We won’t get fooled again — or will we? (Uranium Mining in VA)

Hills in Pitts. County

Comment:  A great article which is fair and balance!  No to uranium mining and milling! (Ace would write more but he has a cold!)

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Posted by Robert Benson at 10:20 AM

If you only know one thing about Patrick Wales, know this: He’s passionate about geology(just the money it makes for him off the backs of people's lives, ACE).

Wales is a native who came back home to work with Virginia Uranium Inc. Wales has every reason in the world to want to see that 119-million pound ore deposit mined.

Wales sees good local jobs, tax dollars for local governments and a valuable mineral locked in solid granite that can eventually be used as fuel for use in nuclear power plants. Nuclear power is an important part of Dominion Virginia’s total energy output.

Needless to say, Wales takes a particular interest in what this newspaper writes about VUI and uranium mining and milling. He took exception with, “Not now, not ever; why not?” (Feb. 10, page A10), the editorial about the RIFA board not taking action on a resolution to ban uranium mining and milling in the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park.

“The whole purpose of these resolutions was to hijack the pages of your paper so that the anti-uranium folks could have another day in the sun, and as usual your paper obliged with priority coverage of the resolution followed by a silly editorial,” Wales wrote to me. “…the anti-uranium folks are merely using your paper as their soapbox. Hopefully, common sense and journalism can return to the pages of your paper.”

I don’t think it ever left.

Wales is correct that these resolutions are non-binding and don’t have the force of law behind them. But we believe that government resolutions are a way for the people’s elected leaders to express their views about issues, events and problems.

While it’s true that Virginia Uranium Inc. is only interested in Coles Hill, it’s also true that the uranium mining and milling study currently being done by the National Academy of Sciences is looking at uranium mining and milling throughout Virginia, not just at Coles Hill.

That means that if VUI gets the green light to proceed, we could see other mining companies come to Virginia searching for the next Coles Hill.

Since parts of the Berry Hill industrial mega park site include land that may have uranium under it, we believe this resolution makes sense given the substantial public investment in that industrial park.

Did anti-mining folks like our editorial? Probably. Was one of their goals to score some news media attention? Probably. Did they raise a valid public issue? Absolutely.

Wales may not agree with that, and that’s his prerogative.

I don’t expect a geologist working for VUI to agree with everything we’ve written about uranium mining and milling in Pittsylvania County.

 But this proposed project has raised a lot of questions that demand answers — and the time to ask questions is right now.

Read more:
http://www.mygodanriver.com/index.php/benson/comments/we_wont_get_fooled_again_or_will_we/

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:

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/

Pittsylvania (County), VA - Current Road Conditions (Flooding around Proposed Uranium Mining)

Site of proposed uranium tailing ponds on S. Meadows Rd

Comment: We are having major flooding in Pittsylvania County, Virginia where a Canadian Uranium Corporation wants to mine uranium with 2 Open Pit Uranium Mines, numerous tailings pond plus a Uranium Mill!


The roads highlighted in orange are location of open uranium mine and the uranium tailing ponds.

The uranium mill may be located in the same are but rumors has it, the mine may be located in the future Mega Park on Rt 863, so look at the area highlighted in green!

Remember, Uranium mining will be all over Virginia and right now our whole state is flooded from just a nontropical low pressure cell! No to Uranium Mining and Milling in Virginia!


Pittsylvania (County) - Current Road Conditions
Secondary From To Condition Reason Last Update

Rt. 601N (Pittsylvania County) Straightstone Rd; Rt. 761N/S (Pittsylvania County) Moons Rd; Rt. 602N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM


Rt. 601S (Pittsylvania County) Straightstone Rd; Rt. 761N/S (Pittsylvania County) Moons Rd; Rt. 602N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 618N (Pittsylvania County) Edmunds Rd; Rt. 606E/W (Pittsylvania County) Mockingbird Rd; Rt. 892N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 618S (Pittsylvania County) Edmunds Rd; Rt. 606E/W (Pittsylvania County) Mockingbird Rd; Rt. 892N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637N (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637N (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637N (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637S (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637S (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 637S (Pittsylvania County) Shula Dr; Rt. 642N/S (Pittsylvania County) Roark Mill Rd; Rt. 638E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 671N (Pittsylvania County) Rockford School Rd; Rt. 665E/W (Pittsylvania County) Tucker Rd; Rt. 792E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 671S (Pittsylvania County) Rockford School Rd; Rt. 665E/W (Pittsylvania County) Blue Ridge Dr; Rt. 634N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 674E (Pittsylvania County) Zion Rd; Rt. 686E/W (Pittsylvania County) Taylors Mill Rd; Rt. 676N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 674W (Pittsylvania County) Zion Rd; Rt. 686E/W (Pittsylvania County) Taylors Mill Rd; Rt. 676N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM


Rt. 683N (Pittsylvania County) Cedar Hill Rd; Rt. 663N/S (Pittsylvania County) Coles Rd; Rt. 690N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 683N (Pittsylvania County) N Meadows Rd; Rt. 938N/S (Pittsylvania County) Upper Mountain Rd; Rt. 627N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 683N (Pittsylvania County) Upper Mountain Rd; Rt. 627N/S (Pittsylvania County) E Gretna Rd; VA-40E/W Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 683S (Pittsylvania County) N Meadows Rd; Rt. 938N/S (Pittsylvania County) Upper Mountain Rd; Rt. 627N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 683S (Pittsylvania County) Upper Mountain Rd; Rt. 627N/S (Pittsylvania County) E Gretna Rd; VA-40E/W Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 683S (Pittsylvania County) Cedar Hill Rd; Rt. 663N/S (Pittsylvania County) Coles Rd; Rt. 690N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 685N (Pittsylvania County) E Gretna Rd; VA-40E/W Coles Rd; Rt. 690N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 685S (Pittsylvania County) E Gretna Rd; VA-40E/W Coles Rd; Rt. 690N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 686E (Pittsylvania County) S Meadows Rd; Rt. 683N/S (Pittsylvania County) Mccormick Rd; Rt. 682E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 686W (Pittsylvania County) S Meadows Rd; Rt. 683N/S (Pittsylvania County) Mccormick Rd; Rt. 682E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 694N (Pittsylvania County) Fairview Rd; Rt. 703N/S (Pittsylvania County) Old Hickory Ln; Rt. 1035E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 694S (Pittsylvania County) Fairview Rd; Rt. 703N/S (Pittsylvania County) Old Hickory Ln; Rt. 1035E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 703N (Pittsylvania County) Marion Rd; Rt. 605N/S (Pittsylvania County) Bearskin Rd; Rt. 834N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 703N (Pittsylvania County) Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd; Rt. 1438N/S (Pittsylvania County) Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd; Rt. 1438N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 703S (Pittsylvania County) Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd; Tightsqueeze Rd; Rt. 703N (Pittsylvania County); Rt. 1438N/S (Pittsylvania County) Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd; Tightsqueeze Rd; Rt. 703N (Pittsylvania County); Rt. 1438N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 703S (Pittsylvania County) Marion Rd; Rt. 605N/S (Pittsylvania County) Bearskin Rd; Rt. 834N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 713N (Pittsylvania County) Dodson Rd; Rt. 662E/W (Pittsylvania County) Slatesville Rd; Rt. 701N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 713N (Pittsylvania County) Dodson Rd; Rt. 662E/W (Pittsylvania County) Slatesville Rd; Rt. 701N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 713S (Pittsylvania County) Dodson Rd; Rt. 662E/W (Pittsylvania County) Slatesville Rd; Rt. 701N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 713S (Pittsylvania County) Dodson Rd; Rt. 662E/W (Pittsylvania County) Slatesville Rd; Rt. 701N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 728N (Pittsylvania County) Countryside Dr; Rt. 730E/W (Pittsylvania County) Ferguson Rd; Rt. 732E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 728S (Pittsylvania County) Countryside Dr; Rt. 730E/W (Pittsylvania County) Ferguson Rd; Rt. 732E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 729N (Pittsylvania County) Henrys Mill Rd; Rt. 698N/S (Pittsylvania County) Halifax Rd; VA-57E/W; /PICKAWAY ROAD Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 729S (Pittsylvania County) Henrys Mill Rd; Rt. 698N/S (Pittsylvania County) Halifax Rd; VA-57E/W; /PICKAWAY ROAD Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 750N (Pittsylvania County) Lark Dr; Rt. 785E/W (Pittsylvania County) Lark Dr; Rt. 785E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 750S (Pittsylvania County) Lark Dr; Rt. 785E/W (Pittsylvania County) Lark Dr; Rt. 785E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 751N (Pittsylvania County) Smith Mt Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Star Land Dr; Rt. 775N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 751N (Pittsylvania County) Smith Mt Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Star Land Dr; Rt. 775N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 751S (Pittsylvania County) Smith Mt Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Star Land Dr; Rt. 775N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 751S (Pittsylvania County) Smith Mt Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Star Land Dr; Rt. 775N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 792E (Pittsylvania County) Rockford School Rd; Rt. 665E/W (Pittsylvania County) Chaney Ln; Rt. 1308N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 792W (Pittsylvania County) Rockford School Rd; Rt. 665E/W (Pittsylvania County) Rockford School Rd; Rt. 665E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 798E (Pittsylvania County) Anderson Mill Rd; Rt. 649E/W (Pittsylvania County) Climax Rd; Rt. 799N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 798W (Pittsylvania County) Anderson Mill Rd; Rt. 649E/W (Pittsylvania County) Anderson Mill Rd; Rt. 649E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 856N (Pittsylvania County) Cobbs Knob Rd; County/City/Town Line: NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE Loblolly Dr; Rt. 621E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 856S (Pittsylvania County) Cobbs Knob Rd; County/City/Town Line: NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE Loblolly Dr; Rt. 621E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 862N (Pittsylvania County) Berry Hill Rd; Rt. 863N/S (Pittsylvania County) Huntington Trl; Rt. 621E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 862S (Pittsylvania County) Berry Hill Rd; Rt. 863N/S (Pittsylvania County) Huntington Trl; Rt. 621E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 880N (Pittsylvania County) Berry Hill Rd; Rt. 863N/S (Pittsylvania County) Berry Hill Rd; County/City/Town Line: NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 880S (Pittsylvania County) Berry Hill Rd; County/City/Town Line: NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE Berry Hill Rd; Rt. 863N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 896N (Pittsylvania County) Museville Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Sago Rd; Rt. 969N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 896S (Pittsylvania County) Museville Rd; Rt. 626N/S (Pittsylvania County) Sago Rd; Rt. 969N/S (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 898N (Pittsylvania County) Deer Haven Dr; Rt. 623N/S (Pittsylvania County) Dead End Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 898S (Pittsylvania County) Deer Haven Dr; Rt. 623N/S (Pittsylvania County) Dead End Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 912N (Pittsylvania County) Alderson Rd; Rt. 660N/S (Pittsylvania County) Old Richmond Rd; VA-360E/W Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 912S (Pittsylvania County) Alderson Rd; Rt. 660N/S (Pittsylvania County) Old Richmond Rd; VA-360E/W Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 938N (Pittsylvania County) Jay Bird Ln; Rt. 684N/S (Pittsylvania County) Hickeys Rd; Rt. 927E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

Rt. 938S (Pittsylvania County) Johnson Mill Rd; N Meadows Rd; Rt. 683N/S (Pittsylvania County) Hickeys Rd; Rt. 927E/W (Pittsylvania County) Closed Flooded 11/12/2009 04:59 PM

http://511virginia.org/RoadConditions.aspx?j=Pittsylvania+(County)&r=1

Sheep Mountain files suit against uranium mill approval

Comment:  No to Uranium Mining and Milling!

Attorney: ‘The only people who seem to think a uranium mill and a uranium mine are the same thing are the county commissioners and county staff.’

By Matthew Beaudin,Editor
Published: Sunday, November 8, 2009 8:09 AM CST

After garnering a Montrose County approval heavy with conditions and contention, an energy company now faces another challenge: A local environmental group fired a legal salvo disputing that permit and how it was obtained.

Sheep Mountain Alliance, a local environmental group, recently filed a lawsuit against the Montrose County Commissioners and its land use director, alleging a hopscotch of missteps in the board’s approval of a uranium mill to be built six miles outside of Paradox, Colo.

The problems in the approval, they say, are far-reaching and systemic: At the heart of the matter is the notion that a uranium mill — heavy in both regulation and stigma — could be plopped down in the middle of the lofty and stark Paradox Valley, which is zoned for agricultural uses.

The complaint alleges inappropriate meetings, abuses of discretion when approving a special use permit for Energy Fuels Inc., the company hoping to build the mill, and more.

Historically, the area in the west ends of Montrose and San Miguel counties belongs to mining; ore from the area went toward the Manhattan Project and the culture of mining is the very stitching of communities like Nucla and Naturita.

But: “Economic activity regarding uranium mining and milling has not played a significant role in the region’s economy over the past 30 years, except the economic activity generated by several uranium mill closures and decontamination projects carried out…” the complaint, filed in Montrose County District Court, reads. “Unlike the San Miguel River Valley where Nucla and Naturita are located, there has never been a uranium mill in the Paradox Valley.”

Montrose County Attorney Bob Hill said the county hadn’t yet been served with the suit and wouldn’t comment on any accusations therein.

“It’s relatively narrow, but it does focus in on sort of the issues that do run throughout their process and their approval,” said Travis Stills, an attorney at the Energy Minerals Law Center who is working on behalf of SMA.

Flatly, he said the land’s zoning “doesn’t have room for an industrial facility with toxic, hazardous emissions and a permanent waste facility.”

And, he says, the Montrose commissioners acted outside of their authority when issuing the special use permit.

The crux of the debate may hinge on the differences in mining, which is permitted on agricultural land, and milling.

“A mill and a mine are radically different,” Stills said. “You start into a very heavy industrial process [with a mill].” Uranium mills, unlike some other processing sites, have their own special sets of regulations and oversight.

“The only people who seem to think a uranium mill and a uranium mine are the same thing are the county commissioners and county staff,” Stills said.

The issue now finds itself in the badminton of land use disputes, with Montrose County expected to reply in the near future.

The suit asks the process begin anew.

Click Title or Link to whole post:
http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2009/11/08/news/doc4af633c7777f0169999327.txt

Danville Regional Foundation pursues uranium study

By John Crane
Published: October 1, 2009

While the state anticipates approval of a statewide uranium-mining study conducted by the National Re-search Council, the Danville Regional Foundation is pursuing its own separate, regional analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling.

The foundation announced Thursday its request for qualifications seeking proposals from interested firms, nonprofits and academic programs.

“DRF is considering sponsoring an independent and rigorous socioeconomic examination of the effects the proposed mine, mill, and long-term waste management upon the people and institutions, including the economy, limited to the region served by DRF,” foundation President and CEO Karl Stauber said in a statement Thursday.

Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, about six miles northeast of Chatham. Virginia has a moratorium on uranium mining.

Mining supporters say an operation at Coles Hill would bring economic benefits to Southside and supply hundreds of jobs. Opponents believe the project would destroy the environment and threaten public health in Pittsylvania County.

Delegate Terry Kilgore, head of the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission, sent a written request in August to the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, to conduct a statewide study to determine whether uranium can be mined and milled safely in the commonwealth. NRC officials say the proposed study is worth pursuing.

VUI would pay for the state study’s first part covering the technical aspects of mining and milling. The state study’s second part focusing on the socioeconomic impacts has not been determined, Kilgore said. The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission or its Uranium Mining Subcommittee may meet in November to discuss the socioeconomic portion of the state study, Kilgore said.

Kilgore expressed support for the Danville Regional Foundation’s separate plans for a regional socioeco-nomic analysis of its own.

“I think it would be good for them to go ahead and do that,” Kilgore, R-1st District, said Thursday. “That, hopefully, will answer some questions for local citizens there in the Pittsylvania County area.”

The foundation’s study will not affect the state’s efforts, Kilgore said.

“The foundation seeks firms, nonprofits or academic organizations from outside the state to perform the socioeconomic analysis.

“We’re hoping that we will get proposals from around the U.S.,” Stauber said.

The foundation will review letters of interest and qualification and will invite full proposals from a small number of candidates. Inquiries should be directed to Karl Stauber, president and CEO, Danville Regional Foundation at kstauber@danvilleregionalfoundation.org. Letters of interest are due by Dec. 1.

Stauber said it would take up to three months to narrow interested firms down to three to five and up to another three months to make its final selection. Stauber the foundation would make its funding decision in June or July at the soonest. The foundation takes no position on uranium mining, he said.

Eloise Nenon, a member of Southside Concerned Citizens, a group that opposes uranium mining, said the foundation’s plans have the potential to be a good idea. However, the study should include extensive hearings for residents and plenty of public input, Nenon said.

Jack Dunavant, head of SCC in Halifax, said he is suspicious of the motivations for any study, but if it’s truly objective and independent, he has no problems with it.

“I wish them Godspeed and good luck,” Dunavant said. “We would be interested to see what any study would find.”

http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/danville_regional_foundation_pursues_uranium_study/14308/