Forwarded Message:There is an extremely IMPORTANT MEETING of the Governor’s newly appointed Uranium Working Group (UWG). The date is Monday, June 18th, 2012 @ 6:00 pm @ Chatham High School, Chatham, Va.
Many of our concerned colleagues, having studied the issue without ceasing since it’s origin in 1978, believe that this UWG flies in the face of democratic protocol, and that Governor McDonnell has committed a grave wrong to the citizens he has been elected to represent and protect. His recent attack on the free speech rights of women has already trashed his hopes for thew Republican VEEP canadacy this fall!
Please try to attend this meeting on the 18th of June. There will be time for public comment, for which we must all sign up early, so try to get there by 5:00 or so in order to get on the list of public speakers.
The link to the UWG is http://www.uwg.vi.virginia.gov and there should be an agenda at the site. Our understanding is that they will cover Mine permitting, Environmental Impact Analysis and Environmental Monitoring of Mine Sites, Disposal of Mine Waste, Mine Site Reclamation. There will also be a passout on UWG Comprehensive Work Plan and Schedual.
It is imperative that NC citizens are engaged in this issue. The potential of pollution of NC water exists if VA lifts the current ban on uranium mining. Virginia Uranium, Inc. will also build a mill. The mill will likely process ore from other mines in addition to deposits on-site at Coles Hill. When Virginia last considered the uranium mining issue a company called Marline held leases in at least 62,000 acres throughout VA. Other wastes known as “alternate feed” may be permitted and processed as well.
NC has no moratorium on uranium mining. Uranium is present in NC. Whether these deposits are economically feasible to mine is unknown until exploration occurs. With the potential of a uranium mill in close proximity to NC will chances of exploration and mining will increase in the Tar Heel state?