Mr. Snyder in his letter of rebuttal (The News, Mar. 23), suggests that the old Union Bay coal loading area is a moonscape. Well I beg to differ.
I have driven past that site for many years and occasionally walked through the area and all you ever see is a lush green landscape with the occasional relic of the past.
Such sites are often preserved for historical interest such as we see in Cumberland. I have seen natural landscapes that look not much different from this so called moonscape.
Yes absolutely there is coal residue underlying the site and in the waters adjacent. It certainly has not stopped the growth of vegetation.
Nor has this coal harmed the shellfish of the area, as the industry has thrived for many years without any signs of contamination.
In fact coal and charcoal (which is probably also on this site) has been used for water filtration and purification.
There is much more coal residue left on the Union Bay site than would ever enter the sound from the Raven Coal mine.
I submit to you that the industries working on the waters of the sound and industrial areas and private residences surrounding the sound, along with huge volumes of runoff from Courtenay and Comox, are a much greater contamination hazard to the shellfish industry than anything the Raven mine might ever inflict on the area.
Alf Randall
Qualicum Beach