Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist, February 09, 2011

Opponents to new coal mines on central Vancouver Island will hold their own version of a public hearing at the University of Victoria tonight.

"This is the first major meeting in Victoria on this issue," said Calvin Sandborn, Environmental Law Centre legal director.

The centre, on behalf of CoalWatch Comox Valley, has asked the federal and provincial governments for a joint independent expert review panel and public hearings into the proposed Raven Underground Coal Project near Buckley Bay.

But instead, government has decided to do much of the decision-making behind closed doors, said John Snyder, CoalWatch president.

"This meeting will not be as good a process as a full public hearing by an independent panel of experts, but it may be the best remaining chance for Islanders to express their concerns," he said.

The Raven application is likely the thin end of a wedge as the rich coal seam, that stretches from Fanny Bay to near Campbell River, is already sparking other applications, including plans for two open-pit mines, Sandborn said.

"It could be the first step to turning the mid-Island into a mini-Appalachia, and is that really what the people of Vancouver Island want?" he asked.

The shellfish industry around Fanny Bay and groundwater could also be put at risk, Snyder said.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. in Room 159 of the Murray Fraser Building at UVic.

jlavoie@timescolonist.com

Source

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2011