Assessing the Reliability of Baseline Environmental Data
This article is part of a series exploring the views and perspectives of youth, artists and community members working with the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project. This initiative is a climate entrepreneurship and arts-based community recreation program, developed through community consultation, engagement participation in the integrated impact assessment process for the NWMO’s proposed Deep Geological Repository for nuclear waste fuel.
What is Proposed
The NWMO has provided an overview of baseline meteorological and geological conditions at the Revell site. The proposal asserts that the site is located within a stable, seismically quiet portion of the Canadian Shield, making it suitable for the long-term isolation of used nuclear fuel. The proponent claims that extensive borehole testing and a newly established microseismic network confirm the site’s tectonic stability. Additionally, they have established on-site weather monitoring to compare local conditions with regional data from Dryden, asserting that the site is representative of regional trends.
Underlying Assumptions
- On-site meteorological conditions are sufficiently represented by regional stations despite observed discrepancies in rainfall and snowfall.
- A three-year window of microseismic data is an adequate baseline for million-year safety projections in a cratonic setting.
- Current sensor technology accurately captures snow water equivalents during heavy winter events without significant underestimation.
- Temporary power failures and resulting data gaps do not significantly compromise the integrity of the long-term baseline model.
Community Assessment
Our technical review of the Initial Project Description reveals concerning inconsistencies. Most notably, the on-site station recorded zero precipitation in December 2023 despite 67cm of snow accumulation, indicating a failure to accurately measure snow water equivalent. This matters to the community because flawed precipitation data leads to inaccurate hydrological modeling, which is the foundation for assessing how contaminants might move through the environment. Furthermore, the significant discrepancy in July 2022 rainfall between the site and Dryden suggests a distinct microclimate that regional data cannot fully explain. Relying on incomplete or inaccurate data risks the under-design of critical safety and water management infrastructure.
Path Forward
To address these findings, the proponent should immediately upgrade on-site instrumentation to include high-precision, heated, and shielded weighing precipitation gauges. Redundant power systems must be implemented to eliminate data gaps caused by power loss. We also call for a more robust integration of short-term seismic data with paleoseismological evidence to provide a transparent account of long-term geological uncertainties. Accurate baselines are not optional; they are essential for public safety and the integrity of the impact assessment.
About the Integrated Assessment Process
The federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has formally launched the integrated impact assessment process for the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project, a major national infrastructure initiative led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
The proposed underground repository is designed to permanently contain and isolate used nuclear fuel in a secure geological formation. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace have been selected as host communities for the project. The site is located approximately 21 kilometres southeast of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and 43 kilometres northwest of Ignace, Ontario, near Highway 17.
According to project materials, the repository would provide permanent storage for approximately 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel. The full lifecycle of the project is expected to span roughly 160 years, including site preparation, construction, operations, closure, and long-term monitoring.
Integrated Federal Review
Major nuclear projects in Canada are subject to an integrated assessment process jointly led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). This “one project, one review” approach is intended to streamline regulatory oversight while ensuring rigorous evaluation of environmental, health, social, economic, and Indigenous rights impacts.
Under this framework, IAAC oversees the impact assessment requirements under the Impact Assessment Act, while the CNSC regulates nuclear safety under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The CNSC will issue the initial site preparation licence and manage all subsequent nuclear licensing for the project’s duration.
The integrated assessment also includes a focus on potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples, including rights, land use, cultural practices, health, and socio-economic conditions. Where potential adverse effects are identified, the process is intended to identify mitigation measures to reduce or avoid harm.
Public Comment Period Now Open
The first public comment period for the project is currently open and will run until February 4, 2026. During this phase, the public is invited to provide feedback on the Summary of the Initial Project Description submitted by the NWMO. Submissions received during this period will inform IAAC’s summary of issues, which will guide the next stages of the impact assessment. All comments submitted become part of the public project record and are posted to the federal Impact Assessment Registry.
This plain-language summary is provided by ECO-STAR North and Art Borups Corners to support public engagement.
Disclaimer: The views and perspectives expressed in this article are solely those of the independent arts program led by ECO-STAR North and Art Borups Corners. They do not reflect the official positions of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) or the Government of Canada.
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