Feathered Neighbours and the DGR
Living here in Northwestern Ontario, the changing seasons are often marked by who is flying overhead. Whether it is the call of a loon on the lake or the drumming of a grouse in the bush, birds are a massive part of our daily lives in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment. As we continue to review the Impact Assessment documents for the proposed Revell Site Deep Geological Repository (DGR), we are turning our attention to the skies and the wetlands. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has released their baseline data on local bird populations, and there is plenty for us to unpack.
What We Are Learning
The NWMO’s initial report paints a busy picture of the biodiversity in our backyard. Between 2021 and 2022, their studies identified a total of 64 upland breeding bird species in the area. This includes 10 Species at Risk (SAR), such as the Barn Swallow, Canada Warbler, and the Eastern Whip-poor-will. They also cataloged waterbirds like the Sandhill Crane and Hooded Merganser, and raptors including Bald Eagles and Ospreys.
Interestingly, the report also identified a wild rice stand on the north shore of Mennin Lake, noting its importance as a food supply for both waterbirds and local community members. The data was gathered using a mix of ‘desktop mapping’ (computer models), habitat suitability checks, and eDNA sampling (testing water/soil for genetic traces of animals).
The Reality Check
While the list of species is long, we need to look at how that list was made. The NWMO claims their current data is ‘sufficient’ to assess risks, but a closer look suggests we might need more proof before we accept that conclusion.
- What is being promised: A comprehensive understanding of bird life based on ‘desktop’ models and preliminary sampling.
- What we need to verify: Computer models are not the same as boots on the ground. The report relies heavily on non-field-validated data. Without multi-season, physical surveys, we might be underestimating how many birds actually rely on the Revell Site for nesting and migration.
The Path Forward
There is a gap between ‘predicting’ where birds should be and ‘confirming’ where they actually are. The report noted that while they found traces of birds via eDNA, they still need to conduct significant fieldwork, such as helicopter nest surveys and acoustic monitoring for owls and nightjars.
The Solution: We are calling for the completion of these multi-year, multi-season field surveys before any final decisions are made. We cannot rely on ‘Tier 1’ habitat mapping for a project that will last generations. Furthermore, regarding the wild rice at Mennin Lake, we need more than just a mention of its existence. We need a specific impact assessment developed in consultation with locals to ensure this harvest is protected from changes in water quality or hydrology.
Why It Matters Here
For many of us, the wild rice harvest and the presence of waterfowl are not just ‘environmental features’; they are part of our food source and our recreation. If the Revell Site construction disrupts the Eastern Whip-poor-will (even if its habitat isn’t ‘officially’ designated yet) or damages the wild rice stands, it changes the character and sustainability of our land. We need to ensure the science reflects the reality of walking through our woods, not just what a computer model predicts from a desk in Toronto.
Have Your Say
This affects our future. Submit your feedback on this specific issue via our Engage page to ensure the Impact Assessment Agency hears from our community.
The Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is reviewing the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, located near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in Northwestern Ontario.
This major nuclear infrastructure project is undergoing a joint federal review by the IAAC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to evaluate environmental, health, social, and Indigenous rights impacts over its projected 160-year lifecycle.
Public Feedback Open: Comments on the Initial Project Description are accepted until February 4, 2026. Submissions help shape the formal impact assessment guidelines.
This short article and summary is based on an initial analysis of a proponent’s initial project description. It does not represent, any community the NWMO or the Government of Canada. Learn more at the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project project page.
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