Open-Minded (Open-Mined) on Uranium Mine Study/ Mining: Decision time draws near

Comment:  Great Letter, Ms. Maute


Open-Minded (Open-Mined) on Uranium Mine Study

Callands-Gretna Supervisor Fred Ingram, in his recent editorial, says he believes in the importance of science-based study to determine the safety of mining. Curiously, at this late date, he expresses concern "that no one from Pittsylvania County is on the panel convened by the National Academy." He's about 2 years too late. Having no local representation on the Coal and Energy Commission and National Academy of Sciences is old news. Where was Ingram when these decisions were being debated and determined?

He now advocates that four open-minded citizens be placed on the panel to represent our best interests and to be a part of the study and deliberations in reaching findings as to whether mining is safe. Why this eleventh hour concern for citizen participation in the process? Is he, or someone else, having doubts regarding the ability of NAS to deliver the intended goods? Is Ingram concerned that the NAS may articulate the risks involved regarding uranium mining and milling in Virginia?

Who might he consider an "open-minded citizen"? Does he mean open-minded (open-mined) to the prospect of mining and milling of uranium or open to safegarding citizen's health, welfare and water resouces? Perhaps he means those who know nothing...the kind of people government seems to embrace regarding decision making. Who will aid Mr. Ingram in determining these open-minded citizens to help determine our fate?

I smell a rat. Whose agenda is Ingram really trying to advance?

Karen B. Maute


Mining: Decision time draws near


By Published by The Editorial Board
Published: February 2, 2010

To the editor:

It is time to move beyond non-binding resolutions regarding uranium mining and get to the real issues at hand.

All of us on the Board of Supervisors, as well as most sensible citizens, agree on the importance of the science-based study to determine the safety of mining. We should now wait for the findings of the National Academy of Sciences before taking any further action.

In the meantime, I remain concerned that no one from Pittsylvania County is on the panel convened by the National Academy. I believe we should have at least four open-minded citizens on the panel to represent our best interests and to be a part of the study — and a part of the deliberations in reaching findings as to whether mining is safe. I intend to ask the Board of Supervisors to send a letter making this request to the National Academy.

I offer these thoughts in the spirit of compromise and, I hope, reconciliation. My hope is not to squelch vigorous debate among board members but to encourage the unity we all would like to see on the board. There will be many points along the way involving permitting and zoning in which the board will have specific authority to be sure the right course is allowed.

I hope, too, that my resolve not to support any further resolutions on the uranium issue will clear the air as we await the results of the science-based study to provide us with hard facts instead of emotion in assessing the merits of the project.

I agree with many others — and as I told Gov. Bob McDonnell — that if the National Academy of Sciences finds that mining can be done safely, we must all be prepared to move ahead vigorously to bring new jobs and a fresh sense of prosperity to our region.

FRED INGRAM
Supervisor, Gretna-Callands District

http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/danville_letters/article/mining_decision_time_draws_near/17589/