Dear editor,

Re: Dismay caused by coal remarks (Record, Jan. 7)

Campbell Connor鈥檚 concerns about Raven Coal are without merit.

Whether the coal is of good quality or not and how it will be extracted is for the company to determine and to survive or perish as a result. George Abbott is absolutely correct in allowing this project to be reviewed without political interference by a very robust and thorough environmental process.

CoalWatch continues to peddle its propaganda suggesting that the shellfish industry of Baynes sound will be jeopardized. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If there is a danger to the shellfish, it is already happening big-time due to the extensive domestic developments, industries and vehicles surrounding the sound leaking wastes into the waters.

And what about the hundreds of boats that are constantly plying the waters or rusting wrecks sitting in local marinas, including those from the shellfish industry itself, which are dripping wastes into the water every day? This pollution is far greater than anything that the mine might ever contribute. Alf Randall,

Qualicum Beach