RIVERGROUPS WELCOME MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC LANDSCAPE DESIGNATION OF COLES HILL,VIRGINIA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE: May 7, 2012

CONTACT:       Andrew Lester, Roanoke River BasinAssociation, (434) 250-1185
                         TiffanyHaworth, Dan River Basin Association, (336) 627-6270

 
RIVERGROUPS WELCOME MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC LANDSCAPE DESIGNATION OF COLES HILL,VIRGINIA

Chatham, VA- The Roanoke River Basin Association (RRBA) and the Dan River BasinAssociation (DRBA) applaud the designation of Coles Hill, VA and thesurrounding area as Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic RuralLandscape. 

Thedesignation was prompted by a threat posed by the proposal to lift Virginia's30-year ban on uranium mining with the first uranium mine and mill planned atthe Coles Hill site.  The designation also comes after Virginia’s governortook the issue out of the legislature’s hands and established a uranium working group charged with drafting regulations in secrecy with limited publicinvolvement.  

“Thisdesignation is a welcome news for the basin.  Heritage tourism is asignificant tax revenue generator for numerous counties and localitiesthroughout the Commonwealth.  It would complement RRBA's Upper Reachprogram established to encourage water related tourism in the region, includingpaddling, camping and boating and fishing,” said Gene Addesso, RRBA'svice-president.  

“Thesouthern Virginia community has established an international reputation for thepreservation of and access to priceless historical assets, including theSutherlin Mansion, Berry Hill Plantation and the Callands Courthouse.  This newdesignation joins a long line of wise choices by Virginians.  This is goingto be a plus for our local businesses if we wisely promote it,” said AndrewLester, RRBA's executive director.

DRBAExecutive Director, Tiffany Haworth, added, “We hope this designation willinspire the region’s citizens to take action to protect Coles Hill and itssurroundings.  Working together, we can ensure that this unique asset willbe preserved for future generations.”

AdditionalInformation:
The RoanokeRiver Basin Association (RRBA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is tobe the voice for the development, use, preservation, and enhancement of theRoanoke River Basin’s resources. The RRBA represents the two-state region thatwould be the first uranium mining and milling site on the East Coast ifVirginia’s 30-year ban on uranium mining is lifted. Hence, RRBA has taken alead role in the investigation of the proposed uranium mining and milling inthe basin. Contact: Andrew Lester, RRBA Executive Director, 434-250-1185, www.rrba.org, www.UpperReach.org,www.readthereports.org

Themission of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is to preserve and promotethe natural and cultural resources of the Dan River Basin through stewardship,education and recreation. DRBA is a proud member of the Keep the Ban Coalitionthat continues to educate communities about the negative impact of uraniummining.  Visit www.danriver.org to get involved and becomea member.