To: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Re: “Compliance Coal Corporation, doing business as Comox Joint Venture (the Proponent), is proposing to develop the Raven Underground Coal Mine Project (the proposed Project) approximately 20 kilometres south of Courtenay on eastern Vancouver Island, in British Columbia (BC).”
Sirs:
Given what we know of the area, its environment, and the various impacts of coal extraction, it is astonishing that we should be even contemplating this “project”:
1. I am confident this project is not supported by the vast majority of residents of eastern Vancouver Island, and challenge anyone to prove otherwise.
2. The proposed extraction area drains into Baines Sound, an established and increasingly-famous shellfish-rearing area. It is also at high risk of serious earthquake activity.
The metals and chemicals potentially released by coal extraction are extremely toxic to any form of marine life, but especially to shellfish. As the case of the Quinsam Coal mine in my area has demonstrated, even under rigorous management of water and waste some arsenic and other heavy metals will leech into local water courses and find their way into fish-bearing streams. Of course, in the case of a serious earthquake it is almost inevitable that there will be a catastrophic release of very toxic chemicals and metals.
There will be a serious earthquake in this area; we just don't know when.
3. The extracted coal would be shipped overseas, probably to Korea. We would have no control over the environmental impacts of burning it. We do know the greenhouse gases produced would not be recovered. We also know, given what we know about prevailing winds, that northern Canada would receive much of the particulate pollution, adding to what is already a problem there.
The government of Canada apparently accepts that global climate change is a direct threat to humans. Why we would willingly add to the problem for so little gain is puzzling, to say the least.
4. The affected area is increasingly-important as a tourist magnet. As well, a number of large residential and recreational developments are in the planning stages. None of these projects would be compatible with a working coal mine.
5. The economic benefits to the area would be miniscule, especially considering the other economic interests that would be put at risk.
6. I conclude that this project makes no sense economically, socially, or environmentally. Therefore it makes no sense politically either.
Sincerely,
Re: “Compliance Coal Corporation, doing business as Comox Joint Venture (the Proponent), is proposing to develop the Raven Underground Coal Mine Project (the proposed Project) approximately 20 kilometres south of Courtenay on eastern Vancouver Island, in British Columbia (BC).”
Sirs:
Given what we know of the area, its environment, and the various impacts of coal extraction, it is astonishing that we should be even contemplating this “project”:
1. I am confident this project is not supported by the vast majority of residents of eastern Vancouver Island, and challenge anyone to prove otherwise.
2. The proposed extraction area drains into Baines Sound, an established and increasingly-famous shellfish-rearing area. It is also at high risk of serious earthquake activity.
The metals and chemicals potentially released by coal extraction are extremely toxic to any form of marine life, but especially to shellfish. As the case of the Quinsam Coal mine in my area has demonstrated, even under rigorous management of water and waste some arsenic and other heavy metals will leech into local water courses and find their way into fish-bearing streams. Of course, in the case of a serious earthquake it is almost inevitable that there will be a catastrophic release of very toxic chemicals and metals.
There will be a serious earthquake in this area; we just don't know when.
3. The extracted coal would be shipped overseas, probably to Korea. We would have no control over the environmental impacts of burning it. We do know the greenhouse gases produced would not be recovered. We also know, given what we know about prevailing winds, that northern Canada would receive much of the particulate pollution, adding to what is already a problem there.
The government of Canada apparently accepts that global climate change is a direct threat to humans. Why we would willingly add to the problem for so little gain is puzzling, to say the least.
4. The affected area is increasingly-important as a tourist magnet. As well, a number of large residential and recreational developments are in the planning stages. None of these projects would be compatible with a working coal mine.
5. The economic benefits to the area would be miniscule, especially considering the other economic interests that would be put at risk.
6. I conclude that this project makes no sense economically, socially, or environmentally. Therefore it makes no sense politically either.
Sincerely,
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