Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project

I am writing to express my concern about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed deep geological repository for nuclear fuel waste which the NWMO is proposing to construct and operate between Ignace and Dryden in northwestern Ontario. While I have many concerns about the project itself and the NWMO’s method of selecting the site and their site selection, my comments are on the Impact Assessment review process which began on January 5 and the NWMO’s “initial project description”.

The 30-day comment period is too short. Many people who are concerned about this project, including the transportation of the radioactive waste to the site, will not have even heard about the comment period and for those of us who were alerted to the comment period it is a very short period of time to comment on the initial project description. I found out 2 days ago (02/02), while responding to the Wesleyville Proposal. This is an important project that will have impacts far, far into the future. The review process must be thorough and allow public participation. A 30-day comment period works against that. 

Apparently, the project description is poorly done and leaves out important information about it.  The NWMO is evidently trying to persuade the Impact Assessment Agency that transportation can be left out of the review after describing transportation as part of their project for more than twenty years.

LONG-DISTANCE TRANSPORTATION MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT REVIEW. 

The NWMO also provides too little information about project activities, including those project activities that pose radiological risk for the workers and for residents in the area and downstream from the project site.  There is not enough information about the Used Fuel Packaging Plant, how the wastes will be transferred into the underground and placed in the emplacement rooms, how the containers will be monitored after they are underground, and how they will be retrieved or repaired in the event of a container failing. 

THE NWMO MUST BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION. It seems like the submission OPG made to IAAC for Wesleyville - many important details left out. 

I am requesting that this project be the subject of a full impact assessment including a public hearing, and that the Impact Assessment Agency ensure that the public is able to participate in a meaningful way through each step of the process. To begin - IAAC should extend the comment period.

Thank you for considering my comments and concerns.

Winston G. Emery

Ajax