Challenge the Proponent to provide geochemical evidence (e.g., isotopic analysis or regional background comparisons) validating the claim that exceedances of metals (Aluminum, Chromium, Hexavalent Chromium, etc.) in soil and sediment are solely 'natural' and 'reflect the local geology.'
Strategic Rationale
"The text dismisses multiple exceedances of soil and sediment quality guidelines as naturally occurring without providing comparative data to rule out historical anthropogenic sources (e.g., forestry or atmospheric deposition). Accepting this assumption without proof creates a liability risk for Melgund; if the DGR project releases these specific metals in the future, the Proponent may point to this unverified baseline to argue the pollution is 'natural.' Rigorous validation is required to protect the community's ability to identify project-induced impacts later."
Source Context
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.