MIL OSI – Source: Green Party –
Headline: Green Party celebrates EPA iron sands decision
The Green Party has welcomed the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision not to allow massive seabed mining in the habitat of the world’s most endangered dolphin – the Maui’s Dolphin – and close to a blue whale breeding ground.
The proposal was to allow iron sand mining of the seabed off the Taranaki coast. The EPA declined the application, saying evidence provided to support the application was uncertain and inadequate.
“It’s great that the EPA has listened to the voice of reason, along with 99 percent of submitters, and declined this application,” Green Party oceans spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.
“National’s Minister of Mining Simon Bridges previously advocated for the proposal, saying the Government had done its homework, and that he supported it. The EPA’s decision clearly shows the Minister was wrong.
“This decision is a victory for New Zealand and the people who stood up to protect New Zealand’s ocean and the treasured species that live in it.
“National was wrong to back this project, and wrong to support it directly with taxpayer subsidies. This is another example of National’s environmental vandalism.
“Last April the National Government announced a grant of up to $25 million to TransTasman Resources, the company promoting this damaging mining proposal.
“We need a Government that invests instead in a smart green innovative economy and that protects the wild places and animals New Zealanders love,” said Mr Hughes.
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