Virginia is a southern gem, from the remote beaches of Chincoteague and the Chesapeake Bay to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains the Commonwealth is known for its special places and abundant natural resources. However, these special places are not just havens for vacation lovers, they also attract greedy corporations.

Uranium mining was banned in Virginia in the early 1980s. Now, industry interests in Virginia seek to lift the 25-year ban and begin uranium explorations in the southern county of Pittsylvania. Uranium mining bears unique and enduring environmental and health risks, the radioactive waste produced by uranium mining is highly water soluble, and is easily transported by water from the mining site. Virginia enjoys an average annual rainfall of more than 40 inches, significantly higher than the west, where virtually all of United States uranium mining is conducted. This heavy annual rainfall significantly increases the risk of toxic, dangerous radioactive runoff.

Proposals supporting a study left many questions about how a study would be conducted including, where funding would come from for the study and how state officials would proceed once a study was completed. Without question any proposal must include the study of the health and environmental effects of uranium mining in Virginia.

Clean Water Fund will continue to work with community and other environmental groups to educate residents of the Commonwealth about the need to proceed with caution in deciding whether mining uranium in Virginia can be done safely. Until then, the moratorium put in place 25 years ago must remain.