National Parks - Environment Virginia

What's New

Keeping Virginia Uranium-Free

The 2008 General Assembly rejected an industry-backed proposal to for a study mining and lift the moratorium on uranium mining. In the 1980s a statewide moratorium on uranium mining was enacted when a deposit was found along the Piedmont in Pittsylvania and Fauquier Counties in southern Virginia.

Virginia should not act to initiate or sanction a study on mining because of detrimental harm to our air, water, geology, and health. Environment Virginia is working to protect the moratorium put in place 25 years ago.

How You Can Help

Protect the Piedmont: Stop toxic mining!

Let the General Assembly know that you won’t stand for toxic mining threatening the commonwealth. Show your support to keep the moratorium on uranium mining.

Background

From the vibrant oranges and reds of the fall foliage in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the mossy greens of California’s Redwood National Park, it’s easy to see why these parks were created to protect the crown jewels of our natural heritage.

But over the past 30 years, Congress has neglected our national parks, leaving them underfunded, plagued by air pollution and threatened by encroaching vacation homes and oil, gas and timber interests. We need to show decision-makers how much our national treasures mean to us.

In December 2007, Congress approved $122 million dollars in increased funding to operate our national parks to bridge the Parks’ estimated $800 million shortfall. We'll continue to make sure our parks have the resources for rangers, trails, and wildlife programs so they remain a treasure for generations to come.