Regulatory review status for the near surface disposal facility (NSDF)
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has been authorized to build an engineered mound near the ground’s surface on the Chalk River Laboratories site. The near surface disposal facility (NSDF), to be built for the purpose of disposing low‑level radioactive waste, will contain multiple cells made of systems that cover the base and top of each cell*, collect leachate, detect leaks, and monitor the surrounding environment.
The project will also include:
- a wastewater treatment plant
-
supporting infrastructure, such as:
- security systems to monitor access and egress
- a truck wheel wash, vehicle monitoring and weighing stations
- workstations and change facilities, construction trailers, and marine containers or tents for storage of construction materials
*The final cover will be applied once a cell is full.
Before the Commission made a licensing decision on this proposal, CNSC staff completed an environmental assessment (EA) under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. This involved publishing an assessment of the licence amendment and producing an EA report based on the information in CNL’s licensing submission, the final environmental impact statement and other supporting documentation.
CNSC environmental assessment process
Before the Commission could make a decision, CNSC staff had to review a sufficient amount of evidence and be able to show that the proposed NSDF activities would not cause significant adverse environmental effects. The CNSC made this information available as Commission member documents before Part 1 of the 2-part public hearing.
Environmental assessment start date: May 5, 2016
Reference number: 80122
In relation to the NSDF project, in May 2021, a request for a regional assessment of radioactive waste disposal in the Ottawa Valley under the Impact Assessment Act was made to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada conducted a detailed review of the request. In July 2021, the Minister decided that a regional assessment was not warranted.
Reference number: 81624
Contact
For general CNSC updates, subscribe to the CNSC’s mailing list. For information directly related to this project, please contact:
Environmental Assessment Division
Email: ea-ee@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.
Telephone: 613-995-7948 or 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Mailing address: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P. O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9
Additional resources
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