By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jun 30 2006
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=35&cat=23&id=680651&more=
The battle over mining claims is going political. The Greater Vernon Services Commission board voted Thursday to try and restrict mining activities in critical watershed areas. Stan Field, Area C director, also wants to take the controversial matter to the provincial stage. "This is a provincewide issue," Field told his colleagues. "This goes beyond our watershed. This (legislation) means they can be staking claims on your property and my property." GVSC will apply to the Ministry of Mines to officially create reserves where a claim can't be staked once the reserve is in place. An existing valid mining claim can still be surveyed and taken to lease in an area over which a no-staking reserve has been established, subsequent to the staking and recording of the claim. The issue was brought to GVSC's attention by the Canadian Private Land Owners Group, which is fighting provincial legislation that allows an individual to claim the sub-surface mining rights on privately owned property. The Canadian Private Land Owners Group will go before the North Okanagan Regional District next Wednesday, and Field hopes NORD will take the matter before the Union of B.C. Municipalities to pursue in Victoria. "We need to get behind this issue and support it," he said. "The current rules have to change and while it's being looked at (by the province), we need to exert pressure through the UBCM." Field is convinced that claims to sub-surface mining rights, and any subsequent mineral extraction, could have a significant impact on communities. "We can't allow mining to happen in our watersheds. It's a real concern for us," he said.
The battle over mining claims is going political. The Greater Vernon Services Commission board voted Thursday to try and restrict mining activities in critical watershed areas. Stan Field, Area C director, also wants to take the controversial matter to the provincial stage. "This is a provincewide issue," Field told his colleagues. "This goes beyond our watershed. This (legislation) means they can be staking claims on your property and my property." GVSC will apply to the Ministry of Mines to officially create reserves where a claim can't be staked once the reserve is in place. An existing valid mining claim can still be surveyed and taken to lease in an area over which a no-staking reserve has been established, subsequent to the staking and recording of the claim. The issue was brought to GVSC's attention by the Canadian Private Land Owners Group, which is fighting provincial legislation that allows an individual to claim the sub-surface mining rights on privately owned property. The Canadian Private Land Owners Group will go before the North Okanagan Regional District next Wednesday, and Field hopes NORD will take the matter before the Union of B.C. Municipalities to pursue in Victoria. "We need to get behind this issue and support it," he said. "The current rules have to change and while it's being looked at (by the province), we need to exert pressure through the UBCM." Field is convinced that claims to sub-surface mining rights, and any subsequent mineral extraction, could have a significant impact on communities. "We can't allow mining to happen in our watersheds. It's a real concern for us," he said.
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