What's happening now?
Transfer of land and facility are milestones for Port Granby Project
March 30, 2012 - The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) has achieved a milestone for the Port Granby Project with the assumption of responsibility for the operation of the existing Port Granby Waste Management Facility (WMF).
In November 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s licence application for the Port Granby Project – providing approval for the relocation and safe, long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste currently located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Southeast Clarington. The licence decision also enabled the Government of Canada to acquire 275-hectares (680 acres) of land from Cameco Corporation, which includes the existing WMF, and for the PHAI MO to assume responsibility for the facility’s operation from Cameco.
“The PHAI MO is committed to the safe operation of the Port Granby WMF,” said Dave Smith, Port Granby Project director. “We have a highly qualified and dedicated staff in place to work collaboratively with Cameco to ensure the transfer of responsibility takes place seamlessly and efficiently.”
For the full news release click here.
Port Granby Discussion Group talks dust, tree planting and Elliott Road construction
Photo: Port Granby residents, Municipality of Clarington officials and staff members from the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office discuss the Port Granby Project’s Phase 2 activities and plans at the Port Granby Project Discussion Group meeting in Newtonville Hall on March 21.
March 28, 2012 – Dust Management, tree planting and the rebuilding of Elliott Road led the topics of interest at the Port Granby Discussion Group meeting held on Mar. 21 at Newtonville Hall.
More than 20 Port Granby residents, Municipality of Clarington officials and staff members from the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) came together to discuss the Port Granby Project’s Phase 2 activities and plans. PHAI MO technical experts delivered information through presentations and demonstrations, while participating in an open dialogue with the group.
“The Discussion Group is a platform for residents to be heard and for the PHAI to provide Port Granby residents with the information they’ve asked for” said Christine Fahey, PHAI general manager. “They’re very interested in the project and we remain committed to working together, along with theMunicipality of Clarington,to minimize community impacts as we move forward with the implementation phase.”
The PHAI received a 10-year licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the Port Granby Project in November. This licence, combined with the announcement of $1.28 billion in federal funding for the Port Hope and Port Granby Projects, marked the beginning of the implementation phase.
The Port Granby Discussion Group plans to hold meetings throughout Phase 2 and will continue to cover topics of interest to local residents. Anyone who was unable to attend the Port Granby Discussion Group meeting is welcome to get more information at the Public Information Exchange at 115 Toronto Road, call: 905.885.0291 or email: info@phai.ca.
Elliott Road update
March 13, 2012 – The tender for the reconstruction of Elliott Road in Port Granby, Clarington, is now available on the federal government’s procurement website MERX. Details of the contract can be found here.
February 2012 - The focus of work this winter and spring will be on Elliott Road, which will be the route for clean construction material and provide access for workers to enter the site of the new Long-Term Waste Management Facility (LTWMF).
This means you will start to see activity in your community over the next few months. For the full update, click here.
Phase 2 funding moves PHAI forward
January 13, 2012 – The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) today received confirmation of funding from the Government of Canada, which will allow the clean-up project to move forward into Phase 2.
Photo: The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, was joined by local M.P Rick Norlock, and the mayors of Port Hope and Clarington on Friday, Jan. 13, to announce a federal commitment of $1.28 billion over 10 years to clean-up low-level radioactive waste in the Port Hope area.
The news release from the PHAI MO can be found here
The news release from Natural Resources Canada can be found here
The backgrounder can be found here
AECL receives licence approval for Port Granby Project
November 30, 2011 – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) today approved Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) licence application for the Port Granby Project – providing approval for the relocation and safe, long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste currently located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Southeast Clarington.
AECL and its operating agency, the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO), presented its detailed plans at a licence hearing in Courtice, Ont., on Sept. 27. The licence provides approval for the PHAI MO to move the waste away from Lake Ontario to a new, engineered aboveground mound to be built north of the current site. The waste originated from Eldorado Limited – a former Crown Corporation – and was deposited at the site between 1955 and 1988.
“We are pleased with the CNSC’s decision,” said Christine Fahey, project director for the PHAI. “Together with federal funding approval, this licence will allow us to move forward in cleaning up the environment, while providing a solution for the community and future generations.”
With the licence decision, the Government of Canada – on behalf of AECL – can acquire the land for the new facility and assume ownership and operation of the current waste site from Cameco Corporation, its owner since 1988. Road improvements and construction of infrastructure needed for the cleanup can begin.
The PHAI MO will continue to work closely with the Municipality of Clarington and consult with local residents and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s impact on the community is minimized. Plans to manage and monitor dust, noise, traffic and other project effects will be shared with the community throughout the project.
AECL prepared to move
the Port Granby Project forward
September 28, 2011– Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) presented its application for a 10-year licence to move forward with the Port Granby Project at a one-day public hearing convened by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in Courtice, Ont., on Tuesday.
“Our presentation described the environmental cleanup project that will be led by a dedicated team at the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office,” said Joan Miller, AECL’s Vice-President and General Manager of Decommissioning and Waste Management. “It included details of the Government of Canada’s commitment, the detailed designs and schedule for construction, and our extensive consultation with the community, the municipality and other key stakeholders.”
The hearing is a milestone following 10 years of planning to safely excavate approximately 450,000 cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste and isolate it within a new engineered, aboveground mound to be built 700 metres north of its current location, beside Lake Ontario. The plan also includes robust monitoring and mitigation measures to minimize the project’s impact on the environment and nearby residents.
During the hearing, the Commission heard a variety of interventions, many in support of AECL’s application – including the Municipality of Clarington and its Peer Review Team, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, the Municipality of Port Hope, and the Canadian Nuclear Association.
“We would like to express our thanks to everyone who made oral and written submissions to the CNSC tribunal,” said Christine Fahey, Project Director. “This hearing marks a pivotal point in our efforts to implement a safe, long-term solution to the management of this historic waste in Port Granby.”
The CNSC will now consider all submissions and render a decision on the licence application.
The Port Granby Project Newsletter, Summer 2011 edition
This newsletter was mailed to every home and business in the Port Granby area. If you did not receive your copy, please email us at info@phai.ca or call 905-885-0291.
Clarington Council members, Clarington municipal staff and Durham Nuclear Health Committee members tour the Port Granby Waste Management Facility
July 6, 2011 -- On two simultaneous tours, members of Clarington municipal staff and Council, and Durham Nuclear Health Committee representatives, walked the 18-hectare Port Granby waste management facility.
The Port Granby Project will relocate the approximately 450,000 cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste stored in the existing facility on the shoreline of Lake Ontario – the result of deposits made from 1955 to 1988 – to a new engineered aboveground mound facility 700 metres north, away from the lake, where it will be safely managed and monitored for hundreds of years.
“It was definitely not what I expected,” said Wendy Partner, Municipality of Clarington Ward 4 councillor. “Seeing it first hand like that certainly puts into perspective the massive undertaking this has been and will continue to be for all involved.”
Clarington Local Councillor Wendy Partner and PHAI MO Project Director Christine Fahey at the gates to the Port Granby Waste Management Facility 
Clarington Council and staff members on the long walk down the East Gorge to the beach
PHAI MO Manager of Project Engineering, Glenn Case, discussing project details with Clarington Regional Councillor Willie Woo 
Durham Nuclear Health Committee members with PHAI MO Project Specialist Gary Vandergaast
Durham Nuclear Health Committee members viewing the West Gorge groundwater collection pond
OSME seminar draws highest number of participants to date
June 23, 2011 -- Representatives from 26 local small businesses -- including farms, concrete companies, manufacturing, and printing -- enjoyed this morning's "Helping Business Sell to the Government of Canada: Introductory Supplier Seminar" held by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises at the Newcastle Community Hall.
Want to explore business opportunities with the Government of Canada? Watch this website for information on the next seminar!
The Port Hope Area Initiative at the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Spring Trade Show, June 2, 2011, Newcastle Community Hall
Sandy Holmes and Scott Krupicz presenting project information at the Newcastle Spring Trade Show
Thank you to residents in the Port Granby area
Many thanks to those in the the Port Granby area who completed and returned the recent Port Granby Project public attitude survey. The results will be published after they have been tabulated by Intellipulse Research.
Local community gets involved with the
Port Granby Project
Gary Vandergaast, Senior Project Specialist, presents project plans.
Letter from Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health, Durham Nuclear Health Committee