Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth

On Wednesday September 9 there will be a critical hearing in Montrose to discuss the Special Use Permit for Pinon Ridge Uranium Mill by Energy Fuels of Canada. This meeting is a continuation of one that began in Nucla on August 13, and this is likely to be your last chance to express your concerns. There is good reason to believe that the Montrose Board of County Commissioners will rule in favor of this mill at the meeting Sept 9.

The Meeting is at Friendship Hall (1001 North 2nd St) in Montrose, Colorado; it will begin at 9am on September 9, but folks are encouraged to arrive early and sign-up to comment.
Three of Western Colorado Congress’ community groups, including the Uncompahgre Valley Association, the Ridgway-Ouray Community Council, and WCC-Mesa County (UVA, ROCC and WCC-MC, respectively) have adopted positions in opposition to the granting of the Special Use Permit. They are working with the Paradox Valley Sustainability Association, Sheep Mountain Alliance, and others who oppose the project, citing the following as reasons:

1. The application leaves many unanswered questions and opens the door to the processing of more dangerous radioactive waste and permanent waste disposal sites.
2. The few jobs that will be created pale in comparison to the potential long term damaging impacts on environment, health and economics (agriculture, hunting, fishing, tourism) in the region.
3. This is a costly and unstable industry (uranium prices are low, and the future of nuclear energy in this country is very uncertain), with unstable job security.
4. The transportation of radioactive materials through Western Slope counties (Route 141 bypass to I-70 is a possible route) is dangerous for the human and natural environment.

WCC encourages everyone who is concerned about this proposal to attend the hearing, but you may also write to:

Montrose County Commissioners
101 South Townsend Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

As advertised on the front page (upper left corner) of the Friday, Dec 7th Montrose Daily Press- the Montrose county government has (at the suggestion of several informed/ concerned citizens) invited the Colorado State Office of Smart Growth to present
a planning workshop/meeting for all interested parties.

It is scheduled to be held:
Wednesday 19 December 2007.
6:30- 8:30 pm.
Montrose County Board Room- 161 S. Townsend.

Please show your support for this significant progress and plan to attend: RSVP to 252-4527.

Thank you for your continued INFORMED PARTICIPATION in the future of our county. And a blessed Christmas holiday to you and your families.

John Cossick & Mary Wood
Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth

Notice: Please take the time to make public comment re: the wetlands permit request by Matt Miles now under review by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Sunday, March 4th, issue of the Montrose Daily Press has an article titled, ‘River Landing wetlands permit under review by Army Corps.’ It states:

“The federal agency that regulates the nation’s waterways has opened its review of the effects the River Landing Shopping Center will have on the Uncompahgre River and its associated wetlands.”
(more…)

Friends of the Uncompahgre (FORU) meeting this Tuesday, March 6th, 7 pm, Alpine Bank, East Main St., Montrose.

Our business will include:

Reports from the Board and discussion re:

• Water quality
• Wetlands permit request to Army Corps by Matt Miles
• Montrose City Comprehensive Plan Forums
• FORU Brochure
• Partnership Contact List and Letter of Invitation
• B.U.G. Water Symposium, Ridgway, 2/24/07
• URSA Uncompahgre River Stewardship Alliance
• Memorial for Tina Mayfield
• Other business

Planning Commission meeting at the County land use Bldg. (across from downtown City Mkt.)