Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:34 AM EST
Virginia Beach acted responsibly by engaging respected professionals to conduct a study of the potential impact that uranium mining and milling may have on water quality.
The work of Michael Baker Corp. will help the National Academy of Sciences panel fulfill its project scope.
The National Academy of Sciences will not conduct or engage in actual scientific studies that produce new data.
According to the project scope, the NAS will "examine the scientific, technical, environmental, human health and safety, and regulatory aspects of uranium mining, milling, and processing..."
The NAS relies on credible studies, such as the Virginia Beach study for its examination. It can only examine that which exists and is in its possession.
The NAS project scope can be found at http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49253.
Note #9, which states it will, "identify the issues that may need to be considered regarding the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water, and the quality of soil and air from uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation. As relevant, water and waste management and severe weather effects or other stochastic events may also be considered."
The recently released Virginia Beach study supplies information vital to #9 on the NAS project scope, which will allow the NAS to better fulfill its mission.
Without this credible, scientific work and resulting document, pertinent information would not be available for the NAS to examine.
Flooding, whether considered a stochastic event or not, does occur in the Coles Hill area where uranium mining is proposed. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7mcUYAi_O4)
Those who believe that events such as this cannot occur live in, shall we say, a fantasy world.
It is also important for the NAS panel to examine results of the Danville Regional Foundation's study.
This study will be a professional, scientific assessment of the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling in our region.
The purpose of the NAS project, after examination of information, is for "assisting the commonwealth to determine whether uranium mining, milling, and processing can be undertaken in a manner that safeguards the environment, natural and historic resources, agricultural lands, and the health and well-being of its citizens."
Without pertinent, professional, scientific studies such as the Virginia Beach and Danville Regional Foundation studies, the NAS will not have the tools to adequately assist the commonwealth in any credible way.
Also, of grave concern is#7 of the project scope, which reads, " Review the state and federal regulatory framework for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation."
There is, at present, no state regulatory framework of this nature. So, how will the NAS review that which does not exist?
Several of Virginia Uranium Inc.'s lobbyists are working on "matters relating to the establishment of a regulatory program controlling development of Virginia's uranium resources," according to information found at www.vpap.org.
Are the lobbyists writing the regulations?
The citizens of Virginia did not ask for a study, nor did the General Assembly.
We should keep in mind that the Coal and Energy Commission and Virginia Uranium initiated the NAS study for a purpose.
If there is to be an NAS study, give the panel the information to conduct a comprehensive study and not just the information the mining industry and the Coal and Energy Commission want to offer.
Attempts to discredit the Virginia Beach study by the industry have been duly noted by the public.
Karen B. Maute
Danville
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2011/02/16/chatham/opinion/opinion05.txt
