Kebaowek First Nation wins against nuclear waste dump

The Kebaowek First Nation has won its second court victory in a month against a planned nuclear waste dump at Chalk River, Canada. The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) received approval in January to build a facility that would store nuclear waste near the Chalk River research campus, located about 190 kilometers from Ottawa. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) initially stated the project would not cause significant environmental damage and that Indigenous groups had been properly consulted. However, the Kebaowek community and other advocates challenged these approvals. On Friday, Justice Russel Zinn of the federal court recognized that the facility could harm the endangered Blanding's Turtle and two species of bats. Chief Lance Haymond from Kebaowek expressed joy at the ruling, saying it was important not only for the community but also for the endangered species at risk. Zinn's ruling pointed out that CNL did not adequately explore other, more suitable locations for the dump. Nicholas Pope, the legal advisor for Kebaowek, mentioned that there were at least two other sites that could have been considered. He stated that the law requires that waste facilities not be placed in locations that pose greater risks to vulnerable species when alternatives exist. The decision means that CNL cannot move forward with its project just yet. As of now, the CNSC has not publicly responded to the court ruling. Pope called the decision a significant moment for environmental law in Canada. Chief Haymond added that it highlights the importance of Indigenous voices in these matters. He felt that their concerns were initially overlooked and that their recent wins validate their right to speak about their territory and its importance.