Nuclear dump triggers protest

The Port Huron Times-Herald carries this article about a proposed nuclear waste dump situated in Ontario less than a mile from Lake Huron:

Activists, politicians, and citizens groups from the United States and Canada voiced their opposition Oct. 23 to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regarding a proposal to create a nuclear-waste storage site under Kincardine, Ontario.

Kincardine is on Lake Huron, about three hours northeast of Port Huron. Local officials fear the repository could contaminate the lake and other local waterways.

Ontario Power Generation has applied for regulatory approval to build a storage facility deep underground for low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes generated at the Bruce nuclear plant site in Tiverton, Ontario. The facility also would take wastes from other nuclear facilities in Ontario.

Before the project moves forward, it must pass an environmental-impact study. The nuclear-safety commission is expected to outline requirements of the study within the next six weeks.

The environmental assessment, usually done by environmental experts hired by the nuclear industry, could take until 2011. If satisfied with the assessment results, the commission would grant a construction license.

John Earl, spokesman for Ontario Power Generation, said the storage facility could be operational in 2017.

Bruce nuclear plant officials acknowledged in 2002 that ground water near homes in Kincardine, Ont., tested positive for radioactive waste.