Gvt. Legacy of Contamination in Northern SK Waterways.....

[Oscar]

The Government of Canadaʼs Legacy of Contamination in Northern Saskatchewan Waterways

[ https://policyalternatives.ca/sites/def ... rsheds.pdf ]

By Peter Prebble and Ann Coxworth CCPA Saskatchewan July 2013

Introduction     

Beaverlodge Lake and three adjacent watersheds in the Uranium City area of northern Saskatchewan are seriously contaminated with uranium and selenium.

Most of the contamination dates back to the 1952‐1982 period when Eldorado Nuclear Ltd., a federal crown corporation, operated numerous mining properties east of Uranium City and northeast of Beaverlodge Lake. Operating on behalf of the Government of Canada, Eldorado Nuclear opened its uranium mines and mill in 1952 to serve military contracts. It sold uranium to the United States Atomic Energy Commission in large quantities, and did so for the purpose of supplying the US military with uranium for the production of atomic weapons.1 It was a dark legacy to leave to future generations. When those military contracts ultimately ended in the early 1960’s, Eldorado Nuclear turned to selling uranium to a growing number of civilian nuclear power programs around the world.

Less well known than Eldorado Nuclear Ltd.’s uranium export record are the enduring local impacts that resulted from its uranium mining operations. Thirty one years after Eldorado Nuclear ceased all uranium mining activity, and 28 years after it decommissioned its mines and mill with the approval of the Atomic Energy Control Board,2 the watersheds in which it mined uranium and stored radioactive tailings are still highly contaminated from those mining operations, as are other important watersheds downstream.

The four watersheds most affected include the Ace Creek watershed, the Fulton Creek watershed, the Beaverlodge Lake watershed, and the Martin Lake watershed. A fifth watershed – the Crackingstone River also suffers less serious, but still notable levels of contamination. . . . ."

[Oscar]

COMMENT: BACKGROUND by Peter Prebble, CCPA Saskatchewan - December 3, 2024

This is a very good summary of what has happened and an accurate prediction as to where we are today.

PHOTO: Outlet pipe from the Beaverlodge uranium mill near Uranium City, where vast quantities of radioactive waste were dumped into Fookes Lake, converting it into a tailings reservoir. The tailings reservoir lies in the Fulton Creek watershed (early 1980s). (S*orry, I couldn't copy this image but imagine a 16 to 24" culvert gushing out with effluent into a Lake - check out above link*)

Before a licence can be granted or renewed, the CNSC must be satisfied that an applicant will make adequate provisions for the protection of the environment and the health and safety of the public. (I* would assume the same would be true to terminate a license and apply for a property to be placed into Saskatchewan Institutional Control program.*)