Ottawa Riverkeeper expresses deep concern over proposal to dispose nuclear waste beside the Ottawa River

Ottawa Riverkeeper has been working tirelessly to provide an objective, science-based analysis of the Near Surface Disposal Facility. Today we submitted our detailed comments to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Just a few months ago in March 2017, when Canadian Nuclear Laboratories submitted its plans to build a permanent nuclear waste disposal site at Chalk River, few in the general public had heard of the project. Together with concerned citizens throughout the watershed, and with the help of experts, we helped shine a spotlight on this major undertaking and its risks, particularly the potential for contamination of the nearby Ottawa River with radioactive waste.

Since then, we have seen and heard a groundswell of mounting concern from the public in both Ontario and Québec. Rightfully so. This would be Canada’s first permanent nuclear waste disposal site, a project with risks that will last for centuries, if not thousands of years. A project that will have long-term impacts on the Ottawa River, a drinking water source for over 5 million people. Evaluating this project requires more than technical analysis. It is a public health issue and a societal issue that warrants an independent review and appropriate consultation with all Canadians.

Ottawa Riverkeeper has been working tirelessly to provide an objective, science-based analysis of this project. Today we submitted our detailed comments to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. We encourage all citizens to read the document to gain a better understanding of what’s at stake.

Going forward, we will continue to engage with the process and present our findings at the hearings to be held in 2018. In the meantime, our elected officials have shared responsibility to protect the people and aquatic ecosystems of the Ottawa River Watershed. They must take this project seriously and devote sufficient resources to analyzing its potential risks. We will make sure to share our analysis with our elected officials at all levels of government, and encourage concerned citizens to do the same.

Links:

Find our full comments here.

For more information on the proposed site, check out our infographic.

 

5 responses to “Ottawa Riverkeeper expresses deep concern over proposal to dispose nuclear waste beside the Ottawa River”

  1. Mary Hegan says:

    Thanks ORK for taking quick action to the waste disposal proposal at Chalk River in terms of public education and taking a public position after responsible research. ORK has built trust and credibility which is needed into the future.
    I suggest a regular, focused public newsletter for the public up-dating people on review process, public and political reactions, additional information, delivered by e-mail a well as social medi and regular media.
    Question: Who does one consult for latest info. and analysis in how this proposal could impact the Rideau River watershed (tributaries and ground water drainage) over long-term?
    Thanks, Mary Hegan -member of ORK Riverwatcher program, living and networking on the Rideau system.

  2. Serge says:

    This is a very stupid ideas without any comment sense. How can people think like that to put a nuclear site near the ottawa river???I lived in front of that river all my life and now they want to destroy it for good. Humans are doing a good job for destroying our planet. The future for our kids will be bad because of idiot people and their ideas.

  3. judith says:

    Excellent work, I support you.

    • Sharon says:

      I appreciate this thorough analysis and your work on this issue. Few people are aware of this potential threat to our watershed and drinking water for so many communities. We need to bring this to public attention.

      I wish this were linked in other parts of your site so that it is more pervasive throughout your site. It is a very serious concern.

  4. Patrick says:

    Why is this this the “preferred” site, when the waste could be accommodated in “mines”

    Why is Los Alamos not an option for this waste?

    I grew up in Chalk River and I have friends who’ve died because of “radiation” poisoning.. We need a better place to put this stuff, not on the banks of the Ottawa.