In an effort to prevent uranium mining in Southside Virginia, municipalities near Virginia Uranium's property have started passing chemical trespass ordinances that they hope would keep them out of operation. Supporters of these ordinances want uranium mining to be considered a criminal activity. Halifax has already passed a chemical trespass ordinance and other towns like Chatham are trying to follow suit.
As it turns out, these towns are breaking the law by passing these ordinances.
In November, Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell rebuffed uranium mining opponents by ruling that chemical trespass ordinances are unconstitutional. He stated that, “a Virginia locality may not enact an ordinance that diminishes, alters, or eliminates legal rights, particularly where the state or federal government may be said to occupy the field.”
Uranium mining opponents are already employing illegal tactics to shut down Virginia Uranium’s operation. Why don’t they just let the academic community release their unbiased study on uranium mining before taking these drastic measures?
As it turns out, these towns are breaking the law by passing these ordinances.
In November, Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell rebuffed uranium mining opponents by ruling that chemical trespass ordinances are unconstitutional. He stated that, “a Virginia locality may not enact an ordinance that diminishes, alters, or eliminates legal rights, particularly where the state or federal government may be said to occupy the field.”
Uranium mining opponents are already employing illegal tactics to shut down Virginia Uranium’s operation. Why don’t they just let the academic community release their unbiased study on uranium mining before taking these drastic measures?
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