The Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board was tasked by the County Commissioners to investigate the use of in-situ and open-pit mining operations for the extraction of uranium. They released their report on February 12, 2008.

The Report's Conclusions are provided below. To read the full report, click here ().

Report Conclusions:
"Mining operations carry with them the potential for significant environmental impacts. Water, soil and air contamination are all possible with the operations that may be conducted in Weld County. The probabilities associated with these impacts are not presently known. In the absence of sound scientific data, an acceptable risk assessment is not currently possible. Without a risk assessment, detailed project descriptions, or access to baseline data the EAB is unable to make recommendations regarding the Centennial Project at this time."

"The effects of the Centennial Project extend beyond environmental impacts. There are potential public health and economic impacts as well. The economic impacts of the In Situ Leaching and Open-pit Mining project may not be tied to actual risks but perceptions. In this case, regardless of the risks, the project may have a negative impact to the region. Other economic impacts may include additional jobs and tax revenue for the duration of the mining operations."

"It is often the standard that entities other than the principle operators must show that harm will result in order for permitting to be halted. This approach, however, presupposes that the action is "innocent of harm until proven guilty" and places the burden of proof on those who usually have fewer resources to make their case. Given the seriousness of the potential risks (many of which appear to have low probabilities of occurring), the board would expect that those proposing the mining operation will provide the public with all of the data which they possess that could have any relevancy to the matter at hand and then use these data to propose a reasoned and scientifically based risk assessment of the operations. Without meeting this standard, it is impossible for the Board or the public to provide their informed consent or for the outcome to represent a just resolution. The risks (environmental, economic, health, and social) and the ability of the mine operator and local governments to avoid or mitigate these risks should be weighed against the benefits that may be derived from such an operation when determining whether the mine is acceptable for the region."

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