Save Happy Valley Coalition committed to saving species, despite DOC bending to mining company's pressure

Press release: Save Happy Valley Coalition
Monday 12th February
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

The Save Happy Valley Coalition is determined to maintain its occupation at Mt Augustus despite the Department of Conservation closing the land to help Solid Energy drive Powelliphanta "Augustus" to extinction.

Coalition members at camp were today visited by DOC, who informed them that DOC would be closing 200 metres of public conservation land every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm til 7pm until June 29th 2007.

"We are disgusted by DOC's shameful action. DOC is supposed to protect our endangered species, not help mining companies send them to extinction. We will maintain our occupation to stop the blasting. Protecting this habitat is the key to saving this ancient, endemic snail," said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.

"This is state sponsored species extinction. Not only are Solid Energy mining 94% of the habitat of this critically endangered species, they have now pressured DOC into closing the land to help them get away with it. Despite signing international agreements to save species, the Labour Government has a mining company which is sending a species to extinction, and a so-called 'Department of Conservation' aiding that extinction.

"New Zealand must stop mining more and more coal, in the face of the growing threat of climate change. It is ridiculous that the Government is enabling coal mining at the expense of our precious species. Powelliphanta "Augustus" has been in existence for 235 million years. The coal from Mt Augustus will last two years and help destroy the planet.

"If DOC and Solid Energy can get away with making these critically endangered snails extinct, then no species in the entire country is safe when profit is involved. DOC is being deceitful playing the safety angle, closing the land at set times. Our statutory conservation entity has no mandate to help drive species to extinction. They are undermining the occupation when they should be supporting it. However, we remain committed to protecting this species, and our ridgeline occupation remains," said Ms Mountier.

ENDS

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