April 6, 2016 – Late this afternoon, CoalWatch learned that in a letter dated April 4, 2016 the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) informed Compliance Coal Corporation (Compliance) that the Environmental Assessment (EA) review for the Raven Coal Mine Project had been terminated.
The letter from the EAO to Compliance in part stated the decision to terminate the EA ” is based on an assessment that continuation of an EA at this time would be neither efficient nor appropriate given the timing and readiness of the project to proceed with the EA.”
“CoalWatch has been urging the EAO to terminate the Raven Coal Mine Project EA for over nine months. Despite this decision being long overdue, I’m very pleased the EAO decided to terminate the Raven Coal Mine Project EA,” noted CoalWatch president John Snyder.
“Finally, the threat posed to the Comox Valley and Port Alberni from the ill-advised Raven Coal Mine Project, has been extinguished,” added Snyder.
While this is the end of the Raven Coal Mine Project, the coal resources in the Comox Valley still remain. CoalWatch urges everyone to remain vigilant and to continue the fight to protect our vulnerable watersheds flowing into Baynes Sound.
CoalWatch would like to thank the local governments, numerous organizations, and the thousands of individuals, who over the past 6 years, have raised concerns regarding the Raven Coal Mine Project.
“Make no mistake, our cumulative efforts, be they large or small, have made a huge difference in the final outcome on this issue,” said Snyder.
Quote from Margaret Mead: ” Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Click here to read the EAO’s termination letter.