Challenge the sufficiency of the Proponent's moose population baseline, specifically the 'low calf:cow ratio' where the cause is currently undetermined, and require a specific investigation into whether current predation or habitat factors are driving this decline before Project stressors are added.
Strategic Rationale
"The Proponent's submission identifies a 'low calf:cow ratio' in the local moose population but admits the cause 'cannot be determined from current evidence.' Despite this, the Proponent asserts that studies are sufficient for a risk-informed assessment. For the Melgund area, where moose are a critical subsistence and cultural resource, proceeding without understanding why the population is already struggling presents an unacceptable risk. If the herd is already at a tipping point due to predation or disease, the additional stress of Project construction (noise, traffic, habitat fragmentation) could lead to local extirpation. The Working Group must demand a causal analysis of this demographic decline to ensure mitigation measures are actually effective."
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.