By Colleen Dane, Comox Valley Record, November 27, 2009

More than 200 people attended a meeting Tuesday to discuss proposed coal mining near Fanny Bay. (Photo Submitted)

The public has rallied out of concerns about a proposed coal mine near Fanny Bay to create Coalwatch Comox Valley.

“To see people stand up and take action is very good,” said Delores Broten, with the C.V. Water Watch Coalition.

It was Broten and fellow steering committee members who first started to look into some potential issues with the Raven Coal project, which is undergoing the long approval process. Their focus was drinking water issues and the project’s potential effect on the critical Tsable River watershed.

They quickly saw that there was a lot more to consider.

“Water Watch realized that there were far more questions around the mine than just the water,” said Broten.

People started talking to them about concerns around coal dust, truck traffic, greenhouse gases and more.

There was a need, said CVWWC, for a community dialogue.

“We realized that there wasn’t any mechanism for people to get together and talk about it,” she said.

While Comox Valley Joint Venture — the combined group of Compliance Energy, Itochu Corp. and LG International who are behind the Raven Coal project — held public meetings and have started a community advisory group, people needed to talk amongst themselves, said advocates.

A meeting was planned for Tuesday night — and with minimal promotion, more than 200 people arrived at the Fanny Bay Community Hall.

“We had amazing turnout — we were very pleased — but it just shows how much concern there is,” said Broten.

After a presentation by Arthur Caldicott, an energy researcher from Victoria, the group talked about some of their concerns.

They ended up forming Coalwatch Comox Valley, and creating research, media, fundraising and steering committees.

“Lots of volunteers. It’s great — that way, many hands make light work,” she said.

Comox Valley Water Watch will participate in the new group by refocusing on the drinking water issues relating to Coalwatch’s overall work. More details about the plans for the group and spokesperson are still being hammered out in light of this week’s meeting.

They will carry on the www.coalwatch.ca website that was established by CVWWC.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com