Resolutions aim to restrict mining in watershed

By Scott NeufeldThursday, July 6, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_338.php
The Regional District of the North Okanagan board has passed two resolutions aimed to exert more control over mining exploration in the region.The first resolution deals with the impact of mining in watersheds. Given that the district is responsible for achieving strict national water quality standards, the district wants local water utilities to have the ability to impose restrictions on mining exploration in watersheds.The second resolution proposes that the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) appeal to the provincial government to change the Mineral Tenure Act to prohibit a miner from staking a subsurface claim on private property without permission from the property owner.Both resolutions will be taken to a meeting of the UBCM in September for discussion.The resolutions came in response to a presentation by Bluenose Mountain resident Kurt Yakelashek whose property, located within Vernon’s watershed, has been claimed for mining.Yakelashek noted that since the issue was brought up at a Greater Vernon Services meeting in June, one individual with a claim in the watershed has been asking neighbours to help explore his claim. He said that the district needs to act now to make sure that local water sources are protected from further exploration.Director and Vernon councillor Patrick Nicol said he’s not sure he agrees with Yakelashek’s interpretation that the Mineral Tenure Act allows miners to take control of a landowner’s property.“I suspect that you’re interpreting it that way,” he said. “Does that make it so? I don’t know.”Yakelashek said changes have reduced proximity from 100 to 10 metres, allowing mining activity within 10 metres of a dwelling.“It’s been deregulated and regulations are now in the hands of the mining industry,” he said. “Section 19 has been amended so that a landowner no longer has the right to enjoy the surface of his land.”Electoral area F director Rick Fairbairn questioned why a watershed should be barred from activities such as fishing or mining.“There’s a big difference between staking a claim and actually opening a mine,” Fairbairn said. “Why should a water source take precedence over (other activities)?”Yakelashek replied that he and his neighbours are not looking to stop all activity in the watershed. They are looking to halt mining activity which he says has a history of polluting water sources.