 Written by Paula I. Bryant |
| 07:51 am 11/02/11 |
Following its work session Monday, council — with Morris Bryant absent — convened in a formal meeting to approve the resolution which calls for a ban on uranium mining “until the industry could prove that it is capable of performing such activities without hazardous impacts to the natural resources and public health of the commonwealth.”
Earlier at its joint meeting with Halifax Town Council and the Halifax County Board of Supervisors in October, South Boston Council members adopted a simply worded joint resolution supporting the current moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia stating they “resolve to keep the ban on uranium mining until it can be proven that uranium mining can be done safely.”
Each of the three governing bodies supports Virginia Beach’s position to oppose lifting the moratorium on uranium mining until it can be demonstrated that downstream waters will be protected.
Virginia Uranium Inc. has proposed a uranium mining and milling operation at the Coles Hill deposit near Sheva in Pittsylvania County, and the Virginia General Assembly is set to debate lifting the 30-year moratorium in its upcoming session.
In 1982, Virginia established a ban on uranium mining after geologists discovered deposits of the radioactive metal throughout the state.
But on Monday night, council adopted a resolution that went further in declaring their opposition to uranium mining and asks legislators “to refrain from introducing legislation for its consideration during its 2012 Session in addition to legislation allowing the regulatory process promulgation through the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.”
Read more:
http://www.gazettevirginian.com/index.php/news/34-news/4299-south-boston-council-takes-strong-stance-on-uranium
