Land grab be damned! It's a money grab!
It must be a little embarrassing to the mining fraternity to see in our newspapers "The Great Peel Land Grab" not knowing who submitted this unprincipled statement; and then the latest "outrageous ploy to block development".
It must be a little embarrassing to the mining fraternity to see in our newspapers "The Great Peel Land Grab" not knowing who submitted this unprincipled statement; and then the latest "outrageous ploy to block development".
Do all these people have their heads in the rocks? It's time to pull your heads out and look around a bit.
U.S. President Barack Obama has started the ball rolling in signing a law to protect over two million acres of wilderness (and they don't have too much left) and implement the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which was stripped away by former president George W. Bush.
In announcing this change, President Obama said: "Throughout our history, there's been a tension between those who've sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations, and those who have sought to profit from these resources. But I'm here to tell you this is a false choice." (I'm beginning to like this guy.)
It was gratifying Wednesday to hear the Canadian government announce the Nahanni National Park will be increased in size fivefold to protect all of the Nahanni River's watershed.
The involvement of the natives of this area was instrumental in this agreement.
It has been 25 years since I paddled this mystic river and, in all likelihood, I'll never set foot in this area again.
It is comforting to know it will be protected as true wilderness for my great grandchildren, though it might be best to keep an eye on the government of the day, as most people do not know the true meaning of true wilderness.
As for Peel River watershed, building roads of any sort would eventually kill all wildlife species, just like garbage kills bears.
Land grab be damned; it sounds like a money grab to me for the 10,000 mining claims (of the 12,500) staked in the last few years since the commission began its work.
You will most likely get your money, but I would suggest you start buttering up to the first nations people of this area, as they are the ones who will be setting the standards of the day.
And the 90 per cent of the people of the Yukon will want the complete protection of all the Peel River watershed. And nothing less.
Like the Canadian TV show Holmes on Homes, do it right the first time.
Don Graham
Whitehorse
Comments (4)
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joe prspector on Jun 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm
You can have your curb sidewalks and pavement. you city folks have already done your damage on the planet.we still need employment. Cash out of the ground. I say the peel must me policed not just with first nations but work together as yukoners.we are here because of mining and mining must rule.220 million $$ for 2009 will make #1 private sector for the mining industry for yukon.Go one hour each day without touching something that was not mined. good luck. Work together.
JM
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susie rogan on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:59 am
I'm working on a letter to support protection of the Peel Watershed. You can still submit letters up until June 30. My big question is, who staked 10,000 claims in the Peel basin since this process of protection began? And why? Was it a conservation campaign like the Stake the Snake campaign? Or was it done by people who want to be paid out by the government in exchange for 'giving up' their claims? If anybody knows, maybe you could post a comment on this.
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Arn Anderson on Jun 16, 2009 at 3:25 am
Rob, nobody wants to see 'Send the ore to China' mines. Trash our pristine environment for your made in China products because you got paid the BIG BUCKS to pay off your overpriced home, 10bucks worth of steel $50,000 truck and that cheaply made entertainment theater center. Is that what the Peel watershed is worth? Finally 90% of Yukon got something right.
Say goodbye to the well used, trashing whats left of the environment resource driven economy and embrace a new kind of economy that has yet to be experimented with. Real change you can believe in
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Rob on Jun 12, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Just wondering where the random "And the 90 per cent of the people of the Yukon will want the complete protection of all the Peel River watershed. And nothing less" nonsense fact came from?