Help (via Forest & Bird) save our national parks from mining

As sent via the on-line submittal form at Forest & Bird’s site:

To: j.key@ministers.govt.nz, g.brownlee@ministers.govt.nz, k.wilkinson@ministers.govt.nz, n.smith@ministers.govt.nz

Our national parks are too precious to mine

Dear Prime Minister,

I was annoyed to hear your "well they would be opposed wouldn’t they" comment on Radio Live this morning (2010-03-15) regarding this Forest & Bird campaign. It is possible to be supportive of economic development (including tourism) and regard mining in conservation areas to be a stupid move.

These special parts of New Zealand will create far more long-term wealth through tourism than they will ever do from traces of minerals. Low-impact mining is generally impossible in New Zealand because very large amounts of rock must be excavated to find tiny amounts of minerals.

A previous National government in 1997 decided to protect national parks and other core conservation areas from mining because they contain New Zealand's most significant landscapes, endangered plants and animals. I want to see them protected for future generations. Please make a commitment to continued protection of our national parks and core conservation areas.

Regards…

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