Danville Regional Foundation Uranium Study Proposals Now Online

DANVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) announced today it has received proposals from two nationally-known groups Resources for the Future and RTI International to conduct an independent socio-economic study on the regional impact of uranium mining.

“The Foundation is sponsoring an independent study so the citizens of the Dan River Region can better understand the implications of uranium mining, milling and waste storage.”

Abstracts of these proposals are online and available for public comments for 30 days through DRF’s Uranium Blog. Registered, public comments submitted online will be reviewed and used in selecting the organization to conduct the study. Selection is expected to be announced in August with the final study due by year end, 2011.

The proposed study will examine the potential effects of uranium mining and milling, and long-term waste management on people, institutions and economies within 50 miles of the proposed site. Specific means of determining the socio-economic benefits and risks, such as impact on property values, taxes and institutions, are outlined in the abstracts.

In the state of Virginia, there are currently four uranium mining, milling and tailings storage studies currently under way, or planned. Each has different purposes. A brief summary is online.

The Foundation received statements of interest from eight organizations in April, 2010, and invited three to submit full proposals. Battelle International withdrew from the process in June due to a potential conflict of interest.

“We do not have a position on uranium mining, milling and waste management in Pittsylvania County, VA.,” said Karl Stauber, DRF CEO and President. “The Foundation is sponsoring an independent study so the citizens of the Dan River Region can better understand the implications of uranium mining, milling and waste storage.” A uranium deposit at Coles Hill, approximately six miles northeast of Chatham, was discovered in the early 1980s and is estimated to be worth several billion dollars, depending on demand and cost of production.

DRF makes long-term investments to foster education, economic development, as well as health and well-being of residents in the City of Danville, Pittsylvania and Caswell Counties. Since its establishment in July 2005, DRF has invested more than $40 million into the community through over 40 grants to help position the Dan River Region as a thriving area with great opportunities to retain present, and attract future, residents.