Gerry Eckhoff Asleep on the Job?

Gerry Eckhoff Asleep on the Job?

Forest and Bird's Conservation Manager Mr Kevin Hackwell today asked whether ACT MP Gerry Eckhoff was asleep on the job after Mr Eckhoff wrongly stated that Forest and Bird had been silent on Project Aqua and the Waitaki legislation.

"Just last week we expressed our concerns to Parliament's Local Government and Environment Select Committee. However, no one from ACT appeared sufficiently interested in the Waitaki River to attend. However even a quick check of media releases on Forest and Bird's website would have told Mr Eckhoff that we have been a consistent critic of Project Aqua and the fast track legislation," Mr Hackwell said.

"Forest and Bird has raised concerns with officials, and in public, since information on proposals emerged last year. In December last year we called on Parliamentarians to oppose the fast track legislation. Perhaps Mr Eckhoff was asleep at the time," he said.

"Forest and Bird welcomes ACT's opposition to Project Aqua and hopes it will extend to other environmentally damaging proposals such as proposals to dam the Hurunui and flood the Dobson Ecological Area," he said.

"It would be great to see ACT support (energy conservation etc...)

For information on Forest and Bird's opposition to the Waitaki fast track legislation and Project Aqua read:

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mediarel/latest_releases/waitaki.asp http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mediarel/03OcttoDec.asp#waitaki

Forest and Bird's submission to Parliament's Local Government and Environment Committee available on request.

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