The following article was sent to North Renfrew Time (NRT) on 16 April 2017 – and it was published on Wednesday 19 April 2017 edition – under the column – Point of View.
16 April 2017
Deep River waiting for growth.
As a long time resident of Deep River, I am aware that many residents are concerned about the survival, growth and sustainability of the community. The decline in the town is very visible and the largest employer in the area is going through similar fate over the years. The growth of nuclear industry in Canada is stalled since decades and many scientists and technicians have moved to other places – many to the USA.
Survival and growth of Deep River and surrounding communities depend on the growth of the nuclear laboratories in the area – at least in the immediate and mid-term future. The long term growth of the town (and communities) cannot be predicted at this time. The search for and possibility of any new industry has met with complete blank – even after investing thousands and many years in the area Economic Development studies.
Now that the new administrative structure (the GoCo model) is established by the Canadian Government to operate the nuclear site in the area – the revitalization of the site is the part of their Vision 2026 statement and the Canadian Government seems to support the vision by investing/providing substantial sums of money per year dedicated to successfully achieve this vision . Refer to on-line
LINK: http://www.cnl.ca/en/home/news-and-publications/stories/2016/160414.aspx
There seems to be so much legacy wastes lying around and scattered at various locations at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) site – which do present a danger (both radiological and non-radiological) to habitat. Further, many existing buildings /structures / site services at CNL site are old and somewhat non-code compliant and tending towards being decrepit and building structures seem to be mostly of wooden construction and could be ” tinder ” and thus posing a definite fire hazard.
As I understand, to fulfill and achieve the CNL Vision 2026 for the revitalization of CNL site, it is necessary to dismantle and remove these old buildings, infrastructures and site services (such as steam line, water lines, electrical systems etc.) and these to be replaced with code compliant and safe services and structures.
This would then allow ” managed ” and progressive revival of the CNL site – hopefully with modern nuclear and related research facilities at the site.
Without the removal of the old decrepit structures and services, the site cannot be transformed into a modern and thriving nuclear research laboratory. Now to facilitate removal all tens of buildings and services, it is necessary to have in place a disposal facility where the removed junk can be disposed off.
I believe it would not be possible or permitted to dispose of such dismantled buildings and site services materials (containing varying degree of radioactivity) at the municipal garbage disposal (Landfill Site) facility on Baggs Road. Even if it is permitted, Baggs Road Landfill site has no capacity to accept such volume of waste.
Further, the dismantled wastes also cannot be carted away to any other site in Canada as such a site is non-existent. Even if such a site is available, the carting of millions of cubic meters of radioactive wastes over the highways would be logistically difficult and very expensive.
So logically, if there is no credible/engineered disposal facility which can accept such wastes – the existing decrepit and site services really cannot be dismantled and thus these old structures will remain in place and deteriorate over the years and then the fallen structures will contaminate the grounds and soil resulting in the contamination migrating towards Ottawa River and contaminating the river without any meaningful monitoring or control.
That would be a shame! The Chalk River site will be abandoned at some time in its life as there will not be much renewal which can be brought in on the site. The local community loses.
The CNL site is a licensed nuclear site in Canada and in operation for more than half a century.
The site has adequate space which can accommodate a new engineered waste disposal facility (of proper type and size) for low level radioactive contaminated wastes.
I am confident that the proposed disposal facility will be a professionally engineered and monitored site and would also have gone through stringent regulatory evaluation and have been verified by internationally renowned qualified experts in their fields of expertise.
There comes a time when bold visionary decisions are necessary or critical in one’s life or in the community’s life. Of course the decisions should be made with proper understanding and required study and scrutiny.
The concept of the development of the proposed disposal facility by CNL is one of these.
While the development of a disposal facility can be accepted as necessary, however it cannot be accepted blindly and thus require scrutiny. It must be remembered that the ” devil is in the details ” and necessary timely constructive criticism or comments can enhance the safety and acceptance of such a facility.
It is my plea that we look at the proposed disposal facility not with emotional eyes and not with the psyche of ” not in my backyard ” syndrome but with a bold vision to support the revival of the nuclear research, science and technology in our area and in Canada. It is important that such nuclear knowledge is not lost but retained and expanded for our next generation – who will be in high competition with many countries for such knowledge – critical to our safety, security and independence.
This is a momentous time in the history of Deep River and surrounding communities – with challenges and opportunities. It’s time for the area residents to be part of a bold visionary decision for the development of a well engineered and regulated waste disposal facility – which would allow/facilitate the revitalization/revival and growth of CNL site – which will, over the years, enhance Canada’s nuclear science and technology knowledge – with a possibility, in future, of development of a nuclear research reactor at CNL site.
All this, in turn, will influence the growth, survival and sustainability of Deep River and surrounding communities.
This is my opinion.
Pravin Shah
65 Rutherford Av.
P. O. Box 2033
Deep River , ON
K0J 1P0
Phone: 613-584-4469