Gretna targets uranium

By SUSAN WORLEY/Star-Tribune Staff WriterWednesday,
February 11, 2009 10:47 AM EST

GRETNA - Gretna Town Council passed a resolution Monday night addressing concerns about the possibility of mining uranium in Pittsylvania County.

The town endorses the concept of asking the National Academy of Sciences to join the Coal and Energy Commission on the state study that is under way.

The town takes the position that unless mining and milling can be done safely, Gretna opposes the lifting of the state moratorium enacted in 1983."That unless and until it can be demonstrated to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that there will be no significant release of radioactive sediments downstream or in the air, the Town of Gretna is opposed to the elimination of the existing legislative moratorium on uranium mining," states the resolution.

The town stresses that a study should include a thorough evaluation of the risks, including those resulting from natural events such as floods.Also safeguards must be in place to protect the environment, agricultural lands and the health and well-being of citizens.

The town would like for the study process to be open to the public and the press.Since Gretna is the closest town to the site, a town representative should be included in the study, not for influence, but to make sure the town is kept informed.

It is a non-binding resolution that is simply the expression of the position of the town, said town attorney Michael Turner.

Joe Aylor, chief geologist for Virginia Uranium Inc., which plans to mine the site, grew up in Gretna.He said there are 119 million pounds of uranium at Coles Hill which could mean between 300 and 500 jobs for the long term.

"The jobs would mean economic gains for the community and Pittsylvania County," said Aylor.He invited those present to visit the VUI office in Chatham or the proposed site to better understand what uranium mining means for the community.

Aylor said the resolution basically mirrors what the state is already doing.

Bunny Eanes, who represents a group that earlier asked council to pass a resolution addressing uranium mining, said she is very concerned."The studies I have seen don't address the long range effects in this area's climate and rainfall," said Eanes."I'm worried about my grandchildren. The jobs all sound fine and well, but I don't think jobs are worth the health of our community."

The resolution will be forwarded to the town's Congressional and General Assembly delegations.