Posted: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 10:00 am | Updated: 3:50 pm, Tue Aug 7, 2012.
vancnews.com
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission highlighted the federal agency's role in regulating a proposed uranium mill in Pittsylvania County, Va. during a three-and-a-half-hour meeting Thursday evening in Chatham, Va.
About 150 people attended the presentation in the James T. Emerson Education and Conference Center at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex.
Larry W. Camper, director of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, gave an overview of the NRC's uranium recovery program.
Public comments
Participants, including Ken Ferruccio of Warren County, also were given time to offer public comments. Thirty-two people signed up to speak, but many left before taking a turn at the microphone. Speakers were limited to two minutes each.
Ferruccio warned about the dangers uranium mining and radiation present, not just for Virginia, but for North Carolina residents who get much of their drinking water from the Roanoke River downstream from the proposed uranium mine.
"What we're looking at is a delusional remodeling of reality that will turn Virginia into a radioactive wasteland," he said.
Elizabeth Jones, chairperson of the Pittsylvania County Democratic Committee, said she was disappointed with the meeting.
"Unfortunately, we still haven't found out very much," said Jones. "I'm not a scientist. We've heard a lot that doesn't add up."
Marshall Ecker, the Staunton River District representative on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, agreed.
"I heard a lot of 'ifs,'" said Ecker. "That doesn't give me a secure feeling that our future is left to a bunch of ifs. Take to heart the concerns of our citizens and protect our health."
Eloise Nenon of Chatham questioned the need for uranium mining.
"We don't need it. We have more than enough uranium on hand to last for 30 years," she said.
Bonnie Mason urged Virginia to keep the 30-year ban on uranium mining.
"This public meeting was conducted as if it were a fait accompli. That upsets me," said Mason. "They want to make billions off this. Don't let them. Keep the moratorium."
She encouraged residents to write legislators and push for a permanent ban.
Deborah Dix of Blairs questioned the state's ability to regulate uranium mining.
"When it comes to money, that's what counts to the state of Virginia - profit, profit, profit," said Dix.
Uranium Working Group
Thursday's meeting was actually a joint meeting with the Uranium Working Group, which was formed by Gov. Bob McDonnell earlier this year to examine health and safety concerns, environmental questions, and the economic impact from uranium mining.
The Uranium Working Group held the first of five public meetings in June at Chatham High School.
The June meeting, which was attended by three Warren County residents, focused on mine permitting, environmental issues, engineering designs and best management practices, disposal of mine waste, and mine site reclamation, compliance and enforcement.
Additional Uranium Working Group public meetings are scheduled Aug. 28 in Virginia Beach and Oct. 17 in Chatham.
The meeting at the Virginia Beach Convention Center will review air and water quality issues.
The October meeting in Chatham will focus on public health and safety.
The working group's final meeting in November is in Richmond and will target worker health and safety and emergency preparedness and response.
For more information or to comment on uranium mining and milling, visit uwg.vi.virginia.gov.
Read all the story at:
http://www.vancnews.com/the_warren_record/news/article_0f1ce4f4-e0c8-11e1-850b-001a4bcf887a.html
About 150 people attended the presentation in the James T. Emerson Education and Conference Center at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex.
Larry W. Camper, director of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, gave an overview of the NRC's uranium recovery program.
Public comments
Participants, including Ken Ferruccio of Warren County, also were given time to offer public comments. Thirty-two people signed up to speak, but many left before taking a turn at the microphone. Speakers were limited to two minutes each.
Ferruccio warned about the dangers uranium mining and radiation present, not just for Virginia, but for North Carolina residents who get much of their drinking water from the Roanoke River downstream from the proposed uranium mine.
"What we're looking at is a delusional remodeling of reality that will turn Virginia into a radioactive wasteland," he said.
Elizabeth Jones, chairperson of the Pittsylvania County Democratic Committee, said she was disappointed with the meeting.
"Unfortunately, we still haven't found out very much," said Jones. "I'm not a scientist. We've heard a lot that doesn't add up."
Marshall Ecker, the Staunton River District representative on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, agreed.
"I heard a lot of 'ifs,'" said Ecker. "That doesn't give me a secure feeling that our future is left to a bunch of ifs. Take to heart the concerns of our citizens and protect our health."
Eloise Nenon of Chatham questioned the need for uranium mining.
"We don't need it. We have more than enough uranium on hand to last for 30 years," she said.
Bonnie Mason urged Virginia to keep the 30-year ban on uranium mining.
"This public meeting was conducted as if it were a fait accompli. That upsets me," said Mason. "They want to make billions off this. Don't let them. Keep the moratorium."
She encouraged residents to write legislators and push for a permanent ban.
Deborah Dix of Blairs questioned the state's ability to regulate uranium mining.
"When it comes to money, that's what counts to the state of Virginia - profit, profit, profit," said Dix.
Uranium Working Group
Thursday's meeting was actually a joint meeting with the Uranium Working Group, which was formed by Gov. Bob McDonnell earlier this year to examine health and safety concerns, environmental questions, and the economic impact from uranium mining.
The Uranium Working Group held the first of five public meetings in June at Chatham High School.
The June meeting, which was attended by three Warren County residents, focused on mine permitting, environmental issues, engineering designs and best management practices, disposal of mine waste, and mine site reclamation, compliance and enforcement.
Additional Uranium Working Group public meetings are scheduled Aug. 28 in Virginia Beach and Oct. 17 in Chatham.
The meeting at the Virginia Beach Convention Center will review air and water quality issues.
The October meeting in Chatham will focus on public health and safety.
The working group's final meeting in November is in Richmond and will target worker health and safety and emergency preparedness and response.
For more information or to comment on uranium mining and milling, visit uwg.vi.virginia.gov.
Read all the story at:
http://www.vancnews.com/the_warren_record/news/article_0f1ce4f4-e0c8-11e1-850b-001a4bcf887a.html
