Park committee objects to being passed over

Press, 29 November 1978, Page 14

Park committee objects to being passed over

Westport reporter The No’rth-West Nelson Forest Park Advisory Committee is upset that an application for prospecting rights by Amoco Minerals, Ltd, within the forest park was approved by the Minister of Forests (Mr V. S. Young) before the proposal had been considered by the advisory committee. The committee held its quarterly meeting in Karamea and was told that the mining company had been granted permission to prospect for a veriety of minerals in the Roaring Lion area east of Ka= ramea. This is the centre of the park’s wilderness zone. The company plans inI itially to make a field survey with a team of geologists for an expected outlay of $10.0(10. This survey would determine the best site for four diamond drilling sites. The drilling, to a depth of 1000 metres, would cost $125,000. The company had sub-

mitted a similar proposal directly to the advisory committee two years ago but this had been rejected. The Conservator of Forests in Nelson (Mr P. Maplesten) chairman of the committee, reported that the company had now gone directly to the Minister. If the prospect proves successful the committee will be faced with a conflict since the mining company will have automatic power to exchange the prospecting licence for a mining licence. Mr Maplesten reported that previous prospecting efforts within the park had resulted in “serious desecration” through remnants of unsightly huts, plastic rubbish, tins, helicopter pads, and drums befng left in isolated places. Mr Maplesten said that it had cost the Forest Service s*ooo to clean up after the Kenecott Corporation had finished prospecting in the park five years ago. This cost had

later been -recovered from the company. The Nature Conservation Council's representative on the committee, Mr -NorthcoteBade, said he did not envisage that the proposal would destroy much of the flora. He suggested that stringent conditions apply ta the company and that a suitable’ performance bond be imposed. The committee reluctantly consented to the application and set a bond of $5OOO on the company. Several other conditions were laid, including a provision for Forest Service staff to inspect and approve the modification of any vegetation and ground structure before the erection Of any helicopter landing pads or drill sites. The company will also be required to use portable huts for staff accommodation. The committee unanimously resolved to inform the Minister of Forests that the advisory committee should at least have- the opportunity to discuss future applications before tjiey are formally approved.