John Snyder, Alberni Valley Times, August 26, 2010

Recently, Phillip Woolgar's article "Coalwatch calls for expert panel review" explained that Coalwatch had requested a joint federal/provincial, independent expert review panel for full public hearings.

That request goes to the Federal Minister of Environment, who makes the decision to refer to a joint independent review panel if there is compelling evidence of the "potential for significant adverse environmental effects" of this project and if there is there is "deep and widespread" public concern about the project. This panel does not happen automatically, citizen input is critical to convince the minister of the concerns in the community.

In that same article, Raven Coal CEO John Tapics also referred to the "panel of technical and environmental experts currently included in the federal project review as "adequate."

This comprehensive review which Mr. Tapics says is adequate and the joint review panel with public hearings which CoalWatch is advocating are very different reviews. The main difference is the joint review panel has public hearings as part of the process whereas the comprehensive review just has public meetings. This is a huge difference, in that public hearings promote a more robust public participation.

If you support a joint review panel, the "Cadillac" of environmental assessment reviews, please include your support in your written comments during this first CEAA comment period. Remember, the deadline for submitting your comments is September 20, 2010.

John Snyder - President
Coalwatch Comox Valley Society

© Alberni Valley Times 2010

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