Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Former Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project

Gunnar (SK)

June 22, 2007 (Updated August 31, 2010) -- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Natural Resources Canada are required to ensure that a comprehensive study is conducted pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act commencing on June 15, 2007 in relation to the project: Former Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project.

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address the Cold War Legacy Uranium Mine and Mill Sites in Northern Saskatchewan. This agreement includes the rehabilitation of the former Gunnar mine site. Under the MOA, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources (SIR) has been assigned the responsibility to ensure that the project is carried out on behalf of the two governments. SIR has signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to fulfill the role of project manager and designated agent to manage and perform the required environmental assessment requirements and rehabilitation activities. On 23 April 2007, SRC submitted a project proposal for Gunnar site rehabilitation. The proposal includes the following components:

• Demolition of existing building, facilities and structures;
• Appropriate disposal of materials resulting from demolition;
• Installation of an appropriate cover on all or a portion of the exposed mill tailings;
• Rehabilitation of existing waste rock piles;
• Rehabilitation of additional risk(s) as warranted;
• General site clean-up;
• Re-vegetation of areas of the rehabilitated site as required; and
• Appropriate monitoring during and after rehabilitation.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission may take action in relation to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and Natural Resources Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Saskatchewan.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Kiza Francis
Environmental Assessment Officer
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046 Station B
280 Slater Street
Ottawa  ON  K1P 5S9
Telephone : 613-947-1051 or 1-800-668-5284
Fax : 613-995-5086
Email : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 07-03-30100