Port Hope Area Initiative
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.
More than 200 discuss clean-up plans
at Port Hope Project Open House
The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) welcomed more than 200 residents, government officials and members of the media at its open house Nov. 24 – sharing plans for the cleanup of historic low-level radioactive waste in the community.
Staff and technical experts from the PHAI MO used large displays and demonstrations to explain the key elements of the Port Hope Project (PHP) – including sites and transportation routes, the proposed new long-term waste-management facility and water treatment plant, environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness and expected economic benefits for the Municipality of Port Hope.
“We are thrilled with the turnout at the open house,” said Christine Fahey, project director for the Port Hope Area Initiative. “It was a significant opportunity for us to interact with the public on a one-on-one basis, while explaining our plans to minimize impact on the community throughout the clean-up process.”
The open house is part of an ongoing outreach and communications campaign aimed at ensuring that community residents and other stakeholders are aware of the project’s progress, plans for environmental monitoring – including dust, noise, odour and traffic – and close cooperation with the municipality and community groups.
With the project expected to move into Phase 2 in early-to-mid 2012, successful two-way engagement with the community will be as important as ever.
Ribbon-Cutting Marks Important Milestone
The PHAI reached an important milestone with the official opening of the Port Hope Project’s new dedicated access road on Oct. 17. Cutting the ribbon, from left to right, are: Tim Palmeter, program manager with Public Works and Government Services Canada; Christine Fahey, project director for the Port Hope Area Initiative; and Mayor Linda Thompson and Deputy Mayor Jeff Gilmer of the Municipality of Port Hope.
“The road was completed on time and within the $2 million budget,” said Christine Fahey. “I am especially pleased to report that there were no lost-time injuries on this job and all regulatory requirements were met.”
The access road is the result of co-operation of the PHAI Management Office, the local contractor – Behan Construction – and the Municipality of Port Hope. It will allow trucks moving the waste to avoid neighbourhoods to the south – minimizing disruption to businesses and residents.
“The access road is the first tangible sign for the community that work is underway and the project is moving forward,” said Mayor Thompson. “The municipality looks forward to continued coordination with the PHAI throughout the Port Hope Project.”
CNSC hears plan to move waste away from Lake Ontario
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 Sept. 27.
Describing the Government of Canada’s commitment, the detailed construction designs and schedule, and the extensive consultation with the community, the municipality and other key stakeholders, AECL – and the project sponsor, Natural Resources Canada – outlined the plan to safely excavate and move 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 cleanup project is led by a dedicated team at the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office, and 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. The CNSC will now consider all submissions and render a decision on the licence application.
PHAI's Fall Fair booth a huge success
More than 200 people stopped by the PHAI information booth at the Port Hope Fall Fair, held Sept 16-18. Using a large aerial photo, along with information brochures and posters, the PHAI Management Office staff spoke with members of the community and others about plans to move the clean-up projects into Phase 2.
Sharing progress with the scientific community
Glenn Case, manager of engineering, describes the planned remediation of Port Hope Harbour to attendees of the CNS waste management conference in Toronto, who toured PHAI cleanup sites on Sept. 15, 2011.
Christine Fahey, project director, explains how waste will be encapsulated in the new, engineered aboveground mound.
Christine Fahey, project director, provides an overview of the PHAI -- and a "sneak peek" at the plan for Phase 2 -- at the CNS waste management conference in Toronto, Sept. 12, 2011.
Glenn Case, manager of engineering, speaks to the challenges of removing historic low-level radioactive sediment from the Port Hope Harbour at the CNS waste management conference.
Port Hope Mayor Linda Thompson (left) co-chaired the session. The Municipality of Port Hope works closely with staff at the PHAI Management Office in moving the project forward to Phase 2.
The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) encompasses two related yet distinct projects: the Port Hope Project in the Municipality of Port Hope; and the Port Granby Project in the Municipality of Clarington.
History of the Port Hope and Clarington Waste
Find out more about the origins of historic, low-level radioactive waste in the Municipality of Port Hope and South Eastern Clarington from the 1930’s to the 1980’s.