Opposed to NWMO Deep Geological Repository for used nuclear fuel

I live near Highway 17, in the community of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (formerly Pic River First Nation), near Marathon, Ontario. I am opposed to the deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel being proposed for the Wabigoon Lake First Nation- Ignace area. In particular, I am deeply concerned about the transportion of used nuclear fuel over a thousand kilometres by road/rail and its storage underground indefinitely.  

It appears this location has been selected (as opposed to the Bruce location) because there has been comparitively less opposition to the project.  (This is likely a function of the smaller population in northwestern Ontario compared to southern Ontario). However, this is not a good basis for the decision. Transporting the used nuclear fuel thousands of kilometres from southern nuclear plants to northwestern Ontario presents exposes millions of Ontarians to the risk of exposure from spills/ accidents during the transportation of used nuclear fuel. Truck accidents along Highway 17 occur frequently, and the risk is unacceptable.

For these reasons, there needs to be a thorough Integrated Environmental Assessment for this risky experimental project.

The Initial Project Description posted on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada registry does not adequately justify the need and purpose of the repository. The alternatives to the Deep Geological Repository are not considered and explained in detail. 

Most importantly the exclusion of transportation from the Project is unacceptable.  Excluding the transportation component of the project is essentially project splitting. Under the Act, a project includes "any activity that is incidental to the project" and transportation of the used nuclear fuel to the DGR is entirely part of the project.  The DGR cannot fulfill its purpose unless there is used nuclear fuel tranported to it. Long haul, ongoing transportation of used nuclear fuel has never been done in Canada and this transportation (and alternatives to this transportation) must be thoroughly examined under the Impact Assessment.

I also question why the used fuel needs to be repackaged at the DGR.  The alternative of having the used fuel packaged once and for all prior to transportation would reduce the risk of spill during transportation and eliminate a repackaging exercise at the DGR which could also create a greater risk of leakage.

I am aware that many First Nations oppose the project. "First Nations Say No to Nuclear Storage in the North" - https://wethenuclearfreenorth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/first-nations-say-e28098no-to-nuclear-waste-storage-in-the-north.pdf

I do not support the DGR being proposed for the Wabigoon Lake FN/ Ignace area. The need for the project is not substantiated, and exclulding the transportation of the used fuel from the EA is unacceptable.  I encourage NWMO to consider meaningful alternatives to the transportation and underground storage of used nuclear fuel, such as storing the used fuel closer to the plants that create the waste, and in a location where the waste can be closely monitored - not buried underground and left to "future societies" to manage.