Section Synopsis
Pages: iv-vThe document introduces the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (2002) and the subsequent selection of Adaptive Phased Management (APM) as Canada's strategy for long-term nuclear waste storage. It identifies the Revell Site, located between Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Ignace, as the chosen location for a Deep Geological Repository (DGR). The project is described as a 160-year undertaking involving site preparation, operation, and decommissioning, regulated by federal laws and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation's specific regulatory process.
Community Assessment Narrative
The NWMO's introduction uses the typical 'corporate-neutral' tone that glosses over the reality for those of us living in Melgund Township. By framing the location as being in the 'Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Township of Ignace area,' they conveniently erase Dyment and Borups Corners from the map, despite us being the closest residents to the actual Revell Site. Calling the siting process 'community-based' feels like marketing fluff when the people living less than 10km away are treated as an afterthought compared to the larger political entities of Ignace and WLON. The 160-year timeline is presented as a mere project phase, but for our community, it represents a permanent transformation of our quiet home into a multi-generational industrial zone. The language regarding 'safely contain and isolate' is a standard assurance that lacks any technical weight in this summary, serving more to soothe than to inform.
Impacts on Local Recreation: The mention of 'site preparation' and 'construction' along Highway 17 is a direct red flag for our local way of life. This project sits right in the heart of our hunting grounds and the network of ATV and snowmobile trails that connect Dyment to the surrounding bush. The influx of a massive workforce and heavy machinery will inevitably lead to restricted land access and the degradation of the 'acoustic environment'—a fancy term for the peace and quiet we moved here for. We are particularly concerned about the Dyment Recreation Hall; if the area becomes a high-traffic industrial corridor, the hall's value as a community hub for local gatherings and quiet recreation is severely threatened. Increased traffic on Highway 17 will make moving equipment or even driving to local fishing spots a dangerous chore rather than a weekend activity.
Corrective Measures & Recommendations
The proponent must immediately update all project descriptions to explicitly include Melgund Township (Dyment/Borups Corners) as a primary impacted community. It is unacceptable to hide behind the names of larger municipalities when the physical impacts—noise, dust, and traffic—will be felt most acutely by those of us within the 10km radius. We demand a specific 'Local Access Guarantee' that ensures hunting, fishing, and trail usage will not be restricted during the 160-year project lifespan.
Furthermore, the NWMO must provide a dedicated community benefit and mitigation fund specifically for Melgund, separate from the Ignace agreements. This should include direct support for the Dyment Recreation Hall and a comprehensive noise and traffic monitoring station located within our township. We need more than 'glossy' generalizations; we need legally binding assurances that our property values and rural lifestyle will be protected from the stigma and industrial sprawl of the DGR.
On 16 February, 2026 the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), with input from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), published a Summary of Issues (SOI) for the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project, put forward by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). The SOI identifies the key issues that IAAC considers relevant to the federal integrated impact assessment process for the project. NWMO’s response to the SOI will assist IAAC in determining whether an impact assessment is required under section 16 of the Impact Assessment Act. If an impact assessment is required, the issues outlined in the SOI—together with NWMO’s response—will help shape the scope of the assessment and inform the continued development and finalization of the Integrated Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and associated plans.
Alignments to IAAC Summary (SOI)
The community findings from Melgund Township demonstrate a high degree of alignment with the "Summary of Issues" (SOI) published by the IAAC, particularly regarding the socio-economic and land-use impacts of the Revell Site DGR. The Township’s concern regarding the "erasure" of local unincorporated communities like Dyment and Borups Corners directly supports the IAAC’s identified issue under Socio-Economic Conditions, which highlights concerns that "project-related economic benefits may not be equitably shared among all affected regional communities, including those outside hosting agreement areas." While the IAAC document uses broader language, Melgund’s assessment provides the specific geographic evidence that the current project description fails to recognize the most proximate stakeholders.
There is also strong alignment regarding the long-term character of the region. Melgund’s observation of a "community identity shift from rural/recreational to industrial/nuclear" is validated by the IAAC’s inclusion of "Economic impacts from public perception" and "Social cohesion and community wellbeing." The IAAC specifically flags concerns that negative public perceptions could impact local businesses and property values, which mirrors the Township’s demand for economic impact studies for residents living within the immediate 10km radius of the site. Furthermore, the Township’s concern over "vague descriptions of site preparation" aligns with the IAAC’s section on "Socio-economic impacts to land use," which identifies the need for information on how the project affects recreation, hunting, fishing, and existing roads.
A significant gap exists, however, in the level of geographic specificity. While the IAAC SOI acknowledges the need for "monitoring of effects during construction and operation" (Annex A), it does not explicitly mandate that monitoring stations be located within the unincorporated townships most affected by noise and dust. Melgund’s assessment identifies a critical requirement for a "comprehensive noise and traffic monitoring station located within our township," a detail that the IAAC’s broader summary lacks. This suggests that while the IAAC has flagged the correct themes, the community’s findings are essential for defining the specific locations and parameters of the required mitigation measures.
Recommendations
The working group recommends that the proponent move beyond the current binary focus on Ignace and WLON to formally integrate Melgund Township into all socio-economic and environmental management plans. To address the issues identified in the IAAC SOI regarding "equitable distribution of benefits" and "land use impacts," the proponent must establish a legally binding "Local Access Guarantee." This agreement should provide specific, mapped assurances that recreational and subsistence activities—such as hunting and trail usage—will be maintained or rerouted without loss of connectivity. This recommendation directly addresses the IAAC’s concern regarding the disruption of regional land use and ensures that the "rural lifestyle" mentioned in community findings is protected from industrial encroachment.
Additionally, it is recommended that a dedicated "Melgund Community Benefit and Mitigation Fund" be established to address the IAAC’s identified concerns regarding "property value" and "social cohesion." This fund should be independent of existing municipal agreements and specifically earmarked for local infrastructure, such as the Dyment Recreation Hall, and the installation of the aforementioned township-based monitoring stations. By implementing these recommendations, the proponent can satisfy the IAAC’s requirement to address the "psychosocial health impacts" and "economic impacts from public perception" by providing tangible, local protections that mitigate the stigma of the project and ensure the long-term viability of the Dyment and Borups Corners communities.
Key Claims
Underlying Assumptions
Critical Observations & Gaps
Analysis Table| Issue Identified | Implication | Information Required |
|---|---|---|
| Erasure of local unincorporated communities in the project description. | By only naming Ignace and WLON, the NWMO marginalizes the residents of Melgund who are physically closer to the site. | Explicit recognition of Melgund Township as a primary stakeholder. |
| Long-term community identity shift from rural/recreational to industrial/nuclear. | A 160-year project creates a permanent industrial stigma that can depress local property values and change the character of the community. | Economic impact studies specifically for Dyment and Borups Corners residents. |
| Vague description of 'site preparation' impacts on local land access. | Site preparation and construction will disrupt local wildlife and recreational land use. | A detailed map of land closures and a plan for maintaining recreational trail connectivity. |
Working Group Recommendations
Request the Proponent to formally redefine the 'Project Area' to explicitly include Melgund Township (Dyment and Borups Corners) as a primary impacted community in all socio-economic and safety baseline studies.
Demand the Proponent provide a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan demonstrating 100% self-sufficiency for fire, medical, and security services at the Revell Site and the immediate Highway 17 corridor.
Require a detailed inventory and mapping of existing recreational trails, hunting grounds, and fishing access points within a 15 km radius of the Revell Site to be included in the Environmental Baseline.
Request the inclusion of 'Transportation Safety for Unorganized Residents' as a specific Valued Component (VC) in the Impact Statement, with a focus on the Highway 17 corridor between Dyment and Borups Corners.
Understanding the Impacts of Nuclear Waste on our Community
This digital archive houses the public comments submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada regarding Project 88774: The Nuclear Waste Management Organization Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project. The impact assessment is led jointly by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This archive preserves community perspectives, concerns, and observations shared during the assessment process, particularly in relation to Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario and the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners who are the closest and most impacted of all in the process.