Uranium Rules Inadequate

The names of the towns and authors may change but the issues seem eerily similar. Hmmm...maybe there's really something to the "hysterics" of the "eco-nazi's" as you and I are sometimes called. :-)

Letter to the Editor of the Miramichi Leader (New Brunswick):

Published Monday August 4th, 2008

Over 30 citizen environmental groups are renewing calls to immediately ban uranium exploration and mining in the province.

"While we applaud added protections to watersheds, the government is missing the point. In light of long-term radiological dangers from drill cores, trenching and bulk sampling, we want a ban on uranium exploring in New Brunswick. Several municipalities and groups have issued calls to ban uranium exploration and mining and it's time for the government to listen.
There are several flaws in the new uranium rules. The move from blue ribbon staking to an electronic claims staking system will keep property owners in the dark about any claims made on their property. This is especially worrisome for those who do not have online access to the information.

Environmental groups are encouraging the government to genuinely include the public in their review of the N.B.'s outdated Mining Act. Public participation processes lead to regulations that best reflect public concerns. Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario have conducted recent public participation processes in reviews of their mining regulations. We demand no less.
The Mining Act should be amended to include required consultation with members of the public, including municipalities, landowners, Aboriginal people, ecologists and environmental organizations at all phases of mining including claim staking.

Besides mandatory public consultation, the public would be surprised to learn that quarries and exploration do not require Environmental Impact Assessments in this province. Since all mining activities and phases involve an environmental impact, we want to see it all subject to an EIA.

There is only one inspector in the Department of Natural Resources and more than 38,000 claims. The department needs more resources to properly inspect sites. Uranium exploration guidelines announced last month should be turned into enforceable standards and regularly monitored. The government must also undertake a cost-benefits analysis of exploration that includes the impacts to our valuable ecosystem services.

Inka Milewski
Health watch director and science advisor
Conservation Council of New Brunswick

Randy Nason
Grand Lake Watershed Guardians

http://miramichileader.canadaeast.com/article/373689