(Following is from Katie Whitehead to our representatives in the General Assembly)
Sen. Hurt, Del. Merricks, Del. Poindexter, and Del.Marshall,
Today a concerned citizen in Southside pointed outthat a Walter Coles is/was on the Virginia RoanokeRiver Basin Advisory Committee. The membership list isat least somewhat out of date, given that it showsSen. Charles Hawkins and Del. Robert Hurt and citizenmember Charles Poindexter. I would like interestedindividuals in Southside and elsewhere in the RoanokeRiver Basin to better understand the work of this committee and the consequences of its advice.
Can one of you answer or refer me to someone who cananswer the questions listed below? I understand thatyou are all very busy. At the same time, this is oneexample where ordinary citizens feel out of the loop.You needn't all respond. Your identifying anappropriate person to address these concerns would be beneficial, I think.
What is the current membership?
Are you on the Committee?
Who made the appointments? When? What notice was givenof the openings?
When will new or additional appointments be made?
What is the stated task of the Committee?
Can you or someone please articulate the relevance of the proposed study of uranium mining in Virginia tothe work of this Committee?
Whom does the Committee advise?
Who appoints the NC members? When?
When does this Committee meet?
What provision is there for public notification and participation?
Thank you for any clarification you can give and any suggestions you may have as to how your constituentscan actively and constructively participate in allaspects of the process as debate about uranium mining continues.
Katie Whitehead
Sunday, February 10, 2008
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1 comment:
You've asked some great questions and I sure hope you get answers. Looking at the Dept of Environmental Quality website would indicate that this advisory committee is somewhat of a joke which is so unfortunate.
§ 62.1-69.34 created the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee. It spells out the membership and purpose. Regarding meetings, the statute says this:
"The meetings of the advisory committee shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the voting members so request."
The last meeting minutes available on the DEQ website are from March 9, 2005. That's nearly three years ago! There was a meeting scheduled for July 26, 2005 but apparently it never was held.
Should you not get the info you desire, I hope that you'll follow through with a formal Open Records Request through the Freedom of Information Act. The contact is listed on the DEQ Contacts page.
What you're asking and asking for is important. You're to be commended for taking the time to follow this up. Coles' membership on this Committee seems incongruous at best.
Smidgen Barnes
Louisville, KY
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