Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Uranium hearing Tuesday to ban uranium exploration and mining

More public testimony planned for proposed uranium amendment

Public testimony is scheduled Tuesday night for the second month in a row on proposed amendments to the Fremont County Master Plan that would ban uranium exploration and uranium mining in certain instances.

The public hearing that began June 2 will continue before the Fremont County Planning Commission at 7 p.m. Tuesday, in the lower level of the County Administration Building, 615 Macon Ave. The panel will listen to new public testimony only.

Planners heard more than three hours of testimony and conflicting legal opinions during the initial hearing regarding the Master Plan amendment, which was offered by the government affairs committee of the Tallahassee Area Community. The amendment would establish a two-mile buffer zone between uranium activity and residential areas in Fremont County’s Mountain Districts.

Residents testified in June that they believe health and safety issues are at stake, as well as economic and environmental issues.

Planning Commission Chairman Tom Piltingsrud said the panel was not prepared to make a decision last month, because members had volumes of material and legal opinions to review.

Because of the heightened interest in the proposed Master Plan amendment and the large crowd that attended the first hearing in June, Tuesday’s meeting will be televised on local public access channel 19 on Bresnan Cable.

Review of the Urban Growth Boundary Area map also is on Tuesday’s agenda. The map, prepared by the planning staff of Cañon City, was referred to the planners by the Cañon City Council. According to Piltingsrud, the question is whether future growth areas targeted outside the city limits of Cañon City would be subject to the city’s subdivision and development regulations when reviewed by county officials.

http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/Top-Story.asp?ID=11048

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