May 2006 - Submission to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for June 2006 public hearing
Monday, May 29, 2006
SUBMISSION OF OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER INC. TO THE CANADIAN NUCLEAR SAFETY COMMISSION
RE: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited – Application for Renewal of the Chalk River Laboratories Nuclear Research and Test Establishment Operating Licence
SUBMITTED TO CNSC: May 29, 2006
Ottawa Riverkeeper respectfully requests permission to make the following arguments before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on June 28th, 2006 regarding the matter of the renewal of the Chalk River Laboratories Nuclear Research and test establishment operating licence:
- The uncontrolled release of tritium into the Ottawa River is very concerning to the public whose river is being used as a receiving body for radioactive waste – the placement of high-level fuel wastes from NRU reactor operations in the current NRU fuel bay is creating an alarming amount of waste that must be dealt with in a transparent manner. Ottawa Riverkeeper has concerns that AECL has no plans to stop or mitigate this tritium plume into the Ottawa River.
- The 5-year legacy plan proposes to conduct geological studies for construction of a shallow rock cavern for permanent disposal of low and intermediate level wastes on the AECL property. It is also suggested (section 3.1.6) that the Chalk River site could be the site for a deep geological repository for all of Canada’s nuclear fuel waste. Given the geological features of the Chalk River site, Ottawa Riverkeeper is deeply concerned about plans to bury waste on this site.
- AECL’s proposals for public consultation cannot substitute for a formal environmental assessment under CEAA. To meet the test of scientific credibility, an environmental assessment must incorporate an independent scientific peer review process – the public will not trust the science from AECL alone.
Ottawa Riverkeeper is an important information source for people of the Ottawa River Watershed. One of the issues we consistently hear concerns about is Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. We are dedicated to providing the public with information about operating licence at Chalk River and providing a voice for the Ottawa River. I hope we can have a chance to formally voice our concerns to the CNSC.
Sincerely,
Meredith Brown, Riverkeeper
submission [pdf file: 0.17mb]
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