Letters to the Editor
To the Westport News
A letter from the mine protestors/campers in Happy Valley. Buller Mayor Pat O’Dea clearly does not know a thing about coal mining or this place(Happy Valley). He claimed "conditions and constraints on mining operations ensured that environmental damage was almost negligible". He should go and have a look at the Stockton Mine just over the hill from us. They’ve ripped a huge scar in the earth, removing the top of Mt Frederick and putting heavy metals and acid into the once pristine streams of the area. Two thousand three hundred hectares of wilderness has been turned into an ugly black hole in the ground. Perhaps even more damaging than the local devastation are the world wide effects this coal will have with its contribution to global warming. This environmental damage is not negligible.
He also misguidedly stated that Happy Valley is a "landscape similar to the moon". It will be if they mine it, but now it’s beautiful here. We have been having a great time exploring this valley’s native bush, canyons, red tussock plains and rocky tablelands, swimming and drinking from the river, sitting out under the stars and listening to kiwis calling as we fall asleep at night in our tents.
We are not "economic saboteurs" as Pat O’Dea described us, we are advocating the creation of a sustainable economy, with the interests of future generations in mind. Coal mining is not sustainable. The pristine landscape of the west coast is its greatest asset. This is something that people can continue to enjoy forever if we look after it. Recently its beauty has attracted an increasing number of emigrants from the rest of New Zealand and tourists from around the world boosting the economy.
New Zealand is famous as one of the most untouched places on earth. Its reputation brings people here to see it and makes our produce special to consumers overseas. Coal mining directly conflicts with our clean green image. With the realization of the reality of global warming and the limitations of the earth’s resources, coal is no longer a responsible method of energy generation. In New Zealand we can take the fossil fuel depended path , or become an example of energy conservation and use of sustainable alternatives. We can show the world that this is a special country of a people who truly do care for the earth.
Sincerely from one happy camper.
To the Press
A letter from the campers in Happy Valley (17 km north of Westport) protesting against the proposed construction of a new coal mine in the area. In Thursday’s paper(April 15, Pp.A5) we have been represented as only concerned with the conservation values of Happy Valley. However the broader reaching effects of coal use are also fundamental to the message we are trying to communicate. With the realization of the reality of global warming and the limitations of the earth’s resources, coal is no longer a responsible method of energy generation. Coal mining directly conflicts with New Zealand’s clean green image. We can take the fossil fuel depended path , or become an example of energy conservation and use of sustainable alternatives. We can show the world, that this is a special country of a people who truly do care for the earth.
Sincerely from some happy campers in Happy Valley.
