Uranium mining too close for comfort

This letter has not been edited

John S. Dixon of Fort Collins writes:

Published February 4, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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State Representatives Randy Fischer and John Kefalas and State Senators Bob Bacon and Steve Johnson deserve our utmost praise and gratitude. On January 16, they introduced two bills in the State House which, if passed, will protect our waters and local communities from toxic and radioactive pollution resulting from uranium mining. We must fully support passage of these two bills which are crucial to protecting our lives and the lives of our children.

The people of Northern Colorado are gravely endangered by the plans of Powertech Uranium (“Powertech”) to mine uranium in Weld and Larimer Counties, within 15 miles of 300,000 people, and through the water table and aquifer these people depend on for their drinking water and livelihoods.

During the past three months, I have attended two presentations by Powertech Uranium. Powertech has yet to provide any guarantees or assurances, whatsoever, that the radioactive materials or poisonous metals unearthed by the mining will not contaminate our water, land and air.

The people of Northern Colorado must not be forced to bear all the risks of uranium mining so close to our homes, so that a mining corporation can make huge profits. If there is less than a 1% chance of contamination, that is far, far too great a risk for us to endure.

We must ask all our representatives and officials now to turn back Powertech and the other uranium mining companies that threaten our lives.

• February 4, 2008

  10:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Castle writes:

  I agree with you. No reason to produce anything in this country when we can buy it over seas. Just like we do 65% of our oil. You need to wake up and see whats happening to this country, befor we don't have a country.

• February 5, 2008

  1:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LarCoRes writes:

  Kudos to JD for his letter. I too have attended a couple informative meetings about this proposed mine. We are risking too much if this mine is allowed to go through. Residents of Colorado do not understand that this affects all of us from Cheyenne to Colorado Springs.

  Historically ISR/ISL mining has left toxic chemicals in the precious acquifers. Do we want our acquifiers polluted? Do you want your real estate values to drop substantially due to this mine? Would you live next to the mining operation? I say "NO" you would not.

• February 5, 2008

  8:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Castle writes:

  LAR CO RES: Could those same historical mines operate today, under the current EPA regs? You're useing historical history to make decissions on todays mining operations. Is that intentional? Do you really feel that mining today has not cleaned up their operations and practices?? Wake up and see what the anti-capitalistic liberials and enviros are doing to this country.

• February 6, 2008

  10:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  HearMe writes:

  Castle - There are lots of examples of uranium mining and nuclear industry pollution around the state of Colorado. While a student in Grand Junction, my husband did genetic research on the tissue of uranium miners. The microscope told the truth. Their chromosomes were "smashed", he said. He lived in a house built on radioactive mine tailings, which he discovered when he inquired as to why all his audio tapes were being erased. I have lived in Front Range cities where radiation was released into the air and water, which the EPA ignored. You may call us "anti-capitalistic liberals and enviros" for being concerned, but what do you know about the health effects of radiation? Have you done research?
  And exactly how up are you on mining safety operations? Are you so naive as to think that radiation and heavy metal pollution aren't extemely dangerous and require the utmost caution?
  If you can't prove a substantial track record and expertise, why should we rely on your opinion and not our own better judgement?

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