Uranium mining hearings set for February

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

People concerned about proposed in-situ uranium mining in Weld County will have ample opportunity to voice their opinions this month.

The Larimer County commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the issue for Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., in the first-floor hearing room of the Courthouse Offices Building. While Larimer County is not a decider for the project, the commissioners could choose to pass along comments and concerns to Weld County, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies.

In addition, hearings on two mining-related bills before the state legislature are planned. The bills seek to change requirements in the mining permitting process under the Mined Land Reclamation Act. They're designed to "raise a new standard of protection for scarce groundwater resources in rural Colorado communities," said Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, who co-sponsored the legislation with Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins.

HB-1161, the bill dealing with groundwater quality and in-situ leach uranium mining, was scheduled for a hearing on Jan. 30.

HB-1165, which allows the public to access more information about prospecting activities, will be heard Feb. 6. Fischer noted that Colorado is one of only a few states that maintain confidentiality around prospecting. Mining states that already require more openness include Montana, Utah and Wyoming. HB-1165 also affirms the authority of local governments to control mining operations within their jurisdictions.

Both bills have been assigned to the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee.

Powertech Inc., the Canada-based company that hopes to use the in-situ mining method in Weld County, issued a statement on Jan. 16 in response to the proposed legislation. The statement, which criticized lawmakers for not consulting the mining industry before drafting the two bills, said the company will "continue our exploration study and will work within the regulatory process with the intent of submitting our permit application by the end of 2008."