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Deadline set for Bingay petition

Time is running out for residents to add their signature to a petition opposing a new coal mine.
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The Bingay Main Coal project is currently being considered by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. File photo.

Time is running out for Elk Valley residents to add their signature to a petition opposing a new coal mine proposed for the area.

Centermount Coal Limited plans to develop a surface and underground coal mine with an annual production capacity of two million tonnes about 21km north of Elkford.

The Bingay Main Coal project is currently being considered by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).

The EAO public comment period closed in December but concerned residents are hopeful their petition will stop the mine in its tracks.

The Bingay Coal Mine Concerns Group has so far gathered about 600 signatures for its petition, which will be collected in the first week of May before being presented to MLA for Kootenay East Tom Shypitka.

“We chose to go with a petition as we felt it would get our voices heard and with Tom Shypitka presenting it at the legislature for us, it will have the most impact,” said Melanie Wagner.

Wagner said there was a misconception that the project was no longer going ahead now the District of Elkford had withdrawn support.

“It is very important for people to realize we have to keep fighting this until the government shuts it down,” she said.

The Elk River Alliance has also raised concerns about the Bingay coal mine and its affect on water quality.

“We will continue to hold decision makers accountable for the very things we want to see achieved through the water quality plan, which is to see reducing levels of constituents of concern,” said ERA Executive Director Lee-Anne Walker.

“We’re not anywhere near that at the moment and adding another mine isn’t going to make that situation any better.”

The ERA argues the project also threatens the five “Valued Components” identified in the Elk Valley Accumulative Effects Framework.

“A mine right beside the river won’t be good for riparian areas and trout, and is going to block movement of grizzly bears,” said Walker.

“Already three of the values we’ve identified as being important are impacted by that mine.” But Walker believes the argument against the mine shouldn’t be an emotional one.

“It has to be scientific and a societal response,” she said.

About 100 people shared their views on Bingay at an open house hosted by Shypitka earlier this year.

He said without mining, families in the Valley would feel “enormous financial pressure”, but he was committed to addressing his constituents’ concerns and a sustainable future.

“From this meeting, I learned a lot about concerning factors surrounding the proposed project. I will be bringing all of these concerns forward to the minister responsible for mining as we await First Nation response as well,” said Shyptika.

Residents can sign the petition at locations including the drugstore and library in Elkford, and the Sparwood Senior Drop in Centre. For more information, join the Bingay coal Mine Concerns Group on Facebook.