Section Synopsis
Pages: 54-58This document outlines the NWMO's preliminary risk screening process for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) project under the Impact Assessment Act. It identifies 'Valued Components' and 'Intermediate Components'—ranging from air quality and noise to social and economic conditions—and applies a qualitative matrix to predict the 'residual risk' after mitigation. The NWMO concludes that all adverse residual effects on the environment and non-Indigenous populations will be 'negligible' to 'low,' asserting that economic impacts will be exclusively positive, despite acknowledging that quantitative modeling is not yet complete.
Community Assessment Narrative
The NWMO’s summary of environmental and social impacts is a masterclass in 'corporate speak' designed to pacify Melgund residents before the real data is even on the table. By labeling potential disruptions as 'negligible' or 'low risk' at this early stage, the proponent is essentially asking the community to trust their 'high level of confidence' rather than hard evidence. For those of us in Dyment and Borups Corners, less than 10km from the Revell site, the claim that noise, vibration, and light pollution pose a 'negligible risk' is insulting. Our current environment is defined by absolute silence and dark skies; any industrial activity, blasting, or 24/7 facility lighting will be a massive departure from our 'natural variation,' regardless of what a Toronto-based matrix suggests. Furthermore, the assertion that non-Indigenous economic conditions will only see 'positive' effects is pure marketing fluff that ignores the very real threat of property devaluation and the 'stigma' associated with living next to a nuclear waste dump.
Impacts on Local Recreation: The proposed Revell site is not just a 'project area'—it is our backyard for hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. The NWMO’s screening fails to account for how the influx of a temporary workforce and increased security cordons will restrict access to traditional ATV trails and crown land used for generations. There is a significant risk that the quiet, remote character of our fishing spots will be shattered by industrial noise, and our local infrastructure, specifically the Dyment Recreation Hall, could be overwhelmed by project-related population shifts without seeing any direct benefit. The document treats 'social conditions' as a low-risk checkbox, but for Melgund, the loss of recreational solitude is a high-stakes impact that has been completely glossed over.
Corrective Measures & Recommendations
The NWMO must immediately fund and implement independent, third-party baseline monitoring for noise and light levels specifically within the residential clusters of Melgund Township. This monitoring must be transparent and accessible to residents to ensure that 'negligible' is defined by our current quietude, not by industrial thresholds that allow for significant increases in ambient noise. Furthermore, the proponent must provide a legally binding 'Recreation Access Guarantee' that ensures continued use of crown lands and trails surrounding the Revell site for hunting and snowmobiling, with clear maps showing no-go zones versus open areas.
To mitigate the social and infrastructure pressure on our small community, the NWMO should establish a dedicated 'Melgund Community Fund' specifically for the upkeep and expansion of the Dyment Recreation Hall and local roads. This fund should be independent of the broader regional benefits and scaled to the actual usage of our township by project workers and contractors. We also demand a 'Property Value Protection' program to address the 'negative' economic impacts the NWMO currently refuses to acknowledge.
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)
Based on a cross-reference of Melgund Township’s community findings against the IAAC’s February 16, 2026, Summary of Issues (SOI), the following alignments and discrepancies have been identified:
Socio-Economic and Property Value Alignment
Melgund Township’s rejection of the NWMO’s claim that economic impacts will be "exclusively positive" is directly validated by the IAAC SOI. The community’s specific fear regarding property values and cost-of-living increases aligns perfectly with the SOI section on Health, Social, and Economic Conditions. The IAAC explicitly lists "Economic impact on property value" and "Effects of temporary workers on services and infrastructure" (specifically citing cost of living) as Key Issues. Melgund’s recommendation for a "Property Value Protection" program serves as a necessary mitigation measure for the specific risks the IAAC has ordered the proponent to address.
Validation of Land Use and Recreation Concerns
The community’s observation that recreational land use was "buried under social conditions" in the proponent's preliminary screening is supported by the IAAC’s decision to isolate this as a specific requirement. Under Socio-Economic Conditions, the SOI explicitly identifies "Socio-economic impacts to land use," listing "recreation, tourism, fishing, hunting" as areas requiring detailed information. Melgund’s demand for a "Recreation Access Guarantee" and clear mapping of no-go zones provides the proponent with a clear method to satisfy the IAAC’s requirement to assess how the project affects regional land access.
Gap Identification in Noise and Light Monitoring
A potential gap exists regarding the framing of noise and light impacts for non-Indigenous communities. While the IAAC SOI explicitly lists "noise, light, stress" under the Indigenous Peoples section (Health, social and economic conditions), the general Health, Social, and Economic Conditions section focuses more broadly on "Human Health and Well-Being" and "Psychosocial health impacts" without explicitly listing noise and light nuisances for the general public. Melgund’s finding that "negligible" risk ratings are inappropriate for their quiet rural setting suggests the IAAC’s general health requirements must be interpreted to rigorously include acoustic and visual disturbances for Melgund residents, similar to the protections explicitly outlined for Indigenous communities.
Support for Baseline Data Transparency
Melgund’s criticism that the proponent reached "high confidence" conclusions before completing quantitative modeling supports the broader concerns found in Annex A of the SOI. The IAAC notes concerns regarding "Monitoring of effects during construction and operation" (specifically air, water, and blasting) and the "adequacy, clarity, and transparency of the Project Description." Melgund’s specific request for the release of raw data and modeling parameters for peer review operationalizes the IAAC’s concern regarding "uncertainty due to limited or inadequate baseline data," ensuring that the upcoming Impact Statement is based on evidence rather than preliminary assumptions.
Key Claims
Underlying Assumptions
Critical Observations & Gaps
Analysis Table| Issue Identified | Implication | Information Required |
|---|---|---|
| Claim that only positive economic effects are anticipated. | By ignoring potential negative economic shifts, the NWMO avoids discussing compensation or protection for local homeowners. | A detailed study on property values and cost-of-living impacts in Melgund and Ignace. |
| Conclusions reached before quantitative modeling (noise, air, water) is complete. | The 'high confidence' claim is unsubstantiated and undermines the purpose of the upcoming Impact Statement. | Release of raw data and modeling parameters for community peer review. |
| Noise, vibration, and light rated as 'negligible risk'. | Melgund residents' daily lives are more sensitive to noise and light than the 'negligible' rating suggests. | Site-specific acoustic assessments that include the topography between Revell and Dyment. |
| Lack of specific mention of recreational land access for hunting and fishing. | Recreational land use is a major part of local life and is buried under 'social conditions'. | A specific Valued Component (VC) for 'Local Recreational Land Use and Access'. |
Working Group Recommendations
Request the Proponent provide site-specific baseline monitoring data for ambient noise and light levels specifically within the residential clusters of Melgund Township (Dyment and Borups Corners) to validate the 'negligible risk' characterization.
Demand a comprehensive assessment of potential negative economic impacts, specifically focusing on property devaluation and cost-of-living increases for residents in the unorganized territory of Melgund.
Request the inclusion of 'Local Recreational Land Access and Solitude' as a specific Valued Component (VC) to assess impacts on hunting, fishing, and trail use in the Revell site vicinity.
Challenge the Proponent to demonstrate 100% self-sufficiency for emergency response (fire, medical, and security) at the Revell site and along transportation corridors, rather than relying on regional hubs.
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.