Much ado over mining

To the Summerland residents having a fit over mineral exploration behind the town:

You have so many facts wrong.

First of all, mineral exploration that consists of trenching and drilling has very minimal impact on the environment and almost zero on the watershed.

How many water wells get drilled in the area? Ditches dug? There is no difference.

Where are the prostests over that?

I can go watch an excavator digging into flooded creek beds right now, which is causing more harm than any of the said mineral exploration you complain about.

And you mention "acid leaching," which will not be happening in the field, as you make it sound.

These companies send samples away to get assayed.

What about all the pesticides and chemicals the wineries and farmers are spraying, doing 1,000 times more damage to the water supply than a small exploration outfit.

These chemicals and pesticides are being sprayed in town and directly around people, and I havent heard any concern over that. Why don't you get a second opinion from a non-biased company before trying to stop the livelihood of people making a living.

There are laws prospectors and miners must follow to protect the environment. It's hard to take people's concerns seriously when they have no idea what they are talking about. 

Ben van der Valk