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Seismic Survey Map to 'test the geology for a deep nuclear dump' - Nuclear Waste Services
Map showing West Cumbria Mining Area (red) and the radioactively contaminated Cumbrian Mud Patch (a result of decades of Sellafield reprocessing) which should not be disturbed or added to.
The following letter was sent to Nuclear Waste Services. Their reply both ignores and dismisses massive Concerns about Seismic Testing of the Irish Sea. Also ignored is the fact that the area of Nuclear Waste Services seismic testing overlaps that of the coal mine. The coal boss, Mark Kirkbride, is advising Nuclear Waste Services on delivery of a deep hot nuclear dump under the Irish Sea bed.
Letter to Nuclear Waste Services 11th May 2022:
Dear Nuclear Waste Services and Radioactive Waste Management,
We understand that Cumbria Wildlife Trust share our serious concerns at the plan to seismically test the Irish Sea this July for four weeks.
The public have had no say on this invasive activity and we understand that you have used the "Scientific Research" label to acquire an exemption for a Marine Licence from the Marine Management Organisation.
As well as the Marine Licence, a European Protected Species wildlife licence is required,
The area contains European Protected Species and we understand you have gone ahead and employed Shearwater GeoServices ahead of the wildlife licence approval.
We urge you to abandon this plan. It is entirely unjustified, morally and scientifically incoherent on many levels.
European Protected Species (no licence has been issued from the MMO)
The "scientific research" is to faciliate sub-sea vaults for heat generating nuclear wastes. The Irish Sea is already highly polluted from decades of Sellafield reprocessing. This includes radioactive particles routinely being washed onto Cumbrian beaches with airborne particles blown inland up to 10 or more miles. This means that monitoring of subsea nuclear waste vaults would be impossible as leakage (sooner or later) would be masked by existing radioactive burden.
The seismic testing area overlaps with West Cumbria Mining's Offshore Area No 2.
There is no justification for the damaging seismic tests which would impact negatively on the European Protected Species of the Irish Sea. We urge you to abandon the plan for seismic testing for sub-sea vaults of nuclear waste. Hundreds have already signed a petition which will be delivered on World Oceans Day June 9th to you and your partners at Copeland Borough Council. https://www.change.org/p/save-the-whale-and-the-snail-stop-nuclear-waste-services-blasting-the-irish-sea yours sincerely, Marianne Birkby Lakes Against Nuclear Dump - a Radiation Free Lakeland campaign REPLY from Nuclear Waste Services May 16th 2022:
Dear Marianne
Thank you for your contact on 11 May.
These surveys will support our assessment of the deep geology and its potential suitability to dispose of radioactive waste for the long term. We are committed to environmental protection and will work to minimise the impact of these surveys on marine life by following relevant UK guidance. We are obtaining all necessary permissions and the surveys will be closely monitored to identify and avoid any potential impacts in line with industry best practice.
The information we obtain from these surveys will enable us to better understand whether a location could host a GDF and in turn will help inform discussions with communities.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.
For more information on geological disposal please visit our website at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/geological-disposal
If you have any further questions or would like more information, please contact us on 0300 369 0000 (lines are open Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm) or by emailing GDFenquiries@nda.gov.uk
Kind regards
Liz
GDF Enquiries