AECL stores solid low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) at the Chalk River Laboratories site. These wastes are generated through laboratory operations, decommissioning activities, medical isotope production, and by isotope users such as hospitals, universities, research institutes and industry.and off-site commercial generators. Current practice is to segregate LLRW according to physical and radiological characteristics, volume reduce the wastes, and emplace them in either in-ground concrete bunkers or Modular Above Ground Storage (MAGS) buildings.

Given the current rate of LLRW generation, the remaining storage space in bunkers and MAGS buildings is limited and additional storage capacity will be needed to accommodate ongoing operations.

AECL is planning to construct and operate six new buildings for the storage of solid LLRW. These Shielded Modular Above-Ground Storage (or SMAGS) buildings will be constructed at the Chalk River Laboratories site. The SMAGS building design is based on a design that has been implemented by Ontario Power Generation at the Western Waste Management Facility on the Bruce site. SMAGS buildings have substantially larger effective storage volumes than MAGS buildings, and provide shielding for the storage of wastes that were previously emplaced in concrete bunkers; each building will store approximately five years of CRL LLRW generation.

The six SMAGS buildings will be constructed individually over the next 20-30 years, as waste generation rates require them to enter operation. Implementation of the SMAGS project will improve LLRW storage at CRL by

• providing increased LLRW storage space, essentially doubling the storage capacity previously based on the MAGS concept;
• allowing for better monitoring of the condition of waste storage containers; and
• reducing the waste handling requirements for future waste re-packaging or disposal operations.

The overall scope for the current SMAGS Project is to construct and commission the first SMAGS building at CRL, while producing a design that can be replicated as required. It also covers the site grading and storm drains required to manage environmental protection. The project has completed the design work, fire hazard assessments, safety analyses, and an Environmental Assessment Study Report. The CNSC issued a decision of “no significant environmental effects” for the SMAGS project in 2006 May. The first SMAGS building is expected to begin operation before the end of 2006.