Taking a Stand Re: Uranium

By Published by The Editorial Board
Danville Register & Bee

Published: February 15, 2009

Uranium mining and milling is one of the biggest issues facing Pittsylvania County’s political leaders. But it’s also an issue over which they have little direct control. Richmond has the power, not the town councils in Chatham, Gretna and Hurt or the Board of Supervisors.

Still, that hasn’t stopped discussions, debates and even the passage of non-binding resolutions.

What good is a non-binding resolution? Those resolutions will help to speak for the people who live closest to the proposed mine and mill.

The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission’s Uranium Mining Subcommittee is developing the state’s official study of uranium mining and milling.

But the uranium ore locked in the rocks beneath Coles Hill can’t be mined today because of a moratorium put in place by the General Assembly a quarter-century ago. The state study is important because it’s the first important step toward trying to get that moratorium lifted.

So, where do local governments come in? They are closest to the people, and they are their constituents’ voice on this issue. Their discussions, debates and resolutions have already yielded some surprises.

The town councils in Gretna and Hurt not only want to be included in the state study, their resolutions oppose lifting the moratorium “… unless and until it can be demonstrated to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that there will be no significant release of radioactive sediments downstream or in the air …”

Chatham Town Council is being asked to go beyond that by detailing what kinds of plans it would have for an emergency at Coles Hill, as well as the operation’s impact on the community’s history and heritage and Hargrave Military Academy and Chatham Hall.

“We need something more than what the town of Hurt has done,” said Eloise Nenon, a founding member of Southside Concerned Citizens.

The Board of Supervisors, at the request of Chatham-Blairs Supervisor Hank Davis, could take another look at their previous work on this issue. Davis is concerned about what a uranium mining operation would do to real estate values, businesses and educational and financial institutions.

“I think the Board of Supervisors needs to make a statement or two about how it feels about uranium mining,” Davis said this week.

Eventually, most local people will take a side in the uranium mining and milling debate. But for today, most Pittsylvania County residents appear willing to wait out the state’s study. That’s a luxury their elected leaders don’t have. County leaders have to lead on the uranium mining issue.

http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/editorials/danville_editorials/article/taking_a_stand/9046/