Environmentalists push for uranium cleanup legislation

Published: January 16, 2010 01:58 am

Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste seeks to preserve clean air, pure water and scenic landscapes.

By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

CANON CITY - Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste has teamed with other state conservation groups to push for 2010 legislation that would require the cleanup of Cotter Corp.'s uranium mill.

Jeff Parsons of the Western Mining Action Project said he believes Colorado taxpayers should not foot the bill for cleanup of "bad uranium operations."

"It is common sense to require all uranium operations to clean up their toxic messes. Period," Parsons said.

Because higher uranium prices and increasing demand for nuclear power are driving a renewed uranium mining boom, and Cotter Corp. has announced plans to reopen its mill just south of Canon City, the environmentalists want to ensure, "Uranium companies have a clean working record in Colorado prior to getting new permits to renew or expand uranium operations."

According to a Cotter Corp. letter on the Colorado Health Department Web site, Cotter estimates its updated financial surety bond for reclamation, which is a basis for the company's groundwater cleanup in Lincoln Park, is $23,293,160. The letter can be viewed online.

Cotter Mill Manager John Hamrick said the company spends a lot of money on cleanup projects. On tap this year are plans to place a dirt cover over the secondary impoundment, tearing out of old tanks and cleanup of sites where the company used to store ore at the mill.

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