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Show CASTLE VALLEY TIMES FIFTIETH TIMES Castle Valley, Utah - Volume 5, Number 3 - ATLAS DEIS MEETING Castle Valley residents packed the Atlas Tailings DEIS public meeting last month. From reasoned technical objections, to emotional pleas to leave Round Mtn. alone, CV citizens got their message across. As a result of the meeting, Atlas has issued a letter (reprinted on p. 4-5) addressed to the “Residents of Castle Valley,” saying that Atlas Corp. is going to delete Round Mtn. as one of the named borrow sites for Atlas Tailings Pile capping material. (The letter doesn’t mention the second, unspecified borrow site in CV.) While this letter is an encouraging MARCH 15, 1996 EASTER PARTY Come enjoy food and company on the Community Lot, April 7th, Easter Sunday. Usually begins around 1 pm. Bring a potluck dish to share, plates, utensils and chairs. tailings pile. Other Title II sites regulated by the NRC were typically (netted after the 1970’s, were built to higher standards and were located in sign, those working on the problem were built without liners and were located in much more questionable locations. the best way to look at this letter from Atlas, is that CV residents input has made an effective beginning—and that it should be continued! The POA has just gotten out another mailing going into details about what to write, who to write to, and their addresses. Please refer to these well done mailings for details. Karen Nelson has volunteered to help with The NRC is currently under national scrutiny for alleged inspection abuses in other aspects of the nuclear energy industry. Again, those working on the Atlas Tailings Problem feel that we would be much better off, if the DOE were responsible for the Atlas pile and not the NRC. Thanks to all the CV residents who have helped with the mailings, worked on the Citizens Task Force, and spoke at the DEIS public meeting. If you are interested in helping, there is phone information (801-259-8820). more work that needs to be The folks working on the Atlas problem are asking that CV residents done—another mailing is probably going to be needed Please help take the load off some of those who have done so much already. write our Senators, Bennett and Hatch, and ask them to introduce legislation to change the classification of the Atlas Tailings Pile from a Title [I site (regulated by the NRC) to a TitleI site which would be under DOE control. BUDGET TIME For the last five years, the Town and POA have worked out an itemized budget fundedm part from POA dues and part from the Class “C” road funds received from the State by the Town. The preliminary budget meeting has previously been held in April. Until last year, the respective Boards voted on the budget that transfers funds from the POA to the Town. Last May the POA held a Special election so that the POA membership could vote on the proposed budget. Items that the POA has contributed to include: road repair, construction and maintenance; Community Lot more reasonable locations. The Title I sites (similar to the present Atlas site) say that CV residents need to continue their letter writing efforts to make sure the tailings pile is not capped in place (and that the promise to leave Round Mtn. alone is not forgotten). Probably WHATALOTAWORKI development; administrative and legal costs of the Town. With the budgeting process approaching next month, a number of issues face both the POA and the Town in the areas of revenues and expenses. Since the Town’s inception, residents have chosen to rely primarily on property owners' dues for revenues. This has been a conscious and consistent choice over the past 10 years. The .007 property tax levy that the Town could impose has not been levied. While suggestions have been made that both a small property tax and areduced POA dues might be the fairest way to fund the community expenses, nothing has yet been done about a property tax. A tax on property is the only large source of revenue that the Town could procure from its residents and property owners. (It is interesting to note that, in the recent survey, [Addressesz Semtor Orrin Hatch and/or Senator Robert Bennett, 6317 Dirkson Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510.] Under the DOE, it’s easier to move a property owners expressed preference for using their dues to fund enforcement of the Town’s zoning, even if that meant raising the dues.) Revenues that the Town currently has (other than the POA dues) are “C” ATLAS MINERALS CORP. PUBLIC MEETING Read funds (approx. $12,000) and, as of last spring, a 1% sales tax (approx. To discuss technical aspects of the plan to leave the returned to the Town. The Road funds have been spent on repaying the CIB loan (drainage), the Road Supa’visor’s salary, and construction costs such as gravel and/or culverts. The sales tax Tailings Pile in place. Tues, Mar. 19th, 6 pm at the Senior Citizens Center (450 E-100 N). Consultants who prepared the studies that the NRC used for the DEIS will be there to answer questions. Meeting will be a workshop. $10,000) collected by the State and —More Budget, p.6 |