Proposed Comprehensive Study Report for Cameco Corporation’s Proposed Redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (Vision 2010) MAY 2012 CEAR 06-03-22672 May 2012 Proposed Comprehensive Study Report for Cameco Corporation’s Proposed Redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (Vision 2010) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2006, Cameco Corporation (Cameco) notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) of its proposed redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), (Vision 2010) (“the Project”). The Project includes: the cleanup and demolition of a number of old or underutilized buildings the removal of contaminated soils, building materials at the PHCF additions or modifications to existing buildings with associated landscaping and infrastructure In accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEA Act), a federal environmental assessment (EA) in the form of a comprehensive study is required for this Project. The comprehensive study report (CSR) identifies the potential interactions between the Project activities and the existing environment during all Project phases and under likely malfunctions and accident scenarios. Based on these interactions, the resulting changes that could occur to the components of the environment were described. The EA also assessed the potential socio-economic effects resulting from potential changes to the environment, taking into account mitigation measures, and found these unlikely to be significant. Further, no significant residual effects on the Project from the environment were identified. The common law duty to consult with Aboriginal groups applies when the Crown contemplates actions that may adversely affect potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. Following the whole-of-government approach to uphold the honour of the Crown, federal departments involved in the review of this Project have integrated Aboriginal consultation into the EA review process, to the extent possible, to address potential adverse impacts to potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. Typically, project proponents or licence applicants of nuclear projects do not bear the Crown’s legal obligation to consult Aboriginal peoples under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. However, where appropriate Licensee engagement with Aboriginal groups can supplement CNSC consultation activities and help the CNSC make informed decisions. This CSR concludes that the Project is not likely to result in significant adverse environmental effects taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures identified in the Proposed CSR and the Final EIS. CNSC staff have also concluded that the public consultation that has been carried out during the EA and will continue during the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s public consultation period on the CSR and will meet the requirements for consultation under the CEA Act. The completion of the CSR fulfills the CNSC requirements, pursuant to section 5 of the CEA Act. e-DOC: 3885496 Page i May 2012 Proposed Comprehensive Study Report for Cameco Corporation’s Proposed Redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (Vision 2010) The detailed design work for each Project activity will be completed and submitted by Cameco to the CNSC for its approval prior to starting any work related to the Project through the CNSC licence and compliance process. This process will ensure that Project activities undertaken are within the bounds of this EA prior to their commencement and that all mitigation measures identified during the EA are implemented. Furthermore, once work has begun, the CNSC licence and compliance process will be used to ensure the implementation of the follow-up program that will verify EA predictions and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. e-DOC: 3885496 Page ii May 2012 Proposed Comprehensive Study Report for Cameco Corporation’s Proposed Redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (Vision 2010) TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................I 1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Overview................................................................................................. 1 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.............................................................. 3 2.1 Federal EA Process.............................................................................................. 3 2.2 Public Participation.............................................................................................. 4 2.3 Aboriginal Consultation....................................................................................... 4 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................. 5 3.1 Need and Purpose of the Project.......................................................................... 5 3.2 Location ............................................................................................................... 5 3.3 Project Components and Activities...................................................................... 7 3.3.1 Project Activities...................................................................................... 7 3.3.2 General Project Activities........................................................................ 7 3.3.3 Demolition Activities............................................................................... 8 3.3.4 Excavation Activities............................................................................. 15 3.3.5 Water Management................................................................................ 17 3.3.6 Construction Activities.......................................................................... 18 3.3.7 Transportation of Waste......................................................................... 19 3.3.8 Landscaping and Site Restoration.......................................................... 22 3.3.9 Ongoing Site Management and Operation............................................. 22 3.3.10 Summary of Vision 2010 Project Activities .......................................... 22 3.3.11 Preliminary Decommissioning Plan...................................................... 25 3.3.12 Implementation Sequence and Project Schedule ................................... 27 4.0 SCOPE OF THE ASSESSMENT................................................................... 28 4.1 Scope of the Project ........................................................................................... 28 4.2 Factors Considered.............................................................................................29 4.3 Scope of the Factors........................................................................................... 30 4.3.1 Identification of Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) .................... 30 4.3.2 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries.......................................................... 36 5.0 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................ 37 5.1 Alternative Means of Carrying out the Project.................................................. 37 5.1.1 Description of Alternative Means of Carrying out the Project.............. 37 5.1.2 Selection of a Preferred Alternative Means........................................... 37 5.1.3 Refinement of the Preferred Option....................................................... 42 6.0 CONSULTATION ........................................................................................... 43 6.1 Cameco led Public Participation........................................................................ 43 6.1.1 Cameco led Public Participation Activities ........................................... 43 6.1.2 Stakeholder Comments and Issues......................................................... 43 6.2 CNSC-led Public Participation .......................................................................... 44 6.2.1 Public Participation under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act44 6.2.2 Public Participation in the Comprehensive Study ................................. 44 6.2.3 Public Comments and Issues ................................................................. 45 6.3 Aboriginal Consultation..................................................................................... 46 7.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................ 48 e-DOC: 3885496 Page iii May 2012 Proposed Comprehensive Study Report for Cameco Corporation’s Proposed Redevelopment of the Port Hope Conversion Facility (Vision 2010) 7.1 Atmospheric Environment................................................................................. 48 7.1.1 Spatial Boundaries................................................................................. 48 7.1.2 Climate and Meteorology ...................................................................... 48 7.1.3 Air Quality............................................................................................. 48 7.1.4 Noise ...................................................................................................... 52 7.2 Radiation and Radioactivity............................................................................... 52 7.2.1 Regulatory Limits and Evaluation Criteria............................................ 52 7.2.2 Atmospheric Environment....................................................................