Public comments invited on draft environmental impact statement for In Situ Decommissioning of the Whiteshell Reactor #1 Project

News Release

October 5, 2017 – Ottawa, ON

The draft environmental impact statement (EIS), in both official languages, for the proposed In Situ Decommissioning of the Whiteshell Reactor #1 Project submitted by the proponent, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, is now available to the public. The main body of the EIS, the appendices and the executive summary can be accessed by visiting the Documents – For Public Participation section of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry for the In Situ Decommissioning of the Whiteshell Reactor #1 Project.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is seeking comments during a 75-day public comment period on the draft EIS. The draft EIS provides an analysis of the project’s potential environmental effects and measures to mitigate those potential impacts. A technical review of the draft EIS by CNSC staff, and federal and provincial departments and agencies, is being carried out concurrently with the public review.

The public comment period gives members of the public, Indigenous groups, and government departments and agencies an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the CNSC on the adequacy of the information presented in the EIS, as measured against the Generic Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (the Guidelines), and on the technical merit of the information presented. The Guidelines provide direction to the proponent and identify the information that is required in the EIS.

Written comments in either official language must be submitted by December 19, 2017. All comments on the draft EIS will be posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry in the language in which they were received.

Following receipt of public comments on the draft EIS, CNSC staff will consider all submissions received in making its determination on whether the EIS is satisfactory or whether further information is required from the proponent. Should further information be required, the proponent will be requested to submit the necessary information until CNSC staff are satisfied with a final EIS. In addition, CNSC staff will ensure responses are provided to all comments received from members of the public and Indigenous groups. Following receipt of a final EIS, CNSC staff will prepare a CEAA 2012 EA report (EA report), to inform the Commission's EA decision. The EA report will be available to the public and Indigenous groups 60 days prior to the Commission's EA public hearing. The day and time of the hearing are to be determined at a later date by the Commission. Public participation will be offered through the submission of written and/or oral interventions.