Coalwatch urges people to speak out as mine assessment gets underway

Media Release, CoalWatch, May 12, 2011

The countdown is on for people and organizations who wish to comment on the proposal for a massive coal mine in the heart of the Baynes Sound watershed.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency announced Tuesday that a 40-day public comment period into the proposed mine will start May 18, and the watchdog group CoalWatch Comox Valley is urging people to speak out.

“Finally after waiting over a year, the public will have the chance to review the latest documents and participate in three public meetings in Courtenay, Port Alberni and Union Bay,” said CoalWatch president John Snyder.

Public meetings will be held May 30 at the Filberg Centre in Courtenay, June 2 at the Port Alberni Athletic Hall; and June 3 at the Union Bay Community Hall. The meetings will feature information open houses from 2 to 5 p.m., presentations about the mine from 6 to 7 p.m., and public comments from 7 to 10 p.m.

“We’re very disappointed that there will be only three public meetings, and that Fanny Bay, Denman Island, Hornby Island and Qualicum aren’t included,” said Snyder. “The proposed coal mine would have huge impacts throughout the region, and it’s important for everyone to have their say.”

Despite shortcomings in the process, Snyder is urging people to get involved.

“The proposed mine is a threat to air and water quality, road safety, and hundreds of jobs in the shellfish industry,” he said. “The importance of the public submitting written comments and attending the public meetings can’t be overstated. The time to get involved is now.”

CoalWatch is currently working with technical experts to review more than 550 pages of new documents related to the mine.

“We will work with experts in mining, water quality and the shellfish industry to develop a formal response to the proposed mine,” said Snyder.

For more information please contact the CoalWatch website at : www.coalwatch.ca