Port Granby Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project

Start date: November 21, 2001
Type: Screening
Proponent: Low Level Radioactive Waste Management Office
Location: Port Granby, Ontario

Latest Update

• August 19, 2009: CNSC Announces its Decision on the Screening Environmental Assessment for the Port Granby Proposed Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project in Clarington, Ontario
• May 4, 2009: Request for Public Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment Screening Report (May 4, 2009 to June 17, 2009) (PDF)
• July 30, 2002: Government of Canada Releases Scope Document of Environmental Assessment for Port Granby Project
• March 12, 2002: Extension for Public Comment Period of Scope of Port Granby Project Open Houses (PDF)
• February 20, 2002: Public Comment Requested on Scope of Port Granby Project

Project Description

In July of 2001, the Low-level Radioactive Waste Management Office (LLRWMO) was delegated by Natural Resource Canada (NRCan) to act as proponent for a project to cleanup and to provide appropriate local long-term management of low-level radioactive wastes and marginally contaminated soils located in the Municipality of Clarington that are associate with the existing Port Granby Waste Management Facility. The LLRWMO is operated by Atomic Energy of Canada through an agreement with NRCan. NRCan provides funding and establishes national policy for low level radioactive waste management

In November 2001, NRCan, writing on behalf of the LLRWMO, sent the CNSC a Letter of Intent, stating the plans of the LLRWMO to apply for authorization for the possession, management and storage of a waste nuclear substance at Port Hope. This would require a Waste Nuclear Substance Licence (WNSL) to be issued under subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The project consists of those activities that are directly related to the site preparation, construction and operation of a long-term low-level radioactive waste management facility at the Port Granby site. The facility includes waste cover systems, bluff stabilization structures, groundwater diversion structures and any new waste management mound. It also includes any site remediation activities associated with the proposed waste management facility.

Before the Commission makes its decision on LLRWMO application for a Waste Nuclear Substance Licence, an 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

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, contact the CNSC.

For a listing of documents available on the Public Registry, contact:

Joanne Smith
Public Registry Administrator
Uranium and Radioactive Waste Division
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 17th Floor
Phone: (613) 996-8719
Fax: (613) 947-4205

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.