Proposed construction and operation of a fuel packaging and storage facility at Chalk River Laboratories

Environment assessment (EA) start date: January 4, 2005
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 05-01-9148
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Location: Chalk River, Ontario

Latest update

• March 11, 2008 – Notice of public hearing on the screening report – A one-day public hearing will take place on May 15, 2008 at the Ajax Convention Centre (550 Beck Crescent, Ajax, Ontario) to consider the results of this proposed project's EA screening. Please refer to the Notice (PDF) for more information.
• January 2, 2008 – Request for public comments – Comment period closes February 2, 2008
• July 8, 2005 – EA guidelines issued by the CNSC

Project description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received an application from AECL for the construction and operation of a fuel packaging and storage (FPS) facility at the Waste Management Area (WMA). The FPS initiative would require an amendment to AECL's nuclear research and test rstablishment operating licence pursuant to section 37(2)(d) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The proposed FPS facility would include the construction and operation of a building that would contain a packaging and vacuum drying station and a monitored storage structure. The fuel would be retrieved from the tile holes in its existing storage container and transported to the FPS facility where it would be repackaged in stainless steel containers with vented closures and dried prior to being placed in the monitored storage structure. No new waste arising from ongoing operations on the Chalk River site would be added to the new storage facility.

Before the Commission makes its decision on AECL's application for the proposed fuel packaging and storage initiative, a screening EA must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an EA 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

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its EAs. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request. For questions or information directly related to this EA, please contact:

The 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.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment, and to implement Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.