Uranium Exploration/Mining Risks to Source Water Protection Areas
Due to the recent activity of uranium exploration companies, several Source Water Protection (SWP) regions in Eastern Ontario are potentially at risk. Uranium exploration companies have been active in the Mississippi-Rideau watershed as well as in Haliburton and West Quebec. Additional areas may in time be affected by uranium exploration when one considers data from Geological Surveys.
Beginning in June 2007 MVFN has been involved in raising awareness of issues relating to the environmental risks posed by uranium mining in the Mississippi-Rideau SWP region. For a historical review of MVFN’s involvement and the issue see an article http://mvfn.ca/?p=415 posted here in January.
Later at the inaugural meeting of the Mississippi Rideau Source Water Protection (MSRWP) committee in January 2008, a member inquiry was tabled by MRSWP Committee member Patricia Larkin requesting that a report be prepared to provide a better understanding of the “potential impacts of uranium exploration, mining and processing in Eastern Ontario and the legislative scope of the Clean Water Act to respond to these concerns”. They were also to inform neighboring SWP regions. We informed other NGO members of the Water Guardians Network, of the issue. The following other SWP regions should be most aware: Quinte, South Nation, Cataraqui and the ‘Trent Conservation Coalition.’
The local conservation authority has also produced a preliminary staff report with regards to the threat posed by uranium exploration and mining in the MRSWP region. This report and the member inquiry can be found in the minutes of the February 7, 2008 meeting of the MRSWP Committee (a large pdf file) at the following link http://mrsourcewater.ca/committee/agendas_minutes/Feb72008AgendaPackage.pdf.
We have also posted CItizens’ Uranium Inquiry Submission Sharbot Lake April 1, 2008 to provide a wider context for the issue as it may affect neighbouring SWP regions . Please note this is also a large pdf file.
Howard Robinson, MVFN
