Comment: Virginians is fighting against uranium mining and milling just like the people of Pinon Ridge, CO. Boy, this uranium corporation is a sneaky bunch, bussing people in for the event!
Montrose BOCC should wait on Pinon Ridge Mill Permit
Published: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 9:43 AM CDT
By Dan Chancellor
Dear Editor:
The Montrose Board of County Commissioners faces one of the most important decisions in the history of Montrose County. The special use permit for a uranium mill and radio-active materials dump site could have far-reaching consequences thousands of years into the future.
Despite the urging of citizens, businesses and varied organizations, the commissioners seem bent on blindly racing to a speedy conclusion. By stipulation of the permit process, the commissioners have received fifty thousand dollars for independent analysis of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the proposed mill and dumpsite.
To date, no studies have been implemented. Future impacts cannot be completely determined. Once established as a sacrifice zone, State and Federal agencies could amend the license to include large quantities of most any toxic, hazardous or radioactive materials.
Using only the data supplied by the mill applicants, in an incomplete application, the commissioners are poised to grant a special use permit that could negatively impact the entire Four Corners region. There is no obligation or apparent reason to rush this complex and extremely consequential process.
Public opposition was made abundantly clear at the Montrose BOCC public hearing in Nucla on Aug. 13. At the end of the allocated time, 28 of the 30 citizen speakers had voiced opposition to the mill. In the commentary extension granted by the board, the balance remained overwhelmingly in favor of the opposition.
To counter the swell of citizen opposition, Energy Fuels, the mill applicant, has chartered busses to bring locals to the upcoming hearing.
Energy Fuels has been serving up free hamburgers, along with sides of questionable facts and vague intentions.
Those of us whose chief concerns are the health, safety and prosperity of the area cannot afford to charter busses or give out free food.
But we can show up, we can stand up and we can make sure that our voices are heard.
The next, and possibly the last, public hearing will occur at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Montrose Fairground’s Friendship Hall.
If you can’t attend this meeting, you still have a short time to send an e-mail or letter to the Montrose County Commissioners. For further information go to www.paradoxsustainability.org, e-mail pvsa777@yahoo.com or call 970-859-7248.
Sincerely,
Dan Chancellor
Placerville, Colo.
http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2009/09/12/norwood_post/news/doc4aa7bc525dde8078706492.txt
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