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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.
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Reader Reactions
sccchatham - Trying to make sense out of your statement. You call for “nothnig less than a permanent ban of uranium…etc.,etc.“ Does that mean you are absolutely and unconditionally opposed to mining this uranium EVEN IF it is proven that it can be done safely? And, if it can be done safely, (notice I say “if), then why prevent approximately 500 potential workers from gaining employment?
“The Virginia Coal and Energy CommissionŐs Uranium Mining Subcommittee is developing the stateŐs official study of uranium mining and milling.“
When did this happen? A rag-tag group of 5 (if my memory is correct) held a sham hearing in Chatham after they had already decided what type of study they were going to do and who was to do it.
The R&B ill serves its readership by attempting to misstate facts and lead the folks who have a great interest in uranium mining and milling to believe untruths. In fact the General Assembly of Virginia controls any such “study” and I, for one , have not seen where they have taken any position.
“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 …”
The resolutions are so many words - worth nothing! What is a “reasonable degree of certainty”? Define “significant”! Is this something that will kill only a predetermined number of people?
What we have now in Pittsylvania County, VA is “NO HARM” Currently, the mother lode of uranium is producing “no harm” to the people affected by this deposit. Or is it? Some folks are having their water tested. This has begun since before exploratory drilling began in the Coles Hill area. Their results are horrendous when it comes to human drinking water!
What will be the “reasonable degree of scientific certainty that there will be no significant release of radioactive sediments downstream or in the air …”
Who will decide what these “degrees” will be?
What about the other considerations: Social & economic institutions, both public and private? What “study” will address this? Who will determine the study parameters?
Currently, the uranium in this area causes only as much harm as the drilling and testing. This harm is approved by the state (of Virginia) without any regulations what so ever. This “exploration” cares not if the environment and/or people are harmed! It is not within the purview of the state licensing committee to question such things!
Resolutions need to be MUCH STRONGER! They need to accept nothing less than “NO HARM”! Even then, they are non-binding to the state and federal legislature.
So, to go on record with all concerned parties, nothing less than a permanent ban of uranium mining & milling in the Commonwealth of Virginia must be enacted by the representatives elected to protect the people!
From local towns and cities, to County Boards of Supervisors, and our State Legislature, this is what MUST be done to protect the people! Nothing else will do!
Why, because we do not currently have to worry about this plague except what might occur naturally in the environment.
Nothing less will than a “reasonable degree of scientific certainty that there will be no significant release of radioactive sediments downstream or in the air …” is what the politicians ask for. Nothing less than nature, the way things currently are, no harm from man made interference, no harm from mining & milling is what the people should, and do, demand of our elected and appointed officials throughout the Commonwealth!
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