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| 3/28/2008 10:57:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Mining incompatible with LURs
Mike Potter
Staff Writer
Horizon Nevada Uranium's proposed uranium mining in Park County near Hartsel isn't compatible with residentially zoned land, and that is something the county is going to enforce, according to a March 25 Park County press release.
Park County Commissioner John Tighe said the incompatibility was made pretty clear to commissioners after a March 20 meeting with Tom Eisenman, Park County development services coordinator.
"We're going to stand behind our LURs," Tighe said.
According to the Park County press release, there are two zoned districts that allow for any type of mining: conservation/recreation and mining.
The majority of the land notices sent out by Horizon Nevada Uranium Inc. were for agricultural or residentially zoned properties, said the release.
"Even though in-situ mining is permitted in a C/R Zone District, not only are there requirement provisions for mining operations, but this operation will be subject to a 1041 Park County Regulations review process," said the release.
Eisenman said in an e-mail that "the applicant, in this case [Horizon Nevada Uranium], would have to submit an application, in the format defined in the 1041 regulations for review by the county 1041 administrator."
Once reviewed, the administrator must determine if there is a finding of no significance or that there will be a formal hearing on the said mentioned project, he said.
If a formal hearing is required, the board of county commissioners would be the officiating party.
Bill Wilson, president of Horizon Nevada Uranium Inc., the company that is proposing the uranium mines, said he couldn't speak about Park County land use regulations because he wasn't sure what they were or how they would impact the progress of the proposed mines.
Under current land use regulations, mining is defined as, "an enterprise or operation involving underground or surface excavation for the purpose of extraction of ore, mineral, rock or other earthen materials; together with other activities often associated with mining, such as but not limited to exploration, development, milling, concentrating, refining or other procedures designed to separate valuable products from waste material."
While in-situ mining is solution mining (uranium removal from the ore body), it clearly meets the county definition associated with exploration, development and extraction, according to the release.
In-situ mining is a process in which uranium is liquefied and removed from the underground aquifers by adding chemicals and pumping the uranium solution to the surface.
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock from which water can be pumped.
The in-situ process creates minimal surface damage, but carries aquifer risks.
Meetings to be held
Two public meetings will be held in April aiming to inform the public about the proposed uranium mines.
Park County Assessor Dave Wissel said a meeting will be held at the cafetorium at the South Park High School on April 2 starting at 6 p.m.
Horizon Nevada's Wilson will attend the meeting and speak, as will three other individuals, said Wissel.
"We wanted to give him an opportunity to present his side," said Wissel. "We wanted to make this factual and informational."
Jeff Parsons, with the Western Mining Action Project, will speak at the meeting, as will James O'Brien, from the Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge.
Jim Kulichia, the attorney for the Center of Colorado Water Conservancy, will also speak at the meeting.
Each speaker will be limited to 30 minutes, and public comments and questions will be heard.
"I would expect a full house," said Wissel. "That's why we obtained the cafetorium. It's probably the largest venue we have."
Wissel said there was the possibility of more meetings in the future.
Another meeting will be held on April 5 at 1 p.m. at the Hartsel Community Center held by the Save Our South Park Water 2008.
The group's Web site is: www.freewebs.com/sospw08/home.htm.
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