Get ready for some Raven' about coal
The public comment period has begun for the Raven Underground Coal Mine project and CoalWatch Comox Valley is urging people to speak out on the Application Information Requirements / Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines (AIR / EIS Guidelines) document which outlines all the specifics of the project.
“Finally after waiting over a year, the public will have the chance to review the latest documents and participate in three public meetings in Courtenay, Port Alberni and Union Bay,” said CoalWatch president John Snyder in a press release.
However, Synder said he was disappointed to learn there will only be three public information meetings, and areas like Qualicum Beach, Fanny Bay, Denman and Hornby Islands will be left out.
The proponent, Compliance Coal Corporation (doing business as the Comox Joint Venture), proposes to develop an underground coal mine including a coarse and fine rejects rock dump, located approximately 20 km south of Courtenay. The proposed development would have a footprint of about 200 hectares. The company plans to transport the coal by truck on existing highways to the port of Port Alberni, where upgrading work would also be undertaken by the proponent to enable shipment of coal offshore.
Snyder said the proposed mine is a threat to air quality, road safety and hundreds of jobs in the shellfish industry, among other issues.
The public can comment on the project until June 27, 2011. The public meetings will be held to explain and discuss the contents and significance of the draft AIR/EIS Guidelines document as well as to collect public comments on the document.
The document is available for viewing on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) website at www.ceaa.gc.ca or on the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) website at www.eao.gov.bc, as well as at the Bowser, Qualicum Beach and Parksville Public Libraries.
For more information on CoalWatch visit www.coalwatch.ca.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.