Comments: Keep the Ban!
By: | GoDanRiver
Published: August 08, 2012
VDH officials randomly chose the 20 participants from 29
members of the public who submitted their names, said Maureen Dempsey, chief
deputy commissioner for public health for the VDH. Wednesday’s discussion delved
deeper into concerns brought up during a large meeting Tuesday night in
Chatham.
The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting was to gather questions and
comments to be incorporated into an ongoing study by the governor’s Uranium Work
Group. Comments can be viewed at the work group’s website,
www.uwg.vi.virginia.gov.
“This is still a fact-finding mission for us,” Dempsey told
participants.
Cheri Bahrke, the meeting’s facilitator working as a
subcontractor for Wright Environmental, told participants there was no ranking
among the group.
“All of your input is important,” Bahrke said.
Opponents expressed fears of pollution and reduction of the
water supply from the uranium mine and mill, which could adversely affect farms,
their crops, jobs and sales of their products. They also had a range of
questions for health officials, including whether the region’s water will be
tested to establish a baseline mineral/contaminant level before mining begins.
Also, who will perform the testing, they asked.
“These farms need water to operate,” said mining opponent
Phillip Lovelace.
Andrew Lester asked whether water systems will have to be
retrofitted to handle radioactive material if the moratorium on mining and
milling is lifted. Lester also pointed out possible tourism and recreation
impacts in the water-rich Dan River Region and the water system from Blacksburg
to the Outer Banks.
Even if there is no contamination, there will be the
perception of it, Lester said.
“Perception usually trumps reality,” Lester said.
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