emissions from the Tyne's Bay Incinerator, Environment Minister Pamela Gordon told the House of Assembly yesterday.

But trace metal levels in Castle Harbour -- where concrete blocks containing incinerator ash are being used for land reclamation -- are increasing, according to Bermuda Biological Station research.

Ms Gordon reported the latest Bio Station research during debate on her Ministry's $10.7 million budget yesterday.

Ms Gordon said of Castle Harbour: "Trace metals in the surrounding sediment appears to be increasing somewhat.'' Draft reports on atmospheric and terrestrial impacts thermal and effluent releases are -- pending final revisions -- to be released to the public, she added.

An environmental engineering team has also been working on remediation of pollution on the former Base lands, working with the land transition team and Government preparing briefs on the impact of military installations, such as fuel storage tanks which pose a hazard to ground water sources.

Government is in the process now of formulating guidelines to deal with these issues.

Shadow Environment Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams pointed out there were serious concerns with environmental hot spots such as Castle Harbour, the base lands, and Hungry Bay.

Heavy metal leaching into Castle Harbour, said Mr. Williams, coupled with reports that endemic plant and animal species are dying off, were of particular concern.

Government should give first priority to air and water quality, he added, calling for a stop to the dumping of raw sewage into the ocean, and for Government to reverse plans to dump asbestos in the deep ocean.

Sea dumping only created a problem for future generations, as well as hazards to marine ecology.

And Greenpeace, with wide support on the Island, is watching every step Government makes with its asbestos.

Of the 200 or so estimated containers of asbestos on the Base lands, Mr.

Williams urged Government to return it to the Americans.

"The asbestos on the Base doesn't belong to Bermuda,'' he said.

Mr. Williams also slammed the media for not exposing and pursuing the Base lands pollution issue.

Disposal of asbestos into the ocean is the only practical solution for small islands such as Bermuda, Ms Gordon responded, arguing it would be prohibitively expensive to maintain asbestos in another country.

Negotiations with the US Government on the clean up of the former US Naval Air Station were continuing, she said.

Ms Gordon next turned her attention to Land Valuation, which currently inspects and values 1,146 properties for tax purposes, with another 470 inspected for stamp duties.

With a staff of only six, added Ms Gordon, this department brought in $23 million in revenue.

"Now that's value for money,'' she told the House.

Mr. Williams agreed, but called on the Minister to tighten up assessments for stamp duties, arguing Government is possibly losing considerable amount of income.

Moving to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Ms Gordon told the House great progress had been made on various fronts, including the addition of an Australasian exhibit at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, revisions of animal husbandry legislation, and an internal reorganisation of the departmental operations.

Progress has also been measured on experiments with mari-culture -- the farming of Bermuda scallops -- and the successful establishment of the spiny lobster fishery.

Noting concern about the Island's ability to meet its needs, the Minister also announced Government was planning a thorough review of the dairy industry.

She also touched on the issue of feral cats and chickens, telling the House there are an estimated 7-10,000 wild felines across the Island. A programme by the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau to feed, neuter, and spay the cats is ongoing.

Ms Gordon also noted mounting concern over the importation of "vicious'' breeds of dogs such as pit-bull terriers: "We have to take seriously the concerns of those whose animals are being attacked,'' she said.

She also told the House Government was remaining vigilant for the pink mealy bug, which has devastated the flora of afflicted Caribbean islands.

Staff at the Department of Agriculture last year dealt with more than 600,000 pieces of imported plant material.

But Bermudians, she noted, do not seem to recognise the threat posed by the pink mealy bug: "Please do not bring into the Island any plant, vegetable, or fruit that has not been approved because it can cause considerable damage and devastation.'' Ms Gordon also reported that because of the ban of fish pots, the Island's population of reef fish was slowly rebounding, and she urged fishermen to respect the ban.

"There must be some stewardship by the fishermen themselves; Government can't police it on their own,'' she said.

Government was also encouraging fishermen to get involved in long-line fishing to take advantage of the Island's 200-mile economic zone.

Mr. Williams responded with a call for Government to institute a national farming policy to protect Bermuda's agriculture heritage.

"Is there any contingency in place in the event of an unforeseen circumstance that Bermuda could feed itself,'' he asked the House. "A country that cannot feed itself is potentially in trouble.'' He also called on Government to show foresight and protect the Island's dairy industry.

He also criticised Government for paying too much attention to beautifying the Island while the commercial fishery languished.

Reviewing the operations of the Department of Planning, Ms Gordon told the House plans for this year included introduction of a mobile filing system, introduction of a Heritage Buildings Plan, amendments to the Development and Planning Act 1974, and the City of Hamilton plan.

The department was also striving to become more user friendly, making quality service a priority to all those dealing with Planning.

One example of that, she said, was the introduction of a building control guide for the private homeowner and a simplified appeals procedure.

"Obviously we're not going to get 100 percent happiness, but we will strive for that.'' Mr. Williams questioned the $46,000 cost of the Department's new mobile filing system, but levelled most of his fire at the red tape endemic to that department.

Bermudians still feel intimidated when dealing with the Department of Planning, he told the House, pointing out the process had also become prohibitively expensive.

In terms of heritage planning, Mr. Williams called on Government to preserve Flatts Village's unique ambience by closing traffic through the village core and creating a walking village.

Noting progress made by the National Trust in preserving much of St. George's heritage, Mr. Williams urged Government to exercise a similar commitment Islandwide.

Ministry of The Environment, Planning and Natural Resources 1997/98 estimates Ministry Responsibility: To regulate the development of land. To protect the Bermuda environment, to provide for the valuation of land, and to promote the development of agriculture and fisheries in Bermuda, and in so doing promote the wise use of land and effective management of agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources.

Budget Estimate: $10,076,000 (last year $9,515,000) Budget Allocations Department of Planning $2,119,000 Agriculture and Fisheries $6,318,000 Land Valuation $415,000 Environment Headquarters $1,224,000 Pam Gordon