Virginia Beach water officials are asking that a moratorium on uranium mining be held in place at least until 2013 for fears that mining could taint the city's water supply.
The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/oIWoph ) that water officials sent a letter this week asking Mayor Will Sessoms and City Council to urge the General Assembly to extend the moratorium and delay any regulatory action. City officials already have voiced opposition to lifting the ban until they're satisfied it won't threaten Lake Gaston, a key source of the city's drinking water.
While some studies say flooding near a mine could wash radioactive contaminants into tributaries that feed Gaston, a pro-mining study concluded that is unlikely.
Legislators are expected to debate whether to lift the three decade-old ban during the 2012 legislation session.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement