[coalalert] COALWATCH COMOX VALLEY PRESS RELEASE

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Published on Tuesday, 15 October 2013 01:15

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October 15, 2013 Press Release PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY FINDINGS REJECT BAYNES SOUND COAL MINE DEVELOPMENT Findings from the recently released “ Baynes Sound Opinion Survey on Shellfish Aquaculture” conducted by the Vancouver Island University, Institute for Coastal Research, indicate survey respondents overwhelmingly rejected coal mine development in the Baynes Sound area. The purpose of the research study was to identify and measure the perceived effects of shellfish aquaculture on the Baynes Sound social- ecological system. Additionally, stakeholders in the survey also identified a range of environmental, social, and economic issues and changes that could affect the future well-being of the communities in the area. “Of the dozen issues presented in the survey, 75 percent of the respondents considered coal mine development to have a negative effect on the well-being of communities in the Baynes Sound area,” said CoalWatch president John Snyder. “ These findings...

support what we’ve been saying for years. A project like the proposed Raven Coal Mine Project has not been granted social license by the residents of Baynes Sound communities.” “ It’s not surprising that coal mine development was overwhelmingly considered to have a negative effect on the well-being of our communities. CoalWatch will continue to monitor issues around the proposed Raven Coal Mine Project, and will make available to the public any new developments and information.” added Snyder. For more information on the proposed Raven Coal Mine Project, and the full “ Baynes Sound Opinion Survey on Shellfish Aquaculture” go to: www.coalwatch.ca -30- LINK TO THE SURVEY: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATA ON THE COAL MINE DEVELOPMENT IS ON PAGES 24-27 OF THE REPORT http://www.viu.ca/icr/files/2012/06/Baynes-Sound-Opinion-Survey-on-Shellfish-Aquaculture-Report-20130927.pdf