Media Release, CoalWatch Comox Valley, Jan. 18, 2010

“This raises serious concerns about the coalmine planned for Fanny Bay,” says CoalWatch

News of two recent effluent spills into the Campbell River Watershed is ringing alarms bells for residents of Baynes Sound, where there are plans for a large underground coal mine.

“This kind of news is very disturbing for people in the Comox Valley and Lighthouse area,” says Campbell Connor of CoalWatch Comox Valley.

“Baynes Sound has a very sensitive ecosystem, and if we had this kind of spill from the proposed coal mine it could have a devastating impact on the shellfish industry, salmon habitat, and the water we drink.”

Following heavy rains and snow melt last week, the water treatment system at Myra Falls mine in Strathcona-Westmin Park overflowed twice into Buttle Lake, according to news reports.

“This incident points to a very serious concern we have,” said Connor. “Scientists say that climate change will cause an increase in rain and snow melt.

“If we had a coal mine here in Baynes Sound, it might only be a matter of time before we experience an overflow into our watershed.”

An international partnership between Compliance Energy and two trading companies from Japan and Korea is proposing the coal mine. The consortium is just starting the environmental review process, and if approved the mine would extract 2.2 million tonnes of coal per year for 20 years.

The coal would be shipped to China for processing, from either Campbell River, Port Alberni, or Duke Point.

CoalWatch Comox Valley is a citizens group that formed in November, when more than 200 people attended a public meeting at the Fanny Bay Hall to ask questions and raise concerns about the proposal.

“Our goal is to make sure that our community has a strong voice with the decision-makers," says Connor. 'Our priority is to protect our air, water and land and ensure a healthy future for our community -- and a potential for overflows from coal tailings doesn't bode well for achieving these goals.”

For more details visit www.coalwatch.ca.

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