A JOINT RESOLUTION to authorize the legislative research commission to study the near- and long‑term impacts on north carolina's economy, environment, and agricultural activities and on the health and well‑being of its citizens, especially the impacts on that portion of north carolina that is located in or near the lower roanoke river Basin, which spans the virginia/north carolina border and extends to the albemarle sound, were the proposal to proceed for a canadian company or any other company to conduct uranium mining in virginia in the center of the roanoke river basin.
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the impacts on North Carolina were the Virginia General Assembly to submit to pressure to lift the state's current moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia and were the proposal to proceed for a Canadian company or any other company to conduct uranium mining in an area in Virginia that is located in the center of the Roanoke River Basin.  The Legislative Research Commission shall specifically consider the impacts on that portion of North Carolina that would be most directly affected, since almost the entire portion of the Roanoke River Basin that is downstream and downwind of the proposed mining site in Virginia is located in North Carolina, spanning the Virginia/North Carolina border and extending to the Albemarle Sound. The Legislative Research Commission shall study the effects of such a uranium mining operation in Virginia on North Carolina in the near term and in the long term, considering that a uranium mining operation could continue operation for 35 years and could produce at least 29 million tons of uranium mill tailings that would be stored on-site, near the Banister River under the proposal.  In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	The potential impacts of a uranium mining operation in Virginia on North Carolina's economy, including whether any benefits would inure to North Carolina or would all benefits be confined to Virginia; whether any potential economic burdens would result for North Carolina's tourism industry, our other industries, and our property values; and whether any new industries or development would be reluctant to locate in North Carolina downstream and downwind of the proposed uranium mining site in Virginia.
(2)	The potential impacts of a uranium mining operation in Virginia on North Carolina's environment: our drinking water supplies, our surface waters, our groundwater, and our air quality; especially the potential impacts of the uranium mill tailings and other radioactive material flooding into the Roanoke River system and polluting Kerr Lake, Lake Gaston, and the remainder of the lower Roanoke River Basin extending to Albemarle Sound.
(3)	The potential impacts of a uranium mining operation in Virginia on North Carolina's agriculture activities, including farming, forestry, and aquaculture, and on its commercial fishing industry and on recreational fishing and hunting.
(4)	The potential impacts of a uranium mining operation in Virginia on the health, safety, and well-being of North Carolina citizens, especially any health effects associated with the radioactive mill tailings that result from uranium mining.
(5)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may make an interim report to the 2011 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2012 and shall make its final report to the 2013 General Assembly.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.