FLORENCE - City officials are pushing for the removal of radioactive ore which is slated to be disposed of at the Cotter Corp. Uranium Mill in Canon City.
Mayor Peter Gamache was tipped off by a citizen on Tuesday that the radioactive ore was being stored on a site within Florence city limits. Gamache contacted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and learned that indeed, 30 one-ton containers of radioactive "Amazon" ore have been sitting at the Florence site since June 2002.
The ore is stored in super sacks wrapped in plastic and other associated containers, Gamache said. He urged the state to make every effort to see the ore moved to the Cotter mill site where more security and professional radiological experts are available.
On Thursday, a "notice of abate" was mailed to the owner of the property because storage of the ore violates the Florence municipal code. The notice gives the property owner five days to remove the materials or face legal consequences, Gamache said.
City officials learned Friday that the state health department has granted permission to Cotter to move the materials. Cotter Corp. officials advised Florence authorities the ore removal will begin as early as Tuesday.
State health department radiation management program manager Eugene Potter advised Cotter officials to maintain a high standard of care in moving the ore due to radon decay products and elevated thorium content in the materials.
Gamache said he and other city officials are concerned that they were not advised of the materials being stored in Florence.
"This is clearly a safety issue which the city takes seriously. It is hoped that in the future the city is advised when shipments of radioactive materials are planned to enter the City of Florence so proper procedures are followed to ensure citizen safety," Gamache said.