Canada’s Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) said Wednesday it is accepting public input on an updated plan for storage of radioactive waste at the Chalk River Laboratories site in Ontario.
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ revamped project plan for the Near Surface Disposal Facility now involves management of a small amount of intermediate-level and mixed waste, rather than just low-level waste.
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is considering two locations on the laboratory property, for disposal of low-level radioactive waste from its operations “and other suitable waste streams.” It expects to make a siting decision in 2017. It is also preparing an environmental assessment for review by CNSC. With approval from the commission, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories would begin work on the facility in 2018 and begin operations in 2020.
The commission is taking comments through Nov. 18. “Comments should be based on local, regional or traditional knowledge of the site or surrounding environment, or should provide any other relevant information that may help with the conduct of the environmental assessment (EA),” according to a press release. “All comments received will be considered public.”
Comments can be submitted to Nicole Frigault, Environmental Assessment Specialist, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, P.O. Box 1046 Station B, 280 Slater Street Ottawa ON K1P 5S9, or by email at cnsc.ea-ee.ccsn@canada.ca.