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.”
Have all these people got their heads in the rocks? It’s time to pull your head out and look around a bit.
US President Barack Obama has started the ball rolling, signing into law protection for more than two million acres of wilderness (and they don’t have too much left) and implementing the US Endangered Species Act, which was stripped away by former president George Bush.
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 to hear that the Canadian government announced that Nahanni National Park will be increased in size fivefold to protect all the Nahanni River 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 will never set foot in this area again.
It is comforting to know it will be protected as true wilderness for my great grandchildren.
Although, 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 the Peel River Watershed, building roads of any sort will 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 the aboriginal people of this area as they are the ones that will be setting the standards of the day.
As for the 90 per cent of Yukoners who want the complete protection of all the Peel River Watershed, and nothing less: like the TV show Holmes on Homes - do it right the first time.
Don Graham
Whitehorse