Halifax Chamber Presents Uranium Study Concerns

The Uranium Study Advisory Group formed by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce presented its final report entitled "Community Concerns Related To Uranium Mining In Virginia" to the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission's Uranium Mining sub-committee on Friday, Dec. 12, at the General Assembly Building.

This was the organizational meeting of the sub-committee, chaired by Del. Lee Ware and consisting of eleven delegates, senators and one citizen member.

"It was a fairly good sized crowd present for the meeting," said Nancy Pool, Executive Director of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce. Pool said she spoke during the meeting as did about 19 others, the majority of whom opposed lifting the state's moratorium on uranium mining. She added that she was encouraged by Ware's assurances that he would carefully review the study. An aide to Ware also said he would review it.

The Chamber's study includes 18 pages of questions and concerns covering four areas: health and the environment, economic effects of the mining, the scope and methodology of the study and the impact of mining on the local quality of life. Another 20 pages list references from researchers.

Those studies, from reputable researchers, governmental agencies and medical organizations, construct a point-by-point case for the proposition that pollutants associated with uranium mining are hazardous to human health.

The study details a 15-year track record of the US Department of Energy in cleaning up groundwater pollution under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978. Fifteen years later, DOE had demonstrated ground water cleanup compliance at only eight of the original 18 sites covered in the study.

The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission passed a motion on November 6 to appoint a sub-committee of its members to oversee a study of the impact of uranium mining in Virginia. The Commission entered into an agreement with the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research to contract with the National Academy of Sciences or other comparable scientific or academic institutions independent of the Center, to conduct a wide-ranging study on the impact of uranium mining in the Commonwealth.

The Commission, through its sub-committee, will study the economic, environmental, public health and social issues affecting nearby communities, the region and the Commonwealth as a whole. Additionally, the subcommittee is directed to hold appropriate public hearings as it considers the issues and develops its recommendations.

In September, Del. Clarke Hogan asked the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce to create a Uranium Study Advisory Group to solicit written input from area residents and to ascertain and present those related issues that are of concern to Halifax citizens.

"It is important to our community that any study that may be undertaken is fair and objective, and that it answers the many questions people have," said Delegate Hogan. "The Halifax County Chamber is a highly respected organization in our area. I am confident that they will ensure that the questions that need to be asked will be asked.

"The Chamber's advisory group began meeting in September, researched the issues, met with various experts and interest groups, and solicited input and questions from area residents. We believe the resulting product that is being presented to the Committee today is thorough, comprehensive and credible. A great deal of work has gone into developing and articulating the issues In a coherent way, and we hope the information and recommendations contained will be of value to the Committee," said Pool, Chamber president.

"We are going to remain involved in the issue of uranium mining in our area and in Virginia, and we look forward to participating in the public part of the process, and to reviewing the work of the sub-committee and the study as it goes forward," said Dr. Michele Ah, chairman of the Chamber's board of directors. "I served on this committee and know the amount of work that went into creating the scope of study defined in our document. If it is used, citizens can be assured every concern will be addressed."

The Chamber's board of directors will meet on Dec. 18, and will address the issue of uranium mining at that time. It is expected that a resolution will be forthcoming.

The full text of the Chamber Advisory Group's document can be found on the Chamber's web site www.halifaxchamber.net or www.thenewsrecord.com.

http://www.thenewsrecord.com/2008webfiles/20081215chamberuranium.htm