Update: Final Copy of Scope of Study Needs Serious Revamping

The content of the Scope of Study is at the bottom of this post. You'll see that out of 11 items to be studied (the list says 12 but #10 is omitted for some reason which leaves 11), only 4 deal with health and safety of humans, water, environment and ecosystems. They're not the top 3 either...they're #'s 7, 8, 9 and 11 (there is no #10). #11 calls for baseline data and approaches for monitoring environmental and human impact.

I'd say that protecting human health/life, water, the environment and ecosystems falls very short since they appear in the bottom half of the items to be studied. Southside should not accept this lop-sided study proposal. It's more of a sham than could have been imagined.

Of even greater concern is the last paragraph of the Scope of Study document:

By addressing these questions, the study will provide independent, expert advice that can be used to inform decisions about the future of uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia; however, the study will not make recommendations about whether or not uranium mining should be permitted nor will the study include site-specific assessments.

How bizarre! This study is NOT going to address anything specific to Coles Hill...it will only address state-wide issues. Southside, we have less than 2 weeks to mobilize the entire Commonwealth!
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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
OFFICE OF THE CLERK
RICHMOND

May 07, 2009

UPDATE

TO:	Uranium Mining Subcommittee of the Coal and Energy Commission
FROM:	Scott Maddrea, House Committee Operations
RE:	Final Scope of Study for Uranium Mining in the Commonwealth

Please be advised that the Uranium Mining Subcommittee of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy will meet on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in House Room D In the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia. Attached please find "Final Scope of Study for Uranium Mining in the Commonwealth" document as provided to the subcommittee by the National Academy of Sciences. The recommendations are also being posted on the website for the Coal & Energy Commission (http://dls.state.va.us/groups/cec/Uranium/meetings.htm) as soon as possible to allow for public review. Should you have questions regarding the meeting agenda, please call Ellen Porter with the Division of Legislative Services at (804) 786-3591. If you are unable to attend this meeting , please call House Committee Operations at (804) 698-1540 or contact me via e-mail bowen@house.virginia.gov

Members:

The Honorable R. Lee Ware, Jr, chairman The Honorable Charles W. Carrico, Sr. The Honorable William R. Janis The Honorable Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr. The Honorable Kristen J. Amundson The Honorable Clarence E. Phillips The Honorable John C. Watkins The Honorable Phillip P. Puckett The Honorable Frank W. Wagner Harry D. Childress

Enclosure (s):

- C&E_UM_Scope of Study_final.doc

cc:

Individuals requiring interpreter services or other special assistance should contact Committee Operations at (804) 698-1540, TDD (804) 786-2369. Persons making audio-visual presentations to the committee should call for specifications.

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Contents of Word Doc above:

Uranium Mining in Virginia

Statement of Task

Uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been prohibited since 1982 by a state moratorium, although approval for restricted uranium exploration in the state was granted in 2007. A National Research Council study will examine the scientific, technical, environmental, human health and safety, and regulatory aspects of uranium mining, milling, and processing as they relate to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In particular, the study will:

1) Review global and national uranium market trends.

2) Identify and briefly describe the main types of uranium deposits worldwide including, for example, geologic characteristics, mining operations, and best practices.

3) Review the geologic, environmental, geographic, climatic, and cultural settings and exploration status of uranium resources in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

4) Review the primary technical options and best practices approaches for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation that might be applicable within the Commonwealth of Virginia, including discussion of improvements made since 1980 in the design, construction, and monitoring of tailings impoundments (“cells”).

5) Review the state and federal regulatory framework for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.

6) Review federal requirements for secure handling of uranium materials, including personnel, transportation, site security, and material control and accountability.

7) Assess the potential short- and long-term occupational and public health and safety considerations from uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation, including the potential human health effects from exposure to “daughter” products of radioactive decay of uranium.

8) Identify the issues that may need to be considered regarding the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water, and the quality of soil and air from uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation. As relevant, water and waste management and severe weather effects or other stochastic events may also be considered.

9) Assess the potential ecosystem issues for uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.

11) Identify baseline data and approaches necessary to monitor environmental and human impacts associated with uranium mining, milling, processing, and reclamation.

12) Briefly characterize a potential public education and outreach program in the Commonwealth of Virginia for a uranium mining operation (for example, health and safety issues, inspection and enforcement, community right-to-know, emergency planning).

By addressing these questions, the study will provide independent, expert advice that can be used to inform decisions about the future of uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia; however, the study will not make recommendations about whether or not uranium mining should be permitted nor will the study include site-specific assessments.