Comment: Thanks Anne for all you do. Contact the NRC (NAS), they are seeking nominations from everybody about the uranium mining study in Virginia.
Dear Colleagues
The NRC has started a new study on Uranium Mining in Virginia under the auspices of the Board on Earth Science and Resources’ Committee on Earth Resources and with collaboration by the Water Sciences and Technology Board; the statement of task for this project is appended below.
We seek your assistance in identifying suitable members for the study committee (approximately 12 people) who will have expertise in areas such as ecology; environmental and mining law; environmental remediation; geology; ground and surface water hydrogeochemistry; health communications; mine safety; mine regulation and reclamation; radiation health effects; and uranium mining, milling, processing, and engineering.
Please send any nominations for expert members of the study committee to Nicholas Rogers (nrogers@nas.edu), with cc to David Feary (dfeary@nas.edu). David is the study director. It would also be most helpful if you could include a brief description of the particular expertise of nominees.
Thank you.
The Statement of Task is:
Uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been prohibited since 1982 by a state moratorium, although approval for restricted uranium exploration in the state was granted in 2007. A National Research Council study will examine the scientific, technical, environmental, human health and safety, and regulatory aspects of uranium mining, milling, and processing as they relate to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of assisting the Commonwealth to determine whether uranium mining, milling, and processing can be undertaken in a manner that safeguards the environment, natural and historic resources, agricultural lands, and the health and well-being of its citizens. In particular, the study will:
(1) Assess the potential short- and long-term occupational and public health and safety considerations from uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation, including the potential human health risks from exposure to “daughter” products of radioactive decay of uranium.
(2) Review global and national uranium market trends.
(3) Identify and briefly describe the main types of uranium deposits worldwide including, for example, geologic characteristics, mining operations, and best practices.
(4) Analyze the impact of uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation operations on public health, safety, and the environment at sites with comparable geologic, hydrologic, climatic, and population characteristics to those found in the Commonwealth. Such analysis shall describe any available mitigating measures to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts from uranium operations.
(5) Review the geologic, environmental, geographic, climatic, and cultural settings and exploration status of uranium resources in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
(6) Review the primary technical options and best practices approaches for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation that might be applicable within the Commonwealth of Virginia, including discussion of improvements made since 1980 in the design, construction, and monitoring of tailings impoundments (“cells”).
(7) Review the state and federal regulatory framework for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.
(8) Review federal requirements for secure handling of uranium materials, including personnel, transportation, site security, and material control and accountability.
(9) Identify the issues that may need to be considered regarding the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water, and the quality of soil and air from uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation. As relevant, water and waste management and severe weather effects or other stochastic events may also be considered.
(10) Assess the potential ecosystem issues for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.
(11) Identify baseline data and approaches necessary to monitor environmental and human impacts associated with uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.
(12) Provide a non-technical summary of the report for public education purposes (for example, health and safety issues, inspection and enforcement, community right-to-know, emergency planning).
By addressing these questions, the study will provide independent, expert advice that can be used to inform decisions about the future of uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia; however, the study will not make recommendations about whether or not uranium mining should be permitted nor will the study include site-specific assessments.
Contact: Nicholas Rogers (nrogers@nas.edu)
cc: David Feary (dfeary@nas.edu)
