Montrose - Daily Press

The Pinon Ridge yellowcake mill now sits before the Montrose County Commissioners where most observers, including us, presume a special use permit will be granted speedily.  This should not be the case. Workers and perhaps residents’ lives and a valley’s future remain at stake, the final disposal of radioactive wastes in a seismic area will likely be implemented in a manner that will provide little protection to our descendants.   

Once again, the Montrose Daily Press appeals to the commissioners to take their sweet time in learning how and if unanswered questions can be addressed regarding the mill before making a decision. Don’t rubberstamp this one, it isn’t some annoying sand and gravel yard that may be a bit ugly but shouldn’t do much damage. This is big (radioactive) stuff and demands careful scrutiny.

There is nothing stopping the BOCC from carefully choosing an independent expert — neither an industry flack nor a spokesperson for an anti-nuke group — to give them clear and researched answers on occupational health and extremely long term environmental issues. The law provides a certain level of funding, we understand up to $100,000, to assist the county in this difficult decision, and Energy Fuels CEO George Glasier has told the Daily Press he is fine with providing more money, if it expedites the permitting process no matter what the decision. The BOCC should take his offer and again, their time.

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The BOCC does not have a concrete description of what this mill is or will be. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has yet to receive a completed environmental report as part of the mill permit application that they can approve or disapprove and that provides detailed plans of operation.

Occupational health is perhaps the most puzzling. It is unlikely worker health will face as many hazards in milling as mining, but the ionizing radiation in the Whirlwind and other mines feeding the mill will pose a serious health risk to workers and it could do the same at the mill.  Without an environmental permit application how can these questions be addressed?

We disagreed with the speed at which the Planning Commission approved the mill permit. Nonetheless, it is to the planners and to Planning Director Steve White’s credit that the current permit provision limits feedstock to uranium ore, and if this can be legally enforced, it is a good limitation that could halt the importation of radioactive and hazardous waste into Montrose County. 

Additionally, what will come of a promised lawsuit by the Energy Minerals Law Center alleging that the mill and its waste cells are not something you can approve as a special use in an agricultural area?  The center claims the land must be rezoned. 

Yes, jobs are needed in the Paradox Valley and organic gardening and ecotourism probably won’t feed everyone. But that is not the decision that the commissioners face. Montrose County’s health and welfare is their first responsibility.

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Note to readers: A public hearing with the county commissioners regarding the proposed mill’s special use permit will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Nucla High School.

Comments

Homer wrote on Aug 18, 2009 1:46 PM:

" if i flick my pinkie, my hand lights up. "




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Madisonj wrote on Aug 18, 2009 11:25 AM:

" I completely disagree with the Press.

This is a land use decision by the Commissioners. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will ensure the Mill is constructed in a safe manner. No matter how many studies are done by the County, the Commissioners will never be experts on the Mill. That is why the State is involved with a team of scientists, engineers, etc.

On this issue, the Press is cow-towing to a very small, but very vocal, well-organized and well-funded minority of environmental radicals. "




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