Near Surface Disposal Facility Project – Relaunch of Public Comment Period on Canadian Nuclear Laboratories' Draft Environmental Impact Statement

June 16, 2017 – Ottawa, ON

The French version of the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility Project submitted by the proponent, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), is now available to the public. The main body of the EIS (volume 1), the appendices (volume 2) and the executive summary can be accessed by visiting the Documents – For Public Participation section of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry for the Near Surface Disposal Facility Project.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is relaunching the public comment period for 60 days to allow all Canadians to comment on the project in the official language of their choice. The draft EIS provides an analysis of the potential environmental effects of the project and measures to mitigate those impacts.

This comment period gives members of the public, Indigenous groups, and government departments and agencies an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the CNSC on the adequacy of the information presented in the EIS, as measured against the Generic Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (the Guidelines), and on the technical merit of the information presented. The Guidelines provide direction to the proponent and identify the information that is required in the EIS.

Written comments in either official language must be submitted by August 16, 2017.  All comments received will be posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry.

Following receipt of public comments on the draft EIS, CNSC staff will consider all submissions received in making its determination on whether the EIS is satisfactory or whether further information is required from the proponent. Should further information be required, the proponent will be requested to submit the necessary information until CNSC staff are satisfied with a final EIS. In addition, CNSC staff will provide responses to all comments received from members of the public and Indigenous groups. Following receipt of a final EIS, CNSC staff will prepare a CEAA 2012 EA report (EA report), to inform the Commission's EA decision. The EA report will be available to the public and Indigenous groups 60 days prior to the Commission's EA public hearing. The day and time of the hearing are to be determined at a later date by the Commission. Public participation will be offered through the submission of written and/or oral interventions.