Panel Orientation Session and Comment Period on Environmental Impact Statement and Licence Application for Deep Geologic Repository Project

OTTAWA, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The Joint Review Panel for the Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (DGR) today announced the start of the maximum six-month public comment period on the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and documents in support of the application for a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct, submitted by Ontario Power Generation. The Panel also announced that it has scheduled an initial Panel orientation session for the review to be held on February 21, 2012 in Ottawa.

Public Comment Period
Preliminary instructions for participation in the public review and comment period are now available. The comment period is an opportunity for everyone to provide their views to the Panel on whether the EIS and licence application documents adequately address the requirements set out in the EIS Guidelines issued to the proponent by the federal government. The public is also invited to make recommendations to the Panel on additional information that should be provided by the proponent.

The EIS and licence application documents are intended to examine the potential environmental effects of all phases of the project and address all requirements for the Licence to Prepare Site and Construct the DGR. The documents are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa.gc.ca , reference number 06-05-17520 and through the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca.

Please forward submissions in either official language to the Joint Review Panel by mail, email or fax to the attention of either or both Panel Co-Managers on or before August 3, 2012. Documents submitted or generated as part of the review will be posted on the online Registry for this project.

To be kept informed of the panel review process and ongoing activities, send an email to
[email protected] to be added to the interested parties distribution list.

Panel Orientation Session
The Joint Review Panel invites the public to attend or observe an initial Panel orientation session where information will be provided to the Panel as it begins its work. Although the public will not have an opportunity to ask questions during the session, follow-up questions may be sent to the Panel for its consideration.

The Panel orientation session will be held in Ottawa and webcast live via the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca . Transcripts of the proceedings will be posted on the online Registry.

The Joint Review Panel has directed Ontario Power Generation to make a presentation at the orientation session focussed on the organization of the environmental impact statement and licence application documents submission. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will make a presentation regarding its mandate and responsibilities with respect to the project.  The expert federal authorities, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada and Natural Resources Canada, will address their departmental mandates and areas of expertise in relation to the project.

The Panel orientation session will be held:

Date	Tuesday February 21, 2012
Location	Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Public Hearing Room 14th Floor, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time	9:00 a.m.

About the Project
The DGR is a proposal by Ontario Power Generation to prepare a site, and construct and operate a facility for the long-term management of low and intermediate level radioactive waste at the Bruce Nuclear site, within the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario. Low level radioactive waste consists of industrial items that have become contaminated during routine clean up and maintenance activities at nuclear generating stations. Intermediate level radioactive waste consists primarily of used nuclear reactor components, ion-exchange resins, and filters used to purify reactor systems. Used nuclear fuel will not be stored or managed in the DGR.

Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Panel Communications Advisor
Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel
Tel.: [phone]