Original post via Blackburn News.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) continues to collaborate with the Municipality of South Bruce as the organization takes a more site-focused approach for the proposed Nuclear waste storage facility. The organization is considering either South Bruce or Ignace as the location for the Deep Geologic Repository for used nuclear fuel.

The comprehensive study plan that will begin this year was outlined at the February virtual meeting of the South Bruce Community Liaison Committee. A media release from the committee says this work will build on studies completed in 2012 to establish baseline conditions in a number of areas, including employment and workforce, housing, infrastructure improvements, economics, health and agricultural sector effects, property values, and others.

The Municipality of South Bruce will have the studies peer reviewed by independent experts. And the NWMO will lead several studies to confirm the suitability of the geology and other environmental factors around South Bruce as a site for the repository.   The studies will explore the expectations, aspirations, questions and concerns of South Bruce residents outlined in the project visioning workshop report and the Guiding Principles adopted by South Bruce Council in October 2020.

Dave Rushton, Project Manager at the Municipality of South Bruce and Allan Webster, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Environmental Assessment at the NWMO are responsible for coordinating approximately 60 studies and inputs in the South Bruce area and surrounding region over the course of the next few years.

“The leadership and community members in South Bruce have done a tremendous amount of work articulating their priorities for the project. The studies will provide an opportunity for people to shape how the project could be implemented if it were to proceed in this area,” said Webster. “Over the next few years, the NWMO will be focused on ensuring the community has the information they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to host the project.”

“The studies will assist the NWMO in developing a deeper understanding of the community and provide the information we need to work with the municipality so we can identify programs and commitments that will ensure the project will only be implemented in a manner that fosters the well-being in the area,” added Webster.