Memorandum of Understanding
In 2001, the Municipality of Kincardine approached OPG to discuss options for the long-term management of low and intermediate level waste at the Bruce site. Those discussions led to the signing, in April 2002, of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OPG and the Municipality of Kincardine which set out the terms to develop a plan for the long-term management of low and intermediate level waste at the Western Waste Management Facility located on the Bruce site.
The MOU work plan included:
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A review of the technical feasibility of the long-term management options for low and intermediate level waste at the WWMF
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A socio-economic impact assessment in the Municipality of Kincardine of the existing operation of the WWMF and the potential long-term options
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A review of European and American models for the long-term management of low and intermediate level waste, including site visits to look at issues such as technical infrastructure and community compensation.
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A Kincardine-OPG Steering Committee met regularly to develop and advance the work plan.
Under the terms of the MOU, OPG and Kincardine engaged Golder Associates to conduct an Independent Assessment Study (IAS) for three options - Enhanced Processing and Storage, Covered Above-Ground Concrete Vault and Deep Geologic Repository. The study assessed the geotechnical feasibility, the safety, the social and economic feasibility and the potential environmental effects of a proposed long-term management facility at the Western Waste Management Facility.
Also under the MOU some Kincardine Council members participated in site visits at nuclear waste management facilities in Europe and the United States. The purpose of the fact finding visits was to review best practices in low and intermediate level waste management from a technical perspective and to meet with community officials/representatives and review community agreements.
Golder Associates also developed and implemented a Community Consultation and Communications program as a part of the Independent Assessment Study. The communications included one-on-one stakeholder briefings, open houses, newsletters, public attitude research, web site, advertising in local newspapers, and presentations at regularly scheduled meetings.
The IAS concluded that each of the options was feasible, could be constructed to meet international and Canadian safety standards with a considerable margin of safety, would not have significant residual environmental effects, and would not have a negative effect on the agriculture or tourism industries in the area. The geology of the Bruce site was considered ideal for the Deep Geologic Repository option.
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