Port Granby Project

The Port Granby Project proposes to relocate approximately 450,000 cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste and marginally contaminated soils to a new aboveground mound facility for safe long-term management.

The waste from the former Eldorado operation in Port Hope is currently located on a lakeshore site at the southeastern boundary of the Municipality of Clarington. The facility has been closed since 1988 and is maintained and monitored under a licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The proposed site is situated on stable till 700 metres away from the steep bluffs, receding shoreline and sandy soils that characterize the existing waste site.

Only historic waste currently located in Clarington will be managed in the Port Granby long term waste management facility.

Project Status

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Natural Resources Canada, in their capacity as the Responsible Authorities for the Port Hope Area Initiative, gave their approval to the Port Granby EA Screening Report in the summer of 2009, noting that if the mitigation measures proposed in the report are implemented, that the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Clarington Council endorsed that report and the Municipal staff recommendation to proceed with the Port Granby Project, based on the conditions outlined in the report.

The detailed design will be developed by a multi-disciplinary team in 2010.

Throughout the Project, stakeholder outreach will remain a high priority. The PHAI MO will continue to communicate openly and transparently with Port Granby area residents about what is happening on the Project. 

The PHAI MO has had over 50 Community meetings in Newtonville, we have participated in 8 Newcastle Home and Trade shows, the Port Hope Fall Fair and we have had over 2500 visitors to our Project Information Exchange – an office that has all public documents and staff to help residents get answers to their questions.

Project Timeline

Late Summer 2009
Environmental Assessment Screening Report issued by federal Responsible Authorities (RAs)

Fall 2009
Clarington Council accepted Environmental Assessment

Spring 2010
Detailed Design Contract awarded 
 

2009 – 2011
EA follow-up plans initiated with updated baseline monitoring and public consultation