Date published: 8/19/2011
A few months ago, an FLS editorial encouraged those opposed to uranium mining in Virginia to sit back, relax, and wait until the studies come out at the end of the year ["Uranium: Dig deeper," May 16].
Since then, we have seen the proponents do anything but wait. They're sending our legislators on an expenses-paid trip to France. Advertisements are being posted here and there around the state touting the benefits of uranium mining.
And it's no secret that they intend to introduce legislation lifting the ban right away in January. So much for relaxing.
The tailings themselves are radioactive.
According to the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, the half-lives of the principal radioactive components of mill tailings, thorium-230 and radium-226, are about 75,000 years and 1,600 years, respectively.
Who is going to be responsible for monitoring the tailings until their radioactivity decays to that of the natural surroundings? How will the integrity of the tailing waste impoundment be assured against natural erosion and seepage into groundwater and airborne dust for such a long period of time?
And this doesn't even consider the effects of hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico that reach our mountains from time to time with torrential rains and winds. What bonding company would insure the integrity of the tailings at all, much less for that length of time?
Uranium mining in Virginia is just too risky, and the downside is too catastrophic. The ban needs to remain in place!
James P. Lynch
King George
Read more:
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/082011/08192011/646002
