NWMO update on progress with landowners in South Bruce

Dear Neighbour:

I’m writing to you again to provide an important update on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)’s work in South Bruce.

As you may have heard, we recently announced we have aggregated more than 1,500 acres in the area and have formed a potential Deep Geological Repository (DGR) site. This is an important step that will allow us to continue our site-assessment activities.

These activities will include environmental monitoring and borehole-drilling, planned for early 2021.

Our work here is far from over. Our conversations with landowners in the area continue, and the aggregation of the site thus far does not mean we have selected South Bruce as the location for a DGR for used nuclear fuel.

The NWMO has, since its very outset, committed to working with communities. We have also been clear that a DGR will be constructed only in an area with informed and willing hosts. We invite you to get involved through learning about Canada’s plan and sharing your questions, concerns and ideas.

Just as we have been hearing from you, we have listened to your feedback and incorporated it into our work plans.

You told us the safety of wells and drinking water is an utmost priority, so we have expanded the number of wells and other water sources we will be monitoring, before and after we begin borehole-drilling.

We heard that you wanted more detail about where that borehole-drilling will occur, so last week we shared a map of the potential DGR site outlining just that. You can also find it on our website.

We listened to concerns about property values around a potential DGR site, so we have committed to working with the municipality to establish a program to compensate property owners if values are adversely affected by the project, should it be sited in South Bruce.

You also said you’re worried about the possible disruption to agricultural activity on the proposed DGR site, and we have worked to ensure as much of the land as possible continues to be used as it currently is, now and once the DGR is operational.

We are committed to implementing the project in a manner that protects people and the environment, and makes a positive contribution to agriculture and the quality of life in the communities where we are living and working. Communities that include both South Bruce and Ignace in the north of this province.

We continue to work in both areas as we move to select a site for Canada’s plan by 2023. We will continue to listen and keep the community informed of our activities in the area.

As always, we want to be good neighbours. Tell us how we can do that.

Please, don’t hesitate to reach out and come join us at one of our upcoming open houses (see the dates below) and throughout the year at our office or on-line at www.nwmo.ca

Sincerely,
Dr. Ben Belfadhel
 

---

OPEN HOUSES

Oct. 26, 27 and 28, 1-7 p.m.
Teeswater Culross Community Centre - Community Hall
19 Marcy Street, Teeswater

Oct. 29 and 30, 1-7 p.m.
Formosa Hall
13 Community Drive, Formosa

Nov. 2, 3 and 4, 1-7 p.m.
Mildmay Carrick Recreation Complex – Community Hall
24 Vincent St, Mildmay

Nov. 5 and 6, 1-7 p.m.
Belmore Community Centre
91122 Belmore Line, Howick

On-line – Oct. 26-29 and Nov. 2-6, 1-7 p.m.
Visit us at www.nwmo-openhouse.ca