Search For Minerals May Conflict With Conservation

Forest and Bird, Issue 170, 1 November 1968, Page 12

Search For Minerals May Conflict With Conservation

THE search for minerals is a potential source of major conflict with conservation,” the Director-General of Lands, Mr R. J. MacLachlan, says in his annual report tabled in Parliament recently. Citing Coppermine and Whatapuke Islands as examples, he comments that no country could afford to ignore the potential of its mineral resources. But, equally, no country could afford to commit its scenic areas to mining unless such a commitment were in the best interests of the country and its people. “Today there are many and increasing pressures on natural areas,” says the report. “A growing and more mobile population with more leisure time, the expansion of the tourist industry, overseas purchases of off-shore islands, the residential subdivision of choice beaches, rural land development, public works, and the quest for minerals are all contributing factors. Lead Expected from Government “With the growth of the conservation concept some tangible lead is expected from the Government. Logically, the Department of Lands and Survey has an important role in ensuring that existing natural areas are widely used and that adequate provision is made for future outdoor recreation and scientific study.” As a first step, the report says, the department is preparing master plans in national parks and scenic reserves to ensure that essential development does not detract from the features that attract visitors. At the same time it is reviewing scenic and similar reserves to find where there is need for more protection of unique features, where public use may be encouraged, and where new reserves are needed.

A detailed study of coastal areas, lake and river margins, and off-shore islands will establish what land is publicly owned and what key areas now privately owned ought to be considered for reservation for their recreational and scenic value. With the cooperation of local authorities and land owners, the department will try to ensure that shore-

line land remains available to the public for water-based recreation. Safeguarding Natural Areas The report records that there were more than 1,000 objections to the application by Conzinc Rio Tinto to prospect for copper and other minerals on Coppermine and Whatapuke Islands in the Hen and Chickens group. Parliament was petitioned. The Nature Conservation Council, the Fauna Protection Advisory Council, and the applicant company were asked whether limited prospecting causing minimal damage to natural features could be undertaken. If an accurate picture of the mineral deposits could be gained that way, it would enable the value of the islands as scenic reserves to be weighed up against their value for mining before any decision was made. “The department recognises the potential importance of mining to the New Zealand economy, but seeks to safeguard natural areas,” the report says. - \ “The department is trying to resolve the problems created by development and to ensure that New Zealand has adequate public land to protect irreplaceable scenic, scientific, and historic resources.”

National Camp in 1970 Will be Held at Waikanae The 1970 national camp of the Society will be held at Waikanae (40 miles north-east from Wellington) from Tuesday 6 January to Monday 12 January. A full notice with details of registration, etc., will appear in a future issue of “Forest and Bird”. Visits to Kapiti Island for everyone interested will be among the main features of the camp. [The Waikanae camp should not be confused with the January 1969 camp to be held at Rotorua, information about which was given in the May and August issues of “Forest and Bird”.]