Linda Carr Muller, chair of the Rappahannock Group of The Sierra Club, will speak to the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club on Nov. 15 on a proposal expected to go before the General Assembly in January to lift a three-decade-long ban on uranium mining in the state.
The ban went unchallenged until recently, when the cost of uranium began to rise and the uranium industry began to lobby state legislators to allow mining operations throughout Virginia.
Twelve thousand acres of land from Orange County north through Fauquier County have been identified as potential mining sites.
Virginia residents have expressed concern about the dangers uranium mining poses to drinking water, air quality, farm products, fishing and tourism. They say allowing mining of the one uranium deposit already identified would open the door for exploration of other sites across the state. Almost all of Virginia’s major cities have passed resolutions to oppose lifting the ban.
Orange County is among the local governments that has asked that the moratorium not be lifted.
The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of the LOW Clubhouse. As always, guests are welcome without regard to political affiliation.
Ms. Muller served as vice chair of the Rappahannock Group from 2006 to 2010 and has been legislative contact team leader for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters from 2001 to the present for the 28th legislative districts. She is a former board member of Friends of the Rappahannock and former chair of the Stafford Democratic Committee.
Ms. Muller is an avid outdoor enthusiast and shares a deep concern for Virginia’s natural environment. She enjoys nature photography, hiking, fishing and recently returned from a summit attempt of Mt. Rainier in Washington state with her husband.
Those who would like to become more familiar with this important topic are encouraged to visit these Web sites:
- The Rappahannock Group — Virginia Chapter of The Sierra Club
- Virginia Conservation Network
- Keep the Ban
- “Will uranium get a glowing welcome in Virginia?,” Virginia Environmental Law Journal
- “Safety the only issue in uranium debate,” The Roanoke Times
- “Uranium Mining: Too Dangerous for Virginia,” The Free Lance-Star