Questions and answers
Here are some questions and answers on terms found in REGDOC-1.2.3. For a more complete overview, please refer to the Consultation Backgrounder.
What is a deep geological repository?
A deep geological repository (DGR) is a facility where radioactive waste is placed in a deep, stable geological formation, usually several hundred metres or more below the surface. The facility is engineered to isolate and contain radioactive waste to provide long-term isolation of nuclear substances from the environment.
In Canada, no DGRs are currently under construction or operating. However, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has been seeking a site for a DGR in Canada since 2010. Their DGR proposal is known as the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) project.
What does site preparation mean?
Site preparation for a DGR is an activity that must be licensed under the NSCA. Site preparation activities are limited to establishing basic infrastructure to support the future construction and operation of a nuclear facility. The following table gives examples of types of activities that are permitted or prohibited under a CNSC licence to prepare site.
Permitted activities
clearing vegetation and grubbing
levelling the land
installing fencing and infrastructure, such as power supply and utilities
establishing site access roads and parking
erecting flood protection and erosion control measures
building non-nuclear facility structures, systems and components, such as foundation structures
Prohibited activities
transporting nuclear or hazardous materials, such as used nuclear fuel, to the site
storing nuclear or hazardous materials on the site
processing nuclear materials on site
packaging used nuclear fuel on site
building any DGR facility structures, systems or components on the site
If an applicant obtains a licence to prepare a site, it does not guarantee that they will receive a licence to construct or operate a facility. Those subsequent activities would require a new application.