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Environmental Assessment
Decommissioning of a plutonium tower facility at
Chalk River Laboratories
Environmental assessment start date: September 13, 2004
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number:
04-01-6513
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 tower facility 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 plutonium tower facility is a Class IB nuclear facility
under the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations.
This facility was used to develop means to extract plutonium from fuel rods
irradiated in the NRX reactor and operated for a few years in the late 1940s.
The building was permanently shut down in 1954. All process equipment was
removed from the building, and an initial clean-up was carried out. Further
clean-up and dismantling was carried out in the 1980s. Decommissioning include
the following activities: demolition of annexes, concrete tower, building
structure; segregation of solid wastes and transfer to waste management
facilities at the CRL; and, removal of any contaminated soil and site
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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