colorado connection

The future of uranium development in the Paradox Valley could be on the line this week as the court-ordered hearings regarding the radioactive materials license for the Piñon Ridge uranium mill continue with verbal arguments in Nucla.

The hearings are set to begin Wednesday morning and could run through Nov. 13. They will be held each day at the Moose Lodge in Nucla from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with public comment set to start at 4 p.m.

The hearings are the result of a lawsuit filed against the state agency that issued the licence, and represent another chapter in the divisive issue of uranium development in the region.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a radioactive materials license to Canadian company Energy Fuels, Inc. in early 2011 to build the Piñon Ridge mill in Paradox Valley. Soon after that, Telluride environmental organization Sheep Mountain Alliance filed a lawsuit — that the Towns of Telluride and Ophir later joined — claiming the CDPHE did not follow proper procedure by denying the public a right to a formal adjudicatory hearing.


In June, Denver District Court Judge John McMullen found that the CDPHE had indeed failed to offer the opportunity to the public to request such a hearing. The judge’s ruling invalidated the license for the mill until such a hearing takes place.

Both sides had most of the summer to prepare their arguments. The proceedings began on Oct. 15 with submission of written testimony; they are expected to get more in depth with this week’s verbal arguments.

Parties will be presenting verbal arguments for and against the mill’s license to Richard Dana, who is the appointed hearing officer on the issue. Dana has been chosen by the state to act as an independent party between the different interests involved with the Piñon Ridge uranium mill project.

The hearing format will consist of arguments and cross-examination from lawyers representing different parties of interest, statements from industry specialists and other experts as well as a section for members of the public to make their points.

Many Telluride-area residents have shown opposition to the mill, saying it will pose great harm to the health of the region’s environment, residents and economy. Sheep Mountain Alliance, which has led the local opposition, plans to oppose the license at the hearing through its lawyers and other testimonies and hopes that locals will make the trip to submit their comments for the record.

“We’ve got several experts we’re bringing in for the Thursday and Friday testimony,” said SMA Executive Director Hilary White at a hearing preparation meeting Thursday night. “There will be examination and cross examination opportunities so all the lawyers are going to be back and forth. What we are trying to do is get as much public comment as possible.”

The mill is proposed to be built west of Naturita in the Paradox Valley. Many residents in the West End communities that traditionally relied on mining say it will provide a much-needed economic boost with new jobs. Energy Fuels has estimated around 80 jobs could be created directly from the mill.

During SMA’s preparation meeting, several locals voiced their frustration with the process. However, most of the opposition was aimed at the mill itself.

White said Sheep Mountain Alliance has experts who will bring a number of concerns from locals forward. She urged anyone who wants to make public comments to do some research and make informed points to have more of an impact.

Following the hearings, Dana will submit his recommendations and findings on whether or not the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment should issue the license. But the CDPHE will make the final decision on the license next spring with a final statement due by April 27.

This summer Energy Fuels became the nation’s largest uranium producer through the acquisition of all of Denison Mines’ U.S. operations, which included a handful of uranium mines as well the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah. However, recently the company decided to scale back regional uranium production due to low uranium commodity prices.


No doubt, Mike & the BLR Team are watching this closely


Cheers from Grunta :)



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