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Environmental Assessment
Decommissioning of a plutonium recovery laboratory at
Chalk River Laboratories
Environmental assessment start date: September 13, 2004
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number:
04-01-6503
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Location: Chalk River, Ontario
Latest update:
- September 30, 2004 – Project description (see below)
Project Description
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received an application
from AECL for authorization to decommission a plutonium recovery laboratory
located at the Chalk River Laboratories. This authorization would require an
amendment to AECL’s operating licence pursuant to section 24 of the Nuclear
Safety and Control Act (NSCA). The laboratory is a Class IB nuclear facility
under the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations.
The laboratory, constructed in 1947 and in operation from 1949 to 1957, was
designed to extract plutonium isotopes from enriched fuels used in research
reactors during that period. Following shut down in 1957, the majority of the
processing equipment was flushed, decontaminated and removed. Decommissioning
activities will be carried out in three phases and include the following:
removal of all remaining process equipment and piping; decontamination and
demolition of structures, including the inner shielded concrete enclosure;
segregation of solid wastes and transfer to waste management facilities at the
CRL; and, site remediation and restoration.
Before the Commission makes its decision on AECL’s application, an
environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an environmental assessment is to
identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and to
determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed
to proceed.
Further Information
The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its
environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon
request. For questions or information directly related to this environmental
assessment, please contact:
Claude David
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Processing Facilities and Environmental Assessment Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Phone : 1-800-668-5284
Fax : (613) 995-5086
E-mail : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
For more information on the environmental assessment process, please refer to
the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency web site at
www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health,
safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international
commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
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