Things, as Bob Dylan has told us, are gonna get interesting right about now. Despite energy prices being in the tank for the forseeable, Raven Coal are proceeding. Maybe they hope that the completed provincial review and eventual approval can pump some value back into the company. Just how many mines did the premier promise the truck loggers was it?
CoalWatch press release follows:
CoalWatch Comox Valley Society has learned the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has received the latest Application for Environmental Certificate and Environmental Impact Statement (Application/EIS) from Compliance Coal Corporation for the proposed Raven Underground Coal Mine Project near Fanny Bay, BC.
 A 30 day evaluation for completeness of the Application/EIS by the EAO has commenced and a decision to reject or accept the Application/EIS for further review is expected on or around the first week of March.
While it’s not certain Compliance Coal’s Application/EIS will be accepted for further review, CoalWatch is gearing up for the eventuality the environmental review process will be moving to the 180-day Application Review Stage.
If the Application/EIS is accepted, a 50-day Public Comment Period will commence soon afterward. This Public Comment Period is a chance for the public to weigh in on the Application/EIS and submit written comments to the EAO.
“CoalWatch will also be putting together an expert technical team to review the Application/EIS and pinpoint issues of concern,” said CoalWatch president John Snyder. “CoalWatch will make these issues of concern public, so people will be able to reference them when submitting their written comments.”
“The recent spike in coal license applications coupled with existing and newly issued coal tenures in the Comox Valley should serve as a wake up call to everyone from the Oyster River to Fanny Bay,” said Snyder. “ However, the long term negative impacts from the Raven Coal Mine Project not only threaten the Comox Valley, but extend along the proposed truck transportation corridor to the proposed coal port in Port Alberni as well.”
“With no evidence of social license being granted by the residents of the Comox Valley or Port Alberni, many may have thought the Raven Coal Mine Project had gone away,” added Snyder. “However, Compliance Coal seems intent on moving their project forward despite the ever increasing headwind of opposition from Vancouver Island residents.”
CoalWatch will continue to monitor the environmental review process and update the public with further information when it becomes available. Updated information is also available on the CoalWatch website: www.coalwatch.ca