Comments on Impact Statement: NWMOs proposed DGR at Revell Site

Comments  on NWMO’s Proposed DGR at Revell Site:

I strongly oppose the DGR for high-level nuclear waste near Revell, on Treaty 3 territory.
I oppose nuclear expansionism – at Bruce, C, Darlington, Wesleyville, and future SMRs.
Foremost, we must stop producing radioactive waste.
The so-called ‘need’ for this DGR is based on expansion of the industry, and political will.

There is no guarantee that the DGR will not contaminate water, air and soil irreversibly. 

There is no functioning DGR anywhere in the world, 

and computer modelling speculations cannot predict what will happen, 

against the powerful forces of Nature. 

‘Forever containment’ is an unimaginable time.

NMWO is not truthful when it promises the DGR is ‘safe’, and the only ‘solution’ to nuclear waste.

Indeed, Ignace, who agreed to the NWMO proposal,

is not even in the same watershed as the selected Revell site. 

There has not been sufficient consultation with, or agreement by, 

all the impacted indigenous peoples and communities,

who will potentially be impacted by a DGR - with its accompanying fuel repackaging contamination, 

and other yet undefined processes.

It is highly unethical to impose a toxic radioactive waste site on the same peoples and waterways -

which already have suffered for decades - 

with mercury poisoning in the Wabigoon River, at Grassy Narrows First Nations.

I would call it environmental racism.

I have witnessed the NWMO at their propaganda campaigns to select a DGR site - 

both in Huron-Kinloss, and in Teeswater. 

Huge amounts of money have been lavished on local politicians and communities -

to incur their favourable support. 

They divide the community. 

At their presentations, they do not allow people’s real concerns to be addressed -

but answer only selected questions. 

And then, they answer with the official ‘safe’ narrative and unconvincing prepared responses -

which never reflect the real question - about risks to human health and environment.

Truly, the NWMO is pathetic and manipulative with its shallow public engagement.

I am deeply disappointed also in local, provincial and federal politicians, 

who so easily accept the industry’s one-sided narrative. 

Who silence any real enquiry. 

The amount of public money that is being squandered on local engagement, 

advertising billboards and media presentations to promote support for the nuclear industry - 

is unacceptable.

Let alone the billions and trillions of dollars being poured into nuclear innovation and expansionism. 

Nuclear is no solution to climate change, and this lie has been well exposed.

It is truly wrong to propose 50 more years of increased radioactive waste. 

A DGR ‘solution’, simply gives false permission for the nuclear industry 

to continue its polluting practices. 

From uranium mining, milling, nuclear power generation, and radioactive waste – 

as well as its documented connection to nuclear weapons in our world of increasing proliferation. 

What kind of planet are we leaving as a legacy for the next generations?

And how untruthful is the ‘carbon-free energy’ slogan….

against the reality of 40 years of transportation over 1000s of miles -

from Bruce-C, Darlington, Pickering, Point Lepreau….

through communities that have been given no voice....to the DGR.

It is known that US airforce pilots who transported nuclear weapons have died 

with high rates of melanoma cancers.
What about the drivers of transportation trucks, subject to radiation from their used fuel cargo,
and communities on their route? 

Transportation routes and information must be included in the impact assessment,

as well as the potential for accidents, and evacuation scenarios.

The design of the DGR with shafts - and many other details - such as post-closure monitoring…

and what happens when there are radioactive releases…are also unsatisfactory explained.

Burying radioactive waste in our living Earth is not a solution – but an irresponsible escapism, 

and denial of our responsibility to live in a sustainable way.
We need to wake up to the truth, and have courage to change our direction.
 

The greed of our times is insatiable - with our demand for more and more consumption,

and destruction of the Earth. 

Scientific ‘facts’ used to support a DGR - are ignorant of spiritual reality.

That Earth is a living Being - not a ‘resource’ to be torn apart with extractive mining…

including for all the copper and other metals to be used fuel packaging….

Nor is our Earth a dumping place to be contaminated with toxic waste. 

All for money and profit.

I quote - ‘The most holy, most sacred Being you will ever physically touch, is the ground beneath your feet.’

Water also is a living consciousness, with memory.
And pure water is necessary for all life.

It is said that the same level of consciousness - or lack of it….

that can clearcut a forest….can bomb a city….

It is sad - how blind and heartless we are to the wonders and livingness of creation.

We do not see the sacredness of all life.

We are destroying our earth and water and the habitats of so many creatures…. 

and poisoning ourselves.

We are in foolish denial.

The DGR - in the pristine landscape of northern Ontario - or anywhere - 

is a nightmare waiting to unfold, the creation of a forever contaminated zone. 

One only has to look at other failed nuclear experiments – Hanford, Green Valley, Sellafield, Dounrey,
and so many other places…..to see what can go wrong.

Or we can look to the Tar Sands…and see what has happened there...

health-wise and environmentally.

Where is the accountability?

Where is our moral conscience?

No political or corporate entity or industry…

has the right or authority to inflict this dangerous project on place or people.
Where is our honesty and courage and will - to say no. 

And to choose only what sustains life.

It is said that Nature will no longer allow us to destroy her.
The old paradigms are crumbling, and it is time for a new vision.

Rev. Ruth MacLean
Kincardine, Ontario