Lynne Wheeler, Times Colonist, October 24, 2011

I read with interest the article on protecting the southern Strait of Georgia as a marine conservation area. While I applaud this move, I believe governments should protect all of the strait.

I live in Fanny Bay. We are gravely concerned about the proposed Raven and Bear coal mines planned for the heart of our watershed. Our chief concerns include toxins introduced to our drinking water, the destruction of a thriving and sustainable shellfish industry (which employs 600 people and generates $20 million annually), threats to the second most important bird area in British Columbia, highway safety on the route through the venerable Cathedral Grove on the road to Tofino, and perhaps most importantly, a major contributor (an estimated 240 million tonnes of CO2) to global warming.

This area should be included in the marine conservation area planned for the Salish Sea. This is a beautiful and delicate ecosystem and it is far too precious to be destroyed by coal mines. Water is our most precious resource.

Lynne Wheeler
Fanny Bay

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