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Dryden Working On Agreement With NWMO

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The City of Dryden is looking at an agreement for a 1.2 million dollar project with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

It’s for a Learn More program developed by the NWMO.

Under the proposal, a special projects manage will be hired along with a partially funded Economic Development Manager and Junior planner and along with two summer employees.

It will also cover the costs that city staff contribute to the project.

Other part of the agreement include:

  • Legal counsel and professional communication support
  • General Operating and Travel expenses
  • Youth Centre support
  • Municipal strategic planning and organizational development, community investment marketing as well as architectural and engineering services for community capacity projects
  • Community Well-being fund

There is also Near-Term Investment funding of two million dollars.

The city says the agreement does not constitute support for the Township of Ignace as a host community for a nuclear waste repository.

City council will vote on the proposal at their open meeting next week.

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City of Dryden Signs MOU With NWMO

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Dryden Council has approved the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to further define the term “Significant Neighbouring Community.”

Some of the actions in the agreement include remaining active, engaged community with the NWMO in respect to the proposed Deep Geological Repository in the Ignace and Wabigoon area.

The City would also provide the organization with the results of any repository studies, or pertinent planning documents once public, or unless agreed otherwise to by Dryden.

Another highlight is discussing community capacity building, community engagement, community studies, ongoing baseline work and partnership with the NWMO.

Officials stress the MOU doesn’t constitute the City’s support for the repository or the selection of Ignace as the host community.

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NWMO Preparing To Ramp Up Work In Ignace Area

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is expecting to ramp up public engagement campaigns in the Ignace area.

COVID-19 has forced the agency to hold local and regional virtual meetings, but officials are hoping and excited to resume face-to-face consultations once the lockdown is lifted.

The agency says the short-term goal is to build awareness of the project, the safety case, and the steps towards site selection of an underground repository.

The consultations will involve impacted municipalities and Indigenous communities.

Vice-President of Site Selection Lise Morton says they also anticipate resuming on-site work in the very near future.

“There are already boreholes drilled up in Ignace. We have mobilized as of April 1 to begin the next set of boreholes. Despite COVID restrictions we are able to continue with that work in the field with very strict COVID controls and safety protocols in place,” Morton says.

Morton says the next phase will include the drilling of Boreholes 4 and 5.

Ignace and South Bruce are the final two in the running to be a host site and a decision is expected in 2023.

Morton says a lot of work remains until then.

“We are starting to have the discussions in terms of exploring the potential for partnerships. There are many phases to that. One of the things, as well, that we’re looking at is planning for various socio-economic studies in the Ignace area.”

Morton notes the studies can include workforce, environmental baseline monitoring and economic impacts.

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NWMO Continues Remote Studies In Ignace Area

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The Nuclear Waste Management Organization continues work in the Ignace-Wabigoon area despite COVID-19 restrictions.

Fieldwork and borehole drilling has been suspended but remote technical studies and research continues.

The work includes analyzing data from rock and water samples that were collected during recent testing to gain a better understanding of the geology.

This is considered an important step to see if the site would be a safe place to host a deep underground geological nuclear repository.

The NWMO says they continue to work with the impacted communities and contractors to plan for the safe return to the field and drilling the fifth and sixth boreholes.

The organization previously completed drilling and downhole testing of boreholes one to three, and drilling and coring of the fourth borehole to 1,000 metres was completed in March.

Two reports in initial results are expected to be made public shortly.

Andy Parmenter, Section Manager, Geoscientific Integration and Synthesis, says “These products will provide the most accurate representation of the bedrock available and they will be integrated with the borehole data to develop three-dimensional geological models of the study area.”

The Ignace area is one of two currently involved in the NWMO site selection process.

 

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NWMO Learning Centre Reopens In Ignace

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Following advise and recommendations from provincial health officials the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has reopened its Learn More Centre in Ignace.

The organization says encouraging learning about Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel includes being present and active in the community.

The Ignace area and the Municipality of South Bruce are in the running to host an underground repository.

The centre is designed to provide more information on the process to become a host site, the detailed studies and for people to ask questions.

The number of visitors at one time is restricted to four and physical distancing measures must be followed.

Local staff have been trained on new procedures and safety protocols related to COVID-19 and protective protective equipment has been provided.

Rachelle Davenport is the Relationship Manager for the Northwest region at the NWMO and says “We remain committed to protecting people and the environment, and will continue to monitor advice from government and health authorities to ensure we are making appropriate adjustments to our plans as needed.”

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NWMO Still Not Ready Resume Site Work

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It’s still too early to determine when field work will resume at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization site in the Ignace area.

Joanne Jacyk is the Section Manager of Environmental Assessment and says together with area communities, they will determine the timing.

“One of things that we are really dedicated to is in safety. And while there is a community component and a local component to the data collection, because of that expert lens that the community has indicated is really important as well, we do need to bring people in from outside the community.”

Jacyk says the important thing right now is “really making sure that it is the appropriate decision to bring people into the community that don’t normally reside there. So that’s an uncertainty we’re still just taking day-by-day.”

She notes an Environment Team is preparing for future work by considering physical distancing when collecting samples, deciding on study locations, and contracting consultants.

Jacyk says once sampling begins, the NWMO will share the data and review the design of the baseline monitoring program on an annual basis with the public.

 

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City Donation To Support Dryden Food Bank

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The Dryden Food Bank is once again on the receiving end of some more local generosity.

The City of Dryden has made a $2,500 donation.

The money comes from the $25,000 COVID-19 relief fund from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

Mayor Greg Wilson says the food bank is “Very much appreciated and valued and I think especially at this time with COVID-19 hitting the world it’s a great time to do something like this. We really appreciate NWMO stepping up.”

Wilson says the money is important because the Food Bank always faces dips, peaks and valleys in terms of need.

Facility Manager Al Huckabay says they are always impressed by the generosity the community has shown to help those who need it.

“Blessing us in saying ‘here, here’s some money to help you out’, and so we’ve been able to take that and make sure our shelves are filled so that we are giving out very wholesome, nourishing hampers to our residents.”

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NWMO Supporting Northwestern Health Unit

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The Northwestern Health Unit has received a financial shot in the arm to assist in COVID-19 relief efforts.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has announced $50,000 in one-time funding to help flatten the curve.

The money can be used to address a number of community needs including emergency food and care packages for those in isolation and without outside support as well as hand sanitizer and disinfecting supplies for organizations in the area who need assistance.

NWMO Vice-President of Site Selection Dr. Ben Belfadhel says “We want to thank everyone who is working to address this global challenge, in particular public health leaders like the Northwestern Health Unit, who are taking decisive action to protect the health of our communities. Investing in the health and well-being of the communities where we are active is a priority for the NWMO and we’re proud to do our part to help flatten the curve.”

Health Unit Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Herbacz says “On behalf of the NWHU, I am extremely pleased to accept this kind and generous donation. As we know these are unprecedented times and there is a growing demand within our communities for supports. It is during these times that we truly see community and partners pull together to achieve a common goal and wellness and safety for all people. The NWHU will ensure this substantial donation is used in the way that will reduce pressure and support our population through these times.”

The Ignace area remains in the running as a host site for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

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Area Communities Receive Money From NWMO

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A number of communities are receiving financial aid from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to help them cope with COVID-19.

19 communities involved in the site selection process for an underground repository are being supported by the NWMO to the tune of $25,000.

That includes Ignace and Dryden as the Ignace/Wabigoon Lake First Nations bid is one of two still being considered.

South Bruce and its neighbours in southern Ontario are also in the running.

Dryden Mayor Greg Wilson says “as Drydenites come to grips with new economic and social realities unfolding before us in 2020, this tangible show of support is certainly appreciated”

NWMO Vice-President of Site Selection Ben Belfadhel says “all of us have a responsibility to take actions to help flatten the curve, and we have long been committed to supporting the health and well-being of the communities who are in the NWMO site selection process.”

Belfadhel also says “each community faces its own unique challenges during this time and we want to offer our support.”

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NWMO Continues Testing Activities Around Ignace

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The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has been conducting advanced borehole drilling and testing activities at its site between Ignace and Wabigoon Lake First Nation.

Geoscientific studies are ongoing in the area to determine if the crystalline rock has the potential to host a deep geological repository.

The organization expects to complete drilling of a fourth borehole this spring, and to start drilling a fifth and sixth borehole later this year.

Officials say they have encountered almost all the same rock type in their testing and haven’t ran into any surprises.

Previous rock and water samples collected during drilling are currently being analyzed in Canadian and international laboratories.

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