Dear editor,
Re: Questions, opposition persists to coal mine overlooking Baynes Sound (Record, May 31).
There is a significant error in the above noted article in the sentence "Additional public hearings on Raven Coal will be held Thursday at the Port Alberni Athletic Hall and Friday at the Union Bay Community Club."
The meetings are not "public hearings," but rather just public meetings.
Among the key requests of commentators at the meeting in Courtenay and during the last public comment period is that the current environmental review process be upgraded to an independent expert review panel with public hearings.
The current process does not provide citizens with public hearings conducted by an independent body where expert witnesses can be called and cross examined, and greater transparency can be assured.
The Raven Coal Mine proposal with its potential risks must be afforded the highest level of assessment.
The current public meetings are a poor substitute for formal public hearings.
Patti Willis,
Comox Valley