October 24, 2012 7:50 PM
Subject: DMME OKs renewed VUI's permit 5 weeks early
The practice of DMME issuing uranium exploration permits in Virginia has put citizen well-being in harm's way. There is no public notice, no public comment period and no opportunity for the governing body of a municipality where exploration is proposed to comment or certify that exploration is permitted with regard to local zoning ordinances. There is also no public notice regarding renewals. It appears that receiving a permit for a child to operate a neighborhood lemonade stand requires more effort than securing a permit for uranium exploration. Does DMME believe that a lemonade stand poses greater risk than uranium mining?
According to the attached document DMME was in receipt of the application for renewal on August 22, 2012 and it appears that the permit renewal was granted on October 16, 2012, 5 weeks prior to the anniversary date of the original issuance of the permit of 11/27/07. To add insult to injury, members of DMME attended the October 17th Uranium Working Group presentation in Chatham at the Olde Dominiom Agricultual Center and gave no indication in any fashion that the permit had been renewed the day before.
Because of the stupidity of our legislators in the 1980's and DMME's refusal to require public notice regarding exploration permits we face the potential of lawsuits. They'll either come from the many municipalities who have opposed lifting the moratorium or from VUI who has continued growing it's exploration activities and amassing allys with deep pockets. We, the taxpayers, will foot the bill.
I understand that this disaster is not entirely of DMME's making, but I can say, without a doubt, that the lack of public notification and comment for issuance and renewal of these permits for exploration rests firmly with DMME. The General Assembly neglected to repeal the statute legalizing exploration for uranium when the moratorium was enacted and has placed Virginia's taxpayers in a position where they will be sued by either the deep pockets of VUI if the moratorium is not lifted or by the many municipalities that have resolved to see the current moratorium continued of it is not.
Virginia citizens deserve better than this. I was told by DMME, there are no regulations regarding uranium exploration. However, they issue permits and set (minimum) standard for exploration of uranium. It is withing DMME's power to require public notification and comment. Uranium exploration and Virginia's first proposed uranium mine is in my county. It is said that VUI will mine, mill and dispose of wastes on 3,500 acres. I am not certain how many of those acres contain the ore that VUI wants to mine. It is said that approximately 42,000 acres were under uranium leases in my county in the 1980s. Neither my neighbors nor I want to wake up to drill rigs next door to our neighborhoods without even having the opportunity to comment on the impacts to out well, property values and our homes.
Because there is no opportunity for public notice/comment regarding uranium exploration permits and renewals I consider them bogus. DMME is irresponsible for allowing their issuance under the present circumstances.
Virginia's current administration (and its agencies) appear hell-bent on representing the interests of Virginia Uranium, Inc. to the detriment of the citizens who will be negatively impacted.
Karen B. Maute
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