A notice posted March 2, 2015 on the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO)
website indicates that Compliance Coal Corporation (Compliance) has
withdrawn it’s Raven Coal Mine Project from the EAO screening/evaluation
process.
March 2nd was the last day of the 30-day legislated period for conducting an
evaluation of the completeness of Compliance’s Application for
Environmental Certificate (Application). Over the past several weeks as part
of the evaluation process, the EAO Working Group had been tasked with
evaluating the Application and had submitted it’s comments to the EAO on
their evaluation.
Compliance’s initial Raven Coal Mine Application was rejected by the EAO on
May 16, 2013 and this latest Application was intended to address the
deficiencies in the initial Application.
“My guess is after getting feedback from the Working Group members, the EAO
advised Compliance there were still significant issues/deficiencies that the
EAO had identified with their Application and Compliance decided to withdraw
their Application at the 11th hour.” said John Snyder, president of
CoalWatch Comox Valley Society. “In my view, these two failed attempts at
getting an Application through to the next review stage, raises serious
questions about Compliance’s competency.”
“I suppose that after addressing the issues raised by the EAO, Compliance
may wish to resubmit another Application.” added Snyder. ” However, they’ll
still be facing the fact that there’s no social license for their project,
and the reality of moving this ill-advised project forward faces an ever
increasing headwind.”
” Finally, I’d like to acknowledge all of the people who have voiced their
concerns and opposition to this massive coal mine project over the past 5+
years. From writing letters, going to rally’s, supporting our CoalWatch
fundraising dinners, and placing lawn signs, please know that your efforts
have made a difference.”
CoalWatch will continue to monitor future developments on the proposed Raven
Coal Mine Project and make additional information available to the public
when it becomes available. Up to date information is always available on the
CoalWatch website: www.coalwatch.ca