Nearly 2,000 people submitted comments about the proposed Raven Coal Mine project during the 40-day public comment period, an unprecedented number in terms of public participation in a provincial environmental assessment process. The volume of comments -- overwhelmingly in opposition to the mine -- is yet another demonstration of the public massive rejection of this proposed coal mine project.

"To the best of our knowledge only three times before has there been this level of public opposition during a provincial environmental assessment process -- with the Bute Inlet Hydro project, the Glacier Howser Power Project, and the Lodgepole Coal Mine -- and all three of those projects are dead in the water," said Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee.

“The provincial government needs to be paying very close attention to this process, and be prepared to do the right thing for local communities and for the environment,” said Donaldson. “The public has given a resounding ‘No’ to Raven Coal, now government has to act.”

Though the final count comments is not yet available because of a delay in posting comments, it is already clear that the Raven Coal Mine has set a new bench mark for public participation with almost 1900 comments posted by the assessment office to day. The Glacier Howser Private Power Project, which was the previous benchmark, had 1100 comments posted.

“The public sentiment is clear: we don’t want to risk clean water, the sustainable shellfish industry and quality of life for 16 years of a dirty coal mine,” said Tria Donaldson. “From the BC Shellfish Growers Association to the Port Alberni and District Labour Council to the K’omoks First Nations -- a diverse group of organizations and people are standing against this project.”

In its history, the BC environmental assessment process has only turned down two projects. The final decision about whether or not to approve the proposal rests with the Minister of the Environment, Terry Lake.

“We are looking for Minister Lake to take leadership on this file, and show that he will listen to the people of this province,” said Donaldson. “Ultimately, the provincial government has the power to stop this destructive project from going ahead.”

The Raven Coal Mine is currently at the midway point of the assessment process. It is expected that the next phase of public comments will happen 10 months to a year from now, with a final decision expected sometime after that.