next meets in Prince Rupert Dec. 15. Directors will elect a chair and vice-chair for the coming year, and review financial statements for this year, Ms Beil said.