Environmental assessment start date: February 4, 2005
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 05-01-9335
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canda Limited (AECL)
Location: Chalk River, Ontario

Latest Update

• May 26, 2006 - CNSC Announces Decision on Screening Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Shielded Modulate Above-Ground Storage at the Chalk River Laboratories
• April 27, 2006 - Panel of the Commission
• February 28, 2006 - Request for public comment - Draft Screening Report - Comment Period Closed
• May 31, 2005 - Environmental Assessment Guidelines issued by the CNSC
• February 25, 2005 - Project description (see below)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received an application from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) for the construction and operation of a Shielded Modular Above Ground Storage (SMAGS) project at the Waste Management Area H (WMA H).  The SMAGS would be built in place of the eight Modular Above Ground Storage units that were originally planned for the site.  The SMAGS initiative would require an amendment to AECL’s Nuclear Research and Test Establishment Operating Licence pursuant to section 37(2)(d) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA).

The proposed SMAGS initiative would include the construction and operation of six SMAGS buildings.   The footprint of each building would be 1457 m² with a total storage volume per building of 8 800 m³.  The buildings would provide radiological shielding and would accommodate the solid low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) that is received from off-site commercial generators and from Chalk River Laboratories (CRL).  The waste to be stored in the SMAGS would be placed in standardized all metal containers with lids, prior to being transported to WMA H.  Based on the current rates of waste generation, it is anticipated that each building would accommodate four years of LLRW.

Before the Commission makes its decision on AECL’s application for the proposed SMAGS project, a screening 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:

Kiza Munroe
Environmental Assessment Officer
Environmental Assessment and Protection Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Telephone: 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.