I applaud the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors

Letter to Editor:

Pittsylvania County must position itself to be the final determinant as to whether or not we agree with the findings of any and all studies regarding uranium mining and milling in our region. Neither the Coal and Energy Commission nor legislators who do not represent us should decide our fate.

Pittsylvania County's Zoning Ordinance which was enacted "for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, or general welfare of the public" states that the Code of Virginia gives the governing body of any county the authority to regulate "the excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources." It appears that the authority exists for the governing body to ban mining and milling of uranium in the county until studies are completed and we (citizens and local representatives) decide if benefits outweigh the risks. If we are not satisfied that the results of the studies assure community health and well-being we can continue the ban. It does not appear that the Dillion Rule applies here. Supervisors should take the initiative to find out.

I applaud the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors for their recent resolution which states “no damage or harm will be done to Pittsylvania County, its businesses, institutions, environment and its citizens by uranium mining, as opposed to a cost-benefit approach to this issue or simply accepting minimal damages but we can do more.

We are not powerless, unless we choose to be so. ENACT A BAN!

A call for a ban on uranium mining and and milling is a seperate issue from a revue of the mineral tax. The ban will give us an opportunity to decide if uranium mining/milling will be a detriment to health and economy. Exploring options regarding the county's mineral tax is altogether different.

I am not a proponent of uranium mining in Pittsylvania county.

However, Pittsylvania County is undergoing assessment.

The Code of Virginia allows mineral lands to be "specially and seperately assessed". Areas in the state and around the country levy taxes on undeveloped and/or improved mineral lands, mineral reserves, excavated ore and as mineral rights .

Mineral rights can be bought and sold, like your personal property, without an ounce of ore leaving the ground.

Neither Virginia Uranium nor Santoy, an international entity, in which is invested millions, and sits on top of billions in assets has not paid a penny in taxes to the county.

If Walter Coles, Jr. wants to "spread the wealth" he can begin entertaining the notion of taxing (VUI/Santoy's/Bowen Minerals LLC/ Coles Hill LLC, and others) mineral rights . If that proves a hardship, we can allow VUI and others a free pass on taxes if we ban the mining and milling of uranium.

That being said, I'm sure VUI will put a "happy spin" on this as well.

Karen B. Maute