It is absolutely amazing how someone can learn in advance what is going to happen with the Raven Coal Mine (The News, April 19) by going to one meeting of an anti-mining lobby.
A group who Mr. Walker evidently believes is conveying the absolute truth and can even predict the future?
I suggest that he review all sides of the story and all the information available before making up his mind about this mine.
The Baynes Sound area will notice very little negative impact by the coal mine and will very likely see a strong positive economic impact, especially with the higher prices for coal, something this area desperately needs.
Coal mines have operated in British Columbia for years without any of the disastrous consequences with which Coal Watch has frightened its supporters into frenzy.
And every person in this province has been a beneficiary over the years through taxes generated by the coal mines.
The shellfish research facility Walker refers to has polluted the waters of Baynes Sound more during its construction than the coal mine ever will and in addition has used numerous materials that have been either mined, produced from trees that have been cut down, or manufactured from petroleum sources in plants frequently powered by coal fired electricity. So don’t tell us how environmentally benign this facility is.
Even if an entire tailings pond at the mine site failed (a highly unlikely event) it might pollute one creek and create a minor point source of pollution in the sound.
On the other hand the shell fish industry itself along with all the other construction activities, houses, septic runoff and automobile and boat traffic is constantly dripping pollution all over the sound.
So now tell me, which is worse for the environment?
Alf Randall, Qualicum Beach
