E-doc 3541930 - Canadian Environmental Assessment … · E-doc 3541930 E-doc 3541930 . NWMO Meeting with CNSC Staff – Technical Support ... Duck Kim, Rob Dobos, Sandros Leonardelli,

E-doc 3541930

E-doc 3541930

NWMO Meeting with CNSC Staff – Technical Support Documents (TSDs) for OPG’s Deep Geologic Repository for Low and Intermediate Level Waste

Environmental Impact Statement

Date: May 4, 2010

Time: 10:00 to 3:45 p.m.

Location: CNSC Offices, 1601 Telesat Court, Ottawa (map attached)

CNSC:

Kay Klassen; Kiza Francis; R. Avadhanula; A. Ray; S. Macdonald; S. Mihok; G. Su; S. Lei; A. Gaw; M. Rinker; E. Uchamowicz; A. Ferguson; H. Mulye; R. Goulet

CEAA: Robyn‐Lynee Virtue, David Haddon, Jill Adams,

Environment Canada:

Duck Kim, Rob Dobos, Sandros Leonardelli, Liliana Gwizdkowska

Attendees:

NWMO: Angelo Castellan; Diane Barker; Richard Heystee, Golder: Martin Rawlings, Alyson Beal, Craig Kelly; AECOM: Don Richardson, Tomasz Wlodarczyk; AMEC NSS: Mark Gerchikov

NRCan Amie Baker

AGENDA ITEMS

1. 10:00 – 10:10 Introduction

2. 10:10 – 10:40 Project Description Richard Heystee

3. 10:40 – 11:20 EA Methodology Golder

3. Presentation* and Discussion of the following Technical Support Documents:

11:20 – 11:45 Atmospheric Environment

11:45 – 12:05 Aquatic Environment

12:05 – 12:35 LUNCH BREAK

12:35 – 12:55 Terrestrial Environment

12:55 – 1:15 Hydrology and Water Quality

1:15 – 1:35 Geology

1:35 – 2:05 Radiation and Radioactivity

2:05 – 2:20 Malfunctions and Accidents

E-doc 3541930

2:20 – 2:35 COFFEE BREAK

2:35 – 2:55 Socio‐Economic Environment

2:55 –3:15 Aboriginal Interests

* The presentation format for each TSD will be:

• Relevant Features of the Baseline Environment • Valued Ecosystem Components (exceptions to the Guidelines) • Potential Effects/Mitigation • Residual Effects

4. 3:15 – 3:45 Meeting Summary and Follow‐up

Workshop on DGR EA

Technical Support Documents

May 4, 2010

1

Purpose

• Third in a series of DGR Workshops

– Engineering

– Geoscience

• Purpose

– Facilitate information exchange

– Identify and discuss any concerns

– Facilitate review process for formal

submission expected early 2011

2

Context

• EIS and nine Technical Support

Documents (TSD)

– All nine TSDs discussed

– Human health and Public engagement

included in EIS – not separate TSDs and will

not be discussed today

3

Overview of the DGR Project

DGR Project for Low and Intermediate Waste:

Proponent: OPG

Location: Adjacent to Western Waste Management

Facility at the Bruce nuclear site

Capacity: 200,000 m3 (as disposed)

Waste: Operational L&ILW (not decommissioning)

from OPG-owned generating stations

Project: site preparation, construction, operation,

decommissioning, and abandonment and long-

term performance

4

Environmental Assessment

Overview

May 4, 2010

1

Philosophy for Assessment

EnvironmentalImpact

Statement (EIS)

TechnicalSupport Documents

(TSDs)

PreliminarySafetyReport

SupportingTechnical

Documents

Effects of theDGR Project

LicensingApplication

EnvironmentalAssessment

EnvironmentalImpact

Statement (EIS)


(TSDs)

PreliminarySafetyReport

SupportingTechnical

Documents

• Integrated

• Comprehensive

• Precautionary

• Transparent

2

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

DOCUMENTS

ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT

Air Quality, Noise Levels, Meteorology, Climate, Light

HYDROLOGY AND SURFACE

WATER QUALITY

Surface Water Quality, Surface Water Quantity and

Flow

GEOLOGY

Soil Quality, Groundwater Quality, Groundwater Flow

AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

Aquatic Vegetation, Fish Species, Aquatic

Invertebrates, Benthic Invertebrates

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Population, Employment, Business Activity, Tourism,

Housing and Property Values, Municipal Finance,

Municipal Infrastructure and Services

TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

Terrestrial Vegetation, Birds, Mammals, Amphibians

ABORIGINAL INTERESTS

Aboriginal Communities, Native Heritage and Cultural

Resources, Traditional Use of Lands, Euro-Canadian

Heritage Resources

RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVITY

Radioactivity in Air, Water, Soil, Vegetation, Aquatic

and Terrestrial Biota

MALFUNCTIONS, ACCIDENTS AND

MALEVOLENT ACTS

Effects on all of the above due to accidental or upset

conditions

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

DOCUMENTS




WATER QUALITY


Flow

GEOLOGY


AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT












Heritage Resources





MALEVOLENT ACTS


conditions

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

DOCUMENTS




WATER QUALITY


Flow

GEOLOGY


AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT












Heritage Resources





MALEVOLENT ACTS


conditions

Framework for Assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT

STATEMENT

EIS Summary

SUPPORTING TECHNICAL

DOCUMENTS

GEOSYNTHESIS

REPORT

PRECLOSURE

SAFETY

ASSESSMENT

POSTCLOSURE

SAFETY

ASSESSMENT

SITE GEOSPHERE

MODEL

PRELIMINARY

SAFETY REPORT

3

Assessment Integration

• Information shared between the licensing

application and environmental assessment

• Information shared

between TSDs

• All effects integrated

into relevant TSDs

• Multi-feature VECs

are assessed in EIS

EnvironmentalImpact

Statement (EIS)


(TSDs)

Preliminary Safety Report

SupportingTechnical

Documents

4

Assessment Scope

EIS Guidelines

Study Areas

Phases

VECs

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge

Alternatives

Cumulative Effects

5

NO

DETERMINE SIGNIFICANCEof residual adverse effects

YES

YES

YES

YES

DESCRIBE THE PROJECT

PROPOSE MITIGATION MEASURES

NO

NO

NO

PROPOSE FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM(S)

SCREEN FOR PROJECT-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS

Is there a potential interaction?

PREDICT AND ASSESS LIKELY EFFECTS ON VECs

(as compared to evaluation criteria)

Is there an adverse effect?

ASSUME MITIGATION AND RE-ASSESS EFFECTS ON VECs

Is there a residual adverse effect?

Documented as Matrix 1



SCREEN FOR MEASURABLE CHANGE(based on professional judgement)

Is a measurable change likely?

CHARACTERIZE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (Focused on project-environment

interactions)

Screen to Focus the

Assessment(Sections 6 and 7)

Assess Effects

(Sections 8 to 10)

Describe the Existing

Environment(Section 5)

Describe the Project(Section 3)

Propose Follow-up Programs (Section 13)

Determine Significance

(Section 11)

• Screening approach

similar to previous

submissions

• Adverse effects are

non-trivial changes

• Determine whether

non-trivial changes

will be significant

adverse effects

Screening Approach

NO


YES

YES

YES

YES



NO

NO

NO















interactions)

Screen to Focus the


Assess Effects

(Sections 8 to 10)






(Section 11)

NO


YES

YES

YES

YES



NO

NO

NO















interactions)

Screen to Focus the


Assess Effects

(Sections 8 to 10)






(Section 11)

NO


YES

YES

YES

YES



NO

NO

NO















interactions)

Screen to Focus the


Assess Effects

(Sections 8 to 10)






(Section 11)

NO


YES

YES

YES

YES



NO

NO

NO















interactions)

Screen to Focus the


Assess Effects

(Sections 8 to 10)






(Section 11)

6

Need to Assess Significance

“All residual effects that persist, despite all mitigation activities, are to be assessed for their significance.”

…EIS Guidelines

7

Consequence

Magnitude

Geographic Extent

Timing and Duration

Frequency

Irreversibility

Assessment MeasuresAssessment Measures

GeographicExtent

Assessment Measures

Timing & Duration

Over how long a period do the activities causing the effect occur?

Assessment Measures

FrequencyHow often will theeffects occur?

Assessment Measures

Irreversibility

Consequence

Magnitude

Geographic Extent

Timing and Duration

Frequency

Irreversibility

Social, Cultural or Ecological

Context

Probability of Occurrence

Consequence

Magnitude

Geographic Extent

Timing and Duration

Frequency

Irreversibility

Probability

of

Occurrence

Social or

Ecological

Context

8

• Within the Bruce

nuclear site

• On OPG-retained

lands

• Adjacent to the

WWMF

• Generally

classified as

industrial-barren

DGR Project Location

RailwayDitch

WWMF

DGR

RailwayDitch

DGR

WWMF

10

Atmospheric EnvironmentGolder Associates Ltd.

May 4, 2010

11

Valued Ecosystem Components

• Uses guideline VECs (air quality, noise levels)

• Air Quality indicators:

– Combustion by-products

– Fugitive dust

– CO, NO2, SO2, SPM, PM10, PM2.5

• Noise Levels indicator:

– Energy equivalent noise level (Leq)

• Measures are:

– Changes to indicators

– Concentrations or levels of indicators

12

Existing Environment

• Air quality

– Monitoring to describe background in LSA

– Modelling for existing air quality in LSA

– Existing air quality complies with criteria

• Noise Levels

– Monitoring used to describe existing noise

levels

• Project-specific and historic monitoring

– Noise levels consistent with typical rural

environments

13

How Effects Were Predicted

• All potential interactions identified

• All interactions with emissions assumed to

be measurable change

• Effects predicted for measurable changes

– Emissions for air and noise quantified

– Changes predicted using models

• Air quality: AERMOD Noise levels: CadnaA

– Determine whether adverse effects

• Air quality: Change >0 µg/m³ Noise: Change >3 dBA

14

In-design Mitigation

• Assessment of effects based upon the

project being proposed

• Proposed project includes in-design

features that avoid effects

– Fans and vehicles maintained in good

working order

– Onsite construction vehicles and equipment

meet Tier 2 standards

15

Potential Effects – Air Quality

• Adverse effects predicted for all indicators,

with the exception of SO2

• Site preparation and construction phase:

– exceed criteria for 1-hour NO2, 24-hour SPM, 24-

hour PM10 and 24-hour PM2.5 at fenceline

– occur less than 1% of the time

• Operations phase:

– concentrations are within relevant criteria

• Decommissioning similar to, or less than,

site preparation and construction phase

16

Significance of Effects – Air Quality


– High magnitude, local geographic extent, low

frequency, low duration, reversible

– “May not be significant”

– Consider monitoring to confirm significant

effects do not occur

• Operations phase:

– Magnitude for all indicators is low

– Not significant

17

Potential Effects – Noise Levels

• Changes in noise levels predicted at all

receptor locations

• Adverse effects predicted at one receptor:

– Increase of 5 dBA at the Baie du Doré during

site preparation and construction phase, and

decommissioning phase

– Increases at other receptors ≤3 dBA (changes

would not be perceptible)

18

Significance of Effects – Noise Levels


– Magnitude is low

– Not significant

19

Considerations for Follow-up Monitoring

• Monitoring incorporated into project

– Consistent with current WWMF monitoring

– Air quality monitoring in ventilation system

• Continuous sampling

• Monitoring the duct system for methane, CO, NOX

• Air monitoring of construction emissions to

confirm significant effects do not occur

20

Summary of Effects

21

No Effect Adverse Effect Beneficial Effect

Air Quality

(all phases)

Noise Levels

(operations)

(construction/

decommissioning)

Not SignificantMay Not Be

SignificantSignificant

Air Quality

(operations)

(construction/

decommissioning)

Noise Levels

• Residual adverse effects predicted for air

quality and noise levels

Aquatic EnvironmentGolder Associates Ltd.

May 4, 2010

22


• Uses guideline VECs

– VECs grouped by habitat type

• Railway Ditch

• Stream C

• Lake Huron and Embayments

• Marsh areas

• Aquatic VECs indicator:

– Habitat

• Aquatic VECs measure:

– Changes in habitat

23


• Project-specific and historic field studies

• Railway Ditch (south):

– Redbelly dace, burrowing crayfish (north and

south), creek chub, variable leaf pondweed

• Stream C:

– Creek chub, brook trout, spottail shiner

• Marsh within the Project Area:

– Burrowing crayfish

24


25

Railway Ditch

Drainage Ditch

Stream C

Railway Ditch

26

View of South Railway Ditch

Railway Ditch



• All interactions considered for measurable change

• Direct effects:

– Quantitative and qualitative

– Loss of habitat

• Indirect effects:

– Quantitative and qualitative

– Changes in surface water quality

– Changes in surface water flow

27




• Effects on aquatic environment generally

avoided through project design

– Setback from marsh

– No discharges to Railway Ditch or Stream C

– Discharges from the stormwater pond will

meet applicable criteria

28

Potential Effects

• Direct effects:

– Construction of Railway Ditch crossing and surface facilities results in adverse effects VECs

– Loss is minor when compared to the total available habitat


– No changes in surface water quality in aquatic habitats

– No changes in surface water flow in aquatic habitats

29

Significance of Effects

• Residual adverse effect on VECs in

Railway Ditch:

– Low magnitude, low geographic extent, low

duration, high frequency and reversible with

time

– Not significant

– New habitat for crayfish will be created

30

Summary of Effects

31


VECs in Railway Ditch

(site preparation

and construction)

VECs in Stream C

VECs in Lake Huron and Embayments

VECs in Marsh Areas

Not SignificantMay not be


VECs in Railway Ditch

• Residual adverse effect predicted for

VECs in the Railway Ditch

Terrestrial EnvironmentGolder Associates Ltd.

May 4, 2010

32


• Uses guideline VECs

• Terrestrial VEC indicators:– Presence

– Distribution

– Abundance

• Terrestrial VEC measures:– Changes in area of vegetation communities

– Changes in habitat availability and suitability

– Effects on individuals

• Species at risk not highlighted for conservation reasons

33


• Project-specific and historic field studies– Plant communities

– Birds

– Amphibians

– Mammals

• Project Area has limited potential for vegetation communities and species, wildlife habitat, communities and species

• Site Study Area includes more diverse natural habitats

• All VECs occur in the Site Study Area, with the exception of the bald eagle

34


35

Industrial Barren Mixed Forest



• All interactions considered for measurable change

• Direct effects:

– Quantitative and qualitative (magnitude of change)

– Related to site clearing, loss of habitat and loss of individuals


– Quantitative and qualitative (comparison to criteria)

– Changes in air quality, noise levels, light trespass, surface water quality, soil quality

36

Potential Effects

• Direct effects:

– Site clearing results in direct residual adverse effect on eastern-white cedar

• Approximately 9 ha of mixed forest will be cleared (77% of this habitat in Project Area)


– Changes in air quality, noise levels and light are likely measurable to wildlife species

• Effects not considered to be adverse

• Wildlife habituated to similar effects

• Suitable habitat exists elsewhere in the Site Study Area

37


• Residual adverse effect on eastern-white cedar:

– Medium magnitude, low geographic extent, low duration, high frequency and reversible in the long-term

– Not significant

– Common and abundant species of tree both within the designated study areas of this project and on a provincial level

– Higher quality contiguous forested features and swamp communities will not be cleared as part of the DGR Project

38

Summary of Effects

39


Eastern white cedar (site preparation

and construction)

Heal-all

Common cattail

Meadow vole

Muskrat

White-tailed deer

Red-eyed vireo

Wild turkey

Yellow warbler

Mallard

Bald eagle

Midland painted turtle

Northern leopard frog

Not Significant May not be Significant Significant

Eastern white cedar

Hydrology and Surface Water QualityGolder Associates Ltd.

May 4, 2010

40


• Uses guideline VECs (surface water quantity and flow, surface water quality)

• Surface water quantity and flow indicators:

– Seasonal stream flow

• Surface water quality indicators:

– Total suspended solids

– Nutrients

– Metals

– Temperature

• Measures are:

– Changes to indicators

41


• Current and past monitoring describe existing

environment

• Railway Ditch, Stream C and drainage ditch

to MacPherson Bay are main features

• Surface water quality:

– TSS concentrations range from <10 mg/L during

normal conditions to over 750 mg/L during storms

– Metal concentrations are generally below the

relevant PWQOs

– Total phosphorus generally exceeds guideline

42


Railway Ditch

Drainage Ditch

Stream C

MacPhersonBay

Lake Huron

43



• All interactions with releases or changes in catchment assumed to be measurable change

• Surface water quantity and flow:– Changes in flow pro-rated to changes in drainage

areas and sump water flows added

• Surface water quality:– General water quality predicted qualitatively

– Quantitative assessment of waste rock runoff underway

44


45

Potential Effects

• Surface water quantity and flow:

– No adverse effects on Stream C

– Adverse effect to north Railway Ditch upstream of Stream C (31% reduction in flow)

– Adverse effect to Drainage Ditch at Interconnecting Road (150% increase during site preparation and construction, 76% increase during operations)

• Surface water quality:

– No residual adverse effects• Discharge from stormwater management pond will

meet required criteria

• No discharges to Railway Ditch and Stream C

46


• Decrease in flow in Railway Ditch:

– Low magnitude, low extent, medium

frequency, high duration and reversible

– Not significant

• Increase in flow in Drainage Ditch:

– Moderate magnitude, low extent, medium

frequency, high duration and reversible

– Not significant

47


• Monitoring incorporated in design of

project

– Ensure stormwater management pond is

operating as expected

– Monitoring for TSS, chlorides, sulphides,

ammonia at discharge of pond

– Certificate of Approval will be required for the

discharge

48

Summary of Effects

49


Surface Water Quantity and Flow

(all phases)

Surface Water Quality

Not SignificantMay not be


Surface Water Quantity and Flow

• Residual adverse effect predicted for surface

water quantity and flow in the north Railway

Ditch and Drainage Ditch (all phases)

GeologyNWMO and Golder Associates Ltd.

May 4, 2010

50


Deep Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Deep Bedrock Groundwater Quality

Shallow Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Shallow Bedrock Groundwater Quality

Soil Quality

Overburden Groundwater Flow

Overburden Groundwater Quality

Intermediate Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Intermediate Bedrock Groundwater Quality

• Expands on guideline VECs

51


• Overburden and shallow bedrock:

– Review of existing studies

– Most of site overlain with relatively impermeable clay/till mixture

– Key feature is Middle Sand Aquifer (MSA)• Confined south of the Railway Ditch

• Enhanced local vertical movement of groundwater

– Flow in shallow bedrock

• Intermediate and deep groundwater:

– Studies by NWMO

52


53

Railway Ditch



• All interactions evaluated to determine if measurable changes occur

• Effects predicted for measurable changes

– Overburden and shallow bedrock:• Dewatering evaluated using professional judgment

• Other effects related to accidents and malfunctions

– Intermediate and deep bedrock:• Regional groundwater model describes how units

behave

• Preliminary Safety Report postulates mechanisms for transport to surface

54




• Proposed project includes in-design

features that avoid effects

– Grouting during construction of shafts to

reduce need for dewatering

– Repository constructed in competent

sedimentary bedrock, isolated from surface

55

Potential Effects

• No residual adverse effects on geology

VECs

– No effects from dewatering

• Not expected to interfere with the Middle Sand

Aquifer

– Assessment on intermediate and deep

geology VECs currently being completed

56


• Assessment results do not indicate the

need for follow-up monitoring

• Geologic verification plan to be

implemented

• Radiation monitoring addressed in the

Radiation & Radioactivity TSD

57

Summary of Effects

58

No Effect Adverse EffectBeneficial

Effect

Soil Quality

Shallow Overburden Groundwater Quality

Shallow Overburden Groundwater Flow

Shallow Bedrock Groundwater Quality

Shallow Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Intermediate Bedrock Groundwater Quality

Intermediate Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Deep Bedrock Groundwater Quality

Deep Bedrock Groundwater Flow

Radiation and RadioactivityAMEC NSS Ltd.

May 4, 2010

59


• Selection of VECs for Radiation and

Radioactivity Environment

– Based on expertise of technical specialists

– Inputs from regulator

– Inputs from public, including Aboriginal peoples

– Fully consistent with EA Guidelines

• 11 VECs and 29 indicators

• Assessment measure: dose to indicator

60


• Radioactivity at various environmental

media– Air, surface water & groundwater, soil, sediment

– Animals (fish and milk) and plants (vegetation)

• Human and non-human biota exposure– Dose to NEWs, non-NEWs and public

– Dose to non-human biota

61


• Identifying all project-environment

interactions

• Characterizing the existing environment

• Determining the potential environmental

effects by estimating doses to VEC and

compare against criteria

• Identify mitigation measures if necessary

• Evaluating the significance of any residual

adverse effects

62

Environmental Pathways

63

Potential Effects

Potential Dose Dose

limit/constraint

NEWs < 100 µSv/a 50,000 µSv/a

Non-NEWs (at the DGR

fence line)*

0.007 µSv/h 0.5 µSv/h

(2,000 hr/a)

Members of the public < 0.2 µSv/a 1000 µSv/a

White-tailed deer 0.008 mGy/d 1 mGy/d

*Direct dose rate & skyshine dose rate

64


• In-design Mitigation:– Shielding

– Ventilation

– Remote operated equipment

– Sump and stormwater collection and management

– Emission control

– Zoning to prevent spread of contamination in the DGR

– Fencing and security

– Operating procedures and training to ensure that doses

to workers and public are ALARA

• No additional mitigation required

65


• No residual adverse effects associated

with Radiation and Radioactivity

66

Summary of Effects

67


Human Exposure to Radiation

Benthic Invertebrates

Aquatic Vegetation

Benthic Fish

Pelagic Fish

Aquatic Birds

Aquatic Mammals

Terrestrial Vegetation

Terrestrial Birds

Terrestrial Mammals

Amphibians and Reptiles

Malfunctions, Accidents and Malevolent ActsAMEC NSS Ltd.

May 4, 2010

68

Categorization of Malfunctions and Accidents

• Categorization

– Radiological malfunctions and accidents

– Non-radiological (conventional) malfunctions and

accidents

– Criticality events (screened out)

– Malevolent acts (assessment under way)

* Note

– Only contents not covered in Pre-closure and Post-closure

safety assessment will be presented

69


• Identification of credible initiating events

• Identification of credible accidents

• Screening of postulated accidents to select

bounding scenarios

• Assessment of bounding accidental scenarios

70

Identification of Conventional Accidents (1)

• Literature review

• Analysis of practice in the mining and nuclear

industry

• Expertise of the technical specialists

71


• Site preparation and construction– Spill of chemicals, lubricants and oils

– Fire/smoke/explosion

– Exposure to substances hazardous to health

– Entrapment

– Electrical accidents

– Material handling accidents

– Asphyxiation (e.g., toxic gas from outside sources, smoke,

construction dust)

– Occupational accidents causing injury or death

– Structural instability

– Vehicle accident

– Loss of ventilation

72


• Operation– Vehicle accident

– Structural instability

– Electrical accidents

– Spill of fuel, lubricants or toxic materials

– Entrapment

– Loss of ventilation

– Waste packages drop


– Fire/smoke/explosion

– Exposure to substances hazardous to health

73


• Decommissioning– Structural instability

– Severe reduction in air quality

– Material handling accidents


– Vehicle accidents

74

Conventional Bounding Accidents

• Screening for identification of bounding accidents

– Various environmental components considered

(Atmosphere, Geology, Hydrology & Water Quality,

Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment, Socio-economic

Environment)

– Likelihood

– Magnitude

• Bounding accidents:

– A spill of chemicals, lubricants and oils (CLO) during

site preparation and construction

– A spill of CLO during operations

75

Assessment of Bounding Accidents

• Radiological accident (fire in emplacement room

with LLW involved)

– Dose to White-tailed deer: 0.05 mGy/d

– Dose constraint: 1 mGy/d

• Non-radiological accidents

– No residual adverse effects, taking into account in-

design mitigation measures (spill control)

76

Contingency Plans and Emergency Procedures

• Assumed that existing procedures and

programs will be adopted:– Environmental protection policy

– Environmental health and safety programs

– Fire protection and emergency responses

– Spill management and responses

77

Socio-economic Environment

AECOM Canada Ltd.

May 4, 2010

78

Introduction

• The Socio-economic TSD uses “Community Well-being” as an analytical framework

“a state of Financial, Human, Social and Natural Assets possessed or desired by a community which enables its residents, organizations and institutions to support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing their maximum potential”

• Framework includes 5 “Community Assets” and Public Attitudes toward Personal and Community Well-being

79

General Community Well-being Framework

80

Public

Attitudes

Toward

Personal and

Community

Well-being

Detailed Framework

81

Natural Assets• Atmospheric Environment

• Hydrology and Water Quality

• Aquatic Environment

• Terrestrial Environment

• Geology

• Radiation and Radioactivity

Social Assets• Inverhuron Provincial Park

• Cultural and Heritage

Resources

• Community Recreational

Facilities and Programs

• Use and Enjoyment of Private

Property

• Community Cohesion

Human Assets• Population and Demographics

• Skills and Labour Supply

• Education

• Health and Safety Facilities

and Services

• Social Services

Financial Assets • Employment

• Business Activity

• Tourism

• Residential Property Values

• Municipal Finance and Admin

• Income

• Renewable and Non-

Renewable Resource Use

• Agriculture

• Economic Development

Services

Physical Assets• Housing

• Municipal Infrastructure and Services

• Land Use

• Transportation Infrastructure

• Community Character

Public

Attitudes


Human Assets

Population and Demographics

Financial Assets

Employment

Business Activity

Tourism

Residential Property Values

Municipal Finance and Administration

Physical Assets

Housing


Social Assets

Inverhuron Provincial Park

82

• Surveys and Interviews– Used to understand current

(baseline) conditions

• Data from Stats Canada– Understand trends in Financial

Assets, Population and

Demographics

• Data collection from

stakeholders– Information on development plans,

trends, capacity for growth,

potential project impacts

Data Collection for Existing Environment

Type Method Number

General Public Public Attitude

Research

809

Recreational

Users and

Tourists

Field Surveys 121

Various

Stakeholders

Telephone and

face-to-face

Interviews

76

Community

Leaders

Telephone and

face-to-face

Interviews

23

Site Neighbours Drop-off

Surveys

6

83

• Human Assets

– Population and mobility has been relatively stable

since 1996

– Broad range of healthcare, social, safety and

emergency services are available to residents

– Meeting healthcare requirements has emerged as the

major community issue

– School boards report capacity to accommodate future

growth


84

• Financial Assets– Modest employment and income

growth since 1996

– Study area is largely dependent on agriculture and its largest employer, Bruce Power, for its Business Activity

– Tourism is very important to local and regional economies

– Residential property values increased by 95% since 2001

• Slight downturn in property values in 2009, consistent with Ontario trend

– Municipal Finances of Kincardine based on ~1.3 Billion dollars of taxable assessments

Existing Environment (cont.)

Lake Huron, local parks, beaches,

trails and attractions contribute to the

tourism industry

85

• Physical Assets– Study areas are characterized by mix of rural and small

settlement areas

– Lake Huron and its shoreline are the defining features of the area

– The Bruce Nuclear site has an organized, spatial and industrial nature. Inland is primarily agricultural with the exception of nearly 115 large wind turbines adding an industrial character.

– Housing stock has grown between 2001-2006

– Municipalities have sufficient water and sewage capacity to meet current and future demands

– Current traffic levels of service around the Bruce Nuclear site are not adequate


86

• Social Assets– LSA and RSA composed of

vibrant and cohesive communities

– Wide range of community facilities and recreational programs are available to residents

– Visitation to InverhuronProvincial Park increasing

• Plans exist to expand services at Inverhuron

– Boating, hiking, nature viewing and swimming are popular outdoor activities


Kincardine’s Scottish Festival

and Highland Games

87

• Public Attitudes toward Personal and Community Well-being are at the core of the Community Well-being Framework– Residents provided high ratings of feelings of personal health,

safety, overall community satisfaction and commitment to community

– Residents consider themselves as having a healthy balance of community assets that contribute to their well-being


88


• Economic Modelling– Direct, indirect and induced impacts on Financial

Assets

– Impacts on Human and Physical Assets

• Surveys and Interviews– Same methods (and respondents) as used in

Baseline data collection to understand potential impacts and concerns related to DGR

• Analyses of interaction with other relevant Natural Assets documentation and studies and their effects

• Case Studies and Past Experience

89

Example of Methods Used and Effects Prediction

• Would DGR change visitation at Inverhuron Provincial Park?

– 51 Tourists and Day Users surveyed at Inverhuron Provincial Park

– 38 respondents replied “no”

– Of the 13 that replied “yes”• 6 stated that they may not come back

• 5 stated that they would more closely monitor safety at the park

• 2 stated they would still come to the park but that it may affect other aspects of visitation

90

Likely Effects

No EffectAdverse

Effect

Beneficial

Effect

Human Assets

Population and Demographics

Education

Financial Assets

Employment

Business Activity

Tourism

Residential Property Values

Municipal Finance and Administration

Income

Physical Assets

Housing


Social Assets

Inverhuron Provincial Park

91

Summary of Effects

• The DGR Project is anticipated to have an overall positive effect on Community Well-being, enhancing Human, Physical and Financial Assets

• Mitigation measures for effects on Natural Assets are sufficient to avoid effects on other Community Assets

• Existing Community Agreement contributes to beneficial effects

• OPG/NWMO consultation and communication programs will continue to evolve to address DGR-specific issues and concerns

92

Aboriginal InterestsAECOM Canada Ltd.

May 4, 2010

93

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge

• Held by, and unique to, Aboriginal peoples

• Built up by a group of people through

generations of living in close contact with

nature

• Cumulative, dynamic and builds upon the

historic experiences of a people and

adapts to social, economic, environmental,

spiritual and political change.

Aboriginal Communities

• Traditional territories of the Saugeen Ojibway Nations

(SON) and the settlement areas and traditional

harvesting territory associated with Métis peoples who

historically settled in relation to the Saugeen River.

– The Saugeen Ojibway Nation traditional territory incorporating both

the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation – Cape Croker

Reserve No. 27 and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation-

Reserve No. 29

– Métis Nation of Ontario members of the Owen Sound - Saugeen

Shores Métis Council who historically settled in relation to the

Hudson Bay’s Bay Company post at the mouth of the Saugeen

River

– Members of the Historic Saugeen Métis Council who historically

settled in relation to the Hudson Bay’s Bay Company post at the

mouth of the Saugeen River


• The Saugeen Ojibway Nation

– Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation – Cape

Croker Reserve No. 27

– Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation- Reserve No. 29

• Owen Sound - Saugeen Shores Métis Council

• Members of the Historic Saugeen Métis Council

Regional Study Area

Sources of Aboriginal Knowledge

• Review of literature with respect to Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Ojibway way of life, culture and beliefs, and Métis way of life, culture and beliefs

• Traditional knowledge, and opinions expressed publicly or to OPG/NWMO by Aboriginal people through a review of media and communication records

• Examination of previous EAs

• Expertise of the technical specialists who based their criteria on factors that are traditionally and current important to Aboriginal people and their communities

Issues of Importance

• Crown’s fiduciary “duty to consult and accommodate”;

• First Nations burial grounds on the Bruce nuclear site;

• cultural heritage and traditional knowledge;

• spiritual considerations;

• land claims, traditional territory and long-term use of lands and waters;

• fishing and harvesting rights;

• health of members of Aboriginal communities;

• environmental health;

• economic benefits and/or impacts (includes alternative energy, scholarships, employment, procurement, tourism);

• possibility of high-level waste being transported to site; and

• legacy issues related to the installation of the original facility.

Aboriginal Interests VECs

VEC Rationale for Selection Indicators Measures

Aboriginal

Communities

• The DGR Project may affect the economic base,

levels of service, social structure, and/or community

stability of Aboriginal communities and residents

• Aboriginal populations

• Local employment

• Local business activity

• Community character

• Change in populations

• Change in employment levels

• Change in business activity

• Change in community characteristics

Aboriginal

Heritage

Resources

• Aboriginal heritage resources such as

archaeological sites may be affected by the

excavation of previously undisturbed lands or deeply

buried artifacts

• Specific cultural or spiritual sites may be affected as

they are places that have historical, religious or

cultural significance to Aboriginal people

• Presence of known archaeological

sites/artifacts

• Potential of presence of unknown

archaeological sites/artifacts

• Identification of archaeological

sites/artifacts within Local Study

Area

• Identification of cultural or spiritual

sites within Local Study Area

Traditional

Use of Land

and

Resources

• Aboriginal people have traditionally made use of

lands and resources. The DGR Project may affect

wildlife, fish, waterfowl, their habitats and sensitive

plants that Aboriginal persons fish, hunt trap, or

gather for food, cultural, or economic purposes

• Changes in the natural environment, as a result of

the DGR, may indirectly impact the other Aboriginal

interests VECs

• Atmospheric Environment

• Hydrology and Surface Water Quality

• Aquatic Environment

• Terrestrial Environment

• Geology

• Radiation and Radioactivity

• Measurable change in natural

environments

Aboriginal

Rights and

Non-physical

Cultural

Interests

• Aboriginal people possess inherent and distinct land

and cultural rights that require protection. Aboriginal

people may consider the DGR Project as potentially

limiting or impinging on these inherent rights

• Limitation or impingements on inherent

rights

• DGR effects on native heritage

resources

• DGR effects on traditional use of lands

and resources by Aboriginal people.

• DGR effects on specific non-physical

cultural and spiritual interests

• Documented evidence of Aboriginal

rights within Local Study Area

• Identification of aboriginal people

within the Local Study Area

• Identification of traditional use of

lands and resources by Aboriginal

people within the Local Study Area

• Identification of specific non-physical

cultural and spiritual interests by

Aboriginal people within the Local

Study Area


• Aboriginal Communities– Reserves well removed from Site Study Area

– Local economy including tourism mirrors that of the non-native communities

• Aboriginal Heritage Resources– Chiibegmegoong (Spirit Place) sacred site to SON

• Traditional Use of Lands and Resources– SON manage commercial fishery

– Lake whitefish is the largest component

• Aboriginal rights and Non-physical Cultural Interests– Fishing and harvesting rights

– Aboriginal title

– Traditional Ojibway spiritual worldview that physical world, including rock of the earth, is the first order of creation


• Analyses of interaction with other relevant Natural Assets and

their effects

• Analyses of interaction with other relevant Socio-Economic

Assets and their effects

• Examination of previous EAs

• Review of literature, traditional knowledge, and opinions

expressed publicly or to OPG/NWMO by Aboriginal people

through a review of communication records

• Expertise of the technical specialists who based their criteria

on factors that are traditionally and current important to

Aboriginal people and their communities

Potential Interactions with VECs

Direct Interactions

• Potential to uncover and disturb archaeological artifacts

• Potential to impinge upon asserted Aboriginal rights and interests, resulting in disturbance to spiritual interests

Indirect Interactions

• Potential to interact with Aboriginal Communities due to nuisance air quality and noise effects, affected water supply, groundwater quality and flow

• Potential to changes in populations of wildlife, fish, waterfowl and their habitats

Measurable Change on VECs

Direct Interactions

• Potential benefit from worker, payroll and purchasing activity for Aboriginal Communities

• Site preparation and excavation activities may uncover and disturb unknown archaeological sites or artifacts

• DGR Project may not be compatible with traditional Ojibway spiritual interests related to the rock of the earth

Indirect Interactions

• Potential Air Quality and Noise Levels effects

Residual Adverse Effects on VECs


• No adverse effects from air quality and noise effects due to in-design mitigation measures on Aboriginal Communities

Aboriginal Heritage Resources

• Culturally-sensitive area B is located in extreme SE corner of DGR Project Area and development should be avoiding in this unaltered landscape

Traditional Use of Lands and Resources

• Area affected by terrestrial and aquatic represent a small fraction of FN traditional territory or Métis harvesting territory and traditional hunting does not occur within Bruce nuclear site boundary

Aboriginal rights and Non-physical Cultural Interests

• SON and OPG/NWMO Protocol Agreement

• Agreements with Métis communities

Significance of Residual Effects

Residual

Adverse EffectMagnitude

Geographic

Extent

Timing and

DurationFrequency

Degree of

Irreversibility

Overall

Assessment

Effects of the

presence of the

DGR Project and

abandonment of

the DGR Project

on Aboriginal rights

and non-physical

cultural interests

Low

• There is some

potential for the

DGR Project to

be

incompatible

with non-

physical

cultural

interests

Low

• Effect is limited

to the Site

Study Area

High

• Effect extends

beyond any

one phase

High

• The effect is

continuous

High

• Effect is not

reversible

(i.e.,

permanent)

Not significant

• Potentially incompatible differences attributable to the spiritual values of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and their traditional Ojibway beliefs towards their relationship with the rock of the earth

Preliminary Design for

OPG’s DGR for L&ILW

May 4, 2010

1

Presentation Topics

2

• Key features

• Surface & underground

facilities

• Waste Rock Management

Area

• Waste handling

• Ventilation

• Fire & life safety

• Decommissioning & Shaft

Sealing

Key Features

• Repository capacity - 200,000 m³ (as disposed)

• Repository capable of year-round operations

• Capable of transporting packages of 35 tonnes

plus conveyance

• Ventilation discharge separation

• Surface storage for waste rock

3

DGR Waste Package Inventory

About 50,000 packages

over 35 years:

• ~40,000 packages or 80% of

inventory are LLW Bins

• ~7,000 ILW Shields

(concrete boxes)

• ~2,000 resin liner packages

4

OPG Retained Lands

5

Underground Location

6

Depth and Geological Setting

7

DGR Site Preparation

• Clearing and grubbing

• Infrastructure for construction

• Access roads for construction

• Storm water management system

• Ground improvements for shaft sinking

8

Grading and Drainage Plan

9

DGR Construction

• About 5 years

• 200 construction workers (avg. annual)

• 10,000 truck deliveries over 5 yrs

• Explosive delivery - daily, just-in-time

delivery from off-site (possible alternative -

on-site surface storage with ~weekly

replenishment)

• Waste rock - ~830,000 m3

10

Construction Layout

11

Waste Rock Management Area

12

Waste Rock Volumes

• It is assumed that:– Soils excavated during shaft construction will be re-used on

site during construction for berms, etc

– Dolostones will be used as aggregate

– Shales excavated during shaft construction will be

constructed into berms

Soil/Rock TypeVolume (m3)

Neat Bulked

Overburden (soils) 1,500 2,000

Dolostones 35,700 50,000

Shales 22,500 31,500

Agrillaceous Limestone 594,400 832,200

Subtotal – Rock Only 652,600 913,700

13

Stormwater Management

• System designed to satisfy Ontario Water Resources Act

• Focus is to control for TSS (25 mg/L daily average)

• System will be designed to retain the 6 hour 25 mm event for a period of 24 hours

• Designed to safely pass 1 in 100 year storm event

14

Drainage Ditches & Retention Pond

Drains to

MacPherson

Bay

15

DGR Operations Layout

Ventilation Shaft Headframe

Main Shaft Headframe

Ventilation Shaft Hoist House

Waste Package Receiving Building

16

Crossing from

WWMF

Waste Package Handling

Amenities Building

17

Waste Package Receiving Building (WPRB)

Main Shaft

18

Ventilation Shaft

19

Layout - Shaft and Services Area

20

Main Access Tunnel

21

Layout – Tunnels & Rooms

22

Closure Walls

20 metres

23

Underground Water Management

Panel Sumps

Shaft Sumps

Main Sump

24

Ventilation System - Surface

Exhaust Plenum

Intake Fans

Ventilation Shaft

Main Shaft

Intake Plenum

Exhaust Fans

Heater House

25

Ventilation System - Rooms

40 kW Room Exhaust Fan

18 m³/s

40 kW Room Exhaust Fan

18 m³/s

26

Fire and Life Safety

• Fire Detection & Suppression

• Radiological Zoning

• Radiation Monitoring• Personnel Monitoring

• Air Monitoring

• Underground Mine Rescue

27

Decommissioning & Shaft Sealing

28