CNL Cleanup Function: Land Use Program

CNL’s Cleanup Function ensures that each site, owned by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), is developing robust, relevant and achievable plans for targeted next land uses and end states through one consistent approach that is aligned with the site goals and with a key focus on stakeholder engagement. The Function provides Land Use, Decommissioning and Demolition and Environmental Remediation Processes to establish clear and defined end states to work towards, and ensures decommissioning and environmental remediation is in alignment with the holistic goals of the site.

Land Use Program

Through the Land Use Program (LUP), CNL will be able to ensure a consistent approach to establishing and achieving the right next land uses and end states for sites being decommissioned and remediated. The LUP is in alignment with the latest Canadian regulatory guidance, which emphasizes the importance of early and meaningful Indigenous and public engagement as well as to ensure that CNL sites develop robust, relevant and achievable plans for decommissioning and environmental remediation of legacy liabilities.

Understanding the future land uses of a site is key in guiding the right level of decommissioning and environmental remediation. This is important for sites that are closing and being restored for potential reuse in the future. It is also important for the revitalization of Chalk River to ensure the cleanup of legacy liabilities is successful and areas of the site can be safely reused to support CNL’s enduring mission in nuclear science and technology.

Guiding decommissioning and environmental remediation of CNL sites

Through CNL’s Land Use Program (LUP) we are supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment to a cleaner and healthier environment and delivering on CNL’s mission to Restore and Protect the Environment. The LUP works across all CNL sites to ensure that decommissioning and environmental remediation is being planned and executed- taking into account the entirety of each site.

Frequently asked questions

What are next land uses?

Next land uses are potential future uses of an area or site that is being cleaned up. Next land uses must be defined in order to determine “how clean is clean?” when planning decommissioning and remediation and defining the end state.

Examples: The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment provides environmental quality guidelines based on exposure scenarios for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and residential/parkland land use categories.

What is an end state?

An end state is the agreed environmental (physical, chemical and radiological) condition of a site at the completion of decommissioning and remediation. How are end states and next land uses determined?

Next land uses and end states are determined by following the CNL land use program process, which emphasises the importance of effective engagement. The process guides sites and projects in taking a holistic approach to planning and on when to engage interested members of the public and Indigenous communities and organizations in order to inform the cleanup planning.

How is the Land Use Program applicable to each CNL site?

How does the LUP apply to the continued operations of Chalk River Laboratories?

The Chalk River laboratories site has an enduring mission and is undergoing site revitalization to continue conducting world class nuclear research. The LUP is applicable at CRL as there are legacy liabilities that must be addressed in order achieve a sustainable future for the site. The cleanup planning for the site therefore must take into account near-term and long-term next land uses in order to decommission and remediate effectively.

How does the new LUP impact current decommissioning and environmental remediation work?

How can I learn more?

ermstakeholder@cnl.ca