Require a rigorous chemical 'fingerprinting' of existing surface water and soil contaminants to distinguish between natural geological exceedances and future project-related impacts.
Strategic Rationale
"The Proponent's submission notes that several parameters, including mercury, copper, and phosphorus, already exceed guidelines due to 'natural, local geology.' This creates a significant regulatory risk where future project-related leaks or runoff could be dismissed as part of the pre-existing 'natural' background. By implementing advanced fingerprinting during the baseline phase, the community can ensure that any increase in toxicity is accurately attributed to the project rather than hidden behind existing environmental stressors. This recommendation protects the integrity of the Mennin Lake and Wabigoon River watersheds and ensures that mitigation measures are triggered by actual project performance. The result will be a higher standard of environmental accountability and clearer protection for local water sources."
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.