I hope to have an electronic version of the resolution by tomorrow and will pass it on. The resolution appeared to be a patchwork quilt assembled a deranged psychopath. The resolution was at best, ambiguous. Or perhaps, sadly, 4 of the supervisors were too ignorant to understand that their endorsement of the regulations means their willingness to lift the moratorium. At worst, it is an indication that 4 members of the Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors, after acknowledging negative impacts to the county, don't give a shit about putting the citizens in harms way. Unfortunately, it's likely the latter.
The Code of VA § 45.1-283 states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, permit applications for uranium mining shall not be accepted by any agency of the Commonwealth prior to July 1, 1984, and until a program for permitting uranium mining is established by statute. For the purpose of construing § 45.1-180 (a), uranium mining shall be deemed to have a significant effect on the surface." meaning when regulations are adopted the moratorium no longer exists. There will be no vote to lift or maintain a moratorium by members of the General Assembly. There will be the adoption or rejection of the regulations which Governor McDonnell asked the UWG to draft.
The gang of four (Harville, Barber, Snead and Bowman) could not have misunderstood. Supervisors Ecker, Barksdale and Hagerman made it clear that they would vote for the resolution if it contained “That the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors explicitly asks the Virginia Legislature to maintain the statewide moratorium on uranium mining.”
If there is a positive to this evening it is that we now know, without doubt, that 4 members of the BOS want uranium mining in the county and in VA. After tonight we can move forward with this knowledge.
Uranium resolution approved by Pittsylvania County
By: | GoDanRiver
Published: November 05, 2012
Published: November 05, 2012
CHATHAM --
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors passed a uranium
mining resolution by a 4-3 vote Monday night.
Chatham-Blairs Supervisor Brenda Bowman had proposed the
resolution — one that does not ask the state to keep the moratorium on uranium
mining and milling — during the board’s Legislative Committee meeting Monday
afternoon.
A more strongly worded uranium mining resolution proposed by
Staunton River Supervisor Marshall Ecker died in the committee meeting.
Ecker introduced that uranium mining resolution during the
committee’s meeting requesting that Virginia keep its moratorium on uranium
mining and milling.
All seven board members had been invited to the committee’s
meeting Monday afternoon.
Ecker’s draft resolution died in committee after a majority of
supervisors failed to support it. Their decision rested on 20 words, “That the
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors explicitly asks the Virginia
Legislature to maintain the statewide moratorium on uranium mining.”
Ecker, Banister Supervisor Jessie Barksdale and
Callands-Gretna Supervisor Jerry Hagerman supported the draft resolution, while
three others, Board Chairman and Tunstall Supervisor Tim Barber, Chatham-Blairs
Supervisor Brenda Bowman and Westover Supervisor Coy Harville supported a
resolution written by Bowman which did not include the 20 words opposing lifting
the moratorium.
Bowman’s resolution was identical to the one Ecker had
proposed in September, except for language she added citing mining resolutions
passed by the town of Hurt and Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau.
It also refers
to the Governor’s Working Group report due on Dec. 1.
Supervisors who did not support Ecker’s draft resolution said
language in Bowman’s version was strong enough because it stated that it’s clear
based on studies by the National Academy of Sciences that “it cannot be
demonstrated to a reasonable degree of certainty that there would be no
significant release radioactive sediments downstream of the Coles Hill site
under any circumstances....”
Bowman said she could not support a resolution with the 20
words because a majority of residents in her district support uranium
mining.
Ecker said Barksdale’s feelings on uranium mining should be
the focus of a resolution since Coles Hill is in Barksdale’s district.
“It’s [uranium mining at Coles Hill] going to affect his
citizens greatly,” Ecker said.
However, residents spoke out against Bowman’s assertion during
the board’s full meeting held Monday night.
Mining opponent Deborah Dix, who lives in the Chatham-Blairs
District, questioned Bowman’s numbers.
“I do not believe 60-40 in my district is for uranium mining,”
Dix said during the hearing of the citizens.
