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Assessment Follow-Up Program

Background

In August 2003, NB Power Nuclear (NBPN) received environmental approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government (DELG) for modifications to the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility (SRWMF). Subsequently, an amendment to the Waste Facility Operating Licence was issued in January 2004, which approved the proposed modifications at the waste site.

Both the environmental approval and the amended licence include the requirement for the establishment of a Follow-Up Program consistent with the original environmental assessment.

NB Power Nuclear documented the proposed follow-up program and made it available for comment from May 13, 2004 until July 9, 2004. The program was revised to address comments that were submitted to the CNSC and DELG. The proposed program was accepted on November 23, 2004.

Objectives

Consistent with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the follow-up program is intended to verify the accuracy of the assessment and to determine the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of the project.

Components of the Follow-up Program

The following are the five activities involved in the Follow-Up Program, consistent with the CNSC Screening Report and NB Power Nuclear’s environmental assessment study report, specifically:

  1. Internal assessments of health, safety and environmental programs;
  2. Expansion of NB Power Nuclear’s existing operational environmental radiation monitoring program;
  3. Implementation of baseline, non-radiological monitoring;
  4. Implementation of a construction environmental protection program; and
  5. Continuing public consultation.

View Updates to the Assessment Follow-Up Program

1. Assessments of Health, Safety and Environmental Programs

NB Power Nuclear has an extensive series of health, safety and environment programs, and these will be expanded to address any unique project activities. Consistent with existing Station processes to ensure that programs are working well, assessments will be conducted of:

  • environment training;
  • environmental monitoring activities; and
  • environmental management oversight.

2. Radiation Monitoring Program

Operational environmental radiation monitoring program has been in place since before construction (i.e. 1970’s) to:

  • provide data to confirm compliance with release guidelines and regulations; and
  • maintain a database of results to facilitate the detection of trends.

The existing program will be expanded to encompass the new facilities at the waste site, and will continue throughout the project and future operations. In particular, new boreholes will be installed to encompass the new waste facilities.

3. Baseline, Non-radiological Monitoring

The environmental assessment recommended establishing:

  • a baseline inventory of fish (if any are found to be present) in the nearby stream;
  • non-radiological baseline chemistry in the nearby stream; and
  • non-radiological baseline chemistry in groundwater around the waste site.

This work was initiated in fall 2004 and was completed in summer 2005.

4. Environmental Protection Program

A construction environmental protection program has been prepared for the construction activities at the waste site, and establishes expectations and requirements related to:

  • roles and responsibilities for NB Power Nuclear, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., contractors;
  • construction environmental monitoring;
  • contingency / emergency planning;
  • training;
  • regular and emergency reporting; and
  • documentation.

5. Communications / Consultation

Throughout the project there has been an active communications plan, with the objective to inform and receive feedback from the general public, stakeholders and representatives from the aboriginal community.

To achieve this, there have been and will continue to be:

  • general information sessions;
  • stakeholder / First Nations and Community Liaison Committee meetings;
  • issues of “From the Point” newsletter and corporate communications;
  • toll free number for any questions or issues (1-866-754-7727).