Panel Report

Since the panel was created in 1991, it has conducted public reviews of a total of seven environmental impact statements (McArthur River Underground Exploration, Dominique-Janine Extension, Midwest Joint Venture, McClean Lake Project, McArthur River Project, Cigar Lake Project and Midwest Project). Included in the reviews have been the mining of nine ore bodies, the construction of one mill, the design of two tailings management facilities and the expansion of the transportation system. In completing our work, we have read 42,586 pages of information provided by the proponents; received and read 587 written sub-missions; listened to and made notes on 764 verbal presentations; generated 10,485 pages of transcripts; commissioned nine technical reports; issued nine requests for additional information; and, written six reports, including this one. During that time, we have spent 84 days in public hearings and participated in 39 panel meetings, as well as an untotalled number of conference calls. Altogether the panel has spent 62 days in northern Saskatchewan, more it is believed, than any other panel or commission of its kind.

During all of this work, we have been received hospitably and treated with respect by all, including members of the public, representatives of various interest groups, the proponents, the industry regulators and officials from local, tribal, provincial and federal governments. We have met an astonishing array of people, each with her or his individual perspective on the uranium mining industry. Our work has been both enlightening and arduous, and we are profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed to our understanding of these projects and their potential impacts on the environment and people of northern Saskatchewan. We are especially grateful to two former panel members, Annalee Yassi and John Dantouze, who made outstanding contributions to the reviews before their resignations and for the assistance of our secretariat, Bob Greyell, Guy Riverin, Henry Epp, Heather Humphries, Don Hovdebo and Jackie Kelly.

Throughout all of this activity, our appreciation for and understanding of the industry under review has increased, as has our respect for the potential environmental damage that could be unleashed on northern Saskatchewan if the projects were not properly developed. In response to that section in our terms of reference which requires us to examine the cumulative effects of these projects, we have included this summary report on the combined impacts of the various mines, mills and roads. The recommendations and conclusions contained herein are based on our accumulated knowledge of the entire industry, as differentiated from the individual projects that have been dealt with in separate reports. Responses by the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada to these recommendations could, therefore, be made separately from their responses to the recommendations on the Midwest and Cigar Lake projects which are being submitted simultaneously.

These comments have been organized under headings derived from our terms of reference -- environmental issues, safety concerns, health implications and socio-economic impacts.