December 14, 2011 |
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WE NEED YOUR LEADERSHIP – JUST SAY NO.
This letter is in response to our Council’s decision to adopt the recommendation from CAO Lawrence Allison, for the Federal Nuclear Waste Management Organization to assess the suitability of Saugeen Shores as a future site for storage of highly dangerous spent nuclear fuel. I urge municipal officials and politicians to act responsibly and to immediately cancel any process that could lead to the consideration of Saugeen Shores as a development site for a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for all of Canada’s accumulated nuclear waste. Not only would this site contain tonnes of radioactive waste, likely for centuries to come, but it would also be the dumping ground for all the new radioactive waste from 22 nuclear power plants and the two new nuclear plants planned for Ontario. Needless to say, council should not take actions which could lead to exposure of its citizens to the extreme hazards associated with the transportation of this nuclear waste. Our community should not have to go through the angst associated with studies on the viability of developing a DGR. Common sense dictates that the citizens of Saugeen Shores would never support the construction of a DGR in this special place we call home. Regardless of the potential scientific merits, simply put, the residents do not want a large-scale nuclear fuel storage facility in Saugeen Shores and any examination by council or staff is a waste of scarce resources. The current fiscal state of our community should not be the catalyst for council’s decision. Regardless, the obvious negatives on property values, community image and health and safety in our community would offset any benefits or new revenue derived from this initiative. The Southampton Residents Association supports nuclear energy, we recognize the importance of Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation in the production of clean, cost-effective energy for the province as well and the positive economic impact on our community. We acknowledge a need for a long-term plan for the storage and management of spent nuclear fuel. Our municipal leadership expectations include vision, strategic decision-making, and stewardship. Just this fall, members of council, staff and citizens developed the town’s vision and objectives in the town’s five-year Official Plan (OP). The concept of a DGR was never considered. In fact Mayor Smith must acknowledge it would be contrary to the objectives of the Official Plan which includes protecting the character and lifestyle enjoyed by the residents of Saugeen Shores. The municipality has prepared annual business plans and long-term strategies to address future needs, including major capital expenditures, projected revenues and demographic changes. The question must be asked; why do these strategic plans not contain any comments or suggestions of a DGR?
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Political leadership includes stewardship, that is, overseeing and protection of something that is considered worth caring for and preserving. I can’t think of a more important responsibility than protecting the quality of life and our community image in Saugeen Shores. Saskatchewan has rejected this concept in spite of being one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. In spite of the U.S. government spending $9 billion constructing a similar storage facility in the Yucca Mountains in Nevada, state politicians have not given approval for its opening in the desolate areas of the desert. How could council even contemplate getting support and approvals for a similar project along the shores of Lake Huron. Our community leaders have had many successes, including the rail trails, the waterfront walkway, and increased commercial and residential development. There are significant challenges ahead, including updating local infrastructure and addressing the needs of our ever-changing community. The residents of Saugeen Shores do not want its future defining feature to be as Canada's national dump site for spent nuclear fuel. This has the potential to tarnish our image, destroy the tourism industry, and impact our property and business values. Once again, I appeal to council to show renewed leadership and stop this process before it causes any further conflict in our community. Kenneth Robertson President Southampton Residents Association. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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