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HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN 82-85CORPO, .TION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO LC3A6 TELEPHONE 623-3379 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD DECEMBER 13 1982 ADMIN. 82 - 85 SUBJECT: ELDORADO NUCLEAR LIMITED, PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMITTEE IN RESPECT OF THE POSSIBLE FUTURE LOCATION AND DESIGN OF A WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY IN THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That this report be received; and 2. That Council consider forwarding the attached letter to Mr. B. C. ear�son,- General Manager of the Eldorado Port Hope Refinery, representing Eldorado Nuclear Limited. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: The attached correspondence and press release were forwarded to the Town on November 22 1982. Mayor Rickard and the Chief Administrative Officer met with three representatives of Eldorado Nuclear Limited; including Mr. B. C. Pearson, General Manager of the Eldorado Port Hope Refinery. A brief discussion took place on November 22nd, about the proposal from Eldorado to form a committee to consult on the decommissioning of the existing Port Granby Waste Disposal facility. It was indicated to the representatives of Eldorado that it would be appropriate for the Town Council to consider the proposal and that a formal response from Council could be expected in the first month of the new term (December 20 1982). Copies of the attached press release were circulated to members of Council on November 24 1982. The Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer met briefly with Mr. J. Veldhuis ..2 E -2- ADMIN. 82 - 85 of S.E.A.P. (Save the Environment from atomic Pollution) Group on November 26th 1982. Mr. Veldhuis was advised that a formal response to Eldorado's announcement was expected as of the December 20th 1982 Council meeting. It was agreed that the response would be initiated through a report (this report) from the C.A.O. It was also agreed that the report would be made available to Mr. Veldhuis for comment prior to submission to upcoming Committee or Council meetings. The attached letter to Eldorado attempts to address the major issues arising from the November 24th Press Release. 1. No commitment has been made by the Town to the development of a new waste disposal facility anywhere in the Municipality. The Press Release could be misinterpreted to the effect that the Town accepts the proposition that the 658 acre site adjacent to the existing facility is the most likely location of a new waste disposal facility. 2. The Town's position in the past has been to support the Atomic Energy Control Board's Order requiring the decommissioning of the existing Port Granby facility. Again the Press Release could be misinterpreted to the effect that the Town has in some way altered its position. 3. The Town is willing to participate in a Committee on Decommissioning but because of the precedental nature of the decommission feels that any and all plans to decommission must be subject to full public scrutiny. The Press Release does not obligate Eldorado Nuclear Limited to a public review process of plans for decommissioning. The decommissioni,.y of the existing facility is, however, understood to be a "new experience". It is felt, therefore, that all plans should be thoroughly and completely reviewed with the interested public; all issues of social, economic, environmental impact and risk addressed. 3 -3- ADMIN. 82 - 85 4. The "Consultative" Committee on the Decommissioning of the existin Port Granby Facility should necessarily be concerned with the ongoing operations and use of the present site. The existing "monitoring" Committee should appropriately be modified to form the basis of the proposed Committee, avoiding any duplication of effort and keeping local resident participation. The new Committee should include representation from the Regional Municipality of Durham in recognition of the Region's legislative responsibility for Waste Management. 5. Any plans for Decommissioning should meet Provincial Requirements. Again in view of the precedental nature of the decommission and as the Town necessarily depends on the Province for technical and policy assistance in such matters, it is felt that Provincial requirements should be fulfilled. The Town recognizes that Eldor6do as a Federal Crown Corporation, may not be subject to Provincial Legislation. 6. Eldorado Nuclear Limited should compensate the Town of Newcastle and its residents for costs related to the decommissioning of the existing Port Granby Waste Disposal facility. It is felt that the Town may experience various impacts from the decommissioning of the existing facility. Those impacts in time may require the Town to provide services outside of its normal programs and budgets, primarily of benefit to Eldorado Nuclear Limited. Therefore such services, be they the continued acceptance of waste material, or the provision and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure; should not be a financial burden to ratepayers of the Municipality. It is felt that inclusion of a statement to this effect in the reply to Eldorado Nuclear Limited, would appropriately be made at this time and should not be construed as in any way relieving Eldorado from its duty to satisfy all other requirements. Due to other commitments it is felt that participation in the Committee could not reasonably begin before the end of March 1983. The General Purpose and Administration Committee may wish to forward the attached letter to Eldorado Nuclear Limited in response to their recent announcement. ILI -4- _ ADMIN. 82 - 85 It was felt that a letter would more effectively express Council's point than a detailed resolution. If Council wishes to forward the attached letter, an action motion along the following lines would be appropriate: "It is hereby resolved that the letter attached to Report ADMIN. 82 - 85 be forwarded to Mr. B. C. Pearson representing Eldorado Nuclear Limited in response to their proposal of November 24 1982 for the establishment of a Committee in respect of the decommissioning of the Port Granby Waste Disposal Facility". Respectfully submitted, DNS:nof D. N. Smith, M.C.I.P. Administrator ELDORADO Informabon ELDOMDO NUCLU'2 LIMITED D NEWS FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, November 24, 1982, 10 a.m. PORT HOPE -- Eldorado Nuclear Limited announced today that it intends to decommission its two waste management sites, starting in 1986. The sites are located'at Port Granby, mid -way between Port Hope and Bowmanville on the shore of Lake Ontario, and at Welcome, adjacent to Port Hope. In order to meet this schedule, Eldorado is beginning to develop an acceptable decommissioning plan in consultation with representatives of the local municipalities. The Port branby site was opened in 19SS.and is still used by the company. The Atomic Energy Control Board, the federal regulatory agency, has directed Eldorado to begin preparing plans to decommission the Port Granby site with work to commence r.a later than 1936. The Welcone site, used by Eldorado betwen 1948 and 195S, does not meet today's environmental objectives for long-term disposal of industrial wastes. Eldorado has concluded that the only way in which the AF,CB's directive to recommission can be implemented by tho 1986 targr,t date is to develop a permanent disposal system, which meets ;Modern regulatory criteria, at a site in the immediate area. -z- Eldorado owns 658 acres of land due north of the existing Port Granby site. These 658 acres constitute the most likely site for a waste disposal facility. Eldorado has proposed to the Town of Newcastle, in which Port Granby is located, and to Hope Township, which includes Welcome, that committees be established so that the design and location of the waste disposal system can be developed in consultation with representatives of local government. Eldorado would then submit a detailed decommissioning application to the regulatory bodies for approval. The details of the proposal are not expected to be fully developed, nor an application submitted, for at least two years. Once submitted, the application would likely be subject to public hearings. Although the actual design of the system is still open for consideration, Eldorado's intention is to employ internationally accepted engineering .methods now in use to dispose of the wastes. By proposing on -going consultation with local government at this early stage, municipalities will be in a position to help determine the best system so that the 1986 target date can be met. f.n the mid-1970's, Eldorado proposed to build a refinery on the 658-acre property at Port Granby. Tlie proposal also included a - 3 - waste disposal area to allow for the relocation of the existing Port Granby wastes. The site was rejected in 1978, largely because the refinery represented an industrial intrusion that had the capacity to attract other industries into an agricultural area. Relocation of the existing wastes without the construction of a new refinery, as now proposed, would not change the rural and agricultural nature of the region from what it is today. Furthermore, a system incorporating proven engineering methods will provide long-term protection of the environment. - 30 - Further information: T. David Smith Director of Information Howard Collins Sr. Information officer (613) 238-5222 CORF RATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO U C 3A6 Mr. B. C. Pearson General Manager Eldorado Port Hope Refinery Port Hope, Ontario Dear Sir: Re: Eldorado Nuclear Limited, Proposal for the Establishment of a Committee in respect of the possible future location and design of a Waste Disposal Facility in the Town of Newcastle TELEPHONE 623-3379 The Council of the Town of Newcastle has considered the proposal to establish a Committee in respect of the possible future location and design of a Waste Disposal Facility in the Town of Newcastle and is willing to participate in such a Committee on the understanding that such participation does not constitute or imply any approval of, or any consent to, the establishment of a new disposal facility in the municipality at this time. It is the Town's position that it wishes Eldorado Nuclear Limited to comply with the Atomic Energy Control Board's order in respect of the Decommissioning of the existing Port Granby Waste Disposal site. The Town is only prepared to discuss the establishment of a new waste disposal facility as a possible option leading to the Decommissioning of the existing facility. The Town expects any and all plans to decommission to be subject to full public hearings and to meet provincial requirements as may be applicable. The Town of Newcastle would like to see the existinq "Port Granby Waste Disposal Facility - Monitoring Committee" modified to form the new "consultative" Committee proposed by Eldorado Nuclear Limited. The new Committee would in the opinion of the Town be appropriately composed of nine members with all necessary facilities and support staff provided by Eldorado Nuclear Limited. The Committee would appropriately be structured as follows: 1 Chairman - An A.E.C.B. representative 2 Members -*Eldorado Nuclear Limited 2 Members - Town of Newcastle 1 Member - Hope Township 1 Member - Regional Municipality of Durham 1 Member - Ontario Ministry of the Environment 1 Member - S.E.A.P. (Residents Group) .2 _2_ Mr. B. C. Pearson Eldorado Port Hope Refinery The Town has not contacted any of the organizations mentioned to ascertain their willingness to participate. The Town of Newcastle anticipates that the individual members of the Committee would have the responsibility of representing their organizations insofar as they would be required from time to time to obtain the authority of their organizations and to consult with those organizations. The Town believes formal terms of reference for the Committee should be developed by the participants as a first order of business. The Town will be prepared to participate in the Committee starting in the early spring of 1983. Finally, the Town of Newcastle wishes to advise that it expects Eldorado Nuclear Limited to bear all costs related to the Decommissioning of the Port Granby Facility and to compensate the Town of Newcastle and its residents for any and all impacts arising from the Decommissioning. Mayor Garnet B. Rickard on behalf of the Council of the Town of Newcastle