Regulatory review status for the decommissioning of the Whiteshell Reactor #1

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is proposing to decommission the Whiteshell Reactor #1 (WR-1), using an approach that was not previously assessed when the decommissioning licence was first issued. The WR-1 is a former nuclear research reactor that operated until 1985. It is located at the Whiteshell Laboratories (WL) site in Pinawa, Manitoba, approximately 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, near the towns of Lac du Bonnet and Seven Sisters. The WL site is situated in the homeland of the Red River Métis, Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 territories and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Ojibway Peoples. The WL site is also located in the vicinity of Treaty 5 territory.

CNL is proposing an in situ (leaving in place) decommissioning approach. In situ decommissioning involves preparing systems and structures for grouting. The below-grade grouted structure will encapsulate and contain radiological sources and hazardous materials for a defined period of institutional control.

The following activities are being proposed:

• preparation for in situ decommissioning
• grouting of below-grade (underground) structures and systems
• removal of above-grade (above-ground) structures and systems
• installation of engineered cover over the grouted area
• final site restorations
• long-term care and maintenance activities

Some temporary infrastructure – such as construction trailers and equipment paddocks, and increased electrical services – would also be required to facilitate decommissioning. Additional groundwater monitoring wells would be installed, as required, to monitor the performance of the in situ decommissioned facility.

This proposal requires authorization by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in the form of an amended licence. Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, CNL must apply to the Commission to amend the current decommissioning licence and must undergo a rigorous technical review. However, before the Commission can make a licensing decision on this proposal, CNSC staff must complete an environmental assessment (EA) under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and the Commission must make an EA decision.

Although the Impact Assessment Act came into force on August 28, 2019, it contains provisions for ongoing projects to be completed under CEAA 2012. This means that the CNSC will continue to lead the review of this project.

The completion of an EA under CEAA 2012 requires CNSC staff to produce an EA report summarizing the CNSC’s technical review of the information in CNL’s licensing submission, final environmental impact statement (EIS), and supporting documentation.

Learn about the CNSC’s environmental assessment process.

CNSC staff must have reviewed enough evidence to be able to demonstrate that the proposed activities would not cause significant adverse environmental effects before the Commission can proceed with its EA and licensing decisions. The CNSC will make this information available in the form of Commission member documents before a public hearing, to be scheduled at a later date.

Environmental assessment start date: March 16, 2016
Reference number: 80124

Timeline

Application submitted
Date	Activity
April 23, 2002	CNL submission of licence application and start of CNSC staff review

Assessments
Date	Activity
May 16, 2016	Notice of commencement of the EA
June 2, 2016	Public comments invited on project description
June 3, 2016	Notice of participant funding offering
March 8, 2017	Record of decision on the scope of the EA
September 1, 2017	CNL submission of EA and licensing documentation
October 5, 2017	Public comments invited on draft EIS
October 17, 2017	CNSC open houses (Winnipeg, Pinawa and Lac du Bonnet)
January 5, 2018	Review of CNL’s draft EIS completed
April 3, 2018	Update on the status of the EA process
April 30, 2020	CNL submission of revised draft EIS and responses to federal and provincial information requests deemed incomplete
August 24, 2022	CNL submission of revised draft EIS and responses to federal and provincial information requests deemed incomplete
January 16, 2023	Review team begins technical review of revised draft EIS and licencing documentation
April 27, 2023	Review team completes technical review of revised draft EIS
May 8, 2023	Review team completes technical review of revised draft EIS (including findings from Sagkeeng First Nation)
February 20, 2025	Review team begins technical review of revised draft EIS and licencing documentation
To be confirmed	Review team completes technical review of revised draft EIS
To be confirmed	CNL submission of final EIS and licensing documentation
To be confirmed	CNSC staff Commission member document and EA report available for public review

Public hearing
Date	Activity
To be confirmed	Public intervention deadline
To be confirmed	Commission hearing for EA and licensing decisions

Commission decisions
Date	Activity
To be confirmed	Commission decision announcement

Licence issued
Date	Activity
To be confirmed

Compliance activities
Date	Activity
To be confirmed

Contact

For general CNSC updates, subscribe to the CNSC’s mailing list. For information directly related to this project, please contact:

Aimee Rupert, Environmental Review Officer
Email: WR1@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-316-2087

Mailing address:

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
PO Box 1046 Stn B
Ottawa ON  K1P 5S9

Additional resources

• Environmental assessment for the proposed decommissioning of Whiteshell Laboratories, completed in 2002
• Canadian Impact Assessment Registry for the in situ decommissioning of the Whiteshell Reactor #1 project