Mike Bell of Sierra Club Comox Valley is featured in the April 18 issue of Macleans Magazine in an article that highlights his receipt of a Home Town Hero Award for environmental activism. The article outlines the long struggle the members of Sierra Club Comox Valley have had against the Gas and Go station on the Dyke Road, including Sierra Club Canada’s loss in court.In the article, Bell notes that there were no environmental laws under which to wage the court battle. They had to do it under the local Government Act, which was inadequate.“The court case didn’t deal with any of our concerns,” Bell said, “but it is not over; we can still win this.” He noted that the K’ómoks First Nation is considering its own court challenge.The article also mentions that Sierra Club Comox Valley’s next challenge is opposing the proposed Raven Coal Mine project. Bell is quoted as saying that this is the biggest environmental threat ever faced by the Comox Valley and one that has global climate change implications. “We are delighted with the national attention for our own organization and for the many people and organizations in the Valley that are fighting these issues," said Peggy Zimmerman, co-chair of Sierra Club Comox Valley. "Gas and Go is not a done deal and we are continuing the fight for as long as it takes."As for the Raven Coal Mine, we continue to work with CoalWatch and other groups in calling for an independent review panel with public hearings and comprehensive aquifer mapping and modelling, neither of which are part of the current environmental assessment process.”— Sierra Club Comox Valley