Happy Valley Occupation Day Seven: Save the Wetlands
Press Release: Save Happy Valley Coalition
4th February 2006

The occupation of Happy Valley to protect it from Solid Energy's proposed opencast coal mine has today been going for one week. On Thursday, the Save Happy Valley Coalition celebrated World Wetland Day in the valley, located 25km northeast of Westport. The group of 25 enjoyed a visit from renowned ecologist Alan Mark on Tuesday, and spent many hours in the red-tussock wetland, examining and photographing endangered species. Dr Mark, from Otago University, told the group that Solid Energy's proposed wetland restoration plans are not feasible.

"There are approximately twenty-five hectares of red-tussock wetland in Happy Valley, and the area is described as the best example in the Ngakawau Ecological District," said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.

"The Environment Court was clear that this is a wetland of national importance, and Alan Mark has stated that Solid Energy's plans to transfer and restore part of it are not physically possible.

"Solid Energy claims that they will transfer twelve hectares of the twenty-five hectare wetland that is to be destroyed by the mine. This will involve picking it up, storing it for two to three years and then shifting it back gain. The delicate mosaic of vegetation will be destroyed as it is removed. It will be impossible to reproduce the current complex hydrology," explained Frances Mountier.

"Common sense shows that such a proposal cannot be successful, and must not be used to justify the desecration that a mine in Happy Valley would cause. The Environment Court, whose consent hinged largely on this transfer, has just walked away from the process. Solid Energy's actual plans to attempt this transfer do not even have to go back to the Court.

"The only previous attempt at wetland transfer that could be found in the scientific literature was one at Zurich airport - and it was a dismal failure.

"New Zealand has a stated commitment to biodiversity, and to protecting endangered species. And the science is very, very clear that this transfer is unprecedented and not feasible," said Frances.

"While the Department of Conservation celebrates World Wetlands Day around the country, the Government is at the same time intent on destroying this place. Nationally over 90% of wetlands have been destroyed; the rest should be cherished. The Labour Government must not allow the mine in Happy Valley to proceed. This is a litmus test of the Labour Government's commitment to preserving our ecological heritage and curbing climate change."

Seventy-five people walked in to the Valley on the 28th January to begin the occupation, and numbers have been constant at around twenty five.

Media contacts:
Outside the valley: Frances Mountier 021 175 7484 or Fiona Gisbon 027 467 8288
Inside the valley cell phone coverage is very limited, however you can leave a message and a spokesperson will return your call around 11am everyday. Alternatively you could call us in the valley between 11:30am and 12:00pm each day. Contact number: 021 426 662.
www.savehappyvalley.org.nz

Notes:

The Save Happy Valley Coalition is a collection of groups and individuals from around Aotearoa committed to stopping Solid Energy's proposed open cast coal mine in Happy Valley (Upper Waimangaroa Valley) on the West Coast. The coalition is made up of West Coast locals, students, workers and the general public. The group has a track record of creative protests, occupations and lock-ons as well as producing a variety of informative media. More information about the coalition and its history can be found at http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/aboutus.htm

World Wetlands Day 2006, Department of Conservation webpage
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Community/002~Events/World-Wetlands-Day/World-Wetlands-Day-2006.asp  "In numerous ways, wetlands are lifelines for our continuing existence on this earth, even though we don't always recognise or respect the vital role they play. World Wetlands Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and to celebrate their infinitesimal capacity for sustaining life."

Zurich: failed attempt at wetland transfer
Article published in German but referred to in a review by Bruns, D.
1988. 'Restoration and management of ecosystems for nature conservation in West Germany,' Chapter 10, Rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, Vol. I CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida pp. 163-186.

Over 90% of nation's wetlands lost
Publication of the Environmental Councils Taskforce on NZ wetlands in 1983 stated that only 10% of New Zealand's wetlands remained.