Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times, June 01, 2011

If the public meeting held Monday night in Courtenay-Comox is any indication, Thursday evening's event to discuss the Raven Underground Coal Project should be a spirited affair.

The public session takes place at Alberni Athletic Hall, beginning with a static information display from 2 to 5 p.m. Then at 6 p.m., members of the public have the opportunity to question proponents of the coal project as well as officials from the B.C. Environmental Assessment Agency and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, who have final say whether the project goes ahead.

Raven Coal CEO John Tapics said between 450 and 500 people attended the first meeting, and acknowledged that there was a great deal of opposition. Tapics was asked how much weight will be accorded to the opponents.

"That's a question best asked of the BCEAA and the CAEA," he said. "My understanding is that they will take all of the input from the public into account when they make their recommendation."

Tapics said his company has been transparent throughout the review process.

"Many of the issues that were raised last night have already been incorporated into the draft of the environmental review," he said.

CoalWatch Comox Valley spokesman John Snyder said the Monday meeting demonstrated the level of passion the proposed coal project has raised.

"I've been wondering how they were going to spin it, because they got hammered," Snyder said. "The tone of the meeting was crystal clear. They want to see an independent review panel with public meetings."

Snyder said, while the public currently has the opportunity to voice its concerns, it's not a binding process.

"This isn't a referendum. We don't get to vote on whether to approve it," Snyder said.

An independent review panel, containing academics and (likely) judges has the power to subpoena and cross-examine witnesses, allowing for a more thorough examination of evidence.

"In our view, it's more rigorous," Snyder said.

Tapics said his company welcomes input from all community members, and his officials are listening.

"I hope they've eaten their Wheaties, taken their vitamins and buckled down their chinstraps when they roll into Port Alberni," Snyder said.

The third and final public meeting takes place in Union Bay on Friday evening.

smorrow@avtimes.net

© Alberni Valley Times 2011

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