Friday, October 14, 2011
As a native of Williamston and a current resident of Halifax, Va., I strongly oppose lifting the ban on uranium mining and urge North Carolinians to get involved.
The possibility of uranium mining in Chatham, Va., has earned the Roanoke River the distinction as one of the nation’s most-threatened river.
More troubling is the stance Bob McDonnell, governor of Virginia, has taken. If the safety of mining can be “assured,” Virginia economically should be poised to “gain a lot,” possibly $10 billion at this site alone.
Assurance of safe mining practices and boosting Virginia’s economy will be the direction pro-uranium mining activists seek in a study conducted by the state. Surely this committee will present findings in December with Virginia Uranium, Inc.’s interests at heart. VU, Inc. not only aspires to mine the site, it is funding the study through Virginia Tech University.
The findings will not come at a more appropriate time for the proponents of uranium mining. When the 2012 legislative session convenes, debates will begin about lifting the ban on mining uranium.
Once such a ban is lifted, more North Carolina rivers will be adversely affected.
More uranium sites in Virginia will be explored.
MARGARET S. COVINGTONS
Halifax, Va.
Read more:
http://www.dailyadvance.com/opinion/letters/virginia-mining-will-harm-nc-rivers-723279
