Anyone wishing to comment on the environmental assessment of two proposed mines near Prince George can do so for the next two weeks.

The Sukunka and the Carbon Creek projects are both located northeast of Prince George. The Sukunka is located approximately 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Tumbler Ridge and is operated by Xstrata Coal Canada.

Carbon Creek is located approximately 60 kilometres northwest of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Hudson's Hope. Its proponent is Cardero Coal Ltd.

Both projects seek to become metallurgic coal mines.

As part of meeting the requirements of provincial and federal environmental assessments, the two projects are candidates for "substitution" or allowing the provincial process to lead, in order to cut down on redundant parts of the scrutiny.

The federal minister of the environment will make a final decision on allowing the substitution process after a public consultation period which is now underway. Anyone wishing to support or oppose either of these companies using the streamlined process can impact the federal government's decision-making. Comments must be submitted by April 4 to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:

410 - 701 West Georgia Street

Vancouver B.C. V7Y 1C6

Telephone: 604-666-2431

Fax: 604-666-6990

Email can also be used. For the Sukunka Coal Mine Project send comments to Suku...@ceaa-acee.gc.ca and for the Carbon Creek Metallurgical Coal Mine Project send comments to CarbonCr...@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.