A CALL TO ACTION!

Comment: Everyone should take a pat on the back,

Especially Deborah and Phillip Lovelace - they made this happen!

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE MINING AND MILLING OF URANIUM IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA IN THE ABSENCE OF AN UNBIASED CONCLUSIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS THEREOF

WHEREAS, in 1983, in response to proposals to mine uranium in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, the General Assembly enacted a legislative moratorium on the mining of uranium in Virginia, which remains in effect today; and

WHEREAS, present-day estimates of uranium ore in Pittsylvania County and the price of uranium yellowcake indicate that uranium deposits in Pittsylvania County may be worth as much as $7 to $10 billion, prompting proposals to study the consequences of repealing the moratorium and developing a regulatory framework for uranium mining; and

WHEREAS, a company known as Virginia Uranium, Inc. has proposed to establish a mining and milling operations in Pittsylvania County; and

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2008, the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission (VCEC) adopted a resolution urging the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, or other comparable scientific or academic institution independent of the Center, to conduct a wide-ranging study of the impact of uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Hurt is in favor of an unbiased, scientific study of the potential impacts of uranium mining and milling in Virginia by an independent entity such as the National Academy of Sciences.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HURT, VIRGINIA;

That unless and until it can be demonstrated a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that there will be no significant release of radioactive sediments downstream or in the air under any circumstances, the Town of Hurt is opposed to the elimination of the existing legislative moratorium on uranium mining.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED;

That any study commissioned by or used by the Commonwealth of Virginia to determine the feasibility of uranium mining in Virginia should include the following criteria:

(1) The study must thoroughly evaluate the risks, including those resulting from natural events such as floods to the citizens of Virginia and assess whether uranium mining and milling in Virginia can be undertaken in a manner that will completely safeguard the Commonwealth¢s environment, natural and agricultural lands, and the health and well-being of its citizens;

(2) The entire study process must be open to the public and the press;

(3) The Town of Hurt, being within 15 miles of the proposed uranium mining and milling site must be included as active participants in the study process.

(4) The study must be conducted, and the conclusions of such study be determined, by a group of qualified and impartial experts, such as the National Academy of Sciences, who are completely independent of the uranium mining industry, the nuclear power industry, and any state commission that has assumed or been charged with the responsibility for providing such a study;

(5) A peer review group that is independent of the VCEC and the VCCER and includes adequate representation for the environmental public health, water supply and water resource and air quality agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, is established to monitor and critique the study; and

(6) That the study must be adequately funded and be given adequate time for the completion of the study.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED;

That the Town Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to each member of the Town¢s Congressional and General Assembly Delegations.

Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Hurt on the _____day of
____________________, 2009.