Opponents of the Near Surface Disposal Facility at Chalk River have filed a third appeal in federal court in a bid to stop the project.
The Kebaowek First Nation, Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area, the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, and Sierra Club Canada Foundation filed an application last week for a judicial review of the decision by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to issue a permit for the project under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
The permit allows Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to “carry out activities associated with the construction” of the NSDF even though it “may result in the harm, harassment or killing individuals” of three protected species – Blanding’s turtles, the Northern Long-Eared Bat, and the Little Brown Bat.
The permit also allows CNL to “be in possession of Blanding’s Turtle as necessary for moving individuals out of harm’s way.”
In an “explanation for issuing” the permit posted on the Species at Risk public registry, the Ministry says CNL has “successfully demonstrated that all reasonable alternatives to the activity have been considered, all feasible measures will be taken to minimize the effect of the activity on the species, and the activity will not jeopardize its recovery.”
“Facility location and site selection options were also considered, and the option expected to have the least impact on species at risk was retained.”
Despite those conclusions, Kebaowek Chief Lance Haymond said in a statement that “the decision to move forward with the construction of the NSDF poses a direct threat to the biodiversity and ecological integrity of our traditional territory.”
“We have a sacred responsibility to protect our lands and waters for future generations and this judicial review is a necessary step in upholding our inherent rights as Indigenous peoples”…
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