Supervisors explore uranium ban, minerals tax

COMMENTS:BAN URANIUM MINING & MILLING NOW!!

By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune EditorWednesday, March 11, 2009 9:30 AM EDT

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors' Legislative Committee met last week to explore tightening the county's zoning ordinance and a possible ban on uranium mining.(BAN URANIUM MINING AND MILLING NOW!!)

The committee, chaired by Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker, tabled the ban, but is expected to schedule a work session with the county's attorney to determine if a ban is even possible.(BAN URANIUM MINING AND MILLING NOW, THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY HAS THE RIGHT TO PROTECT OUR HOMES AND LAND!!!)

"I think we need to address the issue and look at it closely and not make any hasty decisions one way or the other," said Ecker."Right now, I don't have a strong opinion either way. I want to look at the facts," he said.The committee also includes Banister District Supervisor William Pritchett and Chatham-Blairs District Supervisor Henry "Hank" Davis Jr.Davis recently pushed for a stronger resolution from supervisors on uranium mining.(NO RESOLUTION, WE WANT A COMPLETE BAN ON URANIUM MINING AND MILLING!)

The resolution, adopted unanimously last month, recommends that a state study determine uranium mining will cause "no damage or harm" to the county.(THE STUDY IS A JOKE, A PRO-MINING GROUP JUST WANT TO MINE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, ITS THEIR LIFE, URANIUM MINING HAS NEVER BEEN MINED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD SAFELY, THE URANIUM PEOPLE GETS THE GOV. TO WEAKEN WATER, AIR LAWS, THEREFORE, THE URANIUM PEOPLE SAYS IT IS SAFE (CHECK OUT CANADA LAWS), THEY JUST WANT MONEY AND HECK WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR LAND!!!)

The resolution was sent to the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission's Uranium Mining Subcommittee, which is conducting a comprehensive study on the dangers and benefits of uranium mining.The Coles Hill uranium deposit about six miles northeast of Chatham is one of the largest deposits in the United States. (WHO CARES WHAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE THINKS ABOUT THE RESOLUTION, THIS IS OUR COUNTY, OUR HOMES, WE WANT A COMPLETE BAN ON URANIUM MINING!)

The subcommittee will meet Tuesday, March 24, at 2 p.m. in Richmond to receive recommendations on the scope of the study from Dr. Michael Karmis, a professor in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and director of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

The idea for a ban on uranium mining was suggested by Karen Maute of Danville, a well-known zoning and environmental advocate."I brought this to the board's attention because I feel like we're losing control over our own destiny," said Maute, who cautioned against rolling out a "welcome mat" for uranium mining. (COUNTY PEOPLE, WE WANT A COMPLETE BAN ON URANIUM MINING IN OUR WHOLE STATE!!!)

"I don't think the Coal and Energy Commission has our best interest at heart," she added. "I'd like for that to come from this board." (NO, COAL & ENERGY WANTS URANIUM HILLSIDE REMOVAL, LIKE THEY ARE DOING TO OUR MOUNTAIN FAMILIES WITH MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL, POLLUTING AND DESTROYING THEIR WATERS)

Maute attended last week's Legislative Committee meeting along with other uranium opponents, Eloise Nenon and Gregg Vickrey, both of Chatham.Nenon is a founding member of Southside Concerned Citizens, which began 30 years ago when the prospect of uranium mining first surfaced.Vickrey is chairman of a new local rights-based organization called The Alliance.

Virginia Uranium Inc., which was formed more than two years ago to mine the Coles Hill deposit, was represented by Henry Hurt and the company's lawyer, Neal Keesee.

"Our company firmly believes we're on the right track with the study," said Hurt.Even if the Coal and Energy Commission determines uranium mining can be done safely, the General Assembly would have to lift the state's moratorium, which has been in place since 1982."All of these steps involve public input and public participation," said Hurt. (REALLY, PUBLIC INPUT, HOW COME NO ONE FROM OUR COUNTY IS ON THE BOARD????? WHO IS PAYING FOR THE STUDY?)

"Some people are confused that the study gives us the go-ahead."John Light, the county's attorney, said he doesn't know if the county has the authority to ban uranium mining (We are not confused but do you really believe the Coal People are going to say uranium mining is safe, they are blowing up VA MOUNTAINS WITH MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL, THEY LOVE TO MINE, THEY ARE GREEDY, CORP. JERKS!!!). OH, BY THE WAY, HOW COME YOU DO NOT KNOW IF WE CAN BAN URANIUM, IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR 2 YEARS, NEW JERSEY COUNTIES BANNED URANIUM IN 1980, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, WE NEED TO BAN URANIUM, FIGHT THE STATE!)

"Whether or not the county will have the authority to prohibit uranium mining if the commonwealth lifts the moratorium ultimately depends on the manner that the moratorium is lifted, and whether the county is granted that authority by the General Assembly, either expressly or by implication," he said.

The board's chairman, Westover District Supervisor Coy Harville, said it's a state issue."Right now all we can do is listen," he said. "The state has a moratorium and I respect that. ( this is the county issue, we demand the state of VA we do not want to be mined, we are going to ban uranium mining, with Harville's idea, the US will still be English!!!!)

They have more authority than we do. (the State does not have more rights than citizens in this county, we have to right to ban uranium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

"The Legislative Committee also is looking at a minerals tax for the county.Maute said the county should consider taxing undeveloped minerals deposits, like Coles Hill, which is worth between $8 billion and $10 billion.

At present, mineral deposits are assessed with real estate by the commissioner of revenue, and the county receives little if any additional revenue on what's beneath the ground. (if the county needs money, start taxing minerals in the ground, it is done in other places out West)

Ecker supports a minerals tax, but said it's not likely the county will tax anything, including uranium, unless it is mined.

Hurt pointed out the uranium is worthless unless it can be taken out of the ground. (States out West taxes minerals)!

tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com434-432-2791