Environmental Assessment
Denison Mines Inc.
Installation of Berms at the Decommissioned Stanrock Mine

Environmental assessment start date: March 2, 2006
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 06-01-17616
Proponent: Denison Mines Inc.
Location: Elliot Lake, Ontario

Project Description

Denison requested approval to install two berms to stabilize and reinforce the existing beaver dams at the outlet of the Halfmoon Wetland. The berms would replace the existing beaver dams that control water levels in the marsh area between Orient Lake and Halfmoon Lake. The sediments in the marsh area were found to contain nuclear substances in treatment sludges and the marsh area exhibited elevated surface gamma levels. The purpose of the berms is, therefore, to provide better containment (relative to the existing beaver dams) for the treatment sludges located within the wetland, and to attenuate gamma radiation by increasing water levels within the marsh area.

Before the Commission makes its decision on the proposal, an environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). 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

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of the proposed project, please contact:

Michael Rinker
Environmental Assessment Specialist
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

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request from:

B. Barker
Licensing Project Officer
Wastes and Decommissioning Division
Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation
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.