“.. North America’s largest environment lobby group says opening up our national parks for mining is an insult to conservationists around the world.
And local lobbyists say the international criticism will do further damage to New Zealand’s image abroad of being clean and green.
The Sunday Star-Times has obtained a letter sent last week to Prime Minister John Key from the 1.3 million-member Sierra Club ..
.. reacting angrily to news that New Zealand’s conservation land may be investigated for mining potential.
“You have the responsibility to protect New Zealand’s wild heritage not only for the enjoyment of future generations but also for the protection and conservation of the Earth’s ever shrinking biodiversity,” writes Richard Cellarius, the club’s international vice-president.
“Long-term protection should not be sacrificed for immediate commercial gain.”
Sierra Club has chapters across the United States and Canada, and successful campaigns there include the halting of new coal-fired power plants.
Its letter follows an announcement the prime minister wants changes to Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act – the legislation that prohibits mining or prospecting on specified areas of Crown land.
“New mining of Crown land has the potential to increase economic growth and create jobs,” Key said on Tuesday.
A soon-to-be released discussion document will recommend some areas be removed from Schedule 4, and some areas added to it.
The Green Party believes three national parks – Kahurangi, Fiordland and Paparoa – and the Coromandel are in the gun..”
go to source/story>>US greens: Mining in NZ parks ‘an insult’ | Stuff.co.nz
