From minehead near Union Bay to the coal port in Port Alberni, and all along the route in between, the proposed Raven Coal Mine in the Comox Valley is drastically riddled with hazards. Risks to human health, to water tables and water quality, to wildlife, fish, and shellfish from toxic mine tailings, to public safety from coal truck tandems travelling 24-7 on winding highway corridors from Qualicum to Port Alberni, to the dredging up of toxic dioxins and furans to “enhance” the coal port facilities at Port Alberni; these are probably the most significant.
To add insult to injury, we are told that the metallurgical coal produced at this proposed project would not be used for Canadian steelmaking but rather shipped to Asia for their steel production.
An independent ecological risk assessment is essential, as is an urban risk assessment.Lacking these, the proposal is a calamity-in-waiting and should be turfed ASAP.
Jack Thornburgh, for the Eco-Cell at St. John’s
North Saanich