U.N. Panel Investigates Proposed Mine Near Park

The chairman of a U.N. panel scrutinizing a proposed gold mine near Yellowstone National Park says the committee’s goal is not meddling in local affairs, but assuring that an international treasure is properly protected.

“Our purpose is to protect natural and cultural sites with outstanding universal value,” said Adul Wichiencharoen, the Thai chairman of the World Heritage Committee, a branch of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultureal Organization.

“(While) these sites belong to the states where they are located, they are also considered property of great significance to mankind,” he said. “Each state must do all it can with its resources to protect the site, preserve it, and transmit it to future generations.”

The United States signed the World Heritage Convention treaty in 1973, agreeing to protect its natural treasures as about 140 other signatories agreed to protect theirs.

Yellowstone is one of 400 World Heritage sites. Other American sites, all approved by Congress, include the Everglades, Grand Canyon, Redwood National Park in California and the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

Critics say the proposed New World Mine just outside Yellowstone poses an unacceptable threat to the park, and asked the U.N. committee to investigate whether the United States is honoring its treaty obligations. That brought the delegation to Yellowstone this week for a four-day inspection.

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., has criticized the committee for meddling in internal U.S. affairs.

But Wichiencharoen said its mission isn’t to trample on U.S. laws and decision-making.

He said when the United States signed the World Heritage treaty in 1973, it also agreed to protect Yellowstone.