Julia Caranci, Alberni Valley Times, November 10, 2011

Hundreds of area residents have voiced strong opposition to the construction of a proposed new coal mine near the Buckley Bay ferry terminal, using Port Alberni as the preferred transfer port.

And a second opportunity for public input starts Nov. 15.

A quick overview of the hundreds of comments received by the Environmental Assessment Office regarding the proposed Raven Underground Coal project over the public comment period earlier this year reveal the vast majority are against it entirely, regardless of the potential to create new jobs and stimulate the economy.

Comments posted on the EAO website (http: //www.eao.gov. bc.ca/) ranged from "No!" to "There are cleaner options."

One writer called the project, "a devastating and backward proposal." Another said he did "not see it as sustainable development."

Concerns written about the project ranged from environmental issues such as the potential threat to fish populations, to a number of comments about increasing truck traffic through Port Alberni.

There were some positive comments, including a letter of support from the Mining Association of B.C., stating the project will "unlock significant investment potential in Vancouver Island."

However, the comments were predominantly ones of concern. "I think they got the message," said John Snyder, president of the CoalWatch Comox Valley Society. "But the public is being forced to participate in a process we think is flawed."

His group, along with many residents of the Comox Valley and the Alberni Valley, are calling for a more rigorous and independent review of the project that takes into account public input.

Snyder also went through the comments posted on the EAO website, and estimates more than 95% of the submissions came from those who are against the project. He also attended all three public meetings that were held this spring in Courtney, Port Alberni and Union Bay.

"In all those meetings I saw one person stand up and say they though it was a good idea," he said, adding the overwhelming feeling is the company "has no social license for this project."

Port Alberni resident Maggie Paquet, a director on CoalWatch, said there are many reasons why Port Alberni won't benefit from becoming a coal port.

"Really, it's coal, period, that's the problem," she said. "It's dinosaur fuel."

Issues of concern include increased truck traffic in and out of the city and having a coal storage facility at the port.

"Coal is toxic. I don't care what John Tapics (CEO of Compliance Coal Corp.) says," Paquet said.

She believes the local fish population will be threatened, and the possibility of developing the Alberni Inlet for sport fishing, tourism and boating will become impossible if the project goes ahead.

Starting on Nov. 15, residents of Port Alberni and the Comox Valley will once again have their say regarding the project.

The Environmental Assessment Office will be requesting comments from the public on Compliance Coal Corporation's responses in the Public Comment Tracking Table until Nov. 29.

The current public comment period gives the public the chance to respond regarding whether or not they feel the proponent's responses to their concerns have been addressed. Synder said his group will carefully go over the company's responses, have them looked at by technical experts and formulate a response.

John Tapics, president and CEO of Compliance Coal Corp., the company behind the Raven Underground Coal Project, said most of the comments received pointed to issues that had already been identified by the company.

"The project will be designed to eliminate, reduce or mitigate these potential issues," Tapics said.

He added the company will turn their mind towards moving ahead in the process, with a project that is estimated to create 350 jobs, including 21 jobs at the Port Alberni Port Authority, and 50 transportation jobs (truck drivers, mechanics, equipment officers).

Following this second public comment period, federal and provincial officials will finalize a draft that details all the studies the proponent must perform to satisfy all legitimate environment, socio-economic and health concerns. Specific instructions will be given to the proponent.

It will likely take months before all the required studies are done and the information is sent back to the government for consideration. Then, a final public comment period will take place before an Environmental Assessment Report on the project is drafted. The B.C.. Environmental Assessment Agency and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will have final say on whether the project will go ahead.

JCaranci@avtimes.net

© Alberni Valley Times 2011

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