View from the West Multiple use requires clear leadership

About 6% of British Columbia is currently set aside as park land. The proposals made last year by the British Columbia provincial government regarding potential parks and wilderness areas go a long way toward tripling this figure.

In April, 1991, the British Columbia and Yukon Chamber of Mines and the Mining Association of British Columbia responded to the proposals. The response included data, partially summarized below, generated both from within the two organizations and from nearly 100 written presentations. The mining community is in fundamental disagreement with the proposals which were set forth with no apparent regard for other resource users.

Cost data were completely lacking in the parks and wilderness proposals. Before any consideration can be given to alienating land, a total assessment of costs and lost revenues is required. We cannot forget the immediate cost to many individuals who can’t interest mining companies in claims that are now situated within these proposed areas.

Single land use designations are important and necessary for many heritage, recreation and industrial uses. However, in keeping with optimum development, they must be kept as low in number and small in size as possible. Consideration should also be given to sequential land use as many mine sites after a number of years are barely recognizable. Two striking examples include Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver and Butchart Gardens in Victoria, both old quarries.

Minerals are important to everyone. We are faced with the following situation: “If you don’t grow it, you mine it.” It is our mandate, in a democratic society, to continue to locate and develop hidden mineral resources to provide for the material needs of society as well as the economic needs of our province and its citizens. Simply put, the sustainability of mining is directly proportional to the accessibility of land for mineral exploration.

Gro Harlem Bruntland in Our Common Future — her 1987 study prepared for the World Commission on Environment and Development — stated that 12% of our lands should be protected. “To protect,” by definition, means to shield or defend against danger or injury. It does not imply isolation or removal.

The mining industry contends that existing mining policy and legislation protect our lands during exploration and mining. Government should not be working to a specific quota but should focus its efforts on unique and accessible sites.

It is clear that British Columbia must develop a comprehensive land use strategy to ensure optimum use of our resources. However, no single ministry should create its own mandate to lead development of this land use strategy, a study already started by the British Columbia Round Table on Economy and the Environment.