We are putting the blog on an indefinite hiatus. Currently there are two other great blogs covering the uranium issue in Southside and the Commonwealth pretty much exclusively and two other blogs that address the issues involved quite frequently. Thus it appears that much of what's done here will be duplicating others' efforts.
We appreciate your contributions, suggestions, and comments and, if need be, we will return in the future. Until then, we invite you to visit the following:
League of Individuals for the Environment, Inc.
http://lifeincva.blogspot.com/
Virginia Against Uranium
http://virginiaagainsturanium.blogspot.com/
Concerns and Delights
http://lindagoin.blogspot.com/
Appomattox's Posterous
http://appomattox.posterous.com/
The links in the side-bar to other uranium-oriented blogs will remain active so that you can visit from here to there.
We continue to be dedicated to the cause of preventing uranium mining at Coles Hill and throughout Virginia. However, at this time, our energies will be devoted to another avenue.
We hope to see you again in the future!
In solidarity,
Smidgen & Co.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Board still wrestling with possible uranium-mining study
By John Crane
Published: November 11, 2009
Staff with the National Research Council is continuing to try to determine how the agency will proceed with a possible uranium-mining study.
The National Research Council Governing Board’s Executive Committee met Tuesday in Washington to discuss the proposal for a study to determine whether uranium can be mined and milled safely in Virginia.
“Given the complexity with several institutions involved (Virginia Tech, the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission), our staff is continuing to work on how we will go about doing the study,” said Jennifer Walsh, spokeswoman for the National Academy of Sciences. “So far, our standard statement of task and approval process is not yet complete.”
The NRC is an arm of the NAS.
Walsh did not comment further when asked about details regarding the study and when the next executive committee meeting will be held.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, about six miles northeast of Chatham. VUI, through Virginia Tech’s Center for Coal and Energy Research, would pay for the study’s first phase focusing on the technical and public-safety aspects of mining.
That first phase would cost as much as $1.4 million. Virginia Tech’s Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research would handle the money and contract with the NAS for the study. The second part of the study, dealing with the socioeconomic aspects of mining, still needs to be developed by the Virginia Coal & Energy Commission. VUI would not fund the second part.
If the governing board approves the study request, the next step would be the NRC negotiating and entering into a contract with Virginia Tech’s Center for Coal and Energy Research. The board would then appoint a provisional committee of about a dozen scientific experts to perform the study and write its report.
Uranium study on hold
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The National Research Council's governing board wants more time to set up a proposed statewide scientific study on uranium mining.
The council's executive committee met Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., but delayed approving a contract for the study.
"Given the complexity with several institutions involved, our staff is continuing to work on how we will go about doing the study," said Jennifer Walsh, a spokesman for the National Research Council. "So, our standard statement of task and approval process is not yet complete."
The National Research Council, which includes the National Academy of Sciences, presented its recommendations for a study in May to the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy's Uranium Mining Subcommittee.
Commission Chairman Del. Terry Kilgore of Scott County still expects a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to be signed soon.
The study, which is expected to take about 18 months and cost an estimated $1.2 million, will be funded through Virginia Tech, with Virginia Uranium Inc. picking up the tab.
Discovered in the early 1980s, the uranium deposit is one of the largest in the United States and is worth an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion.
Kilgore said the state also plans to conduct a study of the socioeconomic impact of uranium mining.
The second study, which will address the effects of uranium mining on businesses, schools and the community, will be conducted by another organization and funded separately, the chairman said.
In October, Danville Regional Foundation announced that it is considering funding a regional socioeconomic study of the impact of uranium mining and milling.
The foundation, formed in 2005 following the sale of Danville Regional Medical Center, has issued a request for qualifications for a proposed study from interested firms, non-profit organizations and academic programs.
According to president and chief executive officer Karl Stauber, the foundation hopes to sponsor an "independent and rigorous socioeconomic examination" of the effects of the proposed uranium mine, mill, and long-term waste management on the people and institutions, including the economy, of its service region.
The foundation, which has $165 million in assets, serves Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County, N.C.
"We're not taking a pro-mining position and we're not taking an anti-mining position," said Stauber. "We're taking a position that the people of this region need to understand the implications of uranium mining."
According to Stauber, the foundation's regional study will not take the place of a broader state study on the socioeconomic impact of uranium mining.
Virginia has had a moratorium on uranium mining since 1982.
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2009/11/11/chatham/news/news50.txt
Pittsylvania Co. declares local state of emergency
It's beyond me how anyone could consider this an ideal place for a uranium mine/mill. Where do the Coles Hill mining folks hang out during weather like this that they can continue to state that a mine and mill would not pose a threat? Haven't they even looked out the window over the last couple of days??
By John Crane
Danville Register & Bee
Published: November 12, 2009
By John Crane
Danville Register & Bee
Published: November 12, 2009
Persistent rains prompted Pittsylvania County officials to declare a state of emergency in the county Thursday.
“The county of Pittsylvania is facing serious hazards with the amount of downed trees, power lines and potential of flooding due to (rains),” said County Emergency Services Coordinator Jim Davis and County Administrator Dan Sleeper — who’s also deputy director of emergency management — in a statement Thursday. “Due to these hazards, a condition of extreme peril of life and property now exists throughout (the) county.”
Davis later said the declaration was issued as a precautionary measure and he knew of no weather-related emergency situations.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with the river rising like it is,” Davis said. “… At this point, we’ve not had any type life-threatening emergencies,” he said Thursday.
If the county has to spend money not appropriated for disasters as a result of conditions, Pittsylvania could be reimbursed by the state, he added.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth Wednesday due to high waters and flooding.
There were 26 reported road closures in Pittsylvania County on Thursday evening due to flooding and high waters, said Randy Hamilton, residency administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation in Chatham.
Paula Jones, VDOT spokeswoman, said the roads that had high waters were ones that typically flood during extended rainfalls. Jones advised drivers to proceed with caution, especially since water can cause hydroplaning and wet leaves can add to already slick conditions.
Also, just a few inches of moving water on a road or street can pose danger to vehicles, Jones said. The rushing water can also hide pot holes and shifted culverts. Wind gusts and wet, loosened soil can cause trees to fall, presenting more hazards for drivers.
In other areas, water levels exceeded full pond at Smith Mountain Lake, and Appalachian Power increased its discharge from Leesville Dam into the Staunton River to create more storage volume in the lower reservoir, according to a news release from Appalachian Power.
In addition, the town of Mayodan, N.C., had a discharge of about 82,000 gallons of untreated water and rain water at two areas off Main Street and 9th Avenue. About eight inches of rainfall in two days caused the overflow which entered the Mayo River, a tributary of the Dan River, according to a press release from the town.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Current PittCo Road Closings Due to Flood Waters
Notice the closure of Coles Road, both north and south. Some of you are also familiar with the areas where historic Marline Uranium leases were held around Cascade and the Berry Hill area. Please note the flooded, closed roads in that area of the county. If mining occurs there, the Dan River carries the contamination. Rather sobering, isn't it?
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River Flood Warning for Pittsylvania County, VA
Right now, Virginians don't have to worry about radioactive flood waters or contamination from such waters in the rivers, streams, lakes, etc. Mine Coles Hill and the whole picture becomes a lot more dangerous and frightening.
River Flood Warning until 6:13 am EST, Sat., Nov. 14, 2009
Issued by The National Weather Service
Roanoke/Blacksburg, VA
3:10 pm EST, Thu., Nov. 12, 2009
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE DAN RIVER NEAR DANVILLE. * UNTIL SATURDAY MORNING.
* AT 01PM THURSDAY THE STAGE WAS 23.3 FEET.
* MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 17.0 FEET.
* THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 26.4 FEET BY AROUND MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE TOMORROW EVENING.
* THIS CREST COMPARES TO A PREVIOUS CREST OF 25.4 FEET ON JAN 1 2007.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wind Advisory for Pittsylvania, VA
Oh, yeah...this is the perfect place for a uranium mine and mill. How many times a year is PittCo under some sort of bad weather alert...wind advisories, flash flood warnings, etc? Way too often for anyone to honestly claim that a huge radioactive sand-pile would be safe here.
Wind Advisory for Pittsylvania, VA until 6 am EST, Fri., Nov. 13, 2009
Issued by The National Weather Service
Roanoke/Blacksburg, VA
7:44 pm EST, Thu., Nov. 12, 2009
A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST FRIDAY.
EXPECT NORTH TO NORTHEAST WIND AT 15 TO 30 MPH... WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH POSSIBLE. BECAUSE OF THE WET SOIL CONDITIONS... THESE WINDS WILL LIKELY BE STRONG ENOUGH TO DOWN MORE TREES... AND POSSIBLY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THIS WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS WILL BE HIGH ENOUGH COMBINED WITH WET SOILS TO DOWN SOME TREES. USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING AS THESE GUSTS COULD DOWN LIMBS AND TREES ALONG HIGHWAYS.
More Information
... STRONG AND GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT...
.DEEP LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS WILL REMAIN IN THE REGION OVERNIGHT. AS A RESULT... WINDS WILL GUST TO 40 TO 45 MPH AT TIMES THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
EPA, federal, state, Navajo Nation hold second summit to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation
Release date: 11/03/2009
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415.947.4149 Perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov
GALLUP– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with four other federal agencies, the Navajo Nation, congressional staff, academia, state, tribal and local government representatives, community members and nongovernment organizations are meeting to discuss the progress of the five-year plan to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation. The five-year plan, requested by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is the first comprehensive strategy to address uranium-related contamination issues throughout the Navajo Nation, which spans three states and is roughly the size of West Virginia.
The conference is being held at the Gallup Inn 2915 W. Historic Highway 66 in New Mexico, and runs through Thursday, November 8. Members of the media are welcome to attend. To receive a copy of the agenda and to RSVP, please contact Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov or 415.990.1176.
For more information on abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/navajo-nation/index.html
Monday, November 2, 2009
EPA responds to county letter on lead levels
Oh...corrosion and old plumbing cause elevated lead levels in water even when uranium mining is closeby. Epic fail, EPA.
The Environmental Protection Agency offered guidelines for water well management in response to a Pittsylvania County inquiry into elevated lead levels near where a uranium company conducted exploratory drilling.
County Administrator William Sleeper said he sent a letter to the EPA back in April to ask what could be done about lead levels in wells and its role in regulation. The agency responded on Oct. 26.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors asked both the EPA and the Virginia Department of Health to investigate lead levels after Sheva resident Allen Gross said that a well water sample showed more than the maximum safe level of lead in drinking water, according to past Danville Register & Bee reports. Testing showed a rise in lead levels compared to past samples. Gross lives about a mile from Coles Hill, where Virginia Uranium Inc. conducted exploratory drilling.
The state health department tested the well water in the area, and found safe lead levels. The department determined the source of the lead is not the source water, according to past reports.
The EPA does not regulate domestic water wells, but offers guidance on management:
• The agency recommends all private well owners have their well tested once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates and other contaminants.
• Naturally occurring radioactivity can be treated with reverse osmosis.
• Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated faucets and fixtures that can leach lead into the water.
Letter: Sen. Creigh Deeds ( Martinsville Bulletin)
Folks, your election is tomorrow. The future of Virginia is in the balance in a way it never has. McDonnell has said he favors uranium mining. At least Deeds is willing to hold off an opinion until more is known about the dangers. The safety and beauty of the Commonwealth cannot be a loose gamble...uranium is forever.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
As a candidate for governor, I’ve laid out a comprehensive plan to meet our future energy needs and reduce Virginia ’s dependence on foreign oil. This means pursuing a range of alternative and renewable energy options, ranging from wind power to clean coal technology to nuclear power. Investments in alternative and renewable energy will create jobs, attract the best and brightest minds to Virginia , and lead to a brighter future for the Commonwealth.
Right now we have a moratorium in Virginia on mining uranium, the fuel used in nuclear power plants. While I believe nuclear power should be part of a comprehensive approach to energy here in the commonwealth, I also strongly believe that the moratorium on uranium mining should remain in place until scientists determine that uranium mining does not pose a risk to the health and safety of any Virginian.
The climate of Southside Virginia poses particular challenges to the safe mining of uranium. Because it often rains, there is a risk that radioactive material produced by uranium mining and processing could leach into groundwater. If such leaching occurred, it could contaminate water supplies and endanger Virginians all over Southside, from Danville to Virginia Beach . I will not let this happen on my watch as governor.
Before considering uranium mining and processing here in Virginia , we should await the results of a nonpartisan, scientific study on its potential risks. As important as alternative energy sources are to our future, protecting the health and safety of all Virginians must remain our paramount concern.
As your governor, I will ensure that our energy future is not only plentiful and clean, but also safe for all Virginians.
Sen. Creigh Deeds
Bath County
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=21163
Sunday, November 1, 2009
As a candidate for governor, I’ve laid out a comprehensive plan to meet our future energy needs and reduce Virginia ’s dependence on foreign oil. This means pursuing a range of alternative and renewable energy options, ranging from wind power to clean coal technology to nuclear power. Investments in alternative and renewable energy will create jobs, attract the best and brightest minds to Virginia , and lead to a brighter future for the Commonwealth.
Right now we have a moratorium in Virginia on mining uranium, the fuel used in nuclear power plants. While I believe nuclear power should be part of a comprehensive approach to energy here in the commonwealth, I also strongly believe that the moratorium on uranium mining should remain in place until scientists determine that uranium mining does not pose a risk to the health and safety of any Virginian.
The climate of Southside Virginia poses particular challenges to the safe mining of uranium. Because it often rains, there is a risk that radioactive material produced by uranium mining and processing could leach into groundwater. If such leaching occurred, it could contaminate water supplies and endanger Virginians all over Southside, from Danville to Virginia Beach . I will not let this happen on my watch as governor.
Before considering uranium mining and processing here in Virginia , we should await the results of a nonpartisan, scientific study on its potential risks. As important as alternative energy sources are to our future, protecting the health and safety of all Virginians must remain our paramount concern.
As your governor, I will ensure that our energy future is not only plentiful and clean, but also safe for all Virginians.
Sen. Creigh Deeds
Bath County
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=21163
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