Minutes 01/22/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

,1 1 ':_t TUESDAY JANUARY 22, 1985 exploration firm which recently discovered uranium deposits in nearby Pitt sylvania County. Mr. Blancke maintained that, with proper safeguards yet to be developed and adopted in Virginia, the mining and milling of uranium pose no threat to the good health of citizens nor would it discourage the development of industries and commerce. Mr. Blancke noted that uranium mining and milling has been conducted for a number of years in the western, southwestern, and southern portions of the United States without adverse effects upon either the health of citizens or the economy within these areas. Attesting to Mr. Blancke's contention was Dr. Lyda W. Hersloff, a member of the faculty of Colorado State University and a consultant to The Marline Corporation. After citing the low amounts of radiation which might be emitted from such mining and milling and comparing these amounts (in units) with that to which most citizens are exposed in their everyday lives, Mr. Blancke indicated that the mining and milling of uranium in Pittsylvania County, with Union Carbide Corpor- ation probably as partner and operator, is not contemplated to begin until the mid-1990's and would provide employment for some 470 persons for fifteen-to-twenty years. Questions then arose as to whether Marline would be subject to--and/or would pay--taxes as well as the need (in view of Mr. Blancke's statement that there is currently a surplus of uranium elsewhere) to proceed with lifting the current moratorium in Virginia. Too, a question arose as to why Dr. J. B. Kenley, of the State Health Department, is on record as supporting a recent report prepared by a study group (authorized by the Virginia General Assembly), identified as the Uranium Subcommittee and the Uranium Administrative Group, which report concluded that the present moratorium on uranium development in Virginia can be lifted if essential and specific recommendations made a part of the report are enacted into law. The record notes that sixteen members of the eighteen-member Uranium Administrative Group con- curred with the findings and recommendations set forth in the report, although several of these sixteen members filed additional recommendations, whereas the remaining two members dissented, one of whom was Mrs. Elizabeth H. Haskell, of Martinsville, and from whomCouncil received in writing her reasons for dissenting. After further discussion of this matter by members of Council, Councilman Groden (asserting that local citizens do not want uranium