Mining and mega park overreach

blast



There's go Virginia, remember it will be just a puff, according to Wales, don't think so!

Comment:    Board of Supervisors, we do not want our tax monies going to development uranium mining and milling in the MegaPark- vote for a resolution to ban uranium mining and milling now or do not give monies to the RIFA! No to uranium mining and milling in Virginia!

By Published by The Editorial Board
Published: January 24, 2010

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors rejected a resolution this week to ban uranium mining within 20 miles of the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park.

But it does make sense for the politicians who are well on their way to spending $222 million to develop the 3,700-acre industrial mega park to take a stand on this issue.

The Berry Hill Road industrial mega park sits on land that was once considered for uranium mining.

As we’ve said before, uranium mining and milling opponents don’t have to prove it’s dangerous. Virginia Uranium Inc., the company that wants to mine a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, has to prove that it’s safe.

Today, at least two studies are being done — including one commissioned by the state — to answer the safety questions. If those studies eventually lead to uranium mining and milling in Virginia, it would be foolish to believe that the only local mine will be at Coles Hill outside of Chatham.

So, the question is whether or not the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park is being developed for the uranium mining and milling industries — or for something else.

What’s the problem with saying — in the form of a resolution — that the county, the city and the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority board have no intention of developing this new industrial site for the uranium mining and milling industries?

Just 11 months ago, the Board of Supervisors went on record with a tough resolution that the state’s study must first find “no harm” would come to Pittsylvania County’s “businesses, institutions, environment or residents” before uranium mining could proceed here.

If the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park is being developed for the uranium mining and milling industries, the taxpayers deserve to know that — because to date, the safety of those industries hasn’t been demonstrated to the taxpayers.

Resolutions by Danville City Council, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the RIFA board are all that’s needed to clear up this issue.

 Posted by karen on January 24, 2010 at 10:17 am

A “special district” in the county zoning ordinance for megapark status could be established…similar to Article IV, Special Provisions Div. 1.,for Smith Mtn. Lake, and incorporate use of a buffer area. However, if the Supes won’t entertain passage of a resolution…fat chance on a zoning amendment. It would involve public hearings and the majority of the Supes do not appear to want to hear from the public anyway.

A buffer area around the megapark would assure “safe haven” for the supposedly thousands of employees of the megapark. Assuming that NC won’t mine uranium near the park…employees will likely choose to live there and those counties across the border in NC can collect their tax revenue. DPRIFA will collect revenues from the megapark and the citizens of Pittsylvania County will get…MINED!

Posted by woc1 on January 24, 2010 at 7:24 am

How in the world could it ever be safe to mine on a site located directly on the Dan River?

Mining in this county would only benefit maybe a 100 residents, while an auto plant or other large industry would employee tens of thousands.

If they mine at Berry Hill it will be a slap in the face to locals. About ten people would get very rich from it, the rest of us would have to deal with the mess.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/editorials/danville_editorials/article/mining_and_mega_park_overreach/17335/