March 23, 2009
Virginia Beach, VA - A proposed uranium mine in south-central Virginia has nearby residents as well as those living downstream concerned.
Phillip Lovelace represents the ninth generation of his family to live in Pittsylvania County, near the proposed mining site. But while his cattle farm is more than 200 miles from Virginia Beach, residents of that vacation destination say they stand with Lovelace against uranium mining. Virginia Beach recently opposed mining, citing concerns about possible contamination of Lake Gaston, the city's main water source.
According to geologists, uranium deposits worth billions of dollars lie east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. That causes Lovelace deep concern, because he fears that lawmakers will lift the 1982 mining moratorium.
"If it starts in our community, it's not going to stop there. If the moratorium is picked off in the state of Virginia, it is going to wreak havoc on the whole state."
Lovelace points out that uranium dissolves in water and says that's why most mines are in the arid western United States. However, as much as 120 million pounds of uranium may lie beneath Virginia soil in Pittsylvania, Bedford, Orange and Fauquier counties, geologists estimate.
The Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy is reviewing the safety of uranium mining. On Tuesday, the commission hears from a Virginia Polytechnic University professor of coal and mining.
The commission's study on the feasibility and safety of uranium mining will take at least another year to complete. If it finds that mining can be done safely, Lovelace fears the General Assembly will lift the moratorium, unleashing devastating effects in his area and downstream.
"The contamination, the dust, the heavy metals that are going to be in the water eventually will end up in Virginia Beach. A lot of people don't understand; they don't realize that something this horrifying will happen to them."
Mining companies say it is safe to mine uranium in Virginia, and they would like to begin working on two deposits in the Coles Hill area.
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