EPA refusing Chatham Rock Phosphate mining is great news for our environment

The decision announced today by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to refuse a consent to mine the sea bed of the unique Chatham Rise for phosphate is fantastic news for our environment, oceans and fisheries, the Green Party said today.

The EPA announced its decision this morning, made by an EPA-appointed decision-making committee, to refuse the consent lodged by Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd due to concerns over the ‘significant and permanent adverse effects on the existing benthic environment on the Chatham Rise.’ The EPA cited its requirement to favour caution and environmental protection.

“It’s fantastic that the EPA has made a decision that protects our oceans and listened to the scientifically strong case of the community groups, scientists and fishing industry who came together to oppose this destructive activity,” Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.

“It’s also a victory for those groups who stood up to protect the unique Chatham Rise and our environment.

“The Chatham Rise is a unique environment that kiwis want to see protected. It is home to deep sea corals and other unique marine life that sea bed mining would have destroyed.

“The decision should be a wake-up call to the National Government that it should drop its failing and environmentally destructive mining agenda and instead pursue a smart, green economy that benefits all New Zealanders,” said Mr Hughes.

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