Vancouver, March 15, 2013 – Postmedia News reports, “Three Improvement Districts concerned about the potential impact of the proposed Raven coal mine on water supplies and aquifers in their area have united to employ specialist consultants to probe the issue. The Fanny Bay, Ships Point and Union Bay Improvement Districts are working together (on this and) are thanking the Vancouver Island Water Watch Coalition for a $5,000 grant it has given (to hire a consultant to do the hydro-geological assessment).”
“(The funds will go) towards the estimated $12,265 cost of completing a comprehensive hydro-geological desktop assessment of the potential short and long-term aquifer, water source and water quality effects that could result if the mine project were to move forward. …The balance of the costs will be shared equally between taxpayers in the three improvement districts.”
“They have engaged Summit Environmental Consultants Inc. of Vernon to assist them in preparing a formal response to Compliance Coal Corporation’s anticipated submission to the B.C. and Canadian Environmental Assessment Offices as part of the official Environmental Assessment process, now expected sometime later this month.”
“The interim chair of VIWWC, June Ross, commented: ‘The funding request was granted to the improvement districts to assist them in a study of possible effects on the water supply if the Raven Coal Mine is allowed to go ahead. ‘We, in Vancouver Island Water Watch Coalition, believe the coal mine will bring disaster to the affected areas, thus the grant is a way to ensure that an independent study of any possible effects of a mine is done. We help where and when we can.’”
Ross is also a chapter activist with the Mid Island chapter of the Council of Canadians. The Comox Valley chapter has also been raising concerns about the mine since 2010. In September 2011, Maude Barlow spoke at a large public forum in Courtenay in opposition to the mine. In November 2012, the Council of Canadians formally expressed its opposition to the Raven coal mine at our annual general meeting in Nanaimo
http://canadians.org/blog/?p=20035