CNSC Announces Decision on Environmental Assessment Guidelines for Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Deloro Mine Site Cleanup Project

03-27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2003

Following a public hearing held on September 26, 2003, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) today announced its approval of the Environmental Assessment Guidelines (Scope of Project and Assessment) that will be used to direct a screening environmental assessment for the Deloro Mine Site Cleanup Project, located in Ontario. The Commission is satisfied at this time that the project does not warrant a referral to the federal Minister of the Environment for referral to a mediator or a review panel.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE) applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (Commission) for a Waste Nuclear Substance Licence for the possession, storage and management of radioactive substances at the Deloro Mine Site. Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, CNSC staff will complete a screening environmental assessment of the project and present a Screening Report at a public hearing of the Commission at a later date. The environmental assessment will address all aspects of the project and will not be limited to the effects of the radioactive substances.

If the Commission concludes from the Screening Report that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the appropriate mitigation measures, the Commission may proceed with a public hearing and decision on the licence application.

During the public hearing on the draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines, the Commission considered written submissions and oral presentations from CNSC staff and OMOE. There were no intervenors.

A Record of Proceedings, including the Reasons for Decision and transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC web-site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC. The Environmental Assessment Guidelines are also available through the CNSC web-site.

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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Contact:

Sunni Locatelli
Commission Secretariat
(613) 995-0360
1-800-668-5284