(November 24, 2008)

PAWNEE--A resolution to support uranium mining in Bee County sparked a big debate today. In the end, elected officials in Bee County opted not to take a position and to let landowners basically make up their own minds.

The small town of Pawnee in Bee County may soon become the next battleground over uranium mining. Signal Equities, a uranium mining company, wants to start exploring for it. It's a big contoversy pitting economic development against the environment.

"It's going to affect other people that have the well water and it's going to go running through it," said Elouisa Trevino, a Pawnee resident. "No, I don't want it here."

"Show me some money figures and stuff like that," Kenneth Welkener, a Pawnee property owner, who was approached about uranium mining on his land. "If it was interesting, I might be interested in it."

Signal Equities asked the Bee County Commissioners to pass a resolution supporting uranium mining. Bee County last saw uranium mines about 30 years ago and leaders said the companies left a mess behind.

So the county's health director issued an 80 page report, citing concerns about contamination of ground water supply and how other counties are dealing with the issue.

"So anytime you disturb something like that and it gets somewhere into the food chain whether it's through the drinking water or through the animals we eat through the cattle and through the sheep," said Dennis DeWitt, who is in charge of Bee County Health Department. "It's not only going to affect us, but our kids and any generation in the future."

After a lengthy debate, Bee County leaders decided to stay out of the controversy.

"We would not take action on the resolution," said Bee County Commissioner Susan Stasny, who represents the Pawnee area. "That it wasn't necessary for the court to take action on it in order to give political coverage to our senator or state representative and our individuals landowners need to make a decision themselves."

County leaders hope landowners will become informed and learn about the pros and cons of uranium mining.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com