County faces suit over uranium mill

MONTROSE — The Montrose County Commissioners abused their discretion when they approved Energy Fuels' special use permit for the siting of Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill, attorneys for The Sheep Mountain Alliance say.

The alliance contends in a lawsuit drafted Oct. 30 that the permit's approval was predetermined and should be invalidated.

In September, the county approved a special use permit that will allow the mill to be sited in the Paradox Valley, within a zone designated for general agriculture. Energy Fuels must obtain state licensing in order to build the mill.

Mill opponents were concerned about potential, long-term environmental impacts, while supporters said the West End of Montrose County needs the jobs a milling operation could bring.

The Sheep Mountain Alliance's suit asks the Montrose District Court to invalidate the special use permit; declare that a uranium mill is an industrial use not permitted within an agricultural district, and determine that the county abused its discretion by treating uranium milling as the equivalent of mining.

The self-described grassroots citizens groups wants a court order compelling county commissioners to begin their approval process anew.