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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-032-01 Clw:i!lgron REPORT PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Date: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Resolution #:6/d-jlcfc!/ I MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2iivQ . PSD-032-01 File #: PLN 26.11 By-law #: Meeting: Report #: Revised Subject: DRAFT SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF THE ITER FACILITY Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-032-01 be received; 2. THAT the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission be advised that the Municipality has no objection to the Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Canada Facility, Clarington, Ontario - September 12, 2001 save and except that the decommissioning phase should be completely examined as part of this process; 3. THAT a copy of this report and resolution be forwarded to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Iter Canada. Submitted by: D v . Crome, M.C.I.P.,R.P.P. Direc or, Planning Services " Reviewed be ~_f0t/(.., Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer HB*BN*DC*df 17 October 2001 REPORT NO.: PSD-032-01 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 In March 2001, the Iter International Fusion Energy Institute sent a letter of intent to construct the Iter International Fusion Energy Facility at Clarington, Ontario to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). On September 14th, 2001, the Municipality was sent correspondence from the CNSC attached to which was a copy of the Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Canada Facility, Clarington, Ontario - September 12, 2001. The Municipality was requested to review this document and provide written comments to the CNSC by October 19th. 2001. Council received this document at their September 24th, 2001 meeting and referred it to Planning Services for appropriate action. Due to Council's meeting schedule and the short timeframe provided to review and report to Committee and Council, the CNSC was requested to allow Clarington to provide a response by November 1st, 2001. CNSC have verbally accepted this extension. 2.0 CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT (CEAA) 2.1 The purpose of this Act is in part to ensure that "the environmental effects of projects received careful consideration before responsible authorities take action" and "to ensure that there be an opportunity for public participation in the environmental assessment process". The Comprehensive Study List Regulations included within the CEAA sets out what type of projects are required to conduct a comprehensive study. If a project is not identified within this regulation, then a screening report will be required. 2.2 A federal environmental assessment (EA) prepared in accordance with the CEAA is required for the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Iter Canada facility. As this project is not a nuclear reactor capable of sustained energy production, nor is this project identified in the Comprehensive Study List Regulations, the CNSC has determined that a Comprehensive Study is not required and that a screening report shall be prepared. The Iter Institute is responsible for the preparation of the screening report. REPORT NO.: PSD-032-01 PAGE 3 There will be no provincial environmental assessment requirements under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act that are applicable to this proposal. 3.0 DRAFT SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT 3.1 The CEAA sets out all factors that must be considered in the screening. These include: . The environmental effects of the project, including the environmental effects of malfunctions or accidents that may occur in connection with the project and any cumulative environmental effects that are likely to result from the project in combination with other projects or activities that have been or will be carried out; . The significance of the effects identified above; . Comments from the public that are received in accordance with the CEAA and its regulations; and . Measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate any significant adverse environmental effects of the project. 3.2 CNSC has released a copy of the Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Canada Facility, Clarington, Ontario (Attachment 1). The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the scope of the EA. It describes the basis for the conduct of the EA and focuses the assessment on relevant issues and concern. More importantly, it also provides specific direction to Iter Canada on how to document the technical EA study. Lastly, the scope document provides a means of communicating the project's EA process to stakeholders. 3.3 The draft document identifies the spatial and temporal boundaries of the assessment. The spatial boundaries have been mapped and can be reviewed in Attachment 2. The Local Study Area identifies where there is a reasonable potential for immediate impacts due to either ongoing normal activities or due to possible upset conditions. The Regional Study Area is that area where there is at least the potential for cumulative and socio-economic effects to arise from this REPORT NO.: PSD-032-01 PAGE 4 project. The draft document states that the Local Study Area boundaries may change following a preliminary assessment of potential impacts. Temporal boundaries establish over what period of time the effects of the project are to be considered. The draft document identifies the temporal boundaries as including the construction and operation phases, but does not include the decommissioning phase. Staff recommend that the decommissioning phase be included in the description of the temporal boundaries. 4.0 PEER REVIEW This project is highly complex, involving an extremely specialized scientific field and utilizing cutting edge technology. As the EA proceeds, there will be numerous technical documents addressing scientifically complex issues. Municipal staff do not possess the technical expertise to fully understand, assess or interpret all of the technical and scientific information generated through the environmental assessment. Clarington must be completely satisfied that this project, including the operation and decommissioning of the facility, will have no significant adverse health, environmental or economic impacts that will affect our residents, businesses and ecological landscape. In addition, Clarington must also be prepared for any growth this project may bring about and ready to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support a project of this nature. A peer review will provide the Municipality with a better understanding of all potential effects of the project allowing the Municipality to be better prepared for any positive impacts that may result. Staff will report on this issue further as the EA proceeds and more information is available on the reports being prepared. 5.0 CONCLUSIONS 5.1 The Municipality is honoured to be selected as the Canadian site for a project of this standing. In anticipation of the June 2002 final site selection, Iter Institute is preparing the documents necessary to fulfil the requirements necessary in order to gain the appropriate approvals. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requires that a screening report be prepared that will identify and assess the anticipated environmental and socio-cultural effects this proposal may have. REPORT NO.: PSD-032-01 PAGE 5 It is recommended that the description of the temporal boundaries in the Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Canada Facility, Clarington, Ontario - September 12, 2001 be revised to incorporate decommissioning of the facility. Attachments: Attachment 1 - Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Canada Facility, Clarington, Ontario - September 12, 2001 Attachment 2 - EA Study Area Boundaries Interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission P.O. Box 1046, Station B Ottawa, ON K1 P 5S9 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 "i+ I. ATTACH ME I NT 1 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Commission canadienne de surete nucleaire Draft Scope of Assessment: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Construction of the Iter Facility, Clarington, Ontario "r, -, ".#- _~","7.",",~ Prepared by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 12 September 2001 Canada The CNSC has determined, pursuant to section 5 (l)(d) of the CEAA, that a federal environmental assessment of the proposed construction, operation and decommissioning of the Iter Facility is required. The environmental assessment will include consideration of a preliminary decommissioning plan for the facility. The CNSC is the Responsible Authority (RA) under CEAA for the purposes of the assessment. With the promulgation of the NSCA, amendments to the regulations und r the C to replace references to the Atomic Energy Control Act and its regulati reference to the provisions of the NSCA. Until the amendm are p Environmental Assessment Agency (Agency), section 44 Interpr references to the former legislation to be references to t alogous The former provision authorizing construction of a faci 10 of the Atomic Energy Control Regulations; that prov the Law List Regulations. Reading the NSCA in analogo construction of the Iter facility is a 'trigger' for the CE There are no other CEAA 'triggers', such as interest in land to support the proposed proj The licensing action would involve au the construction of the Iter Facility There are no identified exclusion section 7 of the CEAA and Sch mg to a physical work, namely t for the purposes of the CEAA. ssment for the project, pursuant to st Regulations of the CEAA. identi e Comprehensive Study List Regulations of the CEAA; clear actor capable of sustained energy production. At this time, . sues associated with this project which would suggest a need r review panel pursuant to section 25 of the CEAA. Thus, , the CNSC is required to ensure the conduct of a screening of the project and the preparation of a Screening Report before the ion can be made pursuant to the NSCA. l('ation of Other Federal and Provincial Expert Departments' The CNSC is currently the only Responsible Authority (RA) under the CEAA identified for this screenmg. Pursuant to the CEAA Federal Coordination Regulations, Health Canada (HC), Environment Canada (EC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans . the environmental etfects* of the project, including the environmental effects of malfunctions or accidents that may occur in connection with the project and any cumulative environmental effects that are likely to result from the project in combination with other projects or activities that have been or will be carried out; . the significance of the effects identified above; 9.0 Scope of the Assessment and Sc below as a framework for explaining sidered in the screening, what e exist! ronment is necessary to permit that at consideration will be documented in the screening . comments from the public that are received in accordance with regulations; and . measures that are technically and economically fi significant adverse environmental effects ofthe In accordance with subsection l6(1)(e) of the CEAA, th and requirements of, a follow-up program in respect oft Additional or more specific factors and issues to ad consultation with the Iter Institute, the expert fi 9.1 Structure of the Screenin tare e delegated to the Iter Institute, pursuant to ss. 17( 1) of . the form of a technical EA study report in a marmer at technical EA study report will be attached to the Screening Headingsfqrii11e Screening Report: ",":;n;y 1) Introduction 2) Application of the CEAA 3) Scopc of the Project 4) Scope of the Assessment 5) Project Description 6) Spatial and Temporal Boundaries of the Assessment 7) Description of the Existing Environment 9.2 8) Assessment and Mitigation of Environmental Effects - construction - normal operations - malfunctions and accidents - environmental events 9) Cumulative Environmental Effects 10) Significance of Residual Effects 11) Stakeholder Consultation 12) Monitoring and Follow-up Program 13) 14) References 9.2.1 ct de . ption is to identify and characterize those specific e the potential to interact with, and thus result in a likely ding environment, during construction and normal ctions and accidents. ormation will be provided in summary form: the location of the project; the basic configuration, layout, shape, size. and design of the facility; the key components of the facility relevant to environmental performance and safety during the siting and construction activities. and during the subsequent operations; the key components of the facility that are relevant to management of malfunctions and . Malfunctions and Accidents accidents that may occur during the siting and construction activities, and during the subsequent operations; the inventories of nuclear substances and other hazardous materials, at the facility, or that may be generated during the construction and operations activities, including locations and storage methods; the sources, types and quantities of radioactive, hazardous and non-hazardo predicted to be generated by the project; the sources and characteristics of any potential risks to workers the on-site processes for the collection, handling, tr rt, st radioactive, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes ener the predicted sources, quantities and points of re from t effluents containing nuclear substances and h the sources and characteristics of any noise, odo from the project; and a description of the relevant organizational and qualification requirements with emphasis on s programs. This section should include: events that have a reasonable roject; and tity, mechanism, rate, form and characteristics of hysical, chemical and radiological) likely to be ent during the postulated malfunction and accident nsideration oft nvironmental effects in the screening need to be conceptually bounded time and sP~,~~"This is more commonly known as assessment study areas and time ,"orspati;La!iu temporal boundaries of the screening. The geographic study arcas for this screening must cncompass the areas of the environmcnt that can be reasonably expected to be affected by the projcct. or which may be relevant to the assessment of cumulative environmental effects. Study areas will cncompass all relevant components of the environment including the people. iand. water. air and other aspects of the natural and human environment. The following geographic study areas are suggested: Site Study Area: the property on which the facility is located and under the control of the Iter Institute Local Study Area: the Local Study Area is defined as that area, existing site boundary, where there is a reasonable impacts due to either ongoing normal act' upset conditions. The Local Are the area within the townshi aringto the attached map and the of Lake impacted due to the facili he b following a preliminary a Regional Study Area: the Regional Study Area' least the potential for cu is bounded by the D the east, and Hi immediate ar areas of La impacts. e area wherein there is at economic effects, and est, Highway 28 in , together with the hore areas and those otential for cumulative ow on the attached map. t establi over what period of time the project- initial time frame for the assessment ouration of the construction and operation emain flexible during the assessment to allow the full e considered in the screening. 9.2.3 ription of the exi g nvironment is needed to determine the likely interactions between oject and the surr ding environment; and likewise between the environment and the t. Both the bi sical environment and the socio-economic (human cultural) ent are to be considered. An initial scrccning 0.1' likely project environment interactio.ns will be considcrcd in identifying the relevant compo.nents of thc cnvironmcnt that necd to. bc describcd. Whcre relevant. Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) in the existing environment will be identificd and used as specific asscssment end-points. VECs are environmcntal attributes o.r co.mpo.nents idcntiJied as having a legal. scientitic. eultural. eco.nomic or aesthetic valuc. The required level of detail in the description of the existing environment will be less where the potential interactions between the project and various components of the environment are weak or remote in time and space. Relevant existing information may be used to describe the environment. Where that information is significantly lacking, additional research and field studies may be required to co lete the screening assessment. Describe the resulting ch environment and VECs cur to the components of the ed interactions with the project. 9.2.4 Assessment and Mitigation of Environmental Effects The consideration of environmental effects in the scree traceable marmer. The process should be clearly doc tabular summaries where appropriate. Assessment of Effects Caused by the Project The assessment will be conducted in a manner con . 1) Identify the potential interactions b en environment during constructio d nor relevant malfunctions and acc' ts. 2) 3) 4) nvironmental effects that likely will occur as a result unt the implementation of the proposed mitigation . lcance will include the magnitude, duration, frequency, timing, , ecological and social context, geographic extent and degree of rse effects. or)< and industry standards and guidelines may be used as points of reference for jud 'ificance. The effects will be quantified to the extent reasonable before they are compared to the levels in the applicable regulations, standards and guides. Protessional judgement will also be applied in judging the significance of the remaining effects. Assessment of Effects of the Environment on the Project The assessment must also take into account how the environment could adversely affect the project; for example, from severe weather and seismic events. This part of the assessment will be conducted in a step-wise fashion, similar to that described for the foregoing assessment of the project effects. The possible important interactions between the environment and the project will be fIrst identified, followed by an assessment oft effects of those interactions, the available additional mitigation measures, and the . nific of any remaining likely adverse environmental effects. 9.2.5 Assessment of Cumulative Effects The effects of the project must be considered together that have been, or will be carried out, and for which the those of the project (i.e., overlap in same geographic are cumulative environmental effects. A list of the specific projects and activities conside in the screening report. In general, the cumula . effects of the project with the neighbouring ts will be included onsider the combined er developments. The information reasonably available t become more conceptual and less d time to the effects of the project, available. The consideration of general lev detail th ffects from other projects will come more remote in distance and t another project or activity is not I effects may therefore be at a more ning ofthe project. umulative effects are identified, additional mitigation 9.2.6 . ng will consider the significance of the environmental effects ent, the environment on the project, project malfunctions and cts and activities that could cause cumulative effects. ing w~t nsider all of these effects in coming to a final conclusion as to whether the ,;~~_!l;yY gini6 account the mitigation measures. will likely cause significarlt environmental 9_ 2_ 7 Stakeholder Consultation The assessment will include notification of, and consultation with. the potentially affected stakeholders. including the local public. Various media will be used to inform and engage individuals, interest groups, local governments and other stakeholders in the assessment. The Iter Institute will be expected to hold appropriate public consultation meetings, The stakeholder consultation program of the Iter Institute is to be reviewed and accepted by the CNSC. Throughout the environmental assessment process, various stakeholders from the following categories will be consulted: The screening report will indicate of the assessment, or where relev compliance process. federal government provincial government local government established committees Iter employees general public neighbouring residents local businesses non-government organizations and interest gro the media. The screening report will contain a surnm environmental assessment process. been considered in the completion essed in the future licensing and lic con process in the review and decision-making will include specific opportunities to review and comment rt, as well as to comment and_present interventions . ng Report. nitoring program will be included in the Screening Report. rpose of the w-up and monitoring program is to assist in determining if the n!fiI,'W;. ulative effects of the project (including those relating to human health) ar ,; ..,.....cted'iTl the Screening Report. It is also to confirm whether the impact mitigation meastil~;.~re eflective, and to determine ifnew mitigation strategies are required. The CNSC licensing and compliance program will be used as the mechanism for ensuring implementation of the follow-up program. 10.0 Conclusions and Recommendations for Decision The Screening Report will present a CNSC staff conclusion as to whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the appropriate mitigation measures. Recommendations to the Commission on making decisions on the environmental assessment and project-related public concerns, consistent with section 20 of the CEAA, will be provided. These decisions by the Commission will be made through the Commission Hearing procedures. 11.0 Contacts for the Assessment Anyone wishing to obtain additional information or provi environmental assessment being conducted on the prop do so through the following CNSC staff contacts: Mr. Lawrence Colligan Licensing Project Officer Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 280 Slater Street P.O. Box 1046 Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5S9 . Phone: 1-800-668-5284 Fax: (613) 995-5086 Internet: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. Mrs. Mary A. Wood EA Project Radiatio Canadian 280 Slater S P.O. Box 1046 Ottawa, 0 Phone: Fax: Int I. P. Barnard (ltcr Institutc) to L. Kcen (eNSe). "Thc Itcr Intcrnatiilnal Fusion Energy Institute - Lcttcr of Intcnt". March] 5.200 I. with Attachmcnt 1 (Iter Projcct Dcscription - Objccti,,~s. Schcdule and Technical Dcscription). . - " 13.0 Glossary of Terms 1, "environmental effect" means, in respect of a project, (a) any change that the project may cause in the environment, including any effect of any such change on health and socio-economic conditions, on physical and cultural heritage, on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by aborig' persons, or on any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeologi pale logical or architectural significance, and (b) any change to the project that may be caused b whether any such change occurs within or outsi 2. 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Ie"" ;. . ~'."' .29 ',:11...l....u · :,.....~ .,'Y'. -',,<,,' . '.' ). '", .. '"':',", ...".." "0",' ,cL l .,~... · ...... _" '11/':""!I" . '" ',,~ .~, , ' 2 ;'I~ n.' I" """ "'9-.(" 11 ~....,., ::j "'. ~: ">C" '1'" P!..... ~;. . t, I",:,. C:;q,iJ,....: 6,,'L~;:";;-;:;;'-'" ~ ...;.A.. '. ' _ "--~.. ,-.hJ ...........,.".0..,;...... fj".",' S P ...- . c.,; , ,- ........r.;,.; '.. ..::i!~g."; . l..:::.*....J_~-:;c-;;:.'6tJl'd '." ....- .,', ,~,.,. -0~~,'" Cobou ~.-..t~;~, '.".,..,." P,.".,Iiope' '9 r1'"' .,~. ;' :~ '1' I".~::-.,.~. P '. :J1 1 ~ 2n '. l:I t:J 1ItIl1r00ll ~". "."'~' amed"~ " Bowmanvlllt! ITER CANADA . EA STUDY AREAS - Local Study Area Regional Study Area * Site 40km PROJECT NUMBER TC 01612016102 DATE o CliENT DWG No 51,,"> A"...'" FIGURE 1 9 LAKE ONTARIO TORONTO .... Local EA Study Area .... Regional EA Study Area ITER SITE . ITER EA Study Areas J> -i -i J> (") I ~ m z -i '"