Uranium Mining Controversy Continues

Comment: remember, people, the Texas group are having water problems because of the drilling for core samples!!

Local
Written by Shannon Dillon

A Goliad County family at the center of a federal lawsuit against a uranium company may have dismissed allegations against the company, but the debate is still brewing, and one resident says the proof is in the water.

“Stop Uranium In Goliad County” signs can be found at nearly every residence along F.M. 1961 in Goliad county. The signs represent just part of a uranium mining controversy that's been three years in the making.

Clues as to how the debate came to be can be found a few feet underground.

“They are pulling a bunch of water out of the ground for this process," says Ander resident, Susan Orr.

Susan Orr is just one of several people who are against, Uranium Energy Corp's project in Goliad, that is expected to begin early 2010. As of now the company is waiting for the necessary permits to mine.

And even though Goliad County residents, Craig and Luann Duderstadt, who filed a federal lawsuit against U.E.C. has dismissed their allegations that the project is contaminating their water supply,, talk from those on both sides of the issue is still ongoing.

U.E.C says they test water wells at least twice a month, but some residents who live in near test sites, say testing doesn't take into account everyone who is affected.

Fox Road, was the cut off for U.E.C’s water well testing completed last spring, and one resident says she's not taking any more chances with her only water supply, from an aquifer that doesn't stop, at Fox Road.

“We had a lot of sediment in our water and it was stopping up water and it was stopping up the filter that we have on the house," says Orr.

Orr says the effects of well testing has also affected the 35 acres of land, containing Orr’s family and cattle who are all dependent on a clean water supply.

U.E.C. officials say the project overall however, is for the greater good for the community. (like all the Nuke People say, they thinks its great frogs born with extra legs is a good thing!!)

“We're expecting 80 to 100 jobs in the local community plus we add to the tax base," says U.E.C General Manager of South Texas Operations, Bob Underdown. (their mine must be smaller than Coles Hills!)

Its an outlook Orr, says may be good for the community, but doesn't erase her concerns that depend more on just assurances.

“We just want more information and we want to make sure the company isn’t cutting corners in this process,” says Orr.

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