http://www2.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/news/story.html?id=722f5ef9-9d8b-4eb1-accc-b3d6f7de223f
Coal boss extols environmental measures over proposed mine
Philip Round
Comox Valley Echo
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The company promoting the proposed Raven underground coal mine near Buckley Bay has set out the steps it is taking to ensure environmental concerns are properly addressed.
Their seven-point statement has been made in a pitch to the board of Comox Valley Regional District, which meets later today (Tuesday).
The mine is on the agenda as a result of a notice of motion made by Area A director Bruce Jolliffe.
He is seeking the board's support for requests to the province to tighten the environmental assessment of the mine project.
"The operations of this mine could impact the aquifers used by the surrounding communities for their potable water," said Jolliffe, whose electoral area includes the mine site.
"(It) could impact the fin fish, shellfish and other fisheries in Baynes Sound."
He wants the province to carry out comprehensive mapping of aquifers that could be affected if the mine goes ahead, and use that as part of the environmental assessment already underway.
Jolliffe also wants the province to ask the federal government to conduct a separate environmental assessment because of the mine's potential affect on fisheries.
And he is calling for public consultations on the environmental assessments to be held in at least seven named communities - Fanny Bay, Denman Island, Union Bay, Royston, Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox.
Hs notice of motion followed a presentation made to the regional district's committee of the whole last week by Campbell Connor, representing Coal Watch Comox Valley.
Connor set out similar concerns about aquifers and aquaculture, but also raised issues about the environmental assessment process.
"The process itself, in my view, does not engender confidence," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, the EAO has not found a coal mine it did not like."
Jolliffe's proposed motion takes on board the key points from Connor's presentation.
But even before it gets to today's table, John Tapics, president and chief executive of Compliance Energy, has emailed board chair Greg Phelps in response. That email has now been circulated to all board members.
In it, Tapics says both provincial and federal governments have already announced environmental assessment reviews, and the B.C. one is well underway.
"Compliance has encouraged both a provincial and federal review from day one and have been collecting baseline environmental information and conducting studies to meet a comprehensive study review by the feds," he writes.
"With respect to the scope of the federal assessment, the feds have already stated that we will need an authorization under the federal Fisheries Act."
He adds: "With respect to groundwater and aquifer mapping, we have contacted Vancouver Island University and agreed to share information regarding aquifer locations.
"Based on our mapping program, our data will be the most comprehensive data that the University receives on aquifers across the Island."
As far as public consultation is concerned, Tapics states they have already held an open house in Fanny Bay and three working group meetings in Courtenay.
Those working groups, he notes, had been attended by representatives of "most local governments, some of their area planning committees, first nations, local water improvement districts, the Shellfish Growers Association and two local NGOs representing water and fish interests."
And in what is clearly a tone of frustration, he adds: "All of this before we were required to by any government-led process."
He also points to 'project update' mailings to 4,000 people, information published in detailed local newspaper advertisements, the establishment of a public information line, and a dedicated project website (www.theravenproject.ca).
There will also be at least two more public open houses as part of the environmental assessment process, he promises.
And, he adds, all the studies they pull together will be made public through the environmental assessment process.
"In summary, we are committed to a transparent public process and are in the middle of the environmental process currently."