LLRWMO s Legacy Sites in Canada IAEA RSLS Elliot Lake Workshop Mark Gardiner 2014 May 2 UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ
What is the LLRWMO? The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office (LLRWMO) was established in 1982 to carry out the responsibilities of the federal government for the management of historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in Canada. Formed following AECB radium remediation work in Port Hope in late 1970s/early 1980s. UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 2
LLRWMO Reporting Lines The LLRWMO is operated by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) through a cost-recovery agreement with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the federal department that provides funding, direction and priorities for the LLRWMO. The LLRWMO is the government agent responsible for addressing the historic low-level radioactive waste legacy in Canada. UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 3
Where Does the LLRWMO Fit in Government? https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/portfolio/10864 UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 4
Canadian RadWaste Management UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 5
Regulatory Oversight LLRWMO utilizes CNSC licences for remediation (roving) and storage (short-term and temporary). Continuity within CNSC is invaluable. Some sites historically considered exempt from licensing soon to be removed from potential licensing requirement; however, federal responsibility for these sites will continue. UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 6
Regulatory Support LLRWMO supports CNSC institutional control programs, particularly in the Toronto area. Support radioactive material recovery as identified by CNSC inspectors. Support to Ontario Ministry of the Environment on their Deloro Mine Site Cleanup project UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 7
What is Historic LLRW? LLRW that is managed in a manner no longer considered acceptable, but for which the owner cannot reasonably be held responsible, and for which the federal government has accepted responsibility for its long-term management. All three conditions must be met for the LLRWMO to take responsibility of the historic LLRW on behalf of NRCan. [e.g. Deloro exclusion] LLRWMO definition of legacy = historic UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 8
LLRWMO Programs The Office carries out the federal mandate by establishing and managing programs and facilities across Canada to resolve historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) issues. Support to additional NRCan priorities as they may develop (e.g. Surrey Disposal Project). UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 9
LLRWMO Programs The LLRWMO operates through three main programs: Historic Wastes Characterization Remediation Site Monitoring and Management Historic Artefact Recovery Program Support to NRCan Initiatives (Surrey BC, etc.) Ongoing Wastes Policy development and support Information Public engagement through community consultation Program/project information for stakeholders Inventory of Radioactive Waste in Canada, supporting IJC UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 10
LLRWMO Successes The LLRWMO s objectives are to help protect public health and the environment; and perform its duties in a timely and cost effective manner. The LLRWMO has effectively completed many remediation projects and continues to have ongoing success in resolving the historic low-level radioactive waste legacy issues throughout Canada. Some examples: Thorium impacted niobium processing slag in British Columbia Uranium ores spilled in Alberta and the Northwest Territories Radium-Uranium refinery process wastes in Ontario Radium dial painting and handling facilities in Ontario UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 11
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Northern Transportation Route UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 13
Uranium Ore Bags UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 14
Major Project Sites UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 15
Interim Waste Management Required without federal long-term facility available Interim Waste Management deals with solutions to development ahead of final remediation pre-development monitoring Remediation where required Temporary storage Local consolidation activities Maintenance with monitoring No one solution works everywhere Institutional controls at former radium dial painting facilities [Toronto] Temporary storage site operation [Port Hope] UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 16
Stakeholder Involvement Key to our continued success. The Office engages the public through consultation and stakeholder involvement, establishing partnerships to resolve LLRW issues within their community. LLRWMO theme: working towards community solutions UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 17
Stakeholder Involvement Transparency Information Consultation Polling Access Inclusion Participation/co-delivery Partnerships Workshops Stepped Decision Making Networking Solution Ownership UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 18
Programs Communications UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 19
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office Working with communities towards solutions The last bag of soil from Tulita was loaded by former Mayor Gordon Yakeleya and Robert Horassi of Red Dog Mountain Contracting.
LLRWMO Outlook Resolving historic LLRW contaminated sites associated with historic radium dial painting activities and residual uranium ore contamination along the Northern Transportation Route. The LLRWMO has effectively completed many remediation projects and continues to have ongoing success in resolving the historic low-level radioactive waste legacy issues in communities Canada. Utilize project funding beyond $3M operating budget. UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 21
Shipping Spilled Ore from the North UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 22
Radium Dial Painting Kit UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 23
Eldorado Collectable UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 24
Remediation in Back Yards UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 25
Local Consolidation UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 26
Consolidated Contaminated Soils UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 27
Mobile Legacy Site UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 28
Disposal UNRESTRICTED / ILLIMITÉ 29
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