Squirrely stance (on uranium milling and mining)

Comments:  A great letter, Ms. WORSLEY and so true!  Also great comment, Howe!  No to uranium mining and milling! (Article about Mega Park follows)
By Published by The Editorial Board
Published: February 18, 2010

To the editor:

I find it hugely disappointing, as I’m sure so many of my fellow Pittsylvania County and Danville voters do, that our representatives on the Board of Supervisors, City Council and Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority are so squirrelly on taking a stance against uranium mining in the proposed Berry Hill megapark.

They’re saying, basically, the following: “Uranium mining is not going to happen, but we’re not willing to put it in writing. We’re not going to sign our name to it. We’re not going to promise you, our constituents, that it may not happen in the future.

What we are going to do is find a prohibitive resolution unnecessary and table it so we can change our minds later if it means more money.”

Makes you want to go “Hmmmmmm,” doesn’t it?

Take that thought to the voting booth with you next time.

LINDA WORSLEY
Chatham

Posted by howe on February 18, 2010 at 2:31 pm

Linda,
You’ve hit the nail right on the head. We’re taking about a potentially HUGE amount of money. Some in the area would wager a “possible” short term gain at the expense of radioactive contamination for many lifetimes.

I say “possible” because it’s been touted that this endeavor will bring high paying jobs back to the area. That is a foolish assumption unless it is explicit in any final contract.

I also think it foolish to have any faith in a “scientific study” to determine whether mining and milling is safe in an area as populated as Danville.

Many of our so called “scientists”... paid enough money…will gladly find ANY conclusion you want…and fabricate data to prove it. I would cite the “global warming” hoax. Remember…we’re talking HUGE amounts of money here.

Linda is right. There is still time. Vote every one of these fools out of government…even the ones who voted against mining…more than likely they are posers…voting against to make it look good.

Vote in fresh new anti-mining folks. It’s our only chance…otherwise this thing is a done deal.

Linda has brought into focus for me that NONE of the folks on ANY of these councils are trustworthy.

HOWE

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/danville_letters/article/squirrely_stance/18091/

Danville City Council passes on uranium resolution

Comment: The county and city leaders do not get it! We do not want our taxpayer's monies that may enable a foreign uranium corporation for an uranium mill or mine at anytime, we want a resolution now to stop future mining or milling, this has nothing to do with the study, if the study comes back and says VA can mine uranium, we do not want the Mega Park to be mine or milled! WE DO NOT WANT MINING OR MILLING OF URNAIUM EVER, NOT ON TAXPAYERS MONIES! Why are the uranium mining group attending these meetings, they have not been seen at meetings until we started requesting the Mega Park resolution! Did RIFA look at other lands near the Danville Expressway, RT 29 or Rt 58, where highway infrastructure, water, gas and electricity is located or just buy land with former Marline Uranium Leases!! No to uranium mining or milling EVER! Thanks everyone for working on the Mega Park Resolutions but keep it coming, never give up!
By Denice Thibodeau
Published: February 16, 2010

Danville City Council discussed the possibility of enacting a resolution prohibiting uranium mining or milling at the Berry Hill Road mega park at a work session Tuesday night, and decided to hold off on taking any action.

Deborah Dix, the Pittsylvania County resident who has been campaigning for such a resolution from the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority and City Council, addressed council members during the public comment period at the beginning of the regular meeting.

“Uranium mining and milling is not a fit for Virginia,” Dix said, exhorting them to do their part to make the region safe for future generations.

Dix said uranium mining and milling could affect the health of residents, contaminate the water supply and prevent businesses from moving to the region. She also pointed out that taxpayer money is paying for the park, and taxpayers’ voices should be heard on this issue.

During the work session, council members agreed the mega park is being designed to house large manufacturing industries, not mining operations. They questioned whether a resolution was needed to ban something that was not in the plans anyway.

Tomer said while he agrees with Dix’s statement that taxpayer dollars are building the park, creating a resolution against something that is not currently legal anyway is “probably jumping the gun.”

“Our intent all along is to develop a quality technology park,” Councilman Fred Shanks said. “The ordinance is well written, but not necessary.”

After the work session, Dix said she was disappointed in the outcome, which matched the decisions of both the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and RIFA, which also declined passing a resolution banning uranium mining at the mega park.

“Taypayers should have a say,” Dix said. “(City Council and the Board of Supervisors) should take care of their citizens. We feel like we don’t have a voice.”

Patrick Wales, project manager for Virginia Uranium, also attended the work session.

“We have nothing to do with the mega park,” Wales said. “I’m just an observer, listening to the debate tonight.”

Comments:
Posted by DanHoodVirginia on February 17, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I wonder how many uranium mines will be up and running once the already written study is presented claiming that it can be mined safely.

You think there will be only one uranium mine in a state as rife with uranium ore as Virginia?

There could be hundreds of uranium mines, all belching radioactive dust into the air and water. All of our elected officials are in league with the devil. (the uranium industry) Time to replace them all.

Comment Posted by woc1 on February 17, 2010 at 5:06 am
These elected official have to go .... Vote them out of office. They are not looking out for us or spending tax payer money wisely if they will not agree to ban mining at Berry Hill.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/danville_city_council_passes_on_uranium_resolution/18053/

Danville council to consider resolution banning mining at mega park

Comment:  City of Danville, thanks for at least considering the resolution and please pass the resolution that uranium mining and milling will not happen at the Berry Hill Mega Park! Please bring true green and clean jobs (Nuclear Power is not Clean) to the Park!

By Denice Thibodeau
Published: February 15, 2010
Updated: February 15, 2010

A Blairs woman’s proposal to ban uranium mining at the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park will be considered by Danville City Council in a work session Tuesday night.

Deborah Dix has presented the proposal to ban such mining to (not true, Karen Maute presented to the County...Ace) both the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority without success.

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors chairman Hank Davis made a motion to pass the resolution during the Feb. 8 RIFA meeting, but the proposal was not seconded.

Mayor Sherman Saunders is the RIFA vice-chairman and Councilman David Luther is a board member. At the meeting, both said the resolution would be discussed by City Council.

City Council will consider a carefully written resolution that states “City Council’s intent that no mining operations take place in the City-County Mega Park, while at this time taking no position for or against the uranium mining moratorium currently in effect by the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The moratorium has been in effect since 1982, but a push to mine uranium in Pittsylvania County has brought the issue before legislators once again.

City Council’s proposed resolution notes that the state (Virginia Uranium Inc. is paying for the study..Ace)has commissioned a study of uranium mining by the National Academy of Science’s National Research Council and the Danville Regional Foundation is sponsoring a separate study to examine the overall impact the proposed mine could have, including effects on quality of life, real estate values and economic opportunities.

The proposed resolution says the new industrial park is being built to house manufacturing industries “not mining operations of any type, and those in the regional opposed to uranium mining can be assured that the Mega Park will not be used for that purpose.”

City Council’s work session will be held immediately after the regular meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The work session will be held in City Council’s Conference Room, across the hall from City Council Chambers, on the fourth floor of the Municipal Building on Patton Street.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/danville_council_to_consider_resolution_banning_mining_at_mega_park/17999/

Dewberry gives estimate on Berry Hill cost

Comment: Thanks for the comments Rep. Perriello but give us the Mega Park Resolution since you said no uranium mining and milling will be at the park, what will it hurt? Another point, nuclear power according to the present administration is "Clean Energy" but it is not clean or green but we really would appreciate true, green jobs not related to the Nuclear Cycle but something more forward looking and something to protect the environment! Thanks again Rep. Perriello but please give the taxpayers the Mega Park Resolution against uranium mining and milling at the park.
By John Crane
Published: February 15, 2010

Rep. Tom Perriello says area officials’ plans to attract manufacturers to the 3,700-acre Berry Hill Road mega park demonstrate “bold vision,” and also says fears uranium will be mined and milled the site are unfounded.

“This is not a realistic view of what this is all about,” Perriello during an interview Monday after a briefing on the mega park project at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

The park is a joint project between Danville and Pittsylvania County. The Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority own the property, which also contains uranium ore deposits with leases once owned by Marline Uranium Corp.

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the RIFA board have each rejected proposals to ban uranium mining and milling at the park.

Development of the park is about attracting automobile and clean-energy industry to the site, Perriello said. The Berry Hill Road project is “bold vision” and turning that vision into reality is going to take work, he said.

Perriello said with Danville, Pittsylvania County and the Virginia Tobacco Commission investing in the project, maybe the federal government could provide funds to match.

During the briefing, Shawn Harden, project manager at Dewberry, which is certifying and drawing up a master plan for the park, gave a presentation to local, state and federal officials from Virginia and North Carolina.

Development of the Berry Hill park, including costs for water, sewer, power, gas, roads, rail and the property, would cost $163.9 million, Harden said. That’s less then the previous estimate of $222 million.

“It’s got the potential to be a very big economic impact,” Harden said.

The site is near major airports and a port along the coast and could provide employment for a labor pool in a 60-mile radius around the Danville-Pittsylvania County area, including Durham, N.C., Harden said. Lots in the site range from 98 acres to almost 1,300 acres, he said.

Perriello, who said he is “bullish” on the new energy industry, said transformations are taking place in the auto industry, and “this is where Virginia and North Carolina can (come into) play,” Perriello said.

Michael Dougherty, director of economic development for the city of Eden, N.C., said the park’s impact will extend into North Carolina, where, according to the 2000 Census, up to 1,300 Rockingham County residents commute to work in the Danville area, and vice versa.

Sleeper, who had provided the previous $222 million figure to the Danville Register & Bee, said during an interview after the briefing the larger estimate is three years old, when market conditions were different. Lower demand for construction materials has caused a drop in prices, Sleeper said. In addition, the figures are only estimates and could change again.

Dougherty said after the briefing that Eden could provide water and sewer to the park, another economic benefit that would cross borders.

“It would help us make up for lost revenue over the years,” Dougherty said.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/dewberry_gives_estimate_on_berry_hill_cost/18005/

Regional authority rejects ban on uranium mining around Berry Hill mega park

Comment: Definition of tyranny: c.1368, "cruel or unjust use of power," from O.Fr. tyrannie = RIFA. Please read the comments of the bloggers at end of article. No to uranium mining or milling!
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:56 AM EST

DANVILLE - The Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facilities Authority refused to consider a proposed ban on uranium mining and milling at the Berry Hill Road "mega" industrial park Monday.

The authority, which is composed of members of Danville City Council and the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, owns the 4,000-acre industrial park.

Members of the authority include Westover District Supervisor Coy Harville and Chatham-Blairs District Supervisor Henry "Hank" Davis Jr. along with Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders and City Councilman David Luther.

Callands-Gretna District Supervisor Fred Ingram and City Councilman Fred Shanks III serve as alternates.

Davis, who appointed himself to the authority when he was elected chairman in January, made a motion Monday to adopt a resolution banning uranium mining and milling at the Berry Hill site.

The resolution, which just included the mega park, was proposed by Deborah Dix of Blairs, an outspoken opponent of uranium mining in the county.

Davis's motion didn't receive a second, however, and failed.


"I'm not surprised, just somewhat disappointed," he said.

Supervisors rejected a similar ban on a 4-3 vote last month.

Karen Maute of Danville, an advocate for the environment, first asked supervisors to protect the industrial park in November, urging the board to "dispel" rumors the authority may use the property for uranium mining and milling.

The county and city, acting through the regional authority, have spent about $13 million for land along Berry Hill Road, just west of Danville.

Officials plan to develop a state-certified "mega" industrial park, with both localities sharing expenses and revenue.

According to County Administrator Dan Sleeper, it may cost $220 million to develop the huge project.

Maute opposes uranium mining at Coles Hill near Chatham, and has repeatedly asked supervisors to tighten the county's zoning ordinance to block the proposed mine and mill.

In her proposed resolution, she pointed out some of the Berry Hill property had mineral leases with Marline Uranium Corp., which discovered the huge uranium deposit in the late 1970s.

In order to avoid the appearance that the county and city are entering into a "joint uranium mining venture," she said both localities should sign a resolution prohibiting uranium mining and milling.
Davis's proposed ban just covered the industrial park.

Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker joined with Davis and Ingram in voting in favor of the ban in January.

Banister District Supervisor William Pritchett, Dan River District Supervisor James Snead, Tunstall District Supervisor Tim Barber and Harville voted against the resolution.

Harville, who is chairman of the regional authority, said the county and city have no intention of mining uranium at Berry Hill.

"We bought it for a mega park. That's it - cut and dry," he said.

If that's true, countered Davis, then why not support a ban on uranium at the park?

"How could it hurt us?" he said. "If we don't intend to mine or mill uranium, then why not make it clear?"

tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791

Comments:

IndependentAudit
wrote on Feb 10, 2010 3:18 PM:

" Since the RIFA is a PUBLIC body, operating under the Virginia laws, and they have received and spent large sums of taxpayer $, lets have an open, public inspection and audit of its books. With anything $-wise involving some people, they tend to lose their perspective as to right and wrong. They want secret, back-room meetings out of the eye of the public. Let the SUNSHINE in on all matters public or put these boys out of business. "

Deborah Dix
wrote on Feb 10, 2010 1:42 PM:

" Thanks Mr. Davis for presenting our resolution because at RIFA meetings the public are not allowed to speak.

RIFA has to be open to the public but we have no voice.

RIFA uses tax payers monies but we have no voice.

RIFA says they have the right under some 17th century VA laws keep the citizens from having a voice, does this remind you have anything.

RIFA is a tyranny form of government operating legally under the State of Virginia. "

Read more:
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/02/11/chatham/news/news53.txt

Another try to ban uranium mining at mega park fails (Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority)

Comment: This blog will be covering the failed resolution to protect the Mega Park at Berry Hill from uranium mining and milling, so please review the all the articles following this one. The Park was bought with taxpayer's monies and we do not want our taxes to promote uranium mining or milling! Thanks to Mr. Davis for his support of his people, so the rest of RIFA bought the land for the purpose to mine or mill uranium with taxpayer’s money! No to uranium mining and milling!

By John Crane
Published: February 8, 2010

RINGGOLD — Another attempt to ban uranium mining and milling at the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park failed Monday.

A resolution, proposed to the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority board by Pittsylvania County resident Deborah Dix, would have banned uranium mining and milling in the mega park.

RIFA board member Hank Davis, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, made a motion to pass the resolution during the RIFA board’s monthly meeting Monday, but the proposal died when no one seconded the motion. Dix’s proposal would’ve only banned uranium mining and milling in the park proper.

Dix said the RIFA board’s inaction sends a clear message about where it stands on uranium mining.

“To me, it’s sort of obvious they do plan on mining and milling uranium there,” Dix said after the vote.

But RIFA board member and Danville City Councilman David Luther said he knew nothing about the resolution before it was added to the RIFA board agenda at the beginning of Monday’s meeting.

“It wasn’t on the agenda,” Luther said of why he didn’t second the Davis’ motion. “It came as a surprise to me.”

Luther said Danville City Council will discuss the resolution.

RIFA Vice Chairman and Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders said he refrains from taking a position on an issue the city has not endorsed.

The 3,700-acre industrial mega park is a joint project between Pittsylvania County and Danville. Officials hope to attract a large manufacturer to the site. The installation of roads, utilities, erosion control, grading and making the site into an industry-ready park will cost $222 million.

Karen Maute, an opponent of uranium mining and milling, had asked the Board of Supervisors in November to pass a resolution prohibiting uranium mining within a 25-mile radius of the proposed mega park site. She also wanted the Board of Supervisors, Danville City Council and the RIFA board to sign the resolution. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to table the idea during its meeting in December.

Maute had proposed the resolution because the mega park site is located on suspected uranium deposits. Marline Corp. had plans to mine and mill uranium in Pittsylvania County in the early 1980s, and RIFA owns some of that old Marline land.

Maute, who was at the meeting Monday, said the RIFA board killed the motion partly to intimidate citizens who had attended the meeting.

“The lack of discussion was deafening,” Maute said. “Why not discuss the merits of this resolution?”

Please review the comments below:

Posted by porkchop62 on February 08, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Well it’s pretty obvious, since a resolution to ban any mining at the park, at the least, is a “No Brainer” folks. Therefore Mr. Luther, if you didn’t have aforeknowledge of Mr. Davis’ motion, you should have counter-motioned to table for committee discussion until a draft of conditions and stipulations can be written up and voted on. It’s getting pretty obvious that a whole new group of citizens needs to be voted into office in both the city and the county, save for a couple of county sup’s that have some cahonas, that will better represent the needs and protections of our most vulnerable and most powerless citizens, in MHO.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/another_try_to_ban_uranium_mining_at_mega_park_fails/17802/


The Resolution:

Resolution


Whereas, Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville have invested millions of dollars for the purchase and development of the “Mega Park” in the Berry Hill Community in the Southwestern area of Pittsylvania County through their partnership in the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority incorporating the acquiring of real estate and consultant designs for environmental impacts, utilities and infrastructure, and

Whereas, it is the intent of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to continue investment in and development of this park to provide new jobs and enhance the economic stability of the region by locating new industrial prospects, and

Whereas, it is imperative for the industrial prospects to have confidence that their investment in our region will not be compromised by uranium mining if Virginia lifts the current moratorium,

Whereas, it is the responsibility of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to protect the health, safety welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville; then

Be it hereby resolved, that the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, will not sell, lease or otherwise make use of mineral rights it owns on at the Berry Hill Mega Park for the mining of uranium or construction of a uranium milling operation.

Date:

Signatures:

FIFA Mega Park Resolution (uranium mining)

Comment:  Thank Karen for the comments about the FIFA and again, Thanks Mr. Davis for your support!

Subject: Fw: rifa resolution


Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:47:12 -0500

FYI...

Another DPRIFA Resolution bites the dust.

DPRIFA and Board of Supervisor Henry Davis presented the following resolution to the DPRIFA Board this afternoon. He made a motion in favor of the resolution. It died for lack of a second. There was no discussion and no substitute motion.

When initially presented to the BOS in Nov. it was recommended that the go before DPRIFA. The BOS refused a second resolution in January (presented by BOS member Marshall Ecker) which would have put it on DPRIFA's agenda as coming from the BOS (recommended by resolution) from the BOS).

Today Mr. Davis presented and supported the resolution below at citizen request. Neither of Danville's representatives uttered a sound, Harville, BOS member, who had initially encouraged the resolution to come to the DPRIFA Board was also silent.

There is no opportunity for "hearing of the citizens" at the DPRIFA meeting. I do not know that Danville's City Council will act on a county resident's request for the City Council to endorse such a resolution. It appears that DPRIFA has effectively insulated itself from the public and hides behind the skirts of either City Council of the BOS. This should cause concern for all.

Where do the citizens of Danville weigh in on all of this, as well as uranium mining and milling in the county? They appear to be as silent as Saunders,Shanks, Luther and Harville. BOS member Ingram didn't bother to show up.

The resolution was a much more limited version of the one presented to the Pittsylvania Co. BOS on two different occasions (see resolution below). What's up with DPRIFA?

Resolution :

Whereas, Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville have invested millions of dollars for the purchase and development of the “Mega Park” in the Berry Hill Community in the Southwestern area of Pittsylvania County through their partnership in the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority incorporating the acquiring of real estate and consultant designs for environmental impacts, utilities and infrastructure, and



Whereas, it is the intent of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to continue investment in and development of this park to provide new jobs and enhance the economic stability of the region by locating new industrial prospects, and



Whereas, it is imperative for the industrial prospects to have confidence that their investment in our region will not be compromised by uranium mining if Virginia lifts the current moratorium,



Whereas, it is the responsibility of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to protect the health, safety welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville; then



Be it hereby resolved, that the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, will not sell, lease or otherwise make use of mineral rights it owns on at the Berry Hill Mega Park for the mining of uranium or construction of a uranium milling operation.



Date:



Signatures:

Resolution For Mega Park (ban uranium mining and milling)

Comment:  Email for the City of Danville about the Resolution for Mega Park at Berryhill, VA:

From: Lacy, Lyle
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 9:01 AM
To:
Subject: FW: February 8, 2010 - RIFA Agenda/Resolution for Mega Park - Berry Hill

M. Lyle Lacy, III

City Manager

City of Danville, Virginia
427 Patton Street
P. O. Box 3300
Danville, VA 24543
(434) 799-5100 - Office
(434) 489-1086 - Mobile
(434) 799-6549 - Fax
http://www.danville-va.gov/

From: Crane, Annette Y
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 8:18 AM
To: Lacy, Lyle; Dameron, Barbara; 'dan.sleeper@pittgov.org'
Subject: FW: February 8, 2010 - RIFA Agenda/Resolution for Mega Park - Berry Hill

FYI.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dix
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:46 AM
To: Crane, Annette Y; henry.davis@pittgov.org
Cc: Harris, Tiffany
Subject: Fw: February 8, 2010 - RIFA Agenda/Resolution for Mega Park - Berry Hill

Ms. Crane and Mr. Davis,

My name is Deborah Dix, citizen, would like the following Resolution For Mega Park to be "added" to the agenda.

I would like to present the Resolution For Mega Park but RIFA does not have "hearing of the citizen".

I would like for my County Supervisor, Hank Davis to present the resolution.

Thank you,

Deborah Dix

Resolution For Mega Park

Whereas, Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville have invested millions of dollars for the purchase and development of the “Mega Park” in the Berry Hill Community in the Southwestern area of Pittsylvania County through their partnership in the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority incorporating the acquiring of real estate and consultant designs for environmental impacts, utilities and infrastructure, and


Whereas, it is the intent of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to continue investment in and development of this park to provide new jobs and enhance the economic stability of the region by locating new industrial prospects, and


Whereas, it is imperative for the industrial prospects to have confidence that their investment in our region will not be compromised by uranium mining if Virginia lifts the current moratorium,


Whereas, it is the responsibility of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority to protect the health, safety welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville; then


Be it hereby resolved, that the Danville Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, will not sell, lease or otherwise make use of mineral rights it owns on at the Berry Hill Mega Park for the mining of uranium or construction of a uranium milling operation.


Date:


Signatures:

Supervisors reject ban on uranium mining around Berry Hill mega park

Comment:  What would happen if the mega park failed to develop and the land belongs to RIFA, will RIFA mine and mill uranium then with the taxpayers paying for the land?  We want the resolution to ban uranium mining and milling all over our county but we demand the ban in the Mega Park at Berry Hill!  Also, several board of supervisors own land within 25 miles of the park!  Maybe they should not have voted on the resolution!
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:18 AM EST

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 last Tuesday to reject a proposed ban on uranium mining and milling in and around the county's Berry Hill Road "mega" industrial park.

Karen Maute of Danville, an outspoken advocate for the environment, asked supervisors to protect the industrial park in November and repeated her concerns in December.

"I think it's very important that we protect the park," she said, urging supervisors to "dispel" rumors the county may use the property for uranium mining and milling.

Pittsylvania County and Danville, acting through the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, have spent about $13 million for land along Berry Hill Road, just west of Danville.

Officials plan to develop a state-certified 4,000-acre "mega" industrial park, with both localities sharing expenses and revenue.

According to County Administrator Dan Sleeper, it may cost $220 million to develop the huge industrial park.

Maute opposes uranium mining at Coles Hill near Chatham, and has repeatedly asked supervisors to tighten the county's zoning ordinance to block the proposed mine and mill.

In her proposed resolution, she pointed out some of the Berry Hill property had mineral leases with Marline Uranium Corp., which discovered the huge uranium deposit in the late 1970s.

In order to avoid the appearance that the county and city are entering into a "joint uranium mining venture," she said both localities should sign a resolution prohibiting uranium mining and milling within a 25-mile radius of the Berry Hill park.

The resolution was later changed to a 20-mile radius to avoid including Coles Hill.

Maute said the resolution would protect the region's investment in the mega park and create a "safe haven" for residents.

Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker agreed, and made a motion in December to approve the resolution and ask Danville to do the same.

"I believe this board should step up to the plate and make sure the mega park investment is protected in case the state ever lifts the ban on uranium mining," Ecker said.

Chatham-Blairs District Supervisor Henry "Hank" Davis Jr. seconded Ecker's motion for discussion, but Dan River District Supervisor James Snead made a substitute motion to table it.

Ecker had the resolution back on the board's agenda last week where it met a similar fate.

Ecker, Davis and Callands-Gretna District Supervisor Fred Ingram voted for it. Pritchett, Barber, Snead and Harville voted against it.

Harville, who is chairman of the Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, said the county has no intention of mining uranium at Berry Hill.

"We bought it for a mega park. That's it - cut and dry," he said.

In negotiating to buy the land, Harville said the authority insisted on purchasing mineral rights to protect the park from future uranium mining.

"We never considered that (uranium mining) and never had it on the table. We didn't buy the park for that," Harville said.

Ecker still believes the ban is important for the industrial park.

"It shows businesses that may come to the park that the board is interested in protecting their investment," he said. "It's also to protect the citizens' investment of $220 million."

In addition to Maute, several residents spoke in favor of the proposed ban at last week's supervisors' meeting in Chatham.

Deborah Dix of Blairs said the regional authority amounts to "taxation without representation."

"I don't want my tax money going to uranium mining and milling," she said.

North Carolina residents also expressed concern about possible contamination of the Dan River, which borders the mega park.

tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791

Read more:
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/01/27/chatham/news/news51.txt

Supervisor Marshall Ecker's report/Resolution on ban mining and milling of uranium at the Berry Hill Mega Park

Comment:  Thanks Mr. Ecker for all you do and listening to your people about the problems of uranium mining!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:17 AM EST

The New Year has started out with a new chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

Thanks to Banister District Supervisor William Pritchett, the board voted 4-3 to elect Chatham-Blairs District's Hank Davis as chairman.

Let's hope things will change for the good for all Pittsylvania County.

I still believe that the chairman should be rotated to all board members and not dominated by one person.

That is why I voted for Mr. Davis, plus I feel he will do a good job.

2010 will be a tough year with less money from state, dealing with new budget demands from all departments and trying to find ways to pay for it from local monies.

Last year I introduced a program to have employees come up with ways to save and eliminate waste.

The board vote 7-0 for this proposal, but to my knowledge no one has taken advantage of this program.

I would like your input on what would be good suggestions on how Pittsylvania County can save your tax dollars. We all need to work together in these tough times.

Uranium ban

This leads me up to the resolution to ban mining and milling of uranium at the Berry Hill Mega Park.

The resolution did not ban uranium mining or milling in all of Pittsylvania County or at Coles Hill.

This was to protect your tax dollars - all $222 million- in a 20-mile radius around the Berry Hill project.

If the Regional Industrial Facilities Authority (RIFA) has no intention of mining or milling of uranium in Berry Hill Mega Park, why not pass a resolution to protect future business investments?

Our neighbors to the south (North Carolina) are concerned about the Dan River, which is a source of their drinking water.

Virginia Beach is concerned. They are spending almost half a million dollars for a study on the quality of their drinking water (most comes from or flows through Pittsylvania County) if the moratorium is lifted in Virginia.

Here in Pittsylvania County, those in position of power are failing to make any decisions. The resolution failed 4-3.

Our job as leaders in Pittsylvania County is to protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. When will be the right time: before or after something happens?

Board packet

To get the Board of Supervisors' packet or other information, you need to go to Pittsylvania County's home page, www.pittgov.org , and click on large letters Agendas/Minutes/Packets/Public Hearings.

This is a tool for all citizens to use and help to keep a watchful eye on county business.

Feel free to contact me by telephone at 434-335-5967 (Please, no phone calls after 9 p.m.)

Or you can e-mail me at any hour at marshall.ecker@pittgov.org.

I want to know your thoughts or ideas on issues that are important to you.

Marshall Ecker represents the Staunton River District on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

Read more:
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/01/28/chatham/opinion/opinion07.txt

Mining and mega park overreach

blast



There's go Virginia, remember it will be just a puff, according to Wales, don't think so!

Comment:    Board of Supervisors, we do not want our tax monies going to development uranium mining and milling in the MegaPark- vote for a resolution to ban uranium mining and milling now or do not give monies to the RIFA! No to uranium mining and milling in Virginia!

By Published by The Editorial Board
Published: January 24, 2010

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors rejected a resolution this week to ban uranium mining within 20 miles of the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park.

But it does make sense for the politicians who are well on their way to spending $222 million to develop the 3,700-acre industrial mega park to take a stand on this issue.

The Berry Hill Road industrial mega park sits on land that was once considered for uranium mining.

As we’ve said before, uranium mining and milling opponents don’t have to prove it’s dangerous. Virginia Uranium Inc., the company that wants to mine a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, has to prove that it’s safe.

Today, at least two studies are being done — including one commissioned by the state — to answer the safety questions. If those studies eventually lead to uranium mining and milling in Virginia, it would be foolish to believe that the only local mine will be at Coles Hill outside of Chatham.

So, the question is whether or not the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park is being developed for the uranium mining and milling industries — or for something else.

What’s the problem with saying — in the form of a resolution — that the county, the city and the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority board have no intention of developing this new industrial site for the uranium mining and milling industries?

Just 11 months ago, the Board of Supervisors went on record with a tough resolution that the state’s study must first find “no harm” would come to Pittsylvania County’s “businesses, institutions, environment or residents” before uranium mining could proceed here.

If the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park is being developed for the uranium mining and milling industries, the taxpayers deserve to know that — because to date, the safety of those industries hasn’t been demonstrated to the taxpayers.

Resolutions by Danville City Council, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the RIFA board are all that’s needed to clear up this issue.

 Posted by karen on January 24, 2010 at 10:17 am

A “special district” in the county zoning ordinance for megapark status could be established…similar to Article IV, Special Provisions Div. 1.,for Smith Mtn. Lake, and incorporate use of a buffer area. However, if the Supes won’t entertain passage of a resolution…fat chance on a zoning amendment. It would involve public hearings and the majority of the Supes do not appear to want to hear from the public anyway.

A buffer area around the megapark would assure “safe haven” for the supposedly thousands of employees of the megapark. Assuming that NC won’t mine uranium near the park…employees will likely choose to live there and those counties across the border in NC can collect their tax revenue. DPRIFA will collect revenues from the megapark and the citizens of Pittsylvania County will get…MINED!

Posted by woc1 on January 24, 2010 at 7:24 am

How in the world could it ever be safe to mine on a site located directly on the Dan River?

Mining in this county would only benefit maybe a 100 residents, while an auto plant or other large industry would employee tens of thousands.

If they mine at Berry Hill it will be a slap in the face to locals. About ten people would get very rich from it, the rest of us would have to deal with the mess.

Read more:
http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/editorials/danville_editorials/article/mining_and_mega_park_overreach/17335/

Uranium Mining (Resolution) on Chatham board agenda (Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors)

Comment:  Board of Supervisors, pass the resolution to ban uranium mining and milling in the Mega Park or give the taxpayers money back!  Ban Uranium Mining and Milling in Virginia Now!

By Staff
Published: January 17, 2010
Updated: January 17, 2010

From staff reports

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday night in Chatham  will also consider passing a resolution banning uranium mining within Berry Hill Road industrial mega park and within a 20-mile radius of the park.

The uranium mining resolution calls for a ban on uranium mining within Berry Hill industrial mega park and within a 20-mile radius of it.

Karen Maute, an opponent of uranium mining and milling, asked the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors in November to pass a resolution prohibiting uranium mining within a 25-mile radius of the proposed Berry Hill Road industrial mega park site.

She also wants the Board of Supervisors, Danville City Council and the city-county Regional Industrial Facility Authority board to sign the resolution. The Board of Supervisors voted to table the idea during its meeting in December.

Pittsylvania County and Danville hope to attract a major manufacturer to the site. Pittsylvania County Administrator Dan Sleeper said last month that installation of roads, utilities, erosion control, grading and making the site into an industry-ready park will cost $222 million.

Maute proposed the resolution because the 3,700-acre mega park site includes historic Marline mineral leases. Marline Corp. had plans to mine and mill uranium in Pittsylvania County in the early 1980s. Maute’s resolution points to at least one former Marline parcel covering 504 acres. RIFA owns the leases.

Coy Harville, chairman of the RIFA board, said Jan. 11 that the board has no plans to pass a resolution banning uranium mining at the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park because no one has brought it before RIFA. Harville has said that RIFA has no plans to mine uranium at the park.

http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/article/ambulance_billing_uranium_mining_on_chatham_board_agenda/17142/

County, city should ban uranium at mega park (Danville-Pittsylvania, VA)

Comment: A great letter Ms. Maute and demand our supervisors to ban uranium mining and millings all over our County but make a resolution not to mine and mill uranium with taxpayer’s money!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 9:13 AM EST

The Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facilities Authority consists of City Council and Board of Supervisors members.

According to code and ordinance, the authority exists to enhance the economic base for the member localities and to promote the health, safety, welfare, convenience and prosperity of inhabitants of the region and commonwealth.

At present, the authority is developing the Berry Hill Mega Park and has spent approximately $13 million.

Pittsylvania County's administrator has been quoted as saying that installation of roads, utilities, erosion control, grading and making the site into a park will cost $222 million.

Everyone is hopeful that this park will be developed, resulting in long-term employment and economic opportunity.

Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facilities Authority member and county supervisor Coy Harville was quoted as saying RIFA has no intention of mining uranium at the Berry Hill mega park site.

Mega park parcels purchased by the authority have historic Marline uranium leases. The authority now owns the mineral rights to the mega park.

If no uranium mining and milling are planned for the mega park, why not pass a resolution declaring that to be the case?

Karen B. Maute
Danville, VA

http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/01/13/chatham/opinion/opinion05.txt

December 2009 Supervisors report/Resolution to protect the Berry Hill Mega Park from uranium mining and milling

Comment: Thanks Mr. Ecker for the resolution but it failed as usually by the Gang of 4, they always look at their leader before they vote! This blog believes that the supervisor on the Regional Industrial Facilities Authority should not be able to vote on the resolution! The land belongs to the taxpayers and we do not want uranium mining or milling anywhere in our county and we do not want our tax money going toward uranium mining milling! Ban uranium mining and milling now!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

I tried to have a resolution to protect the Berry Hill Mega Park from uranium mining and milling should the state of Virginia allow it.

We as taxpayers will be investing well over $200 million dollars in this project.

I felt that we need to let potential business investors know that their investment would be protected and not for naught.

We need to let Pittsylvania County citizens know that Berry Hill Mega Park will not be a site for milling of uranium ore or mining of uranium on this land owned by Pittsylvania County and City of Danville.

Some members of this Board of Supervisors have again failed to insure that taxpayer’s dollars would be protected in this Mega Park.

 By failing to take any action said to the people of Pittsylvania County that the potential exist that this site could be a site for milling of uranium ore should the moratorium on uranium mining be lifted in the State of Virginia.

One member of the Board of Supervisors was quoted as saying that this was a Regional Industrial Facilities Authority matter because they owned the land.

 Guess what the citizens of Pittsylvania County and Danville city are the owners of this land because they are the ones who are paying the bill for this Mega Park.

The four members of Board decided to table this so no action would be taken, they want it to die and fade into the sunset. This subject will not go away unless the moratorium is not lifted forever in the State of Virginia.

Read more:
http://marshallecker.blogspot.com/