Decommissioning of the fuel storage and handling bays at Chalk River Laboratories

Start Date: April 2000
Type: Screening
FEAI reference number: 16692
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
Location: Chalk River, Ontario

Latest Update

• March 14, 2007 - CNSC Announces its Decision on the Screening EA
• October 4-5, 2006 – Panel of the Commission
• May 29, 2006 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Screening Report
• April 2000 - Project Description (See below)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received notice from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) of its intent to proceed with the decommissioning of the Fuel Storage and Handling Bays located at the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) in Chalk River, Ontario.

The Fuel Storage and Handling Bays were built in the mid 1940s and provided underwater storage for experimental and driver fuels used in the now shutdown National Research Experimental research reactor and act as a storage bay for irradiated fuel from the Nuclear Power Demonstration reactor.

The bays were taken out of active operation in 1993 and all fuels and stored materials were removed to either the CRL waste management areas or other storage facilities on the CRL site by October 1995. No irradiated fuel has been stored in the bays since that time. The fuel was moved to engineered storage facilities at CRL. Components used in operations to transport, store and examine fuel remain in the bays. The bays have undergone preliminary decontamination through vacuuming, and the structural integrity of Buildings 204 A/B wall structures has been assessed.

Before CNSC makes its decision on AECL's licence amendment application, 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 determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Step Ahead

• Decision of the Commission

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.

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.