Understanding the Choices is the NWMO’s second discussion document, an important milestone in a three-year study (2002-2005) designed to recommend to the Government of Canada an approach to managing Canada’s used nuclear fuel for the long term. The report begins with an examination of the values and priorities of Canadians, and how the NWMO has used this understanding to build a framework to assess and compare management approaches.

Bedded-salt deposits of the Salado Formation have been selected for evaluation for a proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to be located in Eddy County, NM, -26 mi east of Carlsbad, Site selection and evaluation studies that included geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, drilling, and resource appraisal were conducted over and under the prospective location. The lower portion of the Salado meets essential criteria for waste isolation. Beds chosen for waste storage lie 2074-2730 ft below the surface.