DRYDEN — City staff is recommending council go ahead with funding agreements with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, amounting to $3.2 million.
The Learn More Program will provide just over $1.2 million, which city chief administrative officer Roger Nesbit states in his report will consist of funding for several resources and other initiatives.
The funding will be put towards the employment of a special projects manager, economic development manager, junior planner, and two student employee positions, as well as, some third-party support for legal counsel and professional communication support.
Additionally, the funding will also provide a salary allocation for municipal staff and council to cover involvement in NWMO’s Adaptative Phase Management initiatives, including participation in the Impact Benefits Agreement development and municipal strategic planning and organizational development, community investment marketing, and architectural and engineering services for community capacity projects.
“As a significant neighbouring community to one of the proposed deep geological repository sites, it is in Dryden’s best interest to be fully engaged in the process and become knowledgeable so we can better understand the risks and benefits of this potential project. We appreciate the NWMO providing funding to enable this opportunity to learn and advance our community interests, which we accept with no commitment to the project or selected site," Mayor Jack Harrison said.
Near-term Investment funding has an estimated value of $2 million and is intended to be used to fund qualifying projects within the community between 2023 and 2024. If Dryden enters into the near-term investment agreement, the funding must be used by the end of 2024.
“There are multiple projects that the NTI can be used for, but nothing that we’ve decided on” Nesbit said.
Nesbit suggested council direct the Master Plan Steering Committee or Finance Committee to look at the possible uses for the funding.
Nesbit emphasized that accepting the funding does not mean that the Dryden community supports either the adaptive phase management project or the selection of Ignace as a final host community for the deep geological repository.
The purpose of the funding agreement is to ensure that ratepayers will not experience financial impacts while engaging with the NWMO during their APM process and site selection.
Since 2014, the City of Dryden has leveraged $2.4 million through the NWMO’s Learn More Program. This will be the first time Dryden will be applying for near-term investment funding.
“Whether or not the project happens does happen in our area, the benefits of this funding will be long-lasting with the community,” Nesbit said.
A bylaw for the execution of these funding agreements will be brought forward to the Jan. 23 council meeting for a vote.
