Radioactive waste dump at Chalk River gets green light to start construction

A federal regulatory body has approved construction of a controversial radioactive waste dump near the Ottawa River, upstream from Ottawa and Montreal.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) wants to build an engineered mound or «near surface disposal facility» close to the company's nearly 80-year-old Chalk River site, about 190 kilometres northwest of Ottawa and about one kilometre from the river.

The facility would include containment cells, a base liner and cover, and a system to detect leaks, according to a project descripton.

It is expected to contain low-level radioactive waste including contaminated soil and building materials from decommissioned Chalk River activities, mops and protective clothing used during cleanup, and waste from sources such as hospitals and universities.

In its Jan. 8 decision, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) determined the proposal «is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects» and that CNL had adequately consulted and accommodated Indigenous groups.

«The design of the [facility] is robust, supported by a strong safety case, able to meet its required design life, and sufficient to withstand severe weather events, seismic activity, and the effects of climate change,» CNSC said in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon.

Water concerns

The broader Ottawa area is unceded Algonquin territory and leaders of 10 of the 11 federally recognized Algonquin communities have objected to the project for years, saying they're concerned about contamination, sacred sites and what they characterize as the commission's bias in favour of the industry.

The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan were the only Algonquin community to gave its consent, and a formal partnership between the community and