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Coal’s not usual business

Bouquets to Coun. Jack McLeman and a raspberry to Coun. Cindy Solda about the Raven Coal Mine issue, one reader says.

To the Editor,

 

There was an interesting moment at Monday’s council meeting regarding the proposed Raven Coal mine. Councillor Jack McLeman brought a motion to have discussions with the Port Authority, Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations, the ACRD and last but surely not least the public about the implications of Raven Coal using Port Alberni’s port to dump, store and ship about a million tonnes of coal per year.

McLeman said that it was important to explore our possible positions in anticipation of Raven’s final response to the questions raised by the public and the CEAA Working Group.

It was interesting that his motion carried; one must question Cindy Solda’s wanting to tour the Quinsam Coal Mine [in Campbell River] and Raven’s mine site once again.

McLeman’s suggestion speaks to the need to understand that what is proposed is not business as usual at the port as the whole valley will be affected.

David Stern,

Port Alberni