Writer-We are in a "Sacrifice Zone"

(This was sent to the Danville Register Bee for publication as a Letter to the Editor)


To the Editor:

The Danville R & B's (2-1-08) on-line question (Poll) should be, "Considering the horrendous results of past uranium mining in parts of this and other countries, as evidenced by an Internet article where the peoples of Saskatchewan are trying to make the Canadian government clean up 42 abandoned uranium mines at cost of $30 million, where the land and water is now so sullied with deadly radioactive waste it can never be re-claimed for human consumption, well, not for at least 40 generations (a 1000-plus years) to come, would you support uranium mining in Southside Virginia?"

The mining of Uranium has never been done without dire consequences to the area that was mined. Google "uranium mining" and view the pictures and horror stories. This is not a landfill that can be covered with mounds of dirt and safely used as a public park once it has been filled to capacity. No thinking person would ever place a picnic table over a former uranium mine site. These sites will continue to give off deadly radioactive airborne particles, carried by the slightest of breezes, downwind to the lungs of future lung cancer victims. It will continue to decompose into other deadly radioactive by-products which will, over time, be leeched into the surrounding drinking water supplies. Google "what yellow cake means to the American Navajo Indians," if you want to see some of the disastrous effects of uranium mining in the American West.

Your on-line question: "If uranium mining is deemed safe, would you support it?" is sorely skewed and does the citizens of Southside Virginia a disservice. It leads the reader to believe there is a possibility that uranium mining can be done safely. It can't. And sadly, the only people who are really going to get rich off of this venture are the greedy handful of area landowners and the corporations in which they've invested their money. These few have powerful people in place to do their bidding. Virginia's newest State Senator, Robert Hurt, whose daddy is an investor may be one. In a January 13, 2008, Washington Post article, by Anita Kumar, Senator Hurt has publicly stated that he does not have to recuse himself on voting on the proposed study for uranium mining in Virginia because "no profit is at stake" for his father, Henry. Does this mean that his father will still be a wealthy man even if the study of uranium mining in Southwest Virginia is deemed unsafe and is denied? Incidentally, Robert and the Virginia legislature will vote on this very bill which will allow the undertaking of the study, as early as next week. Even if Robert Hurt has never invested a thin dime into uranium mining, does he stand to inherit any money from his father's estate one day? Does this bother anyone else but me? Does anyone else feel foolish for voting for this man besides me?

He's not alone. Others we've helped put into office are vigorously supporting the idea of uranium mining in Virginia. They feel the extraction of the estimated $10 billion-dollar uranium ore deposit on Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County is reason enough to put aside the health and environmental concerns of Virginia citizens. Sadly, their plan to overturn the moratorium on uranium mining in Southside Virginia is only a matter of time unless, we, as concerned citizens unite and say, "NO!" to their plan.

I resent the fact that I live and work in a "sacrifice zone." Yes, Southside Virginians, this is what our beautiful area is considered to be by a handful of investors and the corporations who are pushing to overturn Virginia's moratorium on uranium mining. Again, say, "NO!" to their plan. Keep Southside Virginia a beautiful, safe place to live. Keep it safe for our future generations. As citizens, we have every right to protect our ourselves against any group that threatens our health and environmental well being.

Perhaps it is time for a referendum to be placed on the November voting ballot which would ask the question, "Should the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia be lifted so as to allow uranium mining in Southside Virginia?" Behind a curtain, with the convictions of our heart, we could voice our opposition or support in great numbers. This is not a question that should be answered by a few but by many. The proposed bill before the Virginia legislature, to study the feasibility and safety of uranium mining in Southside Virginia, is viewed by its opponents as nothing more than a rubber stamp go-ahead for the mining of uranium in our state.

Fellow Virginians, get involved. On Saturday, February 9th, at 6:30 p.m., the White Oak Grove Outreach Center, on Dry Fork Road, Dry Fork, Virginia, will host a public forum on uranium mining. Virginia Uranium Inc. and Southside Concerned Citizens will be the presenters. Both VUI and SCC will be given 45 minutes to address the uranium mining issue. Following their presentations, the public will be allowed a 45-minute question and answer period. Edward L. Pope, Director of the White Oak Grove Outreach Center, will moderate. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of many public forums where the issue of uranium mining in Virginia will be addressed.

For now start talking, ask questions, or, simply go to the Internet and google "the pros and cons of uranium mining." I promise, it's a sobering eye-opener! Call, write or e-mail your delegate or senator. Let them know, in large numbers, that you are against any future plans to mine uranium in Virginia. Remind them that they are speaking for you, not a handful of investors or the corporations they've invested in. Unite, and say, "No to Uranium Mining in Virginia!"

Anne Cockrell
Danville, Virginia