Preparing the Ground at Revell
As we look out over our beautiful corner of Northwestern Ontario, many of us are wondering what the Revell Site will look like if the Deep Geological Repository moves forward. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has released details on their ‘site preparation’ phase, and it is a lot more than just moving some dirt. For those of us in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment, these early steps will set the stage for years of industrial activity. This is a key part of the ongoing Impact Assessment that we all need to understand.
What We Are Learning
The plans describe a massive transformation of the landscape. We are looking at new access roads connecting to Highway 17, large-scale land clearing, and the construction of an 800-bed worker accommodation camp. The project would also bring in its own power lines, a natural gas pipeline, a concrete plant, and even an explosives storage area. To keep things running, they plan to draw water from local sources and build a private sewage treatment system right in our backyard.
The Reality Check
What is being promised: The proponent suggests that environmental impacts, like bird nesting disruptions, will be avoided ‘where practicable’ and that water will be treated to meet regulatory standards.
What we need to verify: The phrase ‘where practicable’ is used frequently, which could act as a loophole if project timelines get tight. Furthermore, the exact lakes or wells being used for water—and where the treated waste will be pumped back out—haven’t been named yet. We need specific locations to know if our favorite fishing spots or private wells are at risk.
The Path Forward
The report noted that water sourcing and discharge locations are currently defined only by a broad radius rather than specific spots; therefore, we are calling for the proponent to provide exact geographic coordinates and daily volume estimates. We also found that the plan for an 800-bed worker camp lacks a detailed study on how it will affect our local volunteer fire departments and emergency services. The solution is a comprehensive Socio-Economic Management Plan that ensures our small-town services aren’t overwhelmed by a sudden population surge.
Why It Matters Here
For those of us who value the silence of the bush and the safety of Highway 17, these plans hit close to home. The ‘initial access’ involves widening logging roads and bringing in heavy industrial traffic immediately. Between the rock crushing, blasting, and the sheer number of people living at the new camp, the quiet life we enjoy in Dyment and Borups Corners is facing a major shift. We need to ensure that ‘industry best practices’ actually protect our air quality and road safety.
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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