HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-3-98
REPORT 1/3
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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
Meeting:
COUNCIL
File# Eo1 fD
Res. #c. - 'is\ -'17
By-Law #
Dale:
January 26 1998
Report #:
WHIP<" . 2 g'jle #:
Subject:
PORT GRANBY LOW LEVEL WASTE
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that Council enact the following:
1. THAT Report ADMIN. 3-98 be received;
2. THAT Council advise the Minister of Natural Resources
that Clarington would participate in Without Prejudice
discussions to investigate the possibility of locating a
permanent storage site for the low level waste, presently
stored at Port Granby in one of the Municipalities of
Hope Township, Port Hope, or Clarington;
3. THAT Council appoint the Mayor, the Chief Administrative
Officer, and appropriate staff, to represent Clarington
in the above mentioned Without Prejudice discussions and
report back to Council; and
4. THAT interested residents of Clarington, who have
participated in this matter in past years, be advised of
Council's decision.
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Eldorado Resources Limited's uranium processing facilities
were established in the Town of Port Hope in the early 1930's.
1.2 Initially, the plant processed ore to recover radium for
medical purposes. However, with radium markets dwindling, the
emphasis gradually shifted to uranium refining. By 1942,
uranium extraction from ore had become the primary process,
and in 1953, all radium refining ceased. The radium circuit
was dismantled and replaced in 1955 by a uranium refining
circuit, which processed uranium concentrates rather than
uranium ore.
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1.3 From 1933 to 1948, wastes from Eldorado's Port Hope operations
were deposited at several management sites within the Town of
Port Hope. These sites were replaced in 1948 by the Welcome
Waste Management facility in Hope Township, which continued
until 1955 when the company opened the Port Granby Waste
Management facility in the Town of Newcastle.
1.4 In 1980 the Atomic Energy Control Board directed Eldorado to
develop a decommissioning plan for its Port Granby site for
implementation between 1986 and 1990.
1.5 At present, the bulk of these low-level radioactive wastes are
being safely managed by Cameco (formerly Eldorado Nuclear
Limited) at the Welcome and Port Granby sites. The Welcome
site was closed in 1955, and the Port Granby site was closed
to any further waste in June of 1988.
2.0 THE SITING TASK FORCE
2.1 In August of 1988, the Hon. Gerald S. Merrithew, Minister of
State for Forestry and Mines, of the Government of Canada,
announced the formation of a Siting Task Force to locate a
long-term waste management facility for low-level radioactive
wastes produced in Ontario, particularly those located in the
Port Hope area, which included Port Granby.
2.2 The Siting Task Force was given an eighteen-month mandate to
establish specific guidelines, seek out, and dialogue with,
communities who would be interested in hosting such a
facility. Both the communities of Elliott Lake and Deep River
had already expressed an interest in hosting such a facility
and were to be immediately contacted to commence negotiations
in this regard.
2.3 The Atomic Energy Control Board has recently stated, "Although
the Welcome and Port Granby sites were placed under orders in
1980 to develop decommissioning plans, these orders were put
into abeyance with the formation of the Siting Task Force."
2.4 As part of the Siting Task Force process, the Town of
Newcastle appointed a citizens committee, known as the
Newcastle Community Liaison Group, to assist in the
establishment of acceptable guidelines for the eventual
removal of the low level waste from the Port Granby site. The
CLG became an integral part of the Task Force's work as they
attempted to find a willing host community.
2.5 Although, at the time, it was expected that the entire process
could be completed in a reasonably short time frame, the Task
Force continued its efforts on into September of 1995 when the
Town of Deep River held a referendum to overwhelmingly support
an Agreement in Principal that the Town Council had negotiated
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pertaining to the acceptance of the low-level waste from the
areas surrounding Port Hope, including Port Granby.
2.6 In 1996 the Siting Task Force was wound down by the Federal
Government as negotiations continued with the Town of Deep
River. However, even though the entire exercise had cost
upwards of twenty-five million dollars, a final agreement for
the permanent storage of waste had not been reached.
3.0 HOPE TOWNSHIP RESOLUTIONS
3.1 When discussions between Deep River and the Federal Government
stalled, the Council of the Township of Hope passed Resolution
#222/97 (Attachment #1), that would initiate a discussion
process to consider improved longer term storage for the
existing low level waste from Port Hope and Port Granby within
the boundaries of Hope Township. In order to clarify the
issue, an additional resolution was passed stating that
Council's preferred position was that the waste be removed
from Hope Township. However, if negotiations between the
Federal Government and Deep River were at an end, they were in
favour of enacting their Resolution # 222/97.
3.2 On October 16, 1997, The Corporation of Deep River passed
Resolution #8, (Attachment #2), that ended negotiations with
the Federal Government on the matter of storing the low level
waste in Deep River.
4.0 HOPE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC MEETING
4.1 At its meeting of January 12, 1998, Clarington Council dealt
with a letter from Hope Township (Attachment #3), inviting
Clarington to participate in a public meeting that was to be
held in the Hope Township Municipal Offices on January 15,
1998, at which time representatives of the Ministry of Natural
Resources Canada would report progress on their negotiations
with Deep River and address the Hope Township Resolution
#222/97.
4.2 Council instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to attend
the January 15th. meeting with any available Councillors, and
report back to Clarington Council.
4.3 Councillors Rowe and Young attended the Hope Township meeting
with the Chief Administrative Officer and the meeting was
advised that Clarington was in attendance to observe, however,
we would be prepared to address Clarington's position on the
subject matter, if required.
4.4 During the course of the meeting, the Federal representatives
made it clear that, although there was to be one final meeting
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with the Town of Deep River in an attempt to clarify the
parties' final positions, it had become apparent that
negotiations have ceased and the Federal representatives would
be reporting same to their Minister.
4.5 It was at that time that a dialogue commenced between the
representatives of Hope Township and the Federal
representatives that saw an offer put forth to all three
communities, Hope Township, Port Hope, and Clarington, that
wi thout prej udice discussions should commence between the
Federal representatives and the three municipalities that
would investigate the feasibility of long-term storage of the
low level waste in one, or all three of the municipalities.
4.6 The Chief Administrative Officer advised the meeting that the
Clarington position had not changed over the past twenty
years, in that we felt the responsibility for the Port Granby
site rests with the Federal Government, and that we still were
on record in having the low level waste removed to a permanent
site outside of the Municipality, and the moving of the waste
must be done in a safe manner. However, from a Staff
position, we advised that we could recommend to Clarington
Council that they join the Without Prejudice discussions with
our two neighbouring municipalities and the Federal Government
to investigate what terms and conditions would come forth if
the waste in question remained in a safe and permanent manner
in the general area of Port Granby. However, under no
circumstances would Clarington offer itself as a willing host
community for additional low level waste from outside its
borders. The final decision to have Clarington participate in
the proposed Without Prejudice discussion would naturally be
that of the Municipal Council and it was further stated that
prior to making such a decision, Council would no doubt wish
to hear from representatives of those citizens that have been
working on this problem over the past number of years.
4.7 Representatives of Hope Township seemed anxious to enter
negotiations on the subject matter, and an elected official
from Port Hope offered their participation in such
discussions, as long as the low level waste presently found in
Port Hope be removed from the Municipality.
5.0 PRESENT STATUS
5.1 Following the Hope Township meeting, the Mayor and Council
received a letter from the Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of
Natural Resources Canada, (Attach. #4 ) advising Clarington of
the breakdown of negotiations with the Town of Deep River.
This correspondence was apparently sent prior to the Hope
Township meeting of January 15, 1998, and would not interfere
with the invitation for Clarington to participate in the
proposed Without Prejudice discussions.
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5.2 As a result of recent actions, it is now apparent that the
Siting Task Force process has been unsuccessful in finding a
permanent location for the low level waste presently located
in Hope Township, Port Hope and Port Granby.
5.3 At this point, Clarington must make a decision to either
participate ln the proposed without Prejudice discussions
surrounding this matter, or accept the possibility that Port
Granby may very well continue to be the permanent location for
the low level waste presently stored on site. Considering the
amount of time and money spent on this project to date, one
would think that the Federal Ministry is rapidly becoming
frustrated with the lack of resolve regarding the project and
could very well decide to abandon any thought of moving the
waste from its present location.
5.4 As Council will be interested in hearing from representatives
of the local community, we have taken the opportunity of
forwarding a copy of this report to interested citizens,
suggesting that they appear before Council to present their
opinions on this matter.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Once Council has had the opportunity to review this matter,
and hear from local residents, it is recommended that Council
advise the Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, Canada
that the Municipality of Clarington is prepared to enter into
without Prejudice discussions that will investigate the
possibility of locating a permanent storage site for the low
level waste, presently stored at Port Granby in one of the
Municipalities of Hope Township, Port Hope or Clarington.
6.2 It is further recommended that the Mayor, the Chief
Administrative Officer, and the appropriate staff, be
appointed to represent the Municipality in such negotiations
and report back to Council.
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. Stockwel ,
Chief Administrative Officer
WHS:nof
att.
I
ATTACHMENT #1 TO
REPORT ADMIN. 3-98
July 8th, 1997
TOWNSHIP OF HOPE
RESOLUTION 222/97
Moved by Councillor Dell
Seconded by Deputy Reeve Fudge
Be it resolved that Council accept the recommendation from the
Environmental Committee regarding the Low-Level Radioactive Waste
situation and initiate a discussion process immediately to consider
hosting the existing historical Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW)
from Port Hope, Port Granby and Hope Township in an environmentally
suitable, long-term storage engineered surface mound, to be
constructed at the present Welcome storage site, subject to:
1) Proper funding to install the facility.
2) Fund set up to monitor the site in perpetuity.
3) On the understanding that the site is for storage of existing
local contaminated low-level radioactive material located on
local sites and does not include storage of any other
contaminated materials, now or in the future.
4) Council investigate financial compensation for becoming a host
community.
CARRIED
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lO/16/9i 13:06
'/3"613 584 323i
TOWN DEEP RIVER
Ql001/001
ATTACHMENT #2 to
REPORT AD~ 3-98
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF DEEP RIVER : ~"1'
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P.O. BOX 400 . 100 DEEP RIVER ROAD . DEEP RIVER, ONTARIO KOJ !PO
Telephone: (613) 584.2000 . Fax: (613) 584-3237
FAX LETTER
To: W.H. Stockwell, CAO, Municipality of Clarington
Fran Aird, Clerk-Treasurer, Township of Hope
Mike Rostetter, Clerk-Administrator, Town of Port Hope
From: L.H. Simons, Clerk-Administrator
Re: Deep River Disposal Project - low level Radioactive Wastes
Number of Pages (including cover) 1
Thursday, October 16, 1997
12:10 pm
For your information and that of your Council, the following resolution was adopted by Deep River Town
Council last night.
Resolution #8
Moved by: Reeve Christopher Carroll
Seconded by: Mayor John P. Murphy
WHEREAS as of this date no agreement has been reached between this. Council and the federai
government on the proposed integrated Low Level Radioactive Waste disposai facility;
AND WHEREAS the mandate of this Council expires shortly;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Corporation of the Town of Deep River
withdraw from discu55ions with the federai government concerning the establishment of such facility.
CARRIED
If you require further information, please contact Mayor John Murphy or myself.
Yours lruly,
4-~
L.H, Simons
CI erk-Adm i n istrator
DEC-31-1997 11:58
HOPE TQI,1I6H 1 P
19057532434 P.01/03
ATTACHMENT #3 TO REPORT
ADMIN. 3-98
TOWNSHIP OF HOPE
$
P.O. Box 85
PORT HOPE, ONTARIO
L1A 3V9
Telephone (905) 753.2230{2483
Fax (905) 753-2434
December 31, 1997
(Location: 5325 County Rd. # 10 - 3 mi. Hortl) ~Welcome)
~{l1rCIBll\'f~
. J!\H 0 5 i998
Of CLARINGTON
';lUNlCI:~6R'S OfFlGE
BY FAX: 905-623-4169
.,
Diane Hamre, Mayor
Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance Street
BO~A~LLE ON LIC3A6
Dear Mayor Hamre:
On behalf of Reeve Angus, the fonowing information is provided so that perhaps it could be
shared with your Council al their next meeting.
As you are aware, Council for the Township of Hope adopted Resolution 1/222/97 in July 1997.
Since then an Adhoc Committee of Council has been established and Terms of Reference will
be confumed by Council on January 6, 1998.
The Terms of Reference will include a statement:
"investigation to cover only hiSlQrlc L.L.R.W. now contained in Hope Township and historic
L.L.R.W. localed in the Town of Port Hope and the Munlclpality of Claringlon, if those
municipalities also pass a resolution similar to Hope Township Council Resolution 222197 and
their relocation into a long-tenn slorage engineered surface mound..
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rtfayor Diane Hamre
))~ember 31, 1997
REI L.L.R.W.
We look forward 10 Clatington's participation with us in lhis Investigative process by having
your CounciJadopt a similar resolution.
In the meantime, Council will be 'meeting with Representatives of the Ministry of Naluml
Resources Canada on January 15, 1998 nt 10:30 a.m. alllte Hope Township Municipal Office.
You, your Council and Staff are cettalnly welcome 10 attend as observers as it would be
beneficial and informallve for everyone, particularly If your Council decides to adopt a similar
resolution to 11222/97.
.,
,
We look forward to working Wltll Port Hope, Claringlon, Deep River Rnd Ole Ministry of
Natural Resources Canada in investigating end fmding a solution 10 lite long lerm management
of the historic L.L.R. W. If you or Bill have eny questions, please give me R call. If you wish
10 speak 10 Reeve Angus, he wlIl be available JanlJ;l.ry .5, 1998,
Happy New Year and all the best in 19981
Yours truly.
C-~_~GA A LV
F11I/1ces Alrd
Clerk Administrator
FA:rv1
Enc\.
Copy of Resolution ff222/91
"
ATTACHMENT #4 TO
REPORT ADMIN. 3-98
Minisler
of Natural Resources Canada
.
Ministre
des Ressources nalurelles Canada
Ottawa, Canada K1 A OE4
JAN 12 1996
Her Worship Mayor Diane Hamre
Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, Ontario LIC 3A6
Dear Mayor Hamre:
I am writing to inform you of developments relating to the Government of Canada's
efforts to find a long-term solution to the issue of historic wastes in Clarington,
Hope Township, and the Town of Port Hope.
I recently wrote to the Reeve of Hope Township to suggest that discussions proceed
between Hope Township and the federal government on the prospect that the
community might be willing to host a low-level radioactive waste management facility
for wastes now located in Clarington, Hope Township, and the Town of Port Hope. In
July 1997, the Council for the Township of Hope passed a resolution suggesting that
discussions be initiated with the federal government on the matter. A subsequent
resolution deferred those proposed discussions in light of ongoing negotiations
between the Government and the Town of Deep River.
As you are probably aware, in October 1997 the Town of Deep River passed a
resolution withdrawing from negotiations with the federal government on hosting a
disposal facility there.
Consequently, officials of Natural Resources Canada will follow up with Hope
Township to determine if the township would be willing to establish a waste
management facility for the area's historic wastes.
Canada
- 2 -
I trust that this initiative will be successful, and that we can make good progress on
implementing a solution to the issue in the coming year.
Yours sincerely,
Original Signed by
HON RALPH GOODALE
a sign'; I'original
Ralph Goodale
c.c.: The Honourable Christine S. Stewart, P.c., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
Mr. W.H. Stockwell
Clerk
Town of Clarington