Public Notice – Technical Review for the Wheeler River Project EIS Submission

October 11, 2024: Following Denison's February 10^th submission of responses to Information Requests (IRs) and the revised Environmental Impact Statement package, on February 20, 2024, CNSC staff found the submission to contain the required information to proceed with an additional round of review by the Federal-Indigenous Review Team (FIRT). This 90-day review was intended to conclude by May 20, 2024.

When the review initially started, Denison requested the opportunity to discuss the outcome of the review process, to discuss the paths to resolution with relevant FIRT members, where elements of IRs remained unresolved. On May 24th and 31st, 2024, CNSC staff shared draft reviews of responses to IRs with Denison, and on June 28^th, 2024, a draft Advice to Proponent table. Of the 256 IRs (238 original and 18 follow-up), 24 IRs were not accepted. From June 5th to 14th, CNSC and Denison held 5 hybrid and 3 virtual meetings to discuss unresolved IRs. Between July 2nd and 8th, Denison provided supplementary responses for further review by the FIRT. The activities that have occurred between May and October have resulted in a significantly extended review period. Following these meetings and supplemental submissions, the FIRT's technical review found that the submission does not fully meet EA regulatory requirements. Currently, 6 IRs remain not accepted and 5 IRs are under CNSC staff review.

The results of this review, along with the supplemental information provided throughout the June meetings and July submissions, have all been posted to the Registry:

• Cover Letter - CNSC to Denison - Results of the Federal Indigenous Technical Review of the Wheeler River Project Submission (2024-10-11)
• Annex 1 – FIRT - Wheeler River Draft Review of Responses to IRs - Draft Table (2024-05-24)
• Annex 2 – FIRT - Wheeler River Draft Review of Responses to IRs - Draft Table (2024-05-31)
• Annex 3 – FIRT – Wheeler River Advice to Proponent Table - Draft Table (2024-06-28)
• Annex 4 - Joint FIRT-Denison IR Technical Meetings for Wheeler River – Meeting minutes and presentations (2024-06)
• Annex 5 – Wheeler River – Combined Supplementary Submissions from Denison (2024-07)
• Annex 6 - Information Requests for the Wheeler River Project Submission (2024-10-11)
• Annex 7 - FIRT Advice to Proponent for the Wheeler River Project Submission (2024-10-11)

CNSC staff expect Denison to submit complete revised responses to all IRs. It is expected that along with each response, Denison clearly indicate what changes will be made to the EIS and supporting documents, to be validated upon a future submission of a Final EIS. Following a submission that meets all outstanding regulatory requirements for the EA, CNSC staff will signal that a Final EIS can be submitted. CNSC staff expect that supplementary documentation that has been revised over the course of recent months will accompany the Final EIS package, including a revised Commitment Register and IER. Once the revised EIS meets regulatory standards, CNSC staff will develop an EA report.

The following documents were also provided by Denison during this review period, on July 17, 2024. These have been posted to the Registry:

• Indigenous Engagement Report (2024-07-17)
• Indigenous Engagement Report - Appendix B: Records of Engagement (2024-07-17)
• Commitments Register Version 2 (2024-07-17)